1. Gatehouse Primary Academy

2. The future for all Schools
‘responsibility before accountability’
Communities of schools bound together by:
Shared Responsibility
Trust and Common Vision
Intellectual and Social Capital
Schools need to believe that the future is that we are all in this together.

3. VISION FOR THE FIRST FEDERATION
Everyone works to enable outstanding learning and teaching - putting children first
We will achieve our vision if:
Every child is taught by an Outstanding Teacher
Every child is inspired to learn by an exciting, innovative, and challenging curriculum
Everyone in the Trust is a Lifelong Learner
We have Distributed Leadership at every level

4. The First Federation Trust
9 Primary Schools over 50 miles
Largest 510+ smallest 84
In excess of 2200 pupils
From challenging schools to the most affluent in Devon
4 Outstanding, 3 Good and 2 sponsored.
78% of our children in convertor academies go to an Outstanding school
VA, VC and Community Schools
An Executive Headteacher with Heads of Teaching and Learning in each school
Strategic Governance with no LGB

5. The building blocks our Federation are
Trust and collaboration
Distributed leadership
Professional righteous indignation
Shared values, aspirations and identity
Engagement and connection
Pareto Principle – the 80/20 rule
These are achieved through the release of
intellectual and social capital.

6. 2006 2008 2010 2011 2013 2015 2016 2017 First Federation starts
Blackpool CE Primary and Chudleigh Knighton CE Primary
2008
Salcombe CE Primary and Lady Sewards CE Primary join
2010
Newton Ferrers CE Primary Joins
2011
First Federation becomes a Multi Academy Trust
Aveton Gifford CE Primary joins
2013
Designated as a Teaching School – Primary Excellence
2015
First Federation sponsors Brixington Primary, Exmouth
2016
St Leonards CE Primary joins
First Federation sponsors Westcliff Primary, Dawlish
2017
Genesis Trust merges with First Federation Trust

7. School and date joined First Federation
Ofsted/LA judgement before joining the First Federation
Latest Ofsted judgement
Blackpool C of E Primary 2006
Good
Outstanding 2012
Chudleigh Knighton C of E Primary 2006
Notice to Improve 2006
Good with Outstanding 2012
Lady Seawards C of E Primary 2008
Satisfactory
Outstanding 2016
Salcombe C of E Primary 2008
Good 2016
Newton Ferrers C of E Primary 2010
Outstanding 2011
Aveton Gifford C of E Primary 2011
Overall Good with Satisfactory for Leadership and Management and Capacity to Improve
Brixington Primary Academy Sponsored September 2016
Inadequate 2015
Westcliff Primary Academy Sponsored February 2016
Requires Improvement 2015 (double RI)
St Leonards C of E Primary 2016
Outstanding

9. The First Federation Trust
We were identified by Lord Nash as the second most successful Trust for school improvement in the country (out of over 220 LAs and MATs).
Sir Michael Wilshaw, Ofsted’s Chief Inspector, identified us as one of the seven most successful MATs in the country.
We were used for two case studies of excellent practice in the DfE MAT - Good practice guidance and expectations for growth (2016)

10. Our First Five Years Structure
A Members Board of 3
a Strategic Directors Board of 9
One Strategic and Audit Committee
Heads of Teaching and Learning in each school
a Federation Business Leader (COO!!)
an Executive Headteacher (CEO)
How did you build and sustain the relationship with the other schools in the Federation, teachers, governors and parents?
Establishing a new system for Governance, Leadership and management

11. The Future – Growth and Evolution
In September 2017 we will be potentially a Trust of:
14 schools with pupils
Using the knowledge and experience of the First Federation we will create:
Three Hubs of up to six schools which are Geographically located - South, Central and East Devon

12. First Federation Trust Governance Model 2016
Strategic
Directors Board
Strategic and Audit Committee
Mediating
Hub Strategic Committee
Hub Parent Representatives Group
Hub Ethos Group
Local
Elected Parent Representatives
Parent Councils
Ethos Committees

13. Board of Directors 2017 Directors 11 Non Executive 6* Foundaton 2*
Parent Director
Co-opted Directors
Executive
CEO

14. Board of Directors Strategic and Audit Committee
Hub Strategic Committee
Parent Representative
Ethos Committee
Parent Council
for each Academy
Hub Parent
Representatives
Group
Hub Strategic Committee
Hub Parent Representatives Group
For each Academy
Hub Parent Representative Group

15. Hub Strategic Committee Academy External Reviews Academy Administrator
Who informs the Hub Strategic Committee?
Hub Strategic Committee
Academy External Reviews
Parent
Representative
Reports
Ethos Committees
Minutes
HoTL
Academy Administrator
Hub Business Manager
Executive HoTL

16. Who informs the Directors Board?
CEO
Reports
Finance Director
Hub Strategic Committee
Minutes
Chief Operating Officer
Executive HoTL
Strategic and Audit Committee minutes

17. Parents and Community Local Voice Elected Parent Representative
Ethos Committees
HoTL
Reports
Parent Council
PTFA

18. The Benefits An absolute focus on improving outcomes for all children
Improved learning and teaching through the continuing sharing best practice (hardwired)
Enhanced learning and curriculum opportunities for all children
Ability to put expertise, time, resources and people where it will make the greatest impact on outcomes for children

19. The Benefits Sustainable school improvement
Flexibility, Creativity and Innovation
Joint staffing opportunities and wider career opportunities across the Trust
Exciting systems for leadership development and succession planning. Talent spotting and development of our future school leaders.
A coherent system of professional development, support and accountability is established

20. What makes it work Distributed Leadership Social Capital Trust
The core of the capacity building model is:
‘distributed leadership along with
social cohesion and trust’
Harris and Lambert 2003

21. Trust Character Competence Intent Caring Transparency Openness
Integrity
Honesty
Fairness
Authenticity
Competence
Capability
Skills
Knowledge
Experience
Results
Reputation
Credibility
Performance

22. Sometimes you have to really trust

23. First Federation Five C's
Change
Creativity
Challenge
Commitment
What would be your key messages to anyone considering establishing a Hard Governance Federation?

24. CHILDREN If it is not making a difference for children why are we doing it !

26. First Federation
C/O Blackpool CE Primary School
Liverton
Newton Abbot
Devon TQ12 6JB
firstfederation.org