EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY

Since September 2012, EPJS governors have:- EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY Since September 2012, EPJS governors have:- Researched what academy status is and what it means Kept abreast of the ever-changing political landscape Talked to other schools and academies Attended various meetings Discussed with local schools Explored in detail what joining a specific academy would be like Carefully considered what may be best for EPJS Kept the children and EPJS at the heart of all our discussions NO DECISIONS HAVE BEEN MADE We would like to share our thoughts with you .......

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY WHAT ARE ACADEMIES? Academies are state-funded schools which are directly funded by the Department for Education (DFE) and are independent of local authority control.

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY TYPES OF ACADEMIES Free Schools independent, free from local authority control set up by teachers, parents, existing schools, educational charities, etc Traditional academies usually underperforming existing schools which are allocated to an academy sponsor who will take them over. Academy converters usually high performing schools already in existence, who opt out of Local Authority control to gain independence and autonomy.

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY MULTI-ACADEMY TRUST A multi-academy trust ( often referred to as a MAT) is when two or more academies (schools) join together.

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY EPJS has decided:- We should not believe everything we read in the press! Becoming an academy may be in the best interests of EPJS An informed decision is important We want to be able to wear pink socks! We want to be in charge of our own destiny – to choose what to do To keep parents informed It is vital that we do what is best for our children, staff, parents and community

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY WHY BECOME AN ACADEMY ? Improve the educational experience for the children Flexibilities over spending Economies of scale , sharing of resources Opportunities for staff Greater collaboration Effective school to school support Political pressures Decreasing Support from the Local Authority

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY FINDING THE RIGHT MAT We want a trust that :- Supports EPJS achieve its vision Helps EPJS to improve and offer more to children, staff and parents Provides robust ‘back office services’ Ensures we are financially secure and offer value for money Supports, enthuses and challenges all staff Collaborates at a high level Enables EPJS to keep its own identity, values and ethos - enhance rather than change Has similar aims, values and ethos – puts children first Is not too large Will encourage us to maintain our existing links with local schools Will Work WITH us A trust we can believe in and contribute to.

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY SCHOOLSWORKS What we like … Local Easily accessible Experienced heads Known people who we respect Putting children first Similar experiences Robust back office services A good size Shared sense of aims, values and ethos They want to learn from and work with us!

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY Coffee break! TIME TO TALK! Good points Reservations Questions

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY SCHOOLSWORKS

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY NEXT STEPS:- Associate Membership Continue to involve parents and all stakeholders Keep local schools informed Register an interest Governors to make a decision in the Autumn Term 2016

EPJS AND ACADEMY STATUS: TAKING CHARGE OF OUR OWN DESTINY ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS? Please write your thoughts on post-its and do come and talk to us – share your views – it is an important decision to make TOGETHER Thank you for attending