CONSIDERATION OF LARKHILL JOINING A MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST
CONSULTATION LETTER FOR PARENTS, CARERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY
CONSULTATION MEETING 4:15PM JANUARY 19TH 2018
As you will know from previous newsletters The Governors of Larkhill have been actively investigating whether the school should convert to academy status.
- What have we done so far?
The Governors have talked to the Local Authority as to the future of stand-alone schools in Wiltshire; we have invited some MATs to present to us about the opportunities in their various organisations; we have sought the opinions of the school’s Senior Leadership Team. We will be consulting with staff and now we would like your thoughts and opinions on our proposal.
- What is being proposed?
The Governing Body of Larkhill has resolved to seek academy status. Our current proposal is that we follow this up by considering joining The White Horse Federation in Spring 2018. You can find information about WHF at
- Who has the final decision?
The Governing Body have agreed to the proposals in principle, but the final decision as to whether or not to join WHF will be taken by our Governing Body based on what is considered best for our school, children, staff and wider community. The Governing Body is committed to undertaking full consultation with those who have an interest and will take their views into account before any final decision is made. We have the approval of The Department for Education to pursue this course of action. The purpose of this newsletter is, therefore, to introduce the proposals to you, to give you details of where you can find additional information and explain how you can take part in the consultation process.
- Why are we proposing this?
It is the view of the Governors that remaining a Local Authority maintained school is not a viable option for the best future for the school, but there will be significant advantages and benefits in joining a multi-academy trust.; these include:
Better opportunities to share best practice and professional development programmes across the schools, adding real value to the education of all children;
Increased opportunities for children to work with other local schools, broadening their social horizons
Recruit staff through opportunities to work across all schools
More opportunities for staff retention, deployment and promotion, by keeping good staff within the Trust who might otherwise further their career elsewhere
A good base for developing leadership
Increased economies of scale in the running of central services such as finance (purchasing and resourcing), HR, and premises
If the Governors decide not to join the MAT, there remains a strong possibility of being required by the Government in the future to convert to Academy status and join an established MAT. We would prefer to be in charge of our own destiny to protect the school’s ethos..
- What will happen next?
The school will complete a consultation with parents, pupils, staff and the wider community which the Governors will take into account in reaching its final decision. Once the final decision is made we will inform you of the result and let you know about the next steps to be taken.
- How can I be involved in the consultation?
- You are invited to submit your comments and views using the following e-mail:
- You can fill in the attached questionnaire and return to the school office:
- In addition, we invite you to join us at a consultation evening. This will be two meetings held in the school hall on Wednesday 6th December at 2pm or 6pm and a further one on January 19th 2018 at 4:15pm. All will cover the same ground. Members of the Governing Body and representatives of WHF will be attending to answer your questions. Any views expressed at this meeting will be summarised and included in the final considerations of the Governing Body. A record of the meeting will be distributed to all parents and placed on the school website. The formal consultation period will close on 26th January 2018.
We firmly believe that our proposal means an exciting and positive future for Larkhill, maintaining its character and local links whilst benefitting from working with other like-minded schools and colleagues to improve the education for all our children.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is an Academy?
An Academy is a state school that is run by an Academy Trust and not the Local Authority. The Academy Trust is a charitable body, which enters into an agreement with the Secretary of State for Education that sets out its responsibilities and accountabilities for the effective running of the Academy. The Academy is funded directly by the Government not through the Local Authority.
What is a Multi Academy Trust?
A Multi Academy Trust (MAT) is where a number of schools join together and form a single Trust with a Board of Trustees answerable to the Trust’s Members. Members of the Trust are a group of independent people who are responsible for the strategic oversight of all academies within the Trust. They are the conscience of the Trust, ensuring that the objectives are upheld and monitor the effectiveness of the individual academies, manage central services and report to the Secretary of State. They work to ensure that individual academies are performing to the best of their ability and that they get the support and challenge that they require. The Trust can delegate many powers to a Local Governing Body (LGB) which would have a role similar to that of the current School Governing Body.
What are the associated risks of joining a MAT?
- Some loss of autonomy through shared accountabilities
- Reduction in support from the Local Authority and more direct influence from the Government
- The need to fulfil all employer and company liabilities, many of which are currently provided by the Local Authority
- Increased statutory requirements and costs
- Unchartered territory.
Who will be responsible for running our school?
Larkhill will still have its own headteacher, although the title could change. The Board of Trustees described above can delegate areas of responsibility to a Local Governing Body.
Would the school have to change its name, logo or uniform?
No, under the proposed MAT plans, the Governors have no plans to change the name, logo, uniform or individual identity. Letter headings may change slightly to reflect our participation in the MAT.
How are the children affected?
In many ways the children will not notice any immediate difference; they will be in the same uniform, in the same classrooms with the same teaching staff. We will continue to strive for an outstanding education for all our children. However, in time the children may notice changes and improvements in the way that they learn, resulting from the greater training opportunities given to teaching staff to innovate and improve the pupils’ learning.
How will being part of the MAT improve standards for our children?
Being part of a MAT will enable us to utilise the expertise of staff from all of the schools in the MAT. This will raise the educational achievement of all children through collaborative working and shared training where appropriate. The talents of schools together become greater than the sum of their parts.
How will being an Academy affect staff?
Currently, the employer for staff is Wiltshire County Council. After conversion all staff at all the schools will be employed by the Trust. Staff are legally protected to transfer under the same employment terms and conditions, including pensions. Their continuity of service is protected, and all staff will be consulted in accordance with the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.
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. All funding comes direct from Government to the Multi Academy Trust which controls the overall budget. Each school does not necessarily have more money, but as a group the schools are better able to control their part of the budget, although this does mean more accountability for the Board of Directors.
Will the schools have to follow the National Curriculum?
Academies are not required to teach the National Curriculum but rather a broad and balanced one that includes English, Mathematics, Science and Religious Education and promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of students preparing them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life
Will my child still have to do the usual tests, like the SATs and the Phonics Screening Check?
Yes, academies carry out all the same statutory tests as local authority schools do.