1. Greenways Primary School Proposal to Convert to Academy Status Parent Consultation Meeting 28 th April 2015

2. Maintained v Academy v MAT - Different forms of school leadership. Locally maintained school (Non Academy) - the school is directly accountable to the local authority (as now). Federations 2 x LA schools and one Executive Head. Stand alone Academy - the school is directly accountable to the Department for Education (rather than the LA) & has no formal links with other schools. The DFE no longer allows schools to convert as standalone academies. Multi-Academy Trusts- the school is directly accountable to the Department for Education and has formal links with other schools – there is usually a lead school; this is the Governors preferred model, with Greenways being the lead school.

3. Financing of Academies Schools are funded per pupil Local authority schools have approximately 10% of their budget top sliced, which the local authority uses to provide some central services and local priorities (Greenways = £75k top sliced; additional services we need to buy = approx £25k) Academies don’t have their budgets top sliced

4. Local Authority – diminishing roles…. The local authority is diminishing rapidly that means; previously there was a large Education support within the LA to support teaching and learning in all subjects; there are now senior 4 staff – Dave Perrett (Assistant Director of Ed), Rob Johnstone, Sarah Preston & Christine Bray. There are no longer curriculum and data teams to support teaching and learning across schools; and this has to be sourced by schools themselves. As the local authority and its resources dry up, schools need to rely on each other. So our view is : “Lets make our own centre of excellence” have our own schools to share our good practise and bring in the best people to share and support

5. Reasons….. Greenways is a strong school and the Governors and Senior Leaders wish to protect the schools identity at all costs (2014 – Greenways was in the top 5% of schools across Staffs & Stoke LA’s). At present there are many high schools and large Academy chains approaching primary schools to join their trusts. At Greenways, the Governors and Senior Leaders want to be in control of the school’s own destiny and future; by converting to an academy we ensure we maintain our independence. As such, we want to become an Academy within our own right and not be taken over by a larger Academy chain. Current information suggests all main stream political parties will continue with the Academy system. The school’s values, will not change.

6. Reasons…. Converting to an Academy gives us full control of our finances enabling us to direct all of our income to the children rather than this being top sliced by the Local Authority when money is redistributed for priorities across the city. We know what our children require and wish to cater for those needs better. Being an Academy will allow us to do that; utilising funds from Central Government to meet the key priorities for our school and community.

7. Transition The transition to becoming an Academy will be a seamless one for the children, with little change for them in terms of the organisation and staffing. We know how important it is that the children do not feel the change as this could disrupt their learning. Class staff will remain unchanged Policies and practice, remain the same. The school, becomes responsible directly to the DFE rather than the local authority There may be some rebranding but it is important that Greenways identity is maintained

8. Our Vision – Unchanged To provide high quality primary education High academic achievement in reading, writing, maths & communication skills; preparing children for 21stcentury Supported by an exciting curriculum; with a cross curricular approach to teaching and learning Teaching children about the wider world

9. Greenways view is to become a Multi-Academy Trust Greenways will be the lead school; already agreed in principal by the DFE We feel it brings many benefits, especially as a small one form entry school for the children, staff and financially Mrs Dean would provide strategic direction for the Trust & the schools. At Greenways Miss Brackstone would be Head of teaching and learning & responsible for the day-to-day running of the school.

10. Teaching and Learning benefits Develop the best primary expertise – sharing expertise EYFS and Curriculum leaders, share skills, joint monitoring, moderation of levels etc – to improve teaching and learning Have our own specialist teachers: Sport, Art, music, languages, EYFS approach. This is more difficult to do as a single form primary. Year group teachers can work together, rather than in isolation; as in one form entry schools – which strengthens teaching – sharing ideas Provide master-classes e.g. L6 maths – for able students across the schools. The children working more closely with children at other schools, developing friendships, which prepares for high school transitions too More funding for resources The affordability of minibuses for swimming, sport & trips – reduced parental contributions for trips

11. Leadership benefits Clear vision & values across all schools Source & use the best practice across all schools…we all want the best for the children Grow our own leaders – so we don’t feel the losses when a key member of staff leave Teams of leaders across schools – strong in literacy & maths; using the best practise and models Coaching and mentoring - more opportunities to do so Monitoring and moderation across both schools – quality assurance of judgements at all levels – Headteachers, curriculum leaders etc. Sharing of good practice across both schools High-calibre school business manager; to oversee non-teaching demands over all schools, release Headteachers to focus on improving teaching further Specialist leaders, in specialist areas – languages, sport, music, art New floor standard from 2016 – 85% in Reading, writing and maths – need the strongest teaching and practise to achieve this – easier pooling expertise.

12. Financial gains No local authority top slicing of the budget Training across 3 schools – economies of scale. Purchase of resources – economies of scale Contracts - grounds maintenance/cleaning -economies of scale High-calibre School business manager over all the schools – shared cost Afford to run 2 minibuses between schools (unaffordable as stand-alone single form entry school) – cost savings.

13. LA & national push on schools working together Locally (Dave Perrett) Nationally (Michael Wilshaw) – are encouraging all schools to join in a cluster ( on a formalised basis) …. However as a Multi Academy Trust all the staff will be working on the same policies and practice, supported by research; always striving for the best…whereas working with other schools, the ethos isn’t as deep, as there are different policies and practise.

14. Ofsted To be an Outstanding school – The leadership team (includes Governors) ensures that, “best practise is spread effectively in a drive for continuous improvement.” pg. 38 School inspection handbook

15. Other Benefits Consistent policies and practice Curriculum, same across the schools in principle with tailored learning for each school Secure the best English and mathematical teaching and practice Policies can be consistent across the schools, drawn together by one person (not one person at each school doing the same job) Website can be updated with similar materials by one person (not one person at each school doing the same job) Same with other responsibilities….streamlining operations.

16. Governance Multi Academy Trust There is only one legal entity accountable for all schools within the chain, the multi academy trust (MAT). The MAT has one set of Articles which govern all the academies in that chain. The MAT has a master funding agreement with the Secretary of State. Each academy also has a supplemental funding agreement. MAT Members & directors MAT Members & Directors Members & directors Academy 1 Local Governing Body /Advisory Body Academy 2 Local Governing Body /Advisory Body Academy 3 Local Governing Body /Advisory Body

17. Your Questions: Q: Will the teachers and school leadership change? A: It is possible this will happen, however Greenways will still keep it’s identity. No decision has been made. Q: Will the name of the school change? A: There are no plans linked to the proposed Academy conversion that will change any existing arrangements. Q: Will the school uniform change? A: No plans have been made at this stage. Any changes would happen with the consultation of stakeholders and allowing sufficient time for suitable arrangements to be made.

18. Your Questions: Q: Will the cost of school dinners change? A : Yes – Academy conversion will not impact on this. Q: Will free school meals continue for those children who are eligible? A: There are no plans linked to the proposed Academy to change this. The school sets the prices at present. Q: How will this affect class sizes and teacher numbers? A: Both these items will remain unchanged. Q:Is the timing of conversion related to the General Election? A: No this is purely co-incidental

19. Your Questions: Q: Will the there be a business partner or sponsor? A : Yes. Q:Will the school still follow National Curriculum? A: No – The intention is for Greenways to convert as Multi Academy trust with other schools potentially joining Greenways. Greenways will be the lead school. Q:What will be the impact on SEN provision? A: This will remain unchanged. Q: What will be the impact on Admissions policy? A: Admissions will remain controlled by the LA.

20. Further Questions ?