Consultation on proposed conversion to academy status and the formation of a multi-academy trust

What are we proposing to do - For Fulford School to apply to convert to academy status For Fulford School to join with a number of our partner primary schools to create a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)

Reasons for this proposed course of action To strengthen and formalise our current partnership working to benefit our school community To increase our capacity to improve To respond to the changing local and national context To shape the future destiny of our school

The Changing National Context Government proposals envisage all schools becoming academies All new schools must be free schools with academy status Over 65 % of secondary schools are now academies Local Authorities are losing their role in school improvement Changes to school funding and cuts in council budgets will further erode LA capacity to support schools

2016 The Changing Local Context There are now three cross phase MATs in the city Five of the nine mainstream secondary schools are either in MATs or are consulting on MAT status A growing number of primary schools are in MATs or are consulting on MAT status York MATs are currently involved in a range of school to school support improvement work both within and beyond the city Low funding levels create unique pressures on York schools It is highly likely that York will soon reach a ‘tipping point’ re the pace of conversions 2016 Around 30% of primary schools in York are either in MATs or are formally consulting on joining these. The strong indications are that many more will go out to consultation and will be planning to convert in the near future. In reality the move to a MAT is the only direction of travel, however we are convinced this will benefit us as a groups of schools and that we need to see this as a positive opportunity to formalise our links and our working together. Interestingly, the improvement work and CDP in the city is being channelled through the MAT Teaching Schools. This demonstrates that the MATs will still be at the heart of school to school working in the city and that they continue to work closely with CYC.

Reasons for seeking to establish a MAT To get the best outcomes for all of our children To create a real family of schools and to create a ‘through school’ framework To work together to improve the standards of teaching and curriculum provision To drive up standards by sharing best practice

Reasons for seeking to establish a MAT To achieve economies of scale and to improve value for money through pooling resources, services and support To maintain and develop each school’s individual culture, values, ethos and identity. To improve recruitment, retention, continuing professional development and succession planning To shape our own destiny within a changing school system To future proof our school as far as possible against changes in the legislative and policy framework for education An example of how this would benefit us would be joint procurement of services such as HR, photocopying and cleaning. We would also benefit frpm being able to employ staff to work across the MAT e.g. for EAL support as this is very difficult to do at present.

Changes under academisation The MAT would be run as a charitable company It would have a central Board of Trustees and Members who are responsible for standards and finance in the MAT School funding would come directly from the Education Funding Agency rather than the local authority It would be responsible to the Regional Schools Commissioner in addition to other external bodies e.g. OFSTED The creation of the MAT would create a structure for joint procurement and joint appointments There is the capacity for the MAT to sponsor other schools The MAT would function as a mixed MAT with CoE and community status to reflect the status of our schools. In terms of finance, the details will only be apparent during the conversion process but it is likely to be cost neutral in terms of additional money coming into the school. Additional money is however, available to schools to fund the application and conversion process.

Things that would stay the same There would be no changes to uniform, charges, admissions or SEN support Staff would be employed by the MAT but would transfer across on existing pay and conditions Each school would still have its own Headteacher and local governing body The curriculum and assessment models would stay the same Existing cluster and feeder schools outside the MAT would still work with it The MAT would still work closely with the LA and other schools

Conversion Timeline October - November : consultation November : decision taken by governing body December – April : Start application process if the proposal is approved April – September : Conversion process