Halam c of E primary school public consultation meeting on academy conversion and the formation of a multi-academy trust Tuesday June 6th 2017

what is an academy? Academies are independent, state-funded schools, which receive their funding directly from central government, rather than through a local authority. The day-to-day running of the school is with the head teacher, but they are overseen by individual charitable bodies called academy trusts and may be part of a multi-academy trust These trusts and chains provide advice, support, expertise and a strategic overview – true collaboration The trust is accountable for school performance Trusts control their own admissions process

Considering a multi-academy trust for Halam

What is a multi-academy trust? You can no longer convert as a single academy, due to size, so you need to join a MAT. All academies in a multi-academy trust are governed by a single trust and a single board of trustees. They can also share staff and expertise, and make savings when buying goods and services. The academy trust can establish a separate governing body for each of its academies. These are called local governing bodies. The board of trustees can then delegate some of its functions to the local governing bodies.

Why are we considering joining a mat? White paper was the catalyst. Economies of scale – a very key reason (services and resources – e.g. HR/purchase power) Shared expertise – e.g. opportunities to share training amongst schools, moderation, knowledge in different areas, observation of other teachers and many more opportunities. Collaboration in other areas e.g. office staff, music, PE, ICT, ICT teaching, language teaching Services dwindle centrally as less schools are under the LA and their resources become more expensive (we will still buy into some services).

multi-academy trust To convert as a multi-academy trust you can either join an existing trust or you can work with other schools to set up a new trust. There are 2 ways to create a new multi-academy trust. You can either: • convert with schools you already work with • start a relationship with a new school

Which MAT’s have we considered? Diocese – an existing MAT Aspire – primary only MiTrE – The Minster Trust for Education

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR? Governors researched the benefits and disadvantages of the options available to us, including: joining an existing local primary MAT joining an existing Diocese MAT doing nothing and remaining as we are creating our own MAT with local schools. In December the Governors passed a resolution to go forward with seeking to become an academy. At a meeting in May they agreed to then becoming an academy with a view to joining MiTrE.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR? We have spoken to the staff of Halam C of E School and have been meeting with them to answer any questions. We have been speaking to our family of schools and their governors. We have had discussions with the Diocese and Aspire 2 letters to parents / notification on local boards / academy section on website Assembly The consultation period is now open and discussions with all stakeholders will continue

What are the advantages OF FORMING A Multi academy trust with MiTrE? Ethos and identity of schools in the MAT remain the same. Structures to help sustain and strengthen the partnership work of the school An excellent mechanism for ensuring that support and challenge are directed to where they are needed most. Access to increased funding in the long term as we support other schools Closer collaboration to improve provision and standards for students in MAT schools Pooling of resources to achieve economies of scale Closer links with the Minster TSA (Teaching School Alliance) Maintain autonomy

MAT challenges Structural organisation of the trust – this has now been agreed at Head Teacher and governing body level and members of our governing body invited to join the Trust body. Accountability for quality of provision in a range of schools (our due diligence processes to start the MAT and of schools joining in the future). New financial approaches (systems and collaboration) Agreement of some key policies – e.g. appraisal/finance/pay/

Our early principles Our school philosophy and ethos has served us very well and this will not change. Autonomy rather than homogeneity Staffing remains unchanged No change in uniform / name / book bags etc Inclusive, principle of sharing and the collective good of students

Academy conversion consultation There is a requirement within the Academies Act 2010 to consult prior to conversion to academy on the question of conversion. Consultation must be undertaken and completed before the funding agreement is signed. Consultation responses will considered by the full governing body at the end of the consultation period. The website will be updated with answers to new FAQ’s weekly. The formal consultation period will run from Monday 5th June until Friday 30th June. Current aim is to convert on 1st November 2017

Who is being consulted? Staff working at the school Parents and carers of students at the school Students The wider local community The Diocese

How will staff be consulted and kept informed? Staff meetings, followed by sharing of any PowerPoint presentations Open drop-in sessions Discussions with union representatives if required Frequently asked questions Information on the school website

Parents / carers Initial letter from chair of governors Second letter detailing rationale behind governors’ decision and information about consultation process Information placed on the school’s website – updated based on FAQ’s A meeting at the school for parents/interested members of the wider local community to share more information and have an opportunity to ask questions. Representations in writing

Students Assemblies to explain the proposed change to students. Involvement of school council to ensure children have the opportunity to ask questions

How can you share your views? Representations must be made in writing By letter - dropped off at the school reception Please mark your envelope ‘Halam School Academy Consultation’ By e-mail: consultation@halam.notts.sch.uk Please note - individual responses will not be sent, however all representations will be considered by governors.

frequently-Asked Questions: Staffing – current and future? Timeline? Pay and conditions? Funding and finance? Curriculum? Consultation? Policy? How is school affected day to day? Branding? Governance? Changes for children? Who will run the trust? (CEO Matthew Parris) Holidays?

Answers to FAQ’s Staffing remains the same. Pay and conditions are carried over and remain the same. Curriculum remains almost the same but we have more flexibility on the topics we teach. Most policies remain at school level, as before. Some policies will be made at Trust level e.g. appraisals – just in the way County currently give us this policy anyway. Uniform, logo and school name remain unchanged Children will not see any day to day changes – these will be seen in the office with systems. Holidays remain in the same configuration – there are no plans to change them at present Timeline – we hope to convert on November 1st 2017 School is affected day to day mostly within the office. Governance remains at local level but there will also be a central governance – details on next slide. The CEO at the start of the MAT will be Matthew Parris, Head at The Minster School.

Proposed governance structure: .