St James Academy Conversion
On 06 November 2025, the Governing Body of St James CofE Aided Primary school held an Extraordinary Full Governing Body meeting to consider the responses to its consultation on converting to academy status and joining a Multi Academy Trust (MAT). The Governing Body noted that responses were positive.
The Governing Body reviewed the original benefits and reasons for St James Primary converting to an academy school, as initially considered at the Extraordinary Governing Body meeting of the Surrey Oak Federation Governing Body on Thurs 25 April 2024. The Governing Body agreed that the benefits and reasons remained relevant, with some elements having become even more pressing.
The Governing Body determined by unanimous vote that, following positive responses to the stakeholder consultation, it will proceed with converting to academy status and joining the Good Shepherd Multi Academy Trust.
You can find a summary of the consultation responses and the minutes of the 06 November meeting below.
What happens now?
The Governing Body has formed a working party, which includes representatives from the Good Shepherd Trust and the Department for Education (DfE), to manage the transition to academy status and joining the Good Shepherd Trust (GST); it will focus on ensuring minimal disruption to children and staff.
Our target date for joining GST is 01 April 2026.
The Governing Body will post updates about its progress towards conversion on this webpage.
Background
The Governing Body of the Surrey Oak Federation, which has now become the Governing Body of St James CofE Aided Primary School, had been investigating what would be best for the education of local children in an increasingly challenging landscape for several years.
The Governing Body believed that the best plan moving forwards was for St James CofE Aided Primary School to become an academy and join the Good Shepherd Trust. The Governing Body accordingly applied to become an academy within The Good Shepherd Trust under the Academies Act 2010 .
The Governing Body received approval in principle from the Diocese, the Local Authority and the DfE, subject to the outcome of consultation with stakeholders. The consultation ran from 17 September 2025 to 29 October 2025 and included open meetings with parents and staff. The results of the consultation were positive.
Find out more
You can find out more about the Good Shepherd Trust by following the link. The Good Shepherd Trust
You can find out more about the decision to convert to an academy, the consultation and its outcome in the documents below:
2025 11 Academisation Decision2025 11 06 St JP EFGB Minutes2025 11 Summary of Academisation consultation2025 10 14 Consultation meeting slides & questionsConsultation Letter to Stakeholders