ENGAGEMENT

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• CLT Parents Letter
• CLT Staff Letter
• CLT Trade Unions Letter
• Frequently Asked Questions

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Chiltern Learning Trust and Inspiring Futures through Learning: Proposal

We are excited to share our partnership vision, and we seek to gain feedback from parents/carers, staff, governors, partners and the community. The engagement period will run from 2nd February 2026 to 9th March 2026. Following this engagement period, a report on the findings will be published and made available to all stakeholders via each Trust's website.

What is being proposed?

Chiltern Learning Trust (CLT) and Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL)  are currently exploring the possibility of formalising their existing and strong, impactful partnership work through a proposed merger. Both organisations are well established in their communities and united by shared values and a commitment to continuous improvement, collaboration, and ambition. Over recent years, they have cultivated a strong working relationship grounded in common values and mutual respect.

The two Trusts are highly complementary – their respective experiences in primary and secondary education and initial teacher training are regionally and nationally recognised, and recent merger work has focused on sharing the best expertise across the whole range for both trusts. Crucially, they are geographically neighbouring, covering North Northants, Milton Keynes, Luton, Bedford, Central Beds, and Buckinghamshire, meaning a formal merger would be logical and highly efficient in preserving local identity.

Anticipated benefits of a joint organisation:

• Enhanced outcomes and wider experiences for pupils 
• Broader expertise through collaboration across all key stages and school improvement initiatives

• Greater talent development via enriched career pathways and collaborative opportunities
• Increased organisational resilience through shared resources and financial efficiencies

• Wider reach across seven local authority areas
• Further economies of scale, which will enhance educational provision

Together, the two trusts could create a resilient, diverse, and sustainable organisation capable of supporting over forty academies.

The schools involved in this proposal are:

A Shared Vision for Excellence

This is an exciting time for our Trusts and our schools, and a fantastic opportunity for us to further strengthen our partnership as a group of like-minded education providers by formalising the relationships between us.

Our trusts are determined to deliver the very highest standard of education for all pupils through collaboration and sharing of best practice, and this is underpinned by our shared ethos and values.

Graham Pryor, Chair of Trustees, Chiltern Learning Trust 

The Board is delighted to invite our communities to share their views on this exciting merger proposal. This isn't a new partnership; our Trusts have a long and successful history of working together, most notably through our joint commitment to teacher training and the Chiltern Teaching School Hub. By formalising this bond, we can build on our shared values and proven strengths to deliver even greater opportunities for our pupils, staff, and families. Together, we aim to create a resilient and ambitious organisation that supports every learner while preserving the unique identity and heritage of our schools across the region.

Marilyn Hubbard MBE, Chair of Trustees, Inspiring Futures through Learning 

This engagement period is a vital opportunity for our community to help shape a future that we have already begun building together. Having collaborated closely on leadership development, digital innovation and many other areas, we feel that our two Trusts may be a natural fit for the future. Working alongside Chiltern Learning Trust, we remain committed to a culture of collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement as service to our communities. By fully combining our expertise and resources, we can ensure that every child and colleague benefits from a richer, more inclusive educational experience. We look forward to your feedback as we work to build a strong, sustainable future for all.

Get Involved!

To help our stakeholders to develop their knowledge and understanding of what is involved, we have organised two informal drop-in sessions, which will take place as follows:

Thursday, 26th February 2026, 5.30pm to 7.00pm:

Glebe Farm School, Burney Drive, Glebe Farm, Milton Keynes MK17 8XY

Click here to register your attendance

Tuesday, 3rd March 2026, 5.30pm to 7.00pm:

Redgrave Children & Young People’s Centre, Redgrave Gardens, Luton LU3 2QN

Click here to register your attendance

These sessions will be an opportunity to ask questions about how this could affect your child or any of the schools in the Trust or the community they serve. The CEOs from both Trusts will be available to talk to you, and you will also be able to register your comments, queries and any thoughts on opportunities or concerns.

If you are unable to attend but would like further information, you can contact either Trust in the following ways:

• By email at: engagement@chilternlearningtrust.org 

• Online Survey: There is also an online survey where you can provide a response to some questions we have asked, whilst also asking any of your own and sharing your observations.
  To complete a copy of the survey, please click here

• Click here for our Frequently Asked Questions 

Click here to visit:  Inspiring Futures through Learning’s Engagement Page

Next Steps: Following the engagement period, a report on the findings will be published and made available to all stakeholders on each Trust website. A decision to continue with an application will be considered by both Trust Boards in March an application submitted to the Department for Education shortly thereafter.