1. Meeting with Parents, Carers and Stakeholders of West Kingsdown Church of England Primary School

2. Purpose of the meeting
To provide information on the academy conversion process and the changes to the status of the school
To explain the role of the sponsor and the academy trust once the school becomes an academy
To explain the vision and plans for West Kingsdown going forward
To answer any questions about academy conversion

3. When will the school become an academy?
Academy Order – 1st April 2015
Consultation with staff, parents and the local community is complete
The legal documentation between the Local Authority and the Diocese for the academy transfer is complete and agreed
The Department of Education enter into a funding agreement with the sponsor

4. What happens when the school converts
School moves out of the direct responsibility of Kent County Council and passes to RDAT
Academy is funded directly by Department of Education
Staff become direct employees of RDAT
School ceases and the academy opens
Ayub to explain

5. What are the key changes?
West Kingsdown will be given academy status and join the Rochester Diocesan Academy Trust
The Academy will receive its funding directly from the Department of Education and have greater financial freedom
West Kingsdown can develop its own curriculum suited to the needs of the children; it does not have to follow the National Curriculum unless the school wishes
The Academy will be able to begin to benefit from being part of the Diocesan Academy Trust

6. Financial benefits of academy conversion
School receives additional funding:
Pre-opening grants - legal fees, academy conversion costs and school improvement - £110K
Environmental Improvement Grant - £40K
Academy Start-up Grant - £110K over 2 years
Total: £260K

7. What stays the same?
West Kingsdown remains a Church of England school with a Christian ethos and religious character
Local Governing Body remain in place but will be accountable to Directors of the Trust
Children will have the same teachers - staff transferred to the trust - employment rights are protected
Admissions arrangements – same policy as current school
No change to the daily operation of the school - term dates, uniform, length of school day, clubs, dinner money
Alex and Lee to deliver together

8. Any Questions?

9. The Sponsor The Rochester Diocesan Academy Trust R.D.A.T

10. Rochester Diocesan Board of Education
Aims of the Board
To promote Christian distinctiveness and support excellence in Christian education by working closely with schools, churches and parishes
To develop and facilitate collaborative partnerships and networks which are sustainable and create positive relationships between those involved in Christian Education

11. Rochester Diocesan Academy Trust (RDAT)
The Rochester Diocesan Academy Trust was established in
October independent charitable trust set up by the Diocese
To create a strong family of Church academies which can work collaboratively together
To maintain and ensure the rapid improvement of sponsored Church schools across the diocese
The trust will act as sponsor for Church and Community schools who
wish to become an academy within the Diocese
For Church schools which are being directed to become a sponsored academy by the Department of Education

12. Our Vision ‘Strong Christian Values and
Educational excellence for all’
West Kingsdown C of E Primary School
to become a ‘Centre of Excellence’
for primary education recognised in the
local area and beyond

13. Our Ethos We value every child, ensuring that they develop
The Christian ethos of West Kingsdown is the core foundation of
the academy and is integral to its character.
We value every child, ensuring that they develop
their individual talents and skills to become
happy and successful learners, founded upon
Christian values and practice, within our
caring school community.

14. Our Commitment
Our aim is to ensure that all our Church academies provide an outstanding education for all their pupils and maintain the strong Christian ethos which is core to our vision
We expect that all schools will be judged as ‘Good’ or better by Ofsted within two years of joining the Diocesan Academy Trust

15. How we will achieve our commitment
Trust Directors will work closely with the Local Governing Body to improve standards across the school
Local Governing Body will monitor the performance of the school and be accountable to Trust Directors
The Trust will provide support to Governors and Leadership through our School Improvement Partner
The Academy Trust will provide opportunities for leadership development and training across its group of academies

16. The values of respect, service, truth,
Our Core Values
Christian belief that all people are uniquely created by God and loved by God.
Children deserve an excellent education which should be personalised and meet their needs
Raise standards and transforming the life chances of the community which the Academy serves.
The values of respect, service, truth,
trust and integrity

17. Benefits of Joining RDAT
Stability and protection in a fast changing educational landscape
Support for schools requiring rapid improvement and schools aspiring to become ‘Outstanding’
Strong strategic guidance and advice from our experienced directors who believe in Christian Education
Economies of scale, cost savings and value for money from a range of services centrally procured by the trust
Professional development and training for staff across the group of academies

18. Governance arrangements
Local Governing Bodies remain responsible for academies reporting directly to the Trust Board
Directors oversee the strategic direction of all academies within the trust
‘Scheme of delegation’ used to delegate powers Local Governing Body

19. Our Directors & Staff
Nine Directors who are experienced educationalists including
serving Headteachers of our Outstanding schools and
the Director of Education
Operations Director Chair of Trust Director of Education

20. School Improvement
All teaching and learning to be ‘Good’ or better in 2 years and aspire to be an Outstanding academy
Department of Education require all Sponsors to have a ‘School Improvement Partner’ or capacity to deliver this
Cambridge Education – school improvement experts available to support the governors and leadership
Professional development and training for all staff and leaders

21. Any Questions? www.rdat.org.uk