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Wellsway School CONSULTATION Meeting 9 jUNE, 2011 Andrea Arlidge Headteacher

Wellsway School CONSULTATION Meeting 9 jUNE, 2011 Andrea Arlidge Headteacher. Academy Status – the way forward?. An invitation from the Secretary of State for Education

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Wellsway School CONSULTATION Meeting 9 jUNE, 2011 Andrea Arlidge Headteacher

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  1. Wellsway School CONSULTATION Meeting 9 jUNE, 2011 Andrea Arlidge Headteacher

  2. Academy Status – the way forward? An invitation from the Secretary of State for Education As Wellsway School is now rated as outstanding by Ofsted this means it would automatically meet the criteria to apply for academy status.

  3. Academy Status – the way forward? The big picture • Extension of the academy programme • New “Free school” in response to parental demand • Tougher stance on “failing schools” • Public sector budget cuts • 1244 school applications since June 2010

  4. Acade Academy Status – the way forward? The Local Picture In B&NES: • Norton Hill, Somervale, Oldfield, Beechen Cliff already converted • Wellsway, Broadlands, Hayesfield, Writhlington, Fosseway consulting In former Avon: • Churchill, Gordano, Backwell, Priory, Broadoak, St. Bedes, Bedminster Down, Henbury, Bradley Stoke, Brimsham Green, Patchway in process of converting

  5. Academy Status – the way forward? What is a new style academy? • Government funded independent school • Free from Local Authority control • Run by the existing governing body • Owns the land & building • Becomes the employer

  6. Academy Status – the way forward? The new style academies do not require • Business sponsor control • The disbanding of the existing governing body • Staff to re-apply for existing posts • Changes to our admission criteria • Changes to our ethos and values

  7. Academy Status – the way forward? Our current position • A local authority school • Staff currently employed by the Governing Body and the LA • Land and buildings in the ownership of the LA • Admission criteria determined by the LA • Funding provided by B&NES Local Authority & allocated according to the LA formula

  8. Academy Status – the way forward? Who would run the academy? An academy board and governing body made up of the existing “outstanding” governing body with representatives from: • Parents • The community • Staff There would be no business sponsorship control

  9. Academy Status – the way forward? Academy Funding • LA financial year April – March • Academy financial year September – August • Academy status implemented from 1st of any month • Academy funding September 2011 – August 2012 =£310,919

  10. Academy Status – the way forward? What services would B&NES Council continue to provide? • School transport • Education psychology • SEN statementing and assessment • Funding for students with high level needs • Prosecution for non school attendance • Provision of pupil referral units (The Link) • Hospital Education Service • Provision for excluded pupils

  11. Academy Status – the way forward? What services does an academy have to provide for themselves? • Behaviour Support Services • Licenses & subscriptions e.g. SIMS • Maternity costs & long term sickness • Certain employment termination costs • School Improvement Services • Child Protection Training

  12. Academy Status – the way forward? What would happen to the ethos of the school? • There would be no change to the ethos of the school • We would continue to be a Specialist Sports and Science College • We propose that the school name remains as Wellsway School

  13. Academy Status – the way forward? What would happen to admissions? • Wellsway would continue to operate the current admissions policy, operating within the national admissions code. • There would be no selection • The Academy Board would be the admissions authority.

  14. Academy Status – the way forward? What would happen to the curriculum? • Wellsway would continue to provide an “outstanding” curriculum that meets the needs of all students. • Additional funding and the freedoms given to academies would mean that we should be able to build on our curriculum to provide increased flexibility and choice for our students.

  15. Academy Status – the way forward? What happens to students with special educational needs? • SEN students continue to be admitted to the school in the same way. • SEN statementing and assessment would continue to be provided by B&NES Council. • Funding for students with high level of need would continue to be provided by B&NES Council. • The school would receive the same funding for students with moderate and low level needs direct from the DfE.

  16. Academy Status – the way forward? Benefits of academy status for our school. • Significant increase in funding: • Greater freedom over school budget • Freedom from Local Authority control • Greater freedom to decide the curriculum • Freedom to NOT make changes • Ability to bid directly to the Department for Education for future capital funding • Freedom from Ofsted inspections subject to our high standards being maintained. • Freedom to decide priorities and direction. • Freedom to improve on national pay & conditions

  17. Academy Status – the way forward? Disadvantages of academy status • Must provide extra services • Extra admin involved e.g. admissions • Parents concern that curriculum might become too radical? • Removes “safety net” of LA • Staff concern over pay & terms and conditions of service

  18. Academy Status – the way forward? Implications for staff • Staff would be employed by the Academy Trust • All staff would transfer to the Academy Trust on their existing pay and conditions • Governors undertake to follow or better National Pay and Conditions • Staff continue to be members of the local government/teachers pension schemes. • Ensure that Pension rights remain unaffected in the transfer to academy status

  19. Academy Status – the way forward? Process of becoming an academy • Governing body vote • Application process • Stakeholder consultation • Appointment of solicitors (£25K grant) • Formation of Academy Trust • TUPE consultation • 7 year Funding Agreement signed • 125 year Lease Agreement on land & buildings • Procurement of services • Sign operating agreement with unions

  20. Academy Status – the way forward? In becoming an academy Wellsway School will: • Build on the outstanding education provided for all our young people • Work in partnership with Broadlands School and our partner primary schools for the benefit of the whole community • Continue to operate a non-selective admissions policy as an inclusive, comprehensive school • Maintain or improve on national pay and conditions for all staff • Retain and continue to develop the distinct ethos and identity of Wellsway School

  21. Wellsway School CONSULTATION Meeting 9 jUNE, 2011 Andrea Arlidge Headteacher

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