1. CONSULTATION PRESENTATION
WOODFORD GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
A PROPOSAL TO CONVERT TO ACADEMY STATUS AND
JOIN THE ARBOR ACADEMY TRUST
CONSULTATION PRESENTATION
July 2018

2. What is the proposal ?
Woodford Green Primary School to join the Arbor Academy Trust and convert to academy status
To be better able to deal with the challenges facing the school
To sustain and protect the benefits of being a ‘small’ school
To build upon a successful partnership with the Arbor Academy Trust
To control our own destiny………….in a fast changing educational landscape.
Why?
Candice

3. The benefits and challenges of being a small school
Being a small school means…
the staff have a personalised knowledge of every child: their character, their unique abilities, and their way of learning,
teaching staff are able to plan the learning of each child in a bespoke way to support their development, and
the parent/carer community support each other and the school collaboratively.
…but also…
We are more vulnerable to financial pressures,
We (and the LA) have less resources to sustain and raise school performance and pupil outcomes, and
It is more difficult to retain the best staff team when we can offer less training and career progression PJ

4. The challenging educational landscape facing all schools
Ensuring financial sustainability
Difficulty of Retaining, developing and recruiting staff
Government policy for schools to become academies
Reducing support for school improvement
Increasing scrutiny of school performance and pupil outcomes
Candice

5. The Governing Body’s decision-making
Two years of discussion and investigation
Driven by what is going to be best for the children and staff of Woodford Green Primary School.
Explored options including partnership and membership of other multi academy trusts
Reflected on the benefits of Arbor Academy Trust support for the school
Carried out due diligence on possible membership of the Arbor Academy Trust
Weigh up the risks of converting to academy status and joining the Arbor Academy Trust versus the risks of continuing as a Local Authority maintained school.
Concluded that continuing as a stand-alone, small primary school within a Local Authority with diminishing support for its schools, is not viable given the range of challenges the school is facing.
Candice

6. Our partnership with Arbor Academy Trust
Since July 2017 the Headteacher and staff have been working with colleagues from Arbor Academy Trust.
Trust support and joint activities have included :
Benefit of Trust support noted in the Ofsted report November 2017
Opportunity to get to know the organisation better, to meet colleagues, to understand the trust’s vision and ethos and to find out more about their ways of working.
Teacher training – INSET days
Teacher moderation
Year group conferences
Teaching Assistant training
Interschool quality assurance across 4 schools
External quality assurance
Recruitment Support
Benchmarking
Leadership Support
SEND and SENDCO support
Early Years & Foundation stage (EYFS) Support
Ofsted preparation support
Assessment and Data support
Governor training
Interschool football competitions PJ

7. The benefits of joining the Arbor Academy Trust
Share and develop excellent practice in teaching and learning,
Enhance our provision for pupils with additional needs,
Broaden and deepen the curriculum,
Enhance the professional development of teaching and support staff,
Increase the range of learning and enrichment activities for pupils,
Help retain and attract the most capable staff,
Increase mutual accountability, challenge and support for Governors and Headteachers,
Secure financial efficiencies through coordinated resource planning and joint commissioning of services, and
Respond to changes in Government policy proactively and efficiently. PJ

8. Arbor Academy Trust: vision
We are a family of learners dedicated to growing excellence for all children and staff. In our family of schools, this is a non-negotiable.
We aim to develop a strong sense of self and build pupil’s confidence, allowing them to be independent global citizens who develop life skills and achieve their full potential.
We provide a safe and caring environment where children flourish and have the opportunity to build positive relationships, make reputable choices and be inspired to become life-long learners.”
Maureen

9. Davies Lane Primary School
Arbor Academy Trust: member schools
Established September 1st 2016 with two founding schools
Davis Lane is a national support school and one of four teaching schools in LBWF.
CEO is Maureen Okoye: a National Leader in Education (NLE) and an Ofsted Lead Inspector with nationally recognised track record in school improvement
Name of School
Davies Lane Primary School
Selwyn Primary School
Type of School
4 form entry
3 form entry
Age Range
2 – 11
2 - 11
Location
Leytonstone E11
Highams Park E4
Pupil Numbers and classes/year groups
900
675
Headteacher
Bronwen Chalmers
Lisa Bogle
Most Recent Ofsted
Outstanding
Good
Maureen

10. Trust governance & leadership
Local Governing Body (LGB) continues to oversee their school.
Headteacher remains responsible for running their school day-to-day.
Headteachers of each school form the Leadership Group.
CEO is accountable to DfE for Trust performance, leads intervention if necessary, chairs the leadership group and also oversees non-education functions of Trust e.g. finance and HR
Board of Trustees accountable for performance of all schools and pupil outcomes; vast majority chosen from existing governing bodies for their relevant skills / expertise and all schools are currently represented
Trust Members hold Trustees to account and are the guardians of the Trust vision & ethos
Maureen

11. How staff are affected
Staff no longer employed by London Borough of Waltham Forest after conversion
All staff will work for Arbor Academy Trust
Transfer of employment under TUPE regulations with protection of employment terms & conditions of employment at point of transfer.
The Trust has developed principles of employment, which are applicable after the point of transfer, subject to the final TUPE consultation
Terms, conditions and pay at least equal to that agreed nationally/locally
Contract of employment to work in your named school
Single tier workforce: transferred, new and promoted staff on same T&Cs
Full protection of pension rights for either Teachers Pension Scheme or Local Government Pension Scheme
Recognition of Continuity of Service
Philip (staff only)

12. What will stay the same at the school
Unique ethos, values and approach
Governing Body overseeing the school
Headteacher running the school
Teachers and support staff working with their children
Tailored approach to teaching and learning
Personalised curriculum
Name, logo and uniform
Admissions policy
Deciding how the budget is spent
Candice

13. What are the next steps?
Academy consultation period: Tuesday, July 10th until Monday, September 24th (4+ academic weeks)
Consulting with:
Parents
Staff
Trade unions
Pupils
Other local schools
Provided consultation pack of information
Parent/carer and staff consultation meetings at the school. Q&A to be published
Parents/carers and staff to complete survey and return to school by September 24th
Consultation report to be considered by Governing Body at Gateway #2 meeting in October 2018.
Candice