Learn@ MAT The journey to becoming a multi-academy trust

Peter Evans – Chief Executive Officer Our Journey

Where it began......fully delegated budget already

Local Authority Partnership

LA request for school to school support

4 will soon become 5....(Free School approval)

Our Vision and Ethos

Press the button...... Registering an interest to convert

Allocation of a DFE Project Lead The DfE’s guide to conversion explains that it takes between 2 and 6 weeks to assess a conversion application and grant an academy order Provide 3 year financial model for each applicant (schools in deficit not approved)

First steps Staff and governors: all staff and governors were involved, as it made them feel part of the process and increased the likelihood of them ‘buying in’ to the vision. This lead to discussions about the school’s goals and what this will look like in the future. Following the meetings, the ideas discussed and the information was collected. The aim was to draft a vision document, including a vision statement, based on the prevalent and recurring themes. Once the document had been drafted, the CEO (then Executive Head) and Head Teachers consulted the senior leadership team (SLT) and sent the document to the governing bodies for their approval.

The Board of Trustees..............(already had one!)

Members of the wider community CEO met with Bristol City Council SEN department, CEO/SBM met with Jacqui Ford Assistant Principal of Weston College which is seen as a centre of excellence for LDD provision for support/advice also discussions were had with out of county authorities who could possibly commission places. Parents/local community/young people

Karen Baker – Business Manager Application Model Being the MAT sponsor

How to estimate your budget until conversion A school can plan its budget if its conversion date does not coincide with the beginning or end of the local authority's (LA's) financial year (1 April to 31 March). For example, it knows it will receive funding from the LA for 7 months of the year, it can estimate that it will receive 7/12 of the funding it would normally receive, and plan its budget accordingly. Remember a MAT’s financial year runs from 1st September to August, 31st During this time you receive no funding but are doing a lot of work!

We looked at possible central models CEO Director of Finance/Operations Human Resources (p/t) Assistant Accountant PA (p/t) Accounting Assistant

CEO Finance Director Human Resources Assistant Accountant Central Services ICT H&S (Premises) SEN Specialists Head PA

Being a Business Manager of the sponsor Support lead person on preparing information for Trustees/Governors/Project Lead Costed model Executive structure (Central Team) Costs of central services Heads had identified (eg Educational Psychology, HR, SaLT) Model costings of central contributions from schools Clarify use of £25,000 set up grant

Caroline Osborn – Chief Finance Officer Converting From A Maintained School Staff Transfer of services Finance – Operational Finance – Regulatory

Staff Due Diligence on staff transferring on conversion Policies Contracts New payroll set-up Pensions

Transfer of Services Utilities Insurance Vehicles Legal advisory services HR advisory services

Finance - Operational Accounting software Policies and procedures Banking Budgeting – timing and cultural changes Funding – cashflow and accuracy

Finance - Regulatory Annual Financial Statements Annual Accounts Return Budget Forecast Return Budget Forecast Return: Outturn VAT Audit First year requirements

Key to Success Start the process as soon as possible Secure your key advisors and build those relationships: Legal advisors Auditors HR advisors IT partners Plot your timeline and familiarise yourself with key deadlines Create your internal team and ringfence their time Clear delegation and division of workload Know your regulatory framework

If I knew then what I know now...... Chief Executive Officer Business Manager Chief Finance Officer

What about you? Is there anything else you’d like to know?