About CDAT

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Chester Diocesan Academies Trust (CDAT) is a thriving and growing Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), serving over 4,000 pupils within our growing family of 32 church primary schools across Cheshire, Wirral, and parts of Greater Manchester. 

CDAT was founded by the Diocese of Chester in 2013, initially as a home for sponsored academies but soon expanding to accommodate good and outstanding schools too. Our schools are currently organised into four geographical hubs, although we expect this to increase to 5 or 6 hubs as the trust grows. This supports school-to-school collaboration and promotes professional development at school level, as well as supporting our vision for a community of schools that work together for the common good. Our schools serve their individual communities in the way they know best, with support from CDAT to ensure they have what they need to deliver the best for their pupils.

Our Trust is also a significant provider of Professional Development at all levels. Our School Direct programme provides a heavily school-based teacher training route for graduates. We them run a range of specialist CPD – this year including an EYFS development programme. For middle and senior leaders, we are a delivery partner for the Church of England Foundation for Educational Leadership – running a range of National Professional Qualification (NPQ) courses.

Our Approach

We believe that all children are entitled to an excellent standard of education and that high-quality education enables children to grow and reach their potential academically, socially, creatively, physically and spiritually.

Furthermore, we believe that excellence in education is based on outstanding leadership, a high-quality curriculum and excellent classroom practice. The CDAT School Effectiveness package includes a range of support in all these areas. We also provide new networking opportunities for schools to share best practice, while still encouraging schools to retain existing, effective school networks.

Why join CDAT?

Rooted in Christian values, CDAT is committed to:

• Valuing the uniqueness of every child

• Aspiring to excellence

• Being a nurturing learning community for all

Jesus said, 'I have come in order that you might have life – life in all its fullness' (John 10:10). As a Trust, our aim is to ensure that all of our pupils are able to benefit from and enjoy 'life in all its fullness.'

Our Core Principles

• Working collaboratively, sharing best practice and supporting each other 

• Provide a high-quality education and a rich and broad curriculum

• All of our schools have a strong, shared Christian ethos