Leeds primary school becomes eighth to join growing academies trust as council confirm transfer

St Oswald’s CofE Primary School, located on The Green, Guiseley, is set to officially open as an academy, under the Collaborative Learning Trust, on March 1 2026.

The school will become the ninth to join the trust, whose portfolio includes Ofsted outstanding schools such as Bramhope Primary and Prince Henry’s Grammar School in Otley.

A Leeds City Council decisions report said: “The Project Team have negotiated the Commercial Transfer Agreement, and agreed a commercial position in preparation for the academy transfer on 1st March 2026 or such later date as advised by the DfE.

“All issues have been resolved to the Project Team’s satisfaction, and the formalisation of the CTA is recommended in preparation for the transfer of St Oswald’s CofE Primary School to academy status.”

The commercial transfer will see all contracts assigned to the Collaborative Learning Trust where third-party consent is not required, or where consent has been obtained. Where consent has not been granted prior to the conversion date, City Council will continue with the contract as an agent of the trust.

If a school wishes to become an academy, then an application can be made by its governing body to the DfE for permission to convert. Councils do not have the right or ability to prevent an academy conversion once such an application is approved.