A Multi-Academy Trust for small schools

* Part of the TLC * Started as a Co-Headship of 6 schools * Four Schools located around Totnes * Similar contexts * Numbers on roll 80 to 115 * OFSTED Good / Outstanding * 3 of the 4 in the top 5 in Devon from 2016 SATs * 2 pre-schools * 2 VA, 1 VC and 1 community school

* Part of NALC (no longer operational) and TVLC * Started as a management partnership * Hennock as an outstanding school asked to take over Bearnes Primary * Different contexts * Numbers on roll 40 and 100 pupils * Two pre-schools * Both OFSTED good schools

* Federations effective, but vulnerable. * TFVS and N&T share same values. Similarities * Recognised importance of collaboration and benefits of working together * Increased opportunities for staff – recruitment and retention * Safeguard and address the needs of small schools * Improved economies of scale – more efficient use of resources * Financial freedom with greater control of our resources Masters of our own destiny

* To address the needs of schools in South West England which have a single cohort admissions of 20 pupils or less. Collaborate to: * Meet the challenges of having limited staffing capacity & small staff teams * Increase opportunities for Professional development * Maximise efficient use of our small school budgets * Overcome challenges of having limited resources * Manage our challenging buildings and environments * Share good practice and grow our potential * Become less isolated * Tackle together the low aspirations of pupils and their families * Maintain the positive Christian ethos of our church Schools

* Build on existing high standards * No under performing schools * Every child achieves a high level of success * Resilient and sustainable future for all member schools * Provide an education rooted in Christian character and values * Effectively serve our local communities * High quality education for all pupils * Raise standards in all the academy schools to the standard of the best * To improve learning opportunities for all * Share expertise, share experiences, share resources – grow potential

* Having more opportunities for schools to come together for curriculum events and special occasions. * The schools providing an innovative education and being part of a wider community that can offer a greater range of opportunity. * Having consistent shared policies related to school improvement strategies like quality of teaching, behaviour and safety, achievement and target setting, leadership and management. * Increased access to quality resources through sharing and joint procurement. * Having access to a wider set of staff expertise and a wider range of teaching and learning styles. * Having more chances to develop friendships with each other and provide mutual support.

* Better systems for communication, taking the best practice from each school. * Shared resources and facilities giving richer provision for their children. * Children will be in schools that are striving to be outstanding and that jointly offer excellent education. * Children will have a greater range of teaching expertise to enhance learning. * Increased learning opportunities for children.

* Being part of ambitious schools that are jointly at the cutting edge of education, creativity and provision. * Having increased chances to work with other colleagues and to teach in different contexts. * Enhanced opportunities for teaching and professional development. * Greater access to robust support mechanisms. * Sharing specialist knowledge and experience e.g. sharing musical, dance and drama projects and sports. * Increased opportunities for career development

* Discussions around small school vulnerabilities * Masters of our own destiny * Took the idea to Chairs of Governors * Spoke to the DfE * Contacted the Diocese * Further discussions between Governing bodies * Exploring what was involved

* The vision – what binds us together? * Structure of the Board of directors * Who are the corporate members? * Who would be CEO ? * Succession plans for CEO, Finance Director, Chair of Board * Whether we keep Governing bodies * Role of LGB * Estimated annual income of MAT * What the capacity is for school improvement? * Detail how the MAT would deliver improvements to its academy schools * Which schools require support in the first year? * What would happen if an academy experiences a decline in performance? * Forecast pupil numbers for next three years * Individual school finance information * And more………

* Informal staff discussions * Application to DfE * Approval from SoG to apply * Application accepted, Academy Orders and Start-up Grant received * Appoint project Manager * Appoint solicitors * Start the formal consultation process – staff, parents, Trade Unions * Legal process (land transfer, appointing Directors etc) * Set up finance systems

Multi Academy Trust Structure Newton and Teign FederationTotnes Federation of Small Schools 12 X Directors Ethos and Values Diocesan Director Chair Teaching & Standards Director Communication & Technology Director Health & Safety Director Health & Wellbeing Director HennockHarbertonford LandscoveDiptford Stoke GabrielBearnes CEOVice CEO Ops Director Teaching and standards director Diocesan Director Finance Director Property & Maintenance HRInclusion SEND Safeguarding H&SComms and Technology Health and Wellbeing 7 Foundation5 Others Buildings, health and safety and Safeguarding SEND & Safeguarding Director Finance Director Properties & Buildings & Maintenance Director Health & Safety Director Chair CEO Standards & Curriculum HR Director SEND & Safeguarding Director Teaching & Standards Director Communication & Technology Director Operations Director Health & Wellbeing Director Finance & personnel HR Director Operations Director Finance Director Properties & Buildings & Maintenance Director Operations Director Diocesan Director CEO Four Committees working within the 12 Directors 5 x Members Representative St Mark & St John Uni Representative for Bearnes’ Turst A N OtherCorporate Deanery Representative Corporate Diocese – EDEN Representative

Tony Callcut (Diptford School) Nicky Dunford (Bearnes) Landscove House: