Kirk Sandall Infant School

Academy Consultation

Introduction

On 19th October 2011 the Governing Body of Kirk Sandall School passed a resolution to enter into formal consultation regarding the conversion to Academy status.  This document is designed to help to explain why the Governing Body are exploring this option, and to inform you how to contribute to the consultation process. Links to this and further information are available on the school website at www.ksinfantschool.co.uk

What is an Academy ?

Academies are publicly funded schools that operate outside of local authority control. They:

· are directly funded by central government instead of receiving funds via a local authority. They therefore receive additional finances that are currently held by the Local Authority and are able to decide for themselves how this money is spent

· are run by an Academy Trust, which can have the same composition as the governing body of a school

· have more freedom to determine the school curriculum

· exercise greater control of their own affairs, such as deciding on the lengths of terms and the school day

· are employers of their own staff and can set their own pay and conditions for staff.  (Kirk Sandall Infant School already has these powers as a ‘Foundation/Trust school’) Kirk  Sandall Infant School Governors have no plans to move away from existing terms and conditions

· hold their own lands and assets (Kirk Sandall Infant School already holds its own land as a  ‘Foundation/Trust school’)

Traditionally, Academies were schools that were run by external sponsors, often from a business background and responsible for raising standards. This is no longer the case. 

Under current legislation, there are two new types of Academy :

1 : Sponsored Academies.

These are schools that have decided they need the extra capacity a sponsor might bring to help improve standards. Generally, the sponsor would have a major say in the constitution of the Academy Trust and the way the school operates.  In this way the school might lose some of its autonomy and become part of an ‘Academy chain’.

2 : Converter Academies.

Schools that are graded by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’ or ‘good with outstanding features’ can convert to Academy status. These ‘converter academies’ do not require a sponsor, but are required to work with at least one partner school to help it to raise standards .  ‘Converter Academies’ enjoy all of the freedoms of Academy status and set up their own Academy Trust to hold the land and assets on behalf of the Governing Body.

Kirk Sandall Infant School is exploring the possibility of becoming a ‘Converter’ Academy’.  It is not currently considering becoming a ‘Sponsored Academy’.

Why become a “Converter” Academy ?

Kirk Sandall Infant School has always committed itself to being a school at the heart of the community. This is shown through its membership of the Brighter Futures Learning Partnership Trust. The educational landscape is changing rapidly both locally and nationally with many schools becoming, or proposing to become, Academies. As a result, the Governing Body is considering whether to convert to Academy status in order to protect and further develop the achievements of recent years.  In this way it can be seen as the natural evolution for the school, taking into account the current political and educational context.

The school will also be able to decide how best to spend the monies currently held back by the Local Authority.  This has been calculated currently at approximately £50,000. The Governing Body believes that direct control of this extra money will give enhanced financial security at a time of increasing pressure on public funded budgets. 

As an Academy Kirk Sandall Infant School would still be totally committed to providing the highest quality education for its pupils and the best service for the local community.

How would a new Academy operate ?

Kirk Sandall Infant School is considering converting to Academy status and because we are an outstanding, successful school we do not need a sponsor. The Governing Body would continue to lead and manage the school. Therefore, the governance of the school would remain with stakeholders including staff,  parents and the wider community.

As an Academy the school will remain committed to working within the Brighter Futures Learning Partnership Trust.  Indeed, it will enable us to play an even more integral role in some of the developments proposed by the Trust.

As a ’Convertor Academy’ we would be required to work in partnership with other schools. As well as our work with the Brighter Futures Trust we are also currently part of a number of other learning networks and working in collaboration with several schools. The intention is that these partnerships and collaborations would continue and develop further for the mutual benefit of staff and pupils in our school and others.

Summary

By becoming an Academy the school would remain at the heart of the community.  It would continue to enhance its provision, as well as maintaining its autonomy in terms of control of  resources and decision-making. It will also continue to adhere to the current catchment area and admissions policies. 

It is the intention of the Governing Body to give all stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the consultation process. 

Should you wish to respond you can do so in writing by submitting your views to the school office, marked Academy and for the attention of the Chair of Governors.

Alternatively you may respond via e-mail to head@ksinfantschool.co.uk