Please see the consultation sheet on the last page and make any comments , if you wish to do so to the School
There is a meeting with the parents on wednesday the 1st Feb at 1800
SECTION 1: Academy Information
What is an Academy?
Academies are publicly funded independent schools that are not managed by a local authority but their funding and accountability is directly with the Department for Education (DfE).
A Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) is a Trust set up to manage more than one School.
Why is Spooner Row Primary School proposing to become an Academy?
As a small rural primary school, Spooner Row, is particularly vulnerable to changes in admission numbers, budget pressures and other issues, and feels that the best long term interests of the School would be protected by joining a MAT.
As you will be aware, the Governing Body has, in the past, explored other options to ensure the sustainability of the school, such as partnership and federation. Having made the decision to stabilise the school by appointing a head teacher in April last year, and following Government guidance, we have continued to explore how we can best move forward whilst protecting the ethos and excellent reputation which we are proud to have built up over the years.
Since 2010 more than 6000 schools have become Academies with over 70% of MATs being converter academies. Government expectations for 2020 are that the majority of schools will be in MATs.
The growth of the MAT remains a key area of the Government’s education policy. The benefits of being in a MAT for Spooner Row, include;
• Curriculum provision –sharing of expertise, after school clubs and enrichment sessions
• CPD opportunities for staff
• Enable back-office facilities to be better utilised
• Improved recruitment and retention of the most skilled teachers and leaders attracted by the opportunities that a wider successful Trust will bring.
• Continue to provide consistent expectations of pupils and staff
• Greater resilience to future risks and budgetary pressures by joining a larger Trust containing other like-minded Schools, that may grow to include more schools over time;
• Enabling Spooner Row Primary School to remain sustainable within the current and future planned growth for the Wymondham area
• To better ‘weather’ the financial uncertainty
Government legislation requires than any school proposing to convert undertakes a public consultation on its proposals.
About the ieTrust
The ieTrust formed in response to the rapidly changing landscape of education and funding that we see today. It has always believed that schools are stronger working together so that all parts of the community, and in particular the children within each community are given the very best opportunity to be successful and happy.
We are building a collaborative family of local schools. They will have a relentless drive to challenge, develop and innovate to ensure that what they provide enables young people to become successful learners, confident individuals and responsible citizens.
With a model based on support and empowerment within a framework of high accountability, we want our Academies to be the best and inspire each child to discover the skills, talents and interests that lie within them.
The Trust does not intend to ‘collect schools’ or reach a particular size, rather work with local like-minded schools to achieve the very best for our children, staff and families. The Trust is delighted that the governors of Spooner Row Primary School have decided to consult on bringing the many strengths of your great school into the Trust as the next part of its development.
How does a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) work?
Each School in a MAT has a Local Governing Body responsible for the day to day running of the School. These Local Governing Bodies (LGBs) have powers delegated to them from the MAT Board under a Scheme of Delegation.
The local governing bodies of each School are accountable to the MAT Directors. The MAT Board is made of Directors (also known as Trustees) with the necessary collective skills to oversee the strategic management of the Trust including Education Finance HR, Legal etc.
The Board has appointed a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to be responsible for School Improvement and Attainment.
Each school is seen as central to its own community and on its own journey of improvement which will be supported by the MAT, with the skills of each school being used in a supportive way for all the other regardless of their current educational grading.
The ieTrust is very clear that the individual ethos and character and good practices of each school are retained and that all the schools operate as equals supporting each other.
When will Spooner Row Primary School become an Academy?
We would expect that the process will take 3-4 months, work is underway and the planned conversion date is 1st April 2017.
Why is there a consultation?
The Academies Act 2010 requires either the school to consult “such persons as they think appropriate” on whether the school should become an academy.
The Governors of Spooner Row Primary School will consult with all key stakeholders about the academy conversion including parents, staff, pupils and other schools over a 4 week period from 16th January until 10th February 2017.
Does the school need agreement from the Local Authority to become an Academy?
No. The Academies Act 2010 has removed the need for the Local Authority to approve plans for the school to become an Academy.
What form of relationship will exist between the Local Authority and the school?
This is for individual Academies or Multi Academy Trusts to determine – there is no statutory requirement for any formal relationship between Local Authorities and Academies. Academies are directly funded and accountable to central government (Department for Education and the Education Funding Agency).
The Local Authority retains statutory duties for aspects of Special Educational Needs, admissions coordination and provision of home-to-school transport. Local Authorities are also expected to play a key strategic role locally in areas such as pupil place planning admissions and sharing good practice.
We expect Spooner Row Primary School to maintain its excellent relationship with Norfolk County Council in the above key areas.
Will the school change its name and uniform as some Academies have done?
No, the school will not change its name or uniform after it becomes an academy.
