Keston Primary School Academy Consultation June 2018

The Proposal Keston Primary converts to become an academy and joins the PACE Multi Academy Trust

Introduction Back in February 2018, the Governing body, by unanimous vote made the decision to pursue the process of conversion to an academy and joining PACE Academy Trust. We are here to gather views in order to assist us to make a final decision. With our children at the forefront, the 3 key reasons for our decision in principle: Safeguarding our future; Creating opportunities; and Enhance our pre-existing relationships with other schools in our cluster.

The Journey … Academisation has been a standing item on the Full Governing Body meeting agenda for over 3 years; Over the years we have been approached by various local academies which we feel aren’t/weren’t the best fit for us; Back in early 2016 the Education Secretary made plans for all schools to be made to an academy by 2020. At this point we started to explore our options however in mid-2016 this plan was abandoned by the government; and On reflection, the governing body felt perhaps it was the right time to explore our options. At that point governors began their journey and attended courses and sought advice from various experienced individuals, Government staff, other governors etc.

Some of the Challenges that Keston Faces Maintaining and sustaining improvements in pupil attainment and progress against ever changing, challenging government targets; Tighter budgets as revenue flat/declining, costs increasing; Access to quality, cost effective services; Reduction in support from Local Authority; Recruitment and retention of staff; and Deterioration and ongoing maintenance of school premises.

Our Options Stay as we are; Become a standalone academy; or Join an existing MAT.

How Will Keston Pupils and Staff Benefit? Enhanced recruitment and retention of teachers and support staff Staff being part of a larger organisation that can better meet their career aspirations Enhanced professional development for staff Staff developing and sharing best practice with a larger group of colleagues with wider range of experience and skills Easier access to specialist teaching and learning Opportunity to employ/commission specialist teachers across group of schools Richer curriculum and learning opportunities for pupils Ability to develop innovative cross-school projects, activities and experiences More effective use of budgets through group economies of scale Potential access to greater capital funding Strong collaboration with shared accountability can lead to enhanced progress and attainment for pupils, and help meet rising expectations

Funding and Finances How will Keston be funded? Keston’s contribution to PACE Financial impacts Assets Commentary How will Keston be funded? The main funding stream is known as the General Annual Grant, this will come directly from the Department for Education instead of receiving it via the Local Authority. It is calculated on the same basis as maintained schools. Our General Annual Grant allocation will be paid to PACE were an agreed % will be deducted to pay for central costs, this is then transferred to us. Any other funding allocations will not be applicable to any deduction. Any money generated by Keston is kept within the school. PTA fundraising is unchanged and currently has a separate account to the school with a process that is followed for transfer and use of funds. Keston’s contribution to PACE Our contribution will be approx 3% of the General Annual Grant, this % varies across the schools within the Trust. It is used to pay for central costs such as Executive Head salary, finance, HR etc. At present we have to pay for support services, but because these costs will be picked up centrally we will no longer have these expenses within our budget. Therefore the net impact on Keston’s budget is less than it initially appears, however at present some of the central overheads are not a current expense but we believe that the long term benefit of these out weighs the additional outlay. Financial Impacts New Capital Funding Joining PACE will give Keston the opportunity to bid for new capital funding that is not available to maintained schools. If successful this would help to reduce the increasing pressure on our current maintenance budget for the building, and help to improve the environment in which are children thrive. Economies of scale Although there will be no short term gains, over the longer term we should start to realise savings from combined contracts such as garden maintenance, catering etc. This will take some time as current contracts need to expire. There should also be small savings from sharing of resources instead of each school paying for them separately. Assets Keston’s assets are currently owned by the Local Authority, these will transfer to PACE and become the Trust’s responsibility to maintain. Although this brings risk in terms of maintaining the school the benefit is that having two Trustees on the board we can influence what happens to those assets.

