A Technology, Mathematics & Computing Specialist College and Training School

‘A Commitment to Excellence’

ON WADE DEACON HIGH SCHOOL

CONVERTING TO AN ACADEMY

CONSULTATION BY THE GOVERNING BODY

2

Dear Parent / Carer/ Stakeholder

The Governing Body of Wade Deacon High School is proposing that the school converts to an Academy Trust. As a consequence, we are now undertaking a thorough consulta on. Under this proposal an Academy would be formed from 1st September 2012.

Academy Schools were implemented by the Labour Government but, under the present Coali on, the numbers have increased rapidly whereby there are now 1,807 Academies across England with many more schools applying to convert.

Academies are central to the Government’s drive to improve educa on. They promote innova on and diversity giving power and freedom back to headteachers and teachers to raise standards across the board.

This booklet outlines the advantages and some frequently asked ques ons of taking Academy status. More informa on can be found at www.educa on.gov.uk.

If you wish to comment, please do so in wri ng by 18th May 2012.

Thank you for your con nued support for our school

Pamela Wright OBEExecu ve Headteacher

Wade Deacon High SchoolBirchfi eld RoadWidnesWA8 7TD

‘A Commitment to Excellence’

3

• Academies are publicly funded schools which operate outside of Local Authority control. As an academy, we will receive our full alloca on of funding based on pupil numbers directly from the government and not via the Local Authority.

• Presently, a propor on of our budget is retained by the Local Authority to cover the cost of central services. As an academy we will receive our full funding in the form of a grant paid directly to the school. This will enable us to choose the services that we require and ensure that best value is achieved. However, it is likely that we will con nue to buy back a number of services from the Local Authority.

• Funding is provided on an academic year basis (from September) as opposed to a fi nancial year. This means that school improvement, curriculum and staffi ng development can be based around the academic year, providing more clarity about how we can move forward.

• There is no requirement for a sponsor. However, this does not mean that as an academy, we would not work closely with other educa onal ins tu ons to the advantage of our pupils and the community.

‘A Commitment to Excellence’

ACADEMY FUNDING ADVANTAGES

4 ‘A Commitment to Excellence’

The addi onal funding and the freedom could be used in a variety of ways to support our pupils and aid school improvement:Wade Deacon has pupils of all abili es who require extra support, which the funding will enable. Examples of addi onal support across the curriculum could be:

• Use of external English and Maths tutors on 1-1 or small group basis for addi onal English and Mathema cs support.

• Super English and Mathema cs days.

• Easter and Summer schools and also addi onal revision clinics.

• Residen al programmes run by our teachers for targeted pupils to raise a tudes to learning. This has been very successful.

• More opportuni es to be crea ve and see learning in the real world through working with ar sts, crea ve writers, graphic designers, engineers, public services etc.

• Addi onal support through literacy ini a ves.

• Intensive work with our partner primary schools to raise levels of literacy (reading, wri ng, speaking & listening).

• Transi on ac vi es.

• An intensive and comprehensive extra curricular programme, bringing outside providers into the school to deliver a range of ac vi es, that many of our pupils would not normally be able to aff ord.

• Working with galleries, museums and other ins tu ons who provide exper se and exposure for our pupils to the real world, thereby raising aspira ons.

• A further development of our Careers’ programme across all years to increase our pupils’ mo va on, aspira ons and encourage them to successfully prepare for their future careers.

The school off ers several of the these already and academy status would allow us to further enhance these ini a ves.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR OUR PUPILS?

5

• Through the sugges ons outlined above, we will have opportuni es to work more closely with parents at an early stage, thereby suppor ng learning in the home, improvements in literacy and pupils’ a tudes to learning.

• Through accessing other funding, we would ac vely aim to off er the use of our new spor ng facili es for local community.

• We would off er more opportuni es for community events that showcase pupils’ talents and work such as art exhibi ons; deba ng skills; fashion shows and drama produc ons.

There are many ways in which becoming an academy will benefi t the pupils, staff and parents of Wade Deacon High School and it would enable us not just to be at the heart of the community, but BE the heart of the community.

‘A Commitment to Excellence’

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ON PARENTS?

6 ‘A Commitment to Excellence’

• There will be no change to the pay and condi ons of staff . All staff will TUPE to the Academy.

• The proposed Academy will maintain the Local Government and Teachers’ Pension Schemes.

• Staff will be given more opportuni es to work with outside agencies and other ins tu ons which will enhance learning and teaching.

• Being an academy will broaden opportuni es for the school to work with other partner schools and support others.

• The addi onal academy funding would support and develop the intensive programmes that the school runs with other ins tu ons / universi es and allow us to con nue to off er external qualifi ca ons in areas such as pedagogy and leadership. This will have an inevitably posi ve impact on the quality of provision for our pupils.

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ON MEMBERS OF STAFF?

7

Leadership of the Academy:

The current leadership arrangements will remain in place. Titles may change from Headteacher to Principal but the current Senior Leadership Team will con nue to lead and manage the strategic and opera onal running of Wade Deacon.

New Governance arrangements:

This will involve the establishment of a new charitable company, known as “the Academy Trust”. The Academy Trust operates the academy and, importantly, is the legal en ty that signs the funding agreement.

There are two specifi c roles within the Academy Trust:

• The Directors (who are more commonly referred to as “Governors”).

• The Members (who “own” the Academy Trust and who are responsible for appoin ng some of the Governors).

We will consider our proposed governance arrangements in detail. The Academy Trust has Ar cles of Associa on that form its cons tu on which will be based on the Department for Educa on model. Aspects of the model can be tailored for our circumstances, including the composi on of the new governing body. It is proposed that the Directors and Members of the Academy will be drawn from a signifi cant representa on of the exis ng Governing Body in the fi rst instance.

Students Admissions:

Presently there are no plans to change our Admissions criteria. The current admission number for the school is 300 in each year group. This will remain the same in the Academy.

‘A Commitment to Excellence’

HOW WILL THIS IMPACT ON LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE?

‘A Commitment to Excellence’

Details of Consulta on dates and Mee ngs:

Agreement by the Governing Body: 1st May 2012Launch of Consulta on: 2nd May 2012Start of formal Consulta on: 4th May 2012Parents’ and Stakeholders Mee ng: Tuesday 15th May 2012 at 4.30-5.30pm on the Peelhouse Lane siteEnd of Consulta on: 18th May 2012Considera on of Consulta on by Governing Body: 22nd May 2012

How long will the process take?

Academy conversions can take about three months, but may take longer depending how quickly the transfer of staff , assets and land can be nego ated with the Local Authority. The school target date is 1st September 2012.The Department for Educa on has published extensive documenta on which is available on their website: www.educa on.gov.uk

If you would like to respond to this proposal, please let me have any comments in wri ng by 18th May 2012. (Please mark your envelope Academy Consulta on)

P. A. Wright OBEExecu ve Headteacher