About this FAQ
We are committed to responding in depth to all questions raised during the consultation process. To ensure transparency and accessibility, we have summarised the questions and responses here, grouped into categories for everyone to view.
All queries are welcomed and addressed. Where questions relate to individual circumstances or specific personal matters, we respond privately to respect confidentiality.
Our aim is to provide clear, comprehensive information to support informed discussion and decision-making.
- Download a summary of parent consultation meetings on Mayfield’s proposed move to join Eastern Learning Alliance.
Support from ELA
ELA offers a comprehensive package of support services designed to strengthen school operations and improve pupil outcomes.
These include:
Leadership & School Improvement
- Strategic support from the CEO and executive team.
- Access to Trust-wide curriculum leads and improvement specialists.
- Collaborative networks for sharing best practice and innovation.
Finance & Operational Support
- Expert financial planning, monitoring, and compliance support.
- Collective procurement for better value and cost savings.
- Long-term budget forecasting and sustainability planning.
Human Resources & Staff Wellbeing
- Professional HR services, including recruitment and performance management.
- Staff wellbeing programmes and mental health support.
- High staff satisfaction across the Trust (over 90%).
IT & Infrastructure
- Daily IT support (on-site and remote).
- Modern, secure digital learning platforms.
- Cybersecurity and data protection expertise.
Estates & Facilities
- Centralised estates management and compliance.
- Support for site improvements and renovations under £100k.
- Health and safety oversight.
Legal & Regulatory Support
- Access to legal advice and guidance on governance, complaints, and compliance.
- Support with safeguarding and internal investigations.
Curriculum & Teaching Resources
- Shared curriculum resources and planning tools.
- Access to secondary specialists for primary schools.
- Opportunities for cross-phase collaboration and enrichment.
Staffing & Cover Support
- A pool of trusted support staff for flexible deployment.
- Cover supervisors, admin staff, and operational support available as needed.
Pupil Premium Funding
Yes. One of ELA’s core strategic objectives is to ensure the best possible educational experience for disadvantaged students. All schools in the Trust are supported to go beyond the allocated Pupil Premium funding, offering access to trips, clubs, and high-quality teaching and intervention.
Governing Body Decision-Making
The governing body will consider all feedback from the consultation before making a final decision. No formal application has yet been submitted to the Department for Education (DfE), and the process remains subject to due diligence.
All feedback will be summarised and published on the consultation website once it closes. FAQs will be updated throughout the process. The governing body is committed to transparency and will use stakeholder input to inform its final decision.
Trust Selection and Transparency
The governing body reviewed ACES, Eastern Learning Alliance (ELA), Saffron Academy Trust, and CamTrust. Criteria included Ofsted ratings, trust structure, geographical proximity, pupil numbers, financial stability, and alignment of values. ELA was chosen for its strong track record, collaborative ethos, and existing relationship with Mayfield.
ELA was open to supporting Mayfield despite its financial deficit, unlike other trusts. Its proximity and collaborative model were key factors. Girton Glebe Primary, another local mainstream primary in ELA, has shown significant improvement since joining, including strong KS2 results and increased pupil numbers.
Curriculum and Educational Provision
Schools within ELA retain autonomy over their curricula, which are tailored to their pupils. Joining the Trust may offer opportunities for collaboration and access to shared resources, but curriculum decisions remain school-led.
No. ELA schools offer a broad and enriching curriculum, including strong arts provision. School improvement priorities are identified collaboratively and supported without compromising curricular breadth.
Yes. ELA prioritises individual pupil support and enrichment. Four ELA schools received ‘Outstanding’ ratings in all areas from Ofsted in the past year highlighting an individualised approach to offering exceptional provision.
Staffing and Leadership
Staffing structures vary by school and are designed to deliver the best educational experience within budget constraints. There are no current plans for redundancies, because Mayfield’s own budget forecasts show an improving financial picture over the coming years. Some of this improvement is based on staff leaving as expected at certain points: should the school join ELA, the expert central finance team and Trust executive will work with the school to ensure budgets are set which continue to improve the school’s financial position. The central team would support the Headteacher with decision making regarding actions required to ensure this, with a focus on ensuring the best possible educational experience for students in the school.
No. Staff contracts and terms of employment are protected under TUPE regulations. ELA uses the same pay scales and employment guidelines as Mayfield.
The Chair had previously worked with ELA but was no longer employed by them at the time of his appointment or the governing body’s vote. He did not propose ELA as an option and was not part of the research group. No member of the governing body will benefit financially from Mayfield joining ELA.
Financial Position and Future Planning
ELA is not in a deficit position. The next set of accounts are currently being audited (to be submitted to the DfE by 31-Dec-25) but we are confident these will show that the Trust is operating in a surplus, with a closing reserves position of over £950K at 31 August 2025 – we would be happy to confirm the exact figures post audit sign-off. Budgets and forecasts for subsequent years show ongoing strong performance. Mayfield is expected to join with a £100k deficit, which ELA will absorb. ELA will also waive the central services fee for Mayfield in the first year to support the transition.
Without joining a trust, Mayfield may face further reductions in Local Authority support and increasing financial strain. There is no clear government plan to increase school funding or reform SEND and Early Years provision. The school has already undergone a round of redundancies in 2023/24, which worsened its financial position.
SEND and Specialist Provision
Inclusion is a legal requirement for all schools. Admissions and EHCP support will remain under the Local Authority, and children entitled to additional funding and services will continue to receive them. Within ELA, Mayfield would benefit from additional central support for SEND, including access to expertise from the Cavendish School, a specialist provider within the Trust.
Yes. The DSC is partly funded by the Cambridgeshire Sensory Service, which has a longstanding arrangement with Mayfield. There is no indication that this arrangement will change, and ELA has expressed a commitment to supporting a wide range of learners.
Governance and Parental Involvement
Once the DfE approves the conversion, the change is permanent. The school will no longer be under Local Authority control. The governing body will remain but with a narrower remit focused on education and pastoral care. Operational functions such as finance, HR, estates, and health and safety will be managed by the Trust’s central team. Admissions and EHCP funding will continue to be handled by the Local Authority.
Yes. Each ELA school has a local governing body with parent representation. The Trust also engages parents through regular feedback, school events, and active PTA groups.
In November 2024, no decision had been made by the governing body to proceed with academisation. While research was underway, it would not have been appropriate to announce a possibility that had not yet become a formal proposal.
Consultation Process
Online consultation allows broad access for all stakeholders and offers the opportunity to receive an individual response to a question. However, face-to-face meetings are likely to be arranged, as they have been for staff. All questions submitted are being answered fully, and there is no vetting of responses.
