2. Parent Information Meeting 29th March 2017
Becoming an Academy
Parent Information Meeting
29th March 2017

3. The Vision of the Diocese
Is for a strong network of schools which as communities of Catholic formation provide
Excellent care and support for each child’s well-being.
Strive for outstanding outcomes for every child.
Recognise everyone as a child of God so they are cherished and valued and achievement celebrated.

4. The Vision of the Diocese
Use the opportunity now available to
Strengthen the Catholic identity of schools within the overall mission of the church
Reflect more clearly the reality of being part of one diocesan family of schools
Ground structures in principles of solidarity, subsidiarity and concern for common

5. MAT – Multi Academy Trust
As an academy we will join a MAT
What is a Multi Academy Trust?
A charitable company responsible for the running of the Academies and has control over the land and other assets.
Their role is strategic and not operational
Who will be on the board of the MAT
CEO (Currently one of the existing Headteachers until MAT becomes larger) & Finance Director (to be appointed), several other members who are independent to schools (similar to Governors)

6. The Diocese of Portsmouth will be split into 4 MATS

7. School already in the MAT are:-
St Mary’s - Maidenhead
St Francis - Ascot
St Margaret Clitherow – Bracknell
Joining on 1st April 2017
St Edmund Campion – Maidenhead
All other schools will join by Spring 2018

8. Current structure as a maintained Voluntary Aided (VA) School
Department for Education (DfE)
Diocese of Portsmouth
School support, RE direction, Funding of Building projects, Section 48 validation, NQT support
Local Authority (LA) – Wokingham Council
External audit, internal audit, interpreting legislation, financial policies, account preparation, balance sheet, VAT returns, DfE returns
Schools
Setting budget, accounting for income and expenditure, complying with DfE and LA guidance

9. Structure as an academy
Catholic Academy & Schools Office (CASO)
(Acting on behalf of the Diocesan Trustees)
Department for Education (DfE)
(Diocese of Portsmouth)
MAT 1
External audit, internal audit, interpreting legislation, financial policies, accounts preparation, DfE returns,
CEO for all schools in MAT
PoDCAST
Procurement company
Purchase services for all 4 MATS
Schools
balance sheet, accounts submission, VAT returns, setting budget, accounting for income and expenditure, compliance with financial handbook, & Academy Trust funding agreement, etc…

10. School Governors The local governing bodies of each Academy will
maintain their responsibility to challenge and support senior leaders.
continue to monitor the quality of the school’s operation both financially and educationally.
continue to set and monitor the budget.
appoint teaching and non-teaching staff. (Senior leadership appointments will be made in consultation with the MAT Board)

11. What will stay the same? Unique ethos and vision of St Teresa’s
Commitment to care for and pursue the highest academic standards
Same Staff
Control of budget, school autonomy
Admissions
SEN
Ofsted and Sections 48
Relationship with the community
Roles and accountability of the Headteacher, staff & governors

12. What will change? Our name and School Emblem
Introduction of the MAT details on headed paper, websites, and signage where appropriate

13. When will all this happen?
Current target is June 2017
The most important bit…
Our children will remain our focus and priority, and will still receive the same high quality teaching and learning that they do now
Further help
If you have more questions, please see Nikki or Karen
There is also some information on Portsmouth Diocesan website (
academy-conversion.php)