The Educational World is Ever Changing………. The Beacon Infant and Nursery School is constantly having to consider the way ahead in order to protect and enhance everything that we value.

Our Vision Building firm foundations for brighter futures We want to build a school community where every child fulfils their potential in a happy school environment which promotes high achievement, broad interest, self- discipline and respect and care for others. Governors, parents and staff work closely together for the benefit of the children to create a shared working relationship.

Our aims We aim for our children to : - be healthy - stay safe - enjoy and achieve in their learning - make a positive contribution to the school and wider community - develop workplace and other skills which will contribute to their future economic well-being

Our values 1. To aspire for excellence in all aspects of school life 2. To create a fully inclusive school community which is secure, accepting, collaborating and stimulating and one in which everyone is valued and respected. The views of staff, children, parents and governors are valued and guide the decisions about policies and practice. 3. To be a fully inclusive, beacon of good practice. An educationally inclusive school is one in which the teaching and learning of every child matters. We want every child to be inspired to learn!

We are already incredibly proud of the provision for our children……

…. they have rich, challenging and high quality learning opportunities

…. but we want to get even better and that is what we are planning for now!

Why should we convert? National Commissioner Regional Commissioners & Regional Headteacher Boards Sir David Carter’s remit for the nation’s schools: Academise the entire system Expects all converting academies to join Multi Academy Trusts Aiming for 2/3 of schools to be academies by 2020 Currently financial incentives are on offer to cover the costs 2015/16 and 2016/17 left to choose!! Expects the 30,000 schools nationally to be in trusts Sir David Carter

In addition, an opportunity to work towards “one through school” There is a window of opportunity to work towards ‘one’ school with the Junior School. For a good number of years we have been well aware of the challenges faced by not having a 5 – 11 Primary school. These transitions have been particularly around Y2/Y3 transition, but also very much around consistency and continuity of approaches to teaching and learning and our curriculum.

Beacon-Robartes – an “outstanding school” for Bodmin If both Beacon and Robartes work together under the umbrella of the ACE MAT, this will provide many opportunities for much closer working between the two schools. We will gradually develop more consistency across the schools. We are confident that by working in such close partnership, the quality of provision from 3 – 11 will be stronger at all points.

The options for us….. To stay within the Lanhydrock Schools Partnership (3 schools) and possibly form an LSP Multi Academy Trust itself, or with other partners For the LSP to join a larger grouping of schools as a “satellite” MAT For us to withdraw from the LSP and join another MAT.

The Lanhydrock Schools Partnership Trust (LSP) The LSP has been an invaluable grouping of schools for 3 years. Together we have achieved many things We are all clear that there is still much to be achieved in terms of developing more effective school improvement and operational structures. It has been a very difficult decision to withdraw from the LSP, we hope we can continue partnerships in the future.

What is an academy? An academy is still a state funded school. It’s money comes straight from the government. An academy trust is a charitable company. The trust delegates the management of the academy to the governors of the school. The academy has more freedom to choose services and support. Cornwall Council retain responsibility for transport, admissions, SEN. An academy can have greater control over the services it uses and is able to deploy resources in more effective ways in order to improve the quality of provision and drive up standards.

Academies can admit lots of more able children….. Beacon Infants will become elitist….. All the children will have to have completely new uniforms….. The teachers are against it… We will be all on our own without any support….. We won’t be run by local people……. Academy myths….!!

What is ACE MAT The Atlantic Centre of Excellence Multi Academy Trust A group of 6 schools that have come together as one trust. Charlestown ACE Academy (260 pupils) Gatehouse ACE Academy (361 pupils) Robartes ACE Academy (190 pupils) St Agnes ACE Academy (220 pupils) St Columb Major ACE Academy (360 pupils) St Columb Minor ACE Academy (572 pupils)

Why did Robartes join? At it’s last Ofsted inspection Robartes was graded as Requires Improvement and was encouraged by the DfE to join a Multi Academy Trust It became a Sponsored Academy to help it improve It’s governing body chose to join ACE MAT

