1. Consultation on A New Model for Collaboration Between Archibald First Brunton First Broadway East First Dinnington First Gosforth Park First Grange First Regent Farm First South Gosforth First Gosforth Central Middle Gosforth East Middle Archbishop Runcie First 1

2.  The environment in which we operate is fluid and unpredictable.  The role of the Local Authority (LA) is changing and it’s capacity to support schools is shrinking.  Budgets are reducing and new formulas for funding may see further reductions.  There is a push nationally for Academies, Consortia, Free Schools and new forms of Governance. 2

3.  All of our schools are working well, have good reputations locally and across the City  The schools enjoy autonomy within the Gosforth pyramid of schools and each has its own ethos  It is in the interests of our children to be proactive and to consider what we need to do to protect and enhance what we already have  In uncertain economic times we need to position ourselves to make best use of our resources  We need to be building for the future, for students who are yet to be born 3

4.  We offer parents a happy, safe, successful, encouraging and challenging learning experience for every child.  We value our three tier system.  We already offer much to each other: staff development, resources, sharing of expertise, encouragement to raise standards, networking, sharing ideas and enthusiasm.  All our schools seek to drive forward learning provision.  Our duty is to optimize the learning experience for every child. 4

5.  Whatever we do, it must always be for the benefit of the children. We want to-  Build on what we already have.  Take control for ourselves in a direction in which we all have confidence.  Protect our good record on collaboration.  Give continuity within the pyramid and share resources more closely  Encourage greater community involvement  Involve the business world to help us prepare children for citizenship and the world of work  Use the Charitable status to access other funding sources 5

6.  The Head Teachers and Governing Bodies (GB) of each of the schools have given careful consideration to the pros and cons of:  Remaining as Community Schools  Trusts  Academy Status  To preserve what we have and to achieve our ambitions for greater collaboration without giving up our autonomy, the best fit for our current circumstances is a Trust 6

7.  A Trust school is a government-funded foundation school which is supported by a Trust. Trusts can be set up by individual schools or groups of schools and usually involve collaboration with partners. Partners from the world of business, higher education and the public sector can be approached to join the trust to share their expertise.  A Trust school remains a member of the Local Authority (LA) family of schools. 7

8.  Each GB would be the employer of the staff instead of the LA.  Each school would be responsible for admissions but will follow the National Admissions Code.  The buildings and grounds of each school would be held by the Trust but each GB would still be responsible for maintenance.  The Trust would be responsible for appointing two governors to each school GB (these would not necessarily be new but may be drawn from the current membership). 8

9.  Each school would continue to have and be controlled by its own GB.  Schools would continue to teach the National Curriculum and be inspected by Ofsted.  They would still receive funding from the LA and be part of the Newcastle family of schools.  Teachers and support staff would be employed on the same terms and conditions under a TUPE transfer. 9

10.  The schools would become self-governing Foundation schools with a Trust which appoints some of its governors – minimum of two.  The Trust and Governing Bodies are separate entities with the Trust established as company with charitable status.  The GB is not accountable to the Trust, and neither is the Trust accountable to the GB. They have their own clear lines of accountability. 10

11.  As part of the LA family of maintained schools we would still receive the same budget as previously, although there are imminent changes to the Funding formula.  School Budget goes direct to GB.  LA Budget monitoring support would still be in place.  The Trust’s Charitable Status would offer opportunities to bid for funds not currently available.  Collective buying power could offer significant procurement savings.  Arrangements can ensure the Governor employment and pension risk is covered.  Trust status does not affect a school’s involvement in Capital Programmes or Pupil Place Planning. 11

12.  Please feel free to ask any questions.  It would also be very helpful if you could complete a Response Form and return it to school by 14 October. 12

13.  We will consider all the responses from the consultation  If there is general consensus to proceed we would issue the necessary Statutory Notices  If there are no objections each GB would meet in December to agree to proceed to acquire the Trust  We would notify Companies House and the Charities Commission  The Trust would be established from 1 April 2014 13