Woodford Green Primary School Conversion to Academy Proposal

WOODFORD GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL A PROPOSAL TO CONVERT TO ACADEMY STATUS AND JOIN THE ARBOR ACADEMY TRUST CONSULTATION PRESENTATION July 2018

What is the proposal ? Woodford Green Primary School to join the Arbor Academy Trust and convert to academy status To be better able to deal with the challenges facing the school To sustain and protect the benefits of being a small school To build upon a successful partnership with the Arbor Academy Trust To control our own destiny .in a fast changing educational landscape. Page 2 WGPS Consultation July 2018

The benefits and challenges of being a small school Being a small school means the staff have a personalised knowledge of every child: their character, their unique abilities, and their way of learning, teaching staff are able to plan the learning of each child in a bespoke way to support their development, and the parent/carer community support each other and the school collaboratively. but also We are more vulnerable to financial pressures, We (and the LA) have less resources to sustain and raise school performance and pupil outcomes, and It is more difficult to retain the best staff team when we can offer less training and career progression Page 3 WGPS Consultation July 2018

The challenging educational landscape facing all schools Page 4 WGPS Consultation July 2018

The Governing Bodys decision-making Two years of discussion and investigation Driven by what is going to be best for the children and staff of Woodford Green Primary School. Explored options including partnership and membership of other multi academy trusts Reflected on the benefits of Arbor Academy Trust support for the school Carried out due diligence on possible membership of the Arbor Academy Trust Weigh up the risks of converting to academy status and joining the Arbor Academy Trust versus the risks of continuing as a Local Authority maintained school. Concluded that continuing as a stand-alone, small primary school within a Local Authority with diminishing support for its schools, is not viable given the range of challenges the school is facing. Page 5 WGPS Consultation July 2018

Our partnership with Arbor Academy Trust Since July 2017 the Headteacher and staff have been working with colleagues from Arbor Academy Trust. Trust support and joint activities have included : Teacher training INSET days Teacher moderation Year group conferences Teaching Assistant training Interschool quality assurance across 4 schools External quality assurance Recruitment Support Benchmarking Leadership Support SEND and SENDCO support Early Years & Foundation stage (EYFS) Support Ofsted preparation support Assessment and Data support Governor training Interschool football competitions Benefit of Trust support noted in the Ofsted report November 2017 Opportunity to get to know the organisation better, to meet colleagues, to understand the trust s vision and ethos and to find out more about their ways of working. Page 6 WGPS Consultation July 2018

The benefits of joining the Arbor Academy Trust 1. Share and develop excellent practice in teaching and learning, 2. Enhance our provision for pupils with additional needs, 3. Broaden and deepen the curriculum, 4. Enhance the professional development of teaching and support staff, 5. Increase the range of learning and enrichment activities for pupils, 6. Help retain and attract the most capable staff, 7. Increase mutual accountability, challenge and support for Governors and Headteachers, 8. Secure financial efficiencies through coordinated resource planning and joint commissioning of services, and 9. Respond to changes in Government policy proactively and efficiently. Page 7 WGPS Consultation July 2018

Arbor Academy Trust: vision We are a family of learners dedicated to growing excellence for all children and staff. In our family of schools, this is a non-negotiable. We aim to develop a strong sense of self and build pupil s confidence, allowing them to be independent global citizens who develop life skills and achieve their full potential. We provide a safe and caring environment where children flourish and have the opportunity to build positive relationships, make reputable choices and be inspired to become life-long learners. Page 8 WGPS Consultation July 2018

Arbor Academy Trust: member schools Established September 1st 2016 with two founding schools Selwyn Primary School Name of School Davies Lane Primary School 3 form entry Type of School 4 form entry 2 - 11 Age Range 2 11 Highams Park E4 Location Leytonstone E11 675 Pupil Numbers and classes/year groups 900 Lisa Bogle Headteacher Bronwen Chalmers Good Most Recent Ofsted Outstanding Davis Lane is a national support school and one of four teaching schools in LBWF. CEO is Maureen Okoye: a National Leader in Education (NLE) and an Ofsted Lead Inspector with nationally recognised track record in school improvement Page 9 WGPS Consultation July 2018

Trust governance & leadership Local Governing Body (LGB) continues to oversee their school. Headteacher remains responsible for running their school day-to-day. Headteachers of each school form the Leadership Group. CEO is accountable to DfE for Trust performance, leads intervention if necessary, chairs the leadership group and also oversees non-education functions of Trust e.g. finance and HR Board of Trustees accountable for performance of all schools and pupil outcomes; vast majority chosen from existing governing bodies for their relevant skills / expertise and all schools are currently represented Trust Members hold Trustees to account and are the guardians of the Trust vision & ethos Page 10 WGPS Consultation July 2018

How staff are affected Staff no longer employed by London Borough of Waltham Forest after conversion All staff will work for Arbor Academy Trust Transfer of employment under TUPE regulations with protection of employment terms & conditions of employment at point of transfer. The Trust has developed principles of employment, which are applicable after the point of transfer, subject to the final TUPE consultation Terms, conditions and pay at least equal to that agreed nationally/locally Contract of employment to work in your named school Single tier workforce: transferred, new and promoted staff on same T&Cs Full protection of pension rights for either Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme Recognition of Continuity of Service Page 11 WGPS Consultation July 2018

What will stay the same at the school Unique ethos, values and approach Governing Body overseeing the school Headteacher running the school Teachers and support staff working with their children Tailored approach to teaching and learning Personalised curriculum Name, logo and uniform Admissions policy Deciding how the budget is spent Page 12 WGPS Consultation July 2018

What are the next steps? Academy consultation period: Tuesday, July 10th until Monday, September 24th (4+ academic weeks) Consulting with: Parents Staff Trade unions Pupils Other local schools Provided consultation pack of information Parent/carer and staff consultation meetings at the school. Q&A to be published Parents/carers and staff to complete survey and return to school by September 24th Consultation report to be considered by Governing Body at Gateway #2 meeting in October 2018. Page 13 WGPS Consultation July 2018