Building a Trust partnership model

Championing Children, Championing Excellence The LA response to the Schools White Paper 2010 Recommends that all schools urgently consider how forming into local groupings could help secure sustainability and improve provision Headteachers and school governors should take a dynamic lead in developing local community based school groupings This should include deciding what designation the collaboration should take; e.g. to remain as local authority schools, federate, acquire a trust or apply for academy status The LA is keen to support headteachers and governors in this work as a matter of priority

Some initial things to think about What are the opportunities for partnership working in your area? What challenges are schools facing? Are there existing collaborative arrangements on which to build? Are there opportunities for joint appointments and shared staffing? Are there any vacant leadership posts? How could grouping together promote school sustainability?

Building a Trust partnership model Based on the National College’s Exploring Models of Leadership Toolkit Find the whole toolkit at: /leadershiplibrary/publications/publicatio ns-practical-resources/exploring-models- leadership-toolkit.htm

A six step method 1.A shared purpose and vision 2.Defining the partnership 3.Types of shared provision 4.Form and location of leadership 5.Boundaries and form of governance 6.New relationships and alliances beyond the partnership

1. A shared purpose and vision For example: Improving learner achievement Sharing high-quality leadership Delivering shared services more efficiently Resolving headteacher succession issues Developing curriculum provision Regenerating the community Improving access to specialist provision Tackling falling rolls Why are we doing this? What are the reasons/motivation for the partnership?

2. Defining the partnership Who’s in? Who’s close by? Who’s out? Who might join later? Which other agencies or services might we want to join with? Examples: Schools Governors Community groups Voluntary sector Businesses Local authority Youth services Heath services FE providers HE providers Police Other agencies

3. Types of shared provision What will or could we do together? This might be immediately or in the future What would we want to keep separate? Examples: Teaching and learning Business management Curriculum provision Back office, ICT and management information systems Extra-curricular activities Facilities management Professional development Transport Safeguarding Human Resources Inclusion School policies

4. Form and location of leadership How will the partnership work? Who’s in charge? And where? What roles and responsibilities will be needed? Will additional staff be required? What other resources might be required? What is the existing capacity?

5. Boundaries and form of governance Is a Trust model the right model? Who will be members and who will be trustees? Who might be associate members (e.g. VA schools)? Engaging legal advice and support – how will this be funded? Will the Trust appoint a minority or majority of governors to each governing body? How will we manage the statutory consultation processes? Implications for governors of being a foundation school Who will run the Trust affairs, etc?

6. New relationships and alliances beyond the partnership What opportunities might the partnership open up for schools? Who might you work with now that you had not before and how? How might your relationship with the local authority change (e.g. shared services, commissioning targeted support)? To what extent would the partnership help you to meet the shared vision identified earlier?

How can the LA help? Local knowledge Access to local and national experience and expertise Partner in securing school improvement and support services (e.g. HR, legal) Can help to ensure statutory proposals are met and support processes relating to personnel and finance requirements Working with partners to explore ways of promoting sustainability

Cornwall Council County Hall Truro TR1 3AY Tel: