Moving Forward Together
Sutton Education Trust
1st February 2017 Trust Formed The Sutton Education Trust is a Co-operative Trust formed of 9 schools: Amy Johnson Beddington Infants Culvers House Dorchester Foresters High View Muschamp Nonsuch Primary Sherwood Park
Why a Co-op Trust? As a group of schools we subscribe to the Co-op values of Self-help Encouraging all within the organisation to help each other, by working together to gain mutual benefits. Helping people to help themselves. Self-responsibility To take responsibility for, and answer to, our actions Democracy To give our stakeholders a say in the way we run our school Equality Equal rights and benefits according to their contribution Equity Being fair and unbiased Solidarity Supporting each other and those in other co-operatives
Ethical Values Openness Honesty Social responsibility Caring for others
Co-op Principles Voluntary and open membership Democratic member control Member economic participation Autonomy and independence Education, training and information Co-operation amongst co-operatives Concern for community
Rationale There is no loss of autonomy. A commitment to work with other schools in a truly cooperative way. An opportunity to have a core of consistent values and principles that we all believe would move schools forward. A chance to engage fully all key stake holders associated with schools as well as building wider connections and giving children and staff greater opportunities. In challenging financial times to have a structure that brokers support for school that is based on cooperatively sharing resources as opposed to buying/selling them. Opportunities for flexible working between groups of schools within the Trust.
Main features of our Co-operative Trust Each school retains a GB and autonomy for strategic and operational decisions. Each school is accountable to the Trust Board which comprises representatives from all schools (and partners). The TB appoints an accountable officer, who is accountable to the TB, LA and DfE. The accountable officer is not in charge of the HTs and is neutral with regard to any individual school. Each school is responsible for its own performance. Therefore, honesty and openness are key if the Trust is to be successful and address any difficulties. The Trust adopts the Co-operative values and is underpinned by a commitment to share.
What Next ? Trust celebration day where we bring children from all the schools together.
What Next? Possible joint CPD Moderation FS, KS1 and KS2 Role of accountable officer and the trust Budget and accountancy Future partners Agenda for the Subject leaders meeting Future projects and possible budget savings Strengths and areas - individually and as a group