Sycamore Short Stay School is consulting on a proposal for the school to become an academy and join Dudley Academies Trust (DAT).
Sycamore Short Stay School is consulting on a proposal for the school to become an academy and join Dudley Academies Trust (DAT).
The proposal is intended to support the next stage of the school’s development, while building on Sycamore’s existing strengths, specialist expertise and commitment to pupils and families.
Potential benefits of joining Dudley Academies Trust include:
support to increase the number of pupils and schools Sycamore is able to support;
further development of alternative provision and early intervention services;
additional support for improvements to the school estate and learning environment;
access to specialist educational expertise and professional development;
access to Trust-wide services including HR, finance, IT, estates, governance and procurement; and
opportunities for Sycamore’s expertise in alternative provision, trauma-informed practice and inclusion to contribute across the wider Trust.
Sycamore and Dudley Academies Trust are already working collaboratively on a number of areas, including the future development of the school estate.
The formal consultation is open from 14 September 2026 until 9 October 2026.
We welcome the views of parents and carers, staff, pupils, partner organisations and other members of the school community.
Please share your views by completing our short online consultation form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/tyGZaESLX7
All responses received during the consultation period will be considered by the Management Committee before the process progresses further.
Subject to the necessary approvals, legal processes and due diligence being completed, the earliest anticipated date for conversion would be 1 December 2026.
Thank you for taking the time to consider the proposal and share your views.