TENTERDEN SCHOOLS TRUST Securing the future for the young people of Tenterden

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1 TENTERDEN SCHOOLS TRUST Securing the future for the young people of Tenterden

2 A local Trust in place to ensure education is the best for our local children and young adults in a time of considerable uncertainty. Proposals developed for a Tenterden Schools Multi-Academy Trust Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre Tenterden Infant and Junior Schools St Michael s Primary School Home Farm Nursery as subsidiary company

3 Why become an Academy? Governors have been exploring the possibility of Academisation for a couple of years to bring the community of Tenterden together. The Government issued a white paper (March 2016) confirming the Government s position on all schools becoming Academies by May 2016 conversion will be triggered according to LA and school circumstances. Responsibility for school improvement may be removed from LAs and LA s role in allocating school funding will be overtaken by the new National Funding Formula Schools are in the sixth year of flat cash, they receive increased funding for additional pupils but not for inflationary pressures. Government intention that this will continue until the end of current parliament to 2020 Flat cash is now catching up with many schools majority of schools nationwide are predicting a 3 year deficit. More than ever in recent years, schools have to take tough decisions in order to balance their budget.

4 What will an Academy mean for us? Excellence in education in all our schools Bringing the community together to support our young people and their families Providing a seamless and coherent learning experience from 0 19 Maintaining high standards in a climate of uncertainty.

5 Local Authority Position Kent LA is supporting the development of small multi academy trusts where existing collaborations and partnerships are strong. Currently there are 193 academies in Kent, including 8 Free schools, which is 33% of all schools. This includes 72 (72%) Secondary schools, 120 (27%) Primary Schools and one Special school. The proposal is that from there will be a national funding formula for schools Currently, Local Authorities receive their funding for education through a ring fenced grant from the government called the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and is split into three blocks, Schools Block, High Needs Block and Early Years Block There are two steps in the current process, Government to LA and then LA to Institution Under the new proposal, the first stage will no longer exist and schools will receive their funding direct from government and the method of distribution will be 11 factors with a uniform rate of funding. The LA will still have full responsibility for High Needs funding. In light of White Paper and changes to Schools National Funding Formula all LAs considering different business operating models

6 Future of LA Service Delivery Cabinet Members have been reviewing the future of the LA and decided not to proceed at this time with the development of an Education Trust which was an option. Moving forward, it has been agreed to proceed with an Education Services Company which would be jointly owned by schools Government has intimated that high performing LAs may be able to establish MATs; we await developments The continuing reductions in the Education Services Grant (ESG) will have significant impact on the future shape of EYPS ( 18.25m in 2014/15 to 3.4m in 2018/19)

7 Where do we want to be? Tenterden Schools Trust A clear collective vision for the Trust with each individual school retaining its own character Creativity apparent in leadership, curriculum, teaching and learning, premises development, resource and finance management All Tenterden Schools moving towards Outstanding All young people in our schools making good to outstanding progress All young people in our schools engaged in learning and enjoying school All staff, students, parents and Governors having a sense of pride in their learning community

8 Where are we now? Tenterden Schools Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre Ofsted September 2012 Good in every category School Improvement Partner report December 2015 Good in every category and Outstanding SMSC Home Farm Nursery a subsidiary company Tenterden CE Junior School Ofsted January 2013 Good in every category Tenterden Infants School Ofsted February 2012 Good in every category St Michael s CE Primary School Ofsted November 2015 Good in every category

9 Where do we want to be? Tenterden Schools Trust proposals Sharing good and outstanding practice between our schools Providing strong leadership to ensure ongoing school improvement for all our schools Maximising efficient use of resources Set up grants are available to establish MATs

10 Current position Tenterden Schools Trust All Governing Bodies have agreed unanimously to the proposals LA has agreed to support the proposals Diocese has issued letters of consent DfE has issued Academy Orders Legal team has been appointed Governance structure has been agreed by Governors Articles have been developed but not yet agreed

11 Proposed Governance structure Four Trust Members overseeing the function and impact of the Trust Board of Directors to be established The Board of Trustees including three Executive Trustees (one Secondary, on Primary and one Finance) and nine trustees with diocesan representation, governor representation and community members with specific skill sets. The first board will have governor representation from Tenterden Primary Federation and St Michael s. Each school will have its own governing body which will remain focussed on teaching and learning and general operational issues.

12 Proposed structure

13 Proposed structure TRUST MEMBERS - Chair of Trust Board -[Diocesan Member] -Two others Local Governing Body Local Governing Body Local Governing Body

14 Next Steps Scheme of delegation to determine which aspects are fully delegated to the individual Boards Articles to be agreed by all parties Funding agreement to be obtained and Multi-Academy Trust established Each school has its own budget - predicted top-slice to be 4% Each school retains its own character and ethos

15 Questions posed by parents Will we keep our Headteacher? Will our new school uniform change? Will there be equality on the Board of Directors school representation? Will we maintain our creative curriculum? Will we continue our after school clubs etc? Will there be sharing of resources school minibuses? Will you continue to access support from the Local Authority? Will our school holidays change? Will we keep our staff?

16 Questions posed by staff Will this MAT have corporate sponsors? If so, who? Will there be an Executive Head or Chief Executive? Who will that be? Who could the Board of Directors be? Will any of the Directors have relevant educational knowledge and experience? Will St Michael s CEP keep its own Governing Body? How will the MAT manage future pensions if workforce is older age? Can/will staff be moved to work at another academy within the MAT? Will a finance committee make the decisions for all the MAT schools or will schools maintain that power? Who will manage personnel, pay and performance? What would happen if one of the schools in the MAT was to fail? What about the reputation for others in the MAT?

17 Any further questions?