ACE Academies

Pros of Being in a MAT More security in a group Better access to high quality training for all staff More opportunities to moderate, share teaching and learning ideas and gain support from specialist groups e.g. ICT coordinators, SENDco’s, FS teachers, Literacy coordinators etc. More opportunity for succession planning and career development of staff Moving in the direction of DfE & National Commissioner Economies of scale – shared staff/budgets/resources/ facilities Confidence in support for HR / Legal / Finance / Site Confidence that we are meeting all statutory requirements We can only be Ofsted G or OS if we ‘improve’ weaker schools

The Vision of A.C.E Together we will develop and utilise all of our expertise in supporting others. We will: Focus on the quality of teaching and learning to ensure that all pupils receive an outstanding education Raise standards in the lowest performing schools through our team of experienced school leaders and consultants Ensure effective performance management systems are in place to support improvement Provide value for money Develop our leadership, management and governance teams Provide support for LABs in raising standards

What Would it Mean for our Governors?

Our Governors in 2016 Name Mr Derek Rushton Mr Rob Blackhall Mr Alan Wonnacott Mrs Alex Grigg Mr Nick Bull Mr Andrew Wearne Mrs Penny Bull Mrs Amanda Penk Mrs Sally Attwell These people would be invited to make up the local advisory board. Parent Governor Staff governor Head So the school will still be run by local people. We would have fully delegated powers because we are a ‘good’ school.

Governors form the LAB Ensuring good governance at the academy Safeguarding and promoting the values of the academy Supporting the Executive Principal & Headteacher of the Academy by being a critical friend Monitoring the achievement, quality of teaching and behaviour and safety Monitoring the Academy’s finances Engagement with the Academy’s key stakeholders eg parents/carers, pupils and staff Ofsted look for impact of the work of the LAB

Business Director Gill Harper Personnel Manager Jane King Estates Manager Malcolm Godwin New Project Manager (1 yr) xxxxxx Business Manager Neil Sampson Group Accountant Angela Andrews ST COLUMB MAJOR CHARLESTOWN ST COLUMB MINOR ST AGNES GATEHOUSE ROBARTES ATLANTIC CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE MAT – BUSINESS TEAM

Outcomes for Children We are a Good school, with aspects which are outstanding. We want to provide outstanding teaching and learning opportunities for 3 – 11 year olds so that each and every child can have the very best start in life. We want a strong and well educated community that is a good place to be.

The Educational World is Ever Changing………. So the proposal is: For The Beacon Infant and Nursery School to apply to join The Atlantic Centre of Excellence Multi-Academy Trust. We hope to “convert” on 1 st July 2016.

So what happens from here? We start the process now! Our consultation period will start from today. First staff consultation 22 nd March after school. Notifications to parents by letter and on website Notifications to other schools / interested parties

Atlantic Centre of Excellence MAT ACE Academy Trust (MAT) 6 Members (This includes 1 member who works for the LA as Head of Planning & Regeneration) We have increased from 3 members to 6 to ensure that the LA influence stays below 19.9%. In the event of a split vote this member will withdraw so that we have a 3:2 majority. ACE Board of Directors 11 plus Company Secretary Trustees/ Governance ACE Finance Committee inc Audit Functions Director appointed Exec Principal Jennie. Director appointed Chair of Directors Phil M. Elected Chair of LAB 1 Elected Heads Rep Trustee/ Director appointed Either Chair or Vice Chair Of The Board of Directors will support the Advisory body of each Academy during the first year to establish partnership working. 6 Local Advisory Boards (Powers of delegation determined individually for each academy dependent on Ofsted category / due diligence ) (Max 8, min 5 LAB members) Executive Principal, Head of School, 2 Parent Governors (elected), Up to 3 Community Governors (skills based / appointed by Directors) 1 Staff Governor (elected) Senior Leadership Team Exec. Principal Jennie Chief School Improv. Steve B (Consultant) 6 Heads of Schools Business Director Gill (Exec Principal line manages all SLT)