Academy Status Update for parents 28 November 2011

What is an Academy? A school funded directly by the Department for education (DfE) No statutory relationship with the Local Authority It is accountable to the DfE Governance by an Academy Trust There are two types of Academies

Becoming an Academy would mean Freedom from National Curriculum We would still be subject to the law on employment, equality, admissions and SEN We would still be required to follow the same rules over pupil exclusions as maintained schools

Becoming an Academy would mean We would still be subject to OFSTED inspections Staff would be employed by the Academy Trust Per pupil funding would remain the same We would receive LACSEG money

Diocese Families of schools Voluntary Aided School Shared Company Umbrella Partnerships Controlled Voluntary Academy

Key features Umbrellas are to ensure no school is left out All schools will be part of shared company irrespective of status Supplemental agreement between CVA and Diocese – standard document

Key Benefits Not subject to Local Authority control Current status maintained for next 7 years Being part of a shared company (TOR) Approximately £ increase in budget More explicit definitions of partnerships

Questions Raised Will the curriculum change? Will the admissions policy change? Will the school day change? Will there still be school buses? What about school terms and holidays? Will the name of the school change? What about terms and conditions for staff?

Next steps Present a request to Bishop indicating who will be part of the All Saints Umbrella Inform All Stakeholders On approval from Bishop begin process with DfE Report back to governors unforeseen consequences

Further consultation