Introduction to PACE Academy Trust Commentary How will Keston be funded? The main funding stream is known as the General Annual Grant, this will come directly from the Department for Education instead of receiving it via the Local Authority. It is calculated on the same basis as maintained schools. Our General Annual Grant allocation will be paid to PACE were an agreed % will be deducted to pay for central costs, this is then transferred to us. Any other funding allocations will not be applicable to any deduction. Any money generated by Keston is kept within the school. PTA fundraising is unchanged and currently has a separate account to the school with a process that is followed for transfer and use of funds. Keston’s contribution to PACE Our contribution will be approx 3% of the General Annual Grant, this % varies across the schools within the Trust. It is used to pay for central costs such as Executive Head salary, finance, HR etc. At present we have to pay for support services, but because these costs will be picked up centrally we will no longer have these expenses within our budget. Therefore the net impact on Keston’s budget is less than it initially appears, however at present some of the central overheads are not a current expense but we believe that the long term benefit of these out weighs the additional outlay. Financial Impacts New Capital Funding Joining PACE will give Keston the opportunity to bid for new capital funding that is not available to maintained schools. If successful this would help to reduce the increasing pressure on our current maintenance budget for the building, and help to improve the environment in which are children thrive. Economies of scale Although there will be no short term gains, over the longer term we should start to realise savings from combined contracts such as garden maintenance, catering etc. This will take some time as current contracts need to expire. There should also be small savings from sharing of resources instead of each school paying for them separately. Assets Keston’s assets are currently owned by the Local Authority, these will transfer to PACE and become the Trust’s responsibility to maintain. Although this brings risk in terms of maintaining the school the benefit is that having two Trustees on the board we can influence what happens to those assets.

PACE – Mission and Values To provide education and care of high quality in happy, inspiring environments, in which all children and adults are valued and encouraged to succeed.  *****  We achieve this by working in close partnership, across our schools, and at all levels, in order to develop and share best practice.  We recognise that whilst in the pursuit of excellence and efficiency we do many things together, each school has its own ethos and identity, because they are closest to the communities, families and children they serve. This is greatly valued by all.

Our Values The following are the principles that guide our approach: We are committed to ensuring that every child is included and cared for.  We believe cooperation and partnerships are fundamental to improvement  We take pride in celebrating children’s achievements.  We respect ourselves and each other  We are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in all that we do

Core motivations: Was the wish to make a difference for the children in schools deemed as failing (moral purpose) Is to work with other schools to raise standards and seek greater educational opportunities for all our children

Vision 2020

Vision 2020 – Children’s version Standards and Achievement We are outstanding learners and never give up Care We are special and care about each other Provision Beecholme is unique and a magical world of learning. We are prepared for challenges Partnership and Community We all take pride in school and work as one respectful family to help us achieve our dreams and goals

School Leaders, Local Governing Bodies and Directors working together to shape our own future for the benefit of all An educational community with shared values and individual identity. An opportunity to shape the future Skilled lead professionals (HTs, Hs of S, EHT) using our individual and collective skills to achieve educational excellence across the Trust ‘Middle Leaders’ and teachers developing together, leading and sharing best practice Directors and local governing bodies working together to achieve outstanding models of governance Exploring ‘economies of scale’ savings Cross Trust recruitment, retention, secondment and exchange Bespoke Teacher Training programme developing our own teachers for our own schools

Possible Trust Structure HT/HoS HT/HoS HT/HoS HT/HoS HT/HoS T&L / Curriculum Networks Executive Leadership Group Directors (x12max) 7 existing Buildings / Land / H&S Committee Finance & Audit Committee HR/Fin Staff Chairs/Vice Chairs Forum Chipstead Valley LGB Beecholme LGB New Valley LGB LGB LGB

Key Roles and Responsibilities Directors Strategic direction, guarding the vision, financial sustainability, senior appointments. Local Governing Bodies Standards and progress, Teaching & Learning, Safeguarding, Health and Safety, senior staff appointments, premises, delegated budgets, contributing to the wider educational success of the Trust, sharing/developing governance ‘best practice’. Executive Headteacher/CEO Fulfil DfE requirement as CEO to ensure efficient, compliant management of the Trust, secure strategies ensuring highest possible educational standards, facilitate school to school consistency whilst encouraging individual identity. Executive Leadership Group (Headteachers and Heads of School) Identifying and sharing best practice, curriculum developments, shared CPD - including school to school support, develop new strategies, research. Headteachers/Heads of School Lead and manage individual schools with responsibility for their own budget.

What Will Stay the Same at Keston? Ethos and values of our community school Focus on the children Headteacher High standards of academic and personal development Excellent quality of teaching and learning Broad curriculum with core focus on numeracy and literacy Keston Primary School as the official name Uniform Ofsted inspection Key Stage assessments Government funded

What Will Change at Keston? New employer for staff New Trust Board with some existing Governors as Directors Trust Board directly accountable to Secretary of State No longer Local Authority controlled but still part of the Coulsdon Cluster of schools Reconvening of Local Governing Body

Next Steps Consultation closes Friday 15th June 2018 (email address will be open for further comments until this date). Consultation report including emailed/written responses will then be written. Governing Body will meet in June to review the report, consider progress on key issues and decide whether to proceed with proposal. If the Governing Body agrees to proceed with the proposal Keston Primary School would aim to officially convert in autumn term 2018.

Questions