Gosford Hill School Summer Term 2012 Academy Conversion Open Meeting Welcome

Open Meetings This is the first of a number of consultation meetings We wish to consult with: Parents and carers Students Primary Partners and their Parents Community Groups Local Authority Wed 2 nd May Thur 17 th May Open Meeting Main Hall Learning Centre pm pm Wed 23 rd MayOpen MeetingMain Hall pm

Outline of Presentation 1.The national context 2.What are Academies? 3.The local context 4.The school context – reasons for consultation 5.The consultation process

1.The National Context May 2010: New coalition Government Elected. Michael Gove announces major changes to the English Education system Sept 2010: First converter academies open (non sponsored) Government confirm major changes to school funding Jan 12: New stricter Ofsted Inspection judgements start 2012 April 2012 : Over half the secondary schools in England are either already academies or are about to convert to an academy

2. What are Academies? (1) Publically funded independent local schools Free from local education authority Funded via Department for Education Increased funding Ability to buy in services Governors members of Academy Trust (a charitable company limited by Guarantee) Governors are direct employers of school staff Buildings owned by trust leased from the local authority

2. What are Academies? (2) Have to adopt fair and clear admission arrangements Funded per pupil (as now) Schools that have been judged at least ‘good’ by Ofsted Funded the same as Local Authority but with additional funding that the LA ‘top slices’ and spends centrally

3. The Local Context “The Council supports the Government's programme to establish academies” “We believe that academies are one potential component to our refreshed drive to raise standards” (OCC letter to schools February 2012) In a report to Cabinet in regard to the future of education in Oxfordshire 14 th February 2012 it was made clear that the report was to: “Clearly state the Council’s support for the conversion of schools to become academies” Over half of secondary schools in Oxfordshire are already Academies or are in the process of converting/consulting.

4. The School Context – reasons for consultation (1) Changing demographics in Kidlington – no new build for some time Population growing older Falling numbers of children in primary school Therefore less students in Gosford Gosford has got smaller Jan 2008 school population 1138 – estimated to be 874 by Jan 2014 Funding based on numbers with money held back centrally

4. The School Context – reasons for consultation (2) Higher standards in exam results 44% in 2007 to 59% in A*CEM (increase of 15%) 55% in 2007 to 75% in A*C (increase of 20%) Judged ‘Good’ in every category by Ofsted Feb 2012 Funding based on student numbers Funding changed in 6 th form So if journey is to continue we need a new funding stream Academy approximately £ every year

5. The Consultation process Ends 30 th May Consultation document available on website and sent to all parents Information to primary partners Letters to Community Groups and LA FAQs Additional question forms 3 open meetings for parents and community groups

We now know what we can do through working together