Parents and teachers are being invited to have their say
Bridge Learning Campus is one of the 21 schools(Image: BristolLive)
Two major school trusts in Bristol are proposing to merge in 2026 in a move aimed at enhancing education, improving staff development and uniting communities across the city.
Trust in Learning Academies (TiLA) and Cathedral Schools Trust (CST) have announced early-stage plans to join forces and form a single, values-led multi-academy trust. The proposed merger would create a combined network of 16 primary schools, one all-through school and four secondary schools, with 11,000 pupils and around 1,700 teaching and support staff between them.
The aim of the merger is to strengthen pupil transitions between primary and secondary education, create a more cohesive school community across Bristol, and unlock greater opportunities for both staff and students. The new trust would be underpinned by a shared commitment to young people and families in the area.
Leaders from both organisations said the merger would allow schools to collaborate more effectively, share resources and promote consistent best practice across the network. Staff development would also be prioritised, with enhanced training and support, while pupils would benefit from expanded initiatives to boost educational outcomes.
Consultations are being launched to allow staff, parents, carers and stakeholders to give their views and ask questions. The two trusts say they are working closely with the Department for Education and the Diocese of Bristol as they finalise the plans, with a final decision expected later this year.
‘Exciting opportunity’
Sue Elliott, chief executive of Trust in Learning Academies, said: “We are united in our belief that bringing our two strong and successful trusts together will create a dynamic organisation that will provide enhanced opportunities for our children, young people and their families, our staff and the local communities we serve.
“Throughout our exploration and discussion phase, it has been clear that there is considerable synergy between our two trusts, with both offering expertise, a passion to inspire learning, a commitment to educational excellence and having a well-aligned set of values, culture and ethos. We look forward to discussing our plans with our communities and hearing their views as we progress this exciting opportunity.”
Neil Blundell, chief executive of Cathedral Schools Trust, added: “Our shared motivation for this proposed merger is to create the best possible opportunities for our people, and we seek to always ensure that every decision is made in the best interest of our pupils and staff.
“By coming together within a single unified trust structure, we will be much better able to share resources and best practice, and offer wider opportunities to recruit and retain staff, which will better serve our children. A larger trust will also secure better value for money as we will benefit from economies of scale, so our children’s educational opportunities will be maximised and truly tailored to the wider Bristol educational landscape.”
The schools affected would be: