Headteacher Briefing Don Bosco House Academy Strategy ‘Securing, protecting and improving Catholic Education’

DES – Developing our Academy Strategy Secure, protect and improve catholic education across our Archdiocese No School should work in isolation All Schools to become ‘Academy Ready’ Guidance and ‘suggested groupings’ issued

All Schools to become ‘Academy Ready’ Secure knowledge and understanding of what becoming an Academy means Effective working partnerships with other Schools Shared sense of vision with other Schools Establish and communicate a realistic timescale for conversion to a Multi-Academy Company (MAC)

Key Principles of the Strategy Catholic Education at the heart of the mission of the Church – Secure, Protect and Improve Based on local dialogue and engagement but no School should work in isolation A medium to long term strategy – a ‘plan’ within 6 months Many options are available – DES providing direction not dictate

What ‘Academy Ready’ does not mean Forced Academisation You have to convert with the ‘suggested’ group of Schools The DES are stipulating a set timescale for you to convert to Academy status You give up your existing School partnership work You lose your individual School identity

What ‘Academy Ready’ does mean You cannot ‘do nothing’ - No School should work in isolation You enter into dialogue with local Schools to develop your understanding of what becoming an Academy means in your area, giving due consideration to the ‘suggested’ group of Schools You have 6 months (May 2017) to establish a realistic ‘plan’ for conversion to Academy status as part of a MAC The expectation of the D.E.S. is that all Schools become ready to convert to Academy status as part of a M.A.C.

Discussion 3 practical recommendations/considerations that you would like to see included as we move to implement the ‘Academy Ready’ Strategy