Decisions made: April 2026
Updated 29 May 2026
Applies to England
© Crown copyright 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/regions-group-school-decisions-north-west/decisions-made-april-2026
These decisions were made in April 2026.
Greater Manchester
Converter academy orders
Project
An application from Lowerplace Primary School (URN: 105777), Rochdale local authority to voluntary convert and join Hollingworth Learning Trust.
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
None.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Project
An application from Rosehill Primary School (URN: 106076), Stockport local authority to voluntary convert and join Greater Manchester Education Trust
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
None.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Project
An application from the following schools to convert and join Altus Education Partnership:
- Marland Hill Community Primary School (URN: 105778), Rochdale local authority
- Whittaker Moss Primary School (URN: 105781), Rochdale local authority
- Hamer Community Primary School (URN: 105800), Rochdale local authority
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
No conditions.
Further actions required: feed back decision to school or trust.
Trust changes
Project
Reddish Vale High School (URN: 145133), Achieve and Learn Trust, Stockport local authority, to join Greater Manchester Education Trust.
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
No conditions.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Significant changes to an open academy
Project
Firwood High School (URN: 146410), Woodbridge Trust, Bolton local authority to add a satellite site for 100 places.
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
No conditions.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Project
St Stephens RC Primary School (URN: 150188), Emmaus Catholic Academy Trust, Tameside local authority to add a SEN unit or resourced provision.
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
No conditions.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Project
Kingfisher Special School (URN: 143304), Kingfisher Learning Trust, Oldham local authority to add two 12-place satellite sites to a special school.
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
Trust must update funding agreements.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Liverpool City Region, Warrington, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester and Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool and Lancashire and Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness
Trust changes
Project
The following schools of South Cumbria Multi-Academy trust to voluntary transfer and join The Co-operative Academies Trust:
- Chetwynde School (URN: 141106), Westmorland and Furness local authority
- Vickerstown School (URN: 149244), Westmorland and Furness local authority
- Ormsgill Nursery and Primary School (URN: 149295) Westmorland and Furness local authority
- South Walney Junior School (URN: 149960) Westmorland and Furness local authority
- Newbarns Primary and Nursery School (URN: 149961) Westmorland and Furness local authority
- Cambridge Primary School (URN: 150005) Westmorland and Furness local authority
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
No conditions.
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.
Project
The following schools of Create Learning Trust to voluntary transfer and join The Sir John Brunner Foundation:
- Sandiway Primary School (URN: 146131) Cheshire West and Chester local authority
- Little Leigh Primary School (URN: 146202) Cheshire West and Chester local authority
- Cuddington Primary School (URN: 146622) Cheshire West and Chester local authority
- Hartford Primary School (URN: 149663) Cheshire West and Chester local authority
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
No conditions.
Further actions required
Feedback decision to school or trust
Converter academy orders
Project
An application from St Cuthert’s Catholic High School (URN: 103845), St Helens local authority to voluntary convert and join St Joseph Catholic Multi Academy Trust
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
None.
Further actions required
Feedback decision to school or trust.
Significant changes to an open academy
Project
St John Plessington Catholic College (URN: 131931) and St Alban’s Catholic Primary School (URN: 150184), both of Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust, Wirral local authority to apply for a retrospective significant change application for the acquisition of 2 satellite sites known collectively as ‘The Element’, for the delivery of AP, linked to St John Plessington Catholic College (KS3 and KS4) and St Alban’s Catholic Primary School (KS2).
Decision
Approve.
Conditions
The trust must work with the diocese to commission an external review of governance, which must be approved by the diocese, to assess the effectiveness of the board with a specific focus on the accountability and governance of the Element Centre to provide reassurance in this regard
Further actions required
Feed back decision to school or trust.