The roles Surrey Governors Briefing May 2016 Dominic Herrington Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) for South East and South London

The objectives of my presentation… To explain briefly the role of RSCs To share perspectives on the White Paper, academisation and the regional picture To answer questions and listen

Help raise standards: Take action when an academy is underperforming Decide on the development of new academies Address underperformance in maintained schools through sponsored academies Make recommendations to Ministers about free school applications Encourage organisations to become academy sponsors Approve changes to open academies With the help of a Headteacher Board What do Regional Schools Commissioners do?

SESL Headteacher Board (HTB) Rhona Barnfield Executive Head, Howard of Effingham School Ian Bauckham Executive Head, Bennett Memorial Diocesan School Denise Shepherd Executive Principal, The Rochester Grammar School Angela Barry Executive Head, Woodland Academy Trust Sir Andrew Carter Headteacher, South Farnham Primary Trust Nikki King Chair, Greenacre Academy Trust Mark Ducker Executive Principal, STEP Academy Trust

Educational Excellence Everywhere Education is the hallmark of a civilised society –It is the engine of productivity –It is the foundation of our culture –It is the underpinning of the success of this country Every child in England deserves and has an entitlement to a free world class education As we know, this is only going to happen through great leadership

Leadership at the heart of everything Leading impact & improvement –Progress / Attainment –Teacher Recruitment Leading at scale –Best schools and system capacity Leading a new model of collaboration –Every school a giver and receiver of support Leading in a tight financial climate –What does your staffing model need to look like? Leading our communities –Gap analysis of what the community needs Leading the system –More executive leadership

The White Paper joins up a lot of challenges in the system Attracting more great teachers Developing more great leaders More school improvement stimulus Everywhere….developing Achieving Excellence Areas With more parental input

Why the ambition for every school to be an academy by 2022? The benefits of MATs Better recruitment / retention; leadership succession; sharing CPD and practice ; economies of scale; refreshed governance Helping meet challenges Autonomy LA role changing Academy vehicles to face recruitment, educational and financial challenges of next 3-5 years SI role reducing given funding changes; ongoing important role Getting as much influence devolved to schools / Trust leaders; curriculum, QTS, governance freedom

Covers 22 LA areas 10 Dioceses 445 Primary academies 309 Secondary academies 29 Special/AP academies 54 Free schools 131 sponsors The South East and South London (SESL) region

What is happening to academy numbers in SESL? 75% (359) of primary academies are in a MAT. 50% (168) of secondary academies are in a MAT. Primary MATs 2-4: 26% Standalone: 25% Standalone: 50% MATs 8+: 34% MATs 5-7: 15% Mats 8+: 26% MATs 2-4: 16% MATs 5-7: 8%

What MATs tell us in the South East and what we see… 11 The opportunities? –To improve more children’s life chances –Share professional practice –Leadership succession –Recruitment and retention –Economies of scale –Refreshed governance – a Trust Board What is new? –Harder legal accountability arrangements –You seize the opportunity –Your identity is up to you –Governance freedom –A vehicle to help less secure schools

Strong governance is critical for academies – shaping the next chapter in history of your school  Governance Handbook  Toolkits for Boards/ MATs  Sector bodies eg NGA, ASCL SourcesExamples of good practice  The right people with the right skills and clear roles  Clear separation between the strategic and operational  Constructive relationship with (executive) headteacher  An effective chair; professional clerk  Regular self-evaluation and review

How do I become an academy / MAT? 13 Think about the following –Which: MAT / standalone / join MAT? –What do you want to do with the opportunity? –What do you want to share? –Visit / talk to those that have done it How we can help –DfE lead to help with application process –Put you in touch with a MAT –25K Grant and MAT fund –MAT newsletter / conference / toolkit –Executive Educators programme –Academy Ambassadors

Thank you: Any questions or comments? st Floor, Trafalgar House, 1 Bedford Park, Croydon 14