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

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

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