Are Academies subject to the same Ofsted inspection regime?
Yes, Schools converting to Academies will continue to be inspected in the normal way.
What is the process for Spooner Row for to join the ieTrust?
In order to do this, the School will need to;
• Hold a statutory consultation process with stakeholders;
• Establish the School’s Local Governance arrangements within the MAT;
• Put in place a Supplementary Funding Agreement between the ieTrust and the Secretary of State for the running and funding Spooner Row Primary School;
• Arrange a 125 year lease for the land and buildings from Norfolk County Council (NCC);
• Transfer the employment of the staff from the NCC to the ieTrust following a statutory (TUPE) process;
• Agree a Commercial Transfer Agreement for the transfer of assets and contracts from NCC to the ieTrust; and
• Ensure that Schools finance and administrative processes and systems operate effectively with the ieTrust and independent of the LA.
SECTION 2: Staff Issues
Does the school have to hold consultation with staff?
Under employment legislation Norfolk County Council as the current employer will need to conduct a TUPE* consultation with all staff (both teaching and non -teaching) and the relevant unions as part of the staff transfer process.
(*TUPE = Transfer of Undertaking – Protection of Employment)
Can the Trust alter teachers’ pay and conditions?
The terms and conditions of staff are protected on transfer by TUPE regulations. Academies do have the freedom to vary terms and conditions from national ones.
The ieTrust has confirmed that it will not change the terms and conditions of staff and that all staff will transfer employment on their existing terms and conditions.
If the school becomes an Academy, who takes responsibility for the pension arrangements?
Teachers working in an academy fall within the scope of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS), just as if they were employed in a Local Authority maintained school.
Non-teaching staff at schools are able to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). This is administered by Norfolk County Council as at present.
Employees will pay the same rate as at present under both schemes, subject to any nationally imposed changes.
How will the TUPE process work and what specific responsibilities does the school have?
As the current employer Norfolk County Council is responsible for informing and consulting with staff.
The ieTrust is responsible for informing the employer of any ‘measures’ which will impact on their employment.
There are no planned changes for staff transferring to the ieTrust.
The ieTrust will therefore write to each member of staff confirming that they will transfer under existing terms and conditions.
SECTION 3: Finance
Will we get more money as an Academy?
Academies receive the same amount of per-pupil funding as they would receive from the Local Authority as a maintained school plus an additional ‘Education Services Grant’ to reflect funding held centrally by Local Authorities.
The Government is clear that becoming an Academy should not bring about a financial advantage or disadvantage to a school. However, academies do have greater freedom to decide how they use their entire budget.
SECTION 4: Special Education Needs
Will our responsibilities in relation to Special Educational Needs and exclusions change?
No, responsibilities as an Academy in relation to Special Educational Needs and exclusions will be just the same as they are now as a maintained school.
The Local Authority will continue to be the Admissions Authority for the MAT as it retains responsibility for Special Education Needs.
Can a child with a statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education Health and Care Plan nominate an academy as their school of choice?
Yes, these arrangements and related processes must at all times comply with the School Admissions Code and responsibilities as an Academy in relation to Special Educational Needs will be just the same as they are now as a maintained school.
Does becoming an Academy change the way in which exclusions are dealt with?
Academies are required by their Funding Agreement to follow the law and guidance on exclusions as if they were maintained schools. This includes reporting exclusions to the Local authority. However, Academies do not have to consult the Local Authority before deciding to exclude a pupil and they can arrange their own independent appeals panel.
SECTION 5: Further Information
How do I find out more about the proposals?
Come along to the consultation meeting being held for parents in the School hall on Wednesday 1st February at 6:00pm.
There will be an opportunity for you to meet the Headteacher, Governors as well as representatives from the ieTrust to ask any questions.
If you have any queries please email us at office@spoonerrow.norfolk.sch.uk or feedback@ietrust.co.uk
Please complete and return the questionnaire page below to the School office or email it to the email addresses above by the 10th February 2017.
Steve Gowers
Chair of Governors
January 2017
Spooner Row Primary School - Consultation Questionnaire
1. Please tick the box(es) which best describe you:
I am a: Parent Employee at the school Local Resident Local authority Other
Employee
If other please specify:
2. If you wish to be kept informed about the latest developments, please provide your e-mail address or contact details below:
E-mail: Name: Address:
Post code:
3. Do you agree that Spooner Row Primary School should convert to an Academy and join the ieTrust?
Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree (tick as appropriate)
Please give your reasons.
4. Do you have any other comments to make about this proposal?
If you need more room for comments, please feel free to attach a separate sheet.
Please return this form by return it by email to office@spoonerrow.norfolk.sch.uk , feedback@ietrust.co.uk alternatively in person or by post to the School Office
