Boughton Heath Primary School

Becketts Lane, Chester

Cheshire, CH3 5RW

BOUGHTON HEATH 01244 981010

Primary School

Together Everyone Achieves More Email:

Head Teacher: Mr Steve Ellis

19th November 2014

Dear Parents and Carers

Academy Consultation

As you know the school’s Governing Body has conducted a consultation on whether Boughton Heath Primary School convert to an academy as part of Cheshire Academies Trust.

On 18 November 2014 the Governing Body of Boughton Heath Primary School met and with a healthy majority, voted in favour of the following resolution:

Having considered the outcome of the consultation exercise, governors resolve to continue the process of academy conversion in the best interests of the pupils at Boughton Heath Primary School.

The issue for the Governing Body was to decide whether it was in the best interests of both current and future pupils. It has investigated this very thoroughly including conducting the public consultation. We are most grateful to all of those who have helped us in this process.

There were many factors that led us to that conclusion. Paramount among them were (i) the freedom to innovate and develop our already outstanding innovative curriculum and teaching, (ii) to attract, retain, develop and reward the exceptional staff throughout the school, (iii) the ability to access financial resources and (iv) the ability to be supported and challenged by two other outstanding primary schools.

The Governors and staff are confident that this decision will not change the ethos and values of the school. It provides greater opportunities to continue to sustain and develop them. In particular, the Governing Body is very committed to the staff that make the school such a special place.

The consultation process has shown that existing partnerships will continue and we will develop new ones for the benefit of all. We will continue to update parents in relation to the conversion process in the coming weeks but the timeline for change is still considered to be 1st January.

Finally, on behalf of everyone, please can we thank parents, carers and the community for their ongoing support. It makes a material difference to the success of our school.

Yours sincerely

Steve EllisJoanne Lucy

HeadteacherChair of Governors

Consultation Responses

Parents at the school
166 families
Total number 332 parents consulted; total 30 parents responses 11% of parent community / Letter / Email / Consultation Evening
No letters or completed slips in response to school letters / 12 parents – total of 30 emails
Summary
1 strongly opposed
3 opposed
1 reservations
2 supportive
2 process
17 questions on facts / 15 families asked questions
Summary
0 strongly opposed
0 opposed
0 reservations
0 supportive
0 process
15 questions on facts
Staff at the school
Total number 36 staff consulted / Letter / Email / Consultation Evening
1 letter to the Headteacher / 10 emails
Summary
1 Opposed
1 Concerns
3 questions – maternity/logistics
2- expressing concerns about other staff actions / Teaching and support staff- questions given to Chair.
One letter given to HT14.10.14
The Local Authority
CWaC HR /
  • Email response regarding TUPE

Mark Parkinson, Head of Service and Achievement and Wellbeing /
  • No response

EiP schools - Cherry Grove, Christleton, Barrow, Waverton, Oldfield, Mickle Trafford, Bishops Blue Coat High School, Christleton High School, Saighton, Guilden Sutton. /
  • Strong support from Bishops Blue Coat High School
  • No response from other schools

Others
Councillor Pamela Hall /
  • No response

Councillor Keith Board /
  • No response

Stephen Mosley MP /
  • No response

Noah’s Ark and Cherry Grove pre School /
  • No response

PTA – Chair of PTA /
  • No response

Peripatetic Music Teachers /
  • No response

Sports Groups /
  • No response

ICT support contractors /
  • No response

Open the Book (Church Group Leading Assemblies) /
  • No response

The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects staff, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment