1. The Difference Being a Federation Has Made The Federated CEVCP Schools of Gislingham & Palgrave

2. Who Are We? Palgrave CEVCP School is a rural primary school, located in the centre of a village on the Norfolk/Suffolk border. The catchment is the village of Palgrave and the surrounding villages of Stuston and Thrandeston. Gislingham CEVCP School is a rural primary school, located in the centre of a Suffolk village. The catchment is mainly the village of Gislingham but an increasing number of pupils come from surrounding villages.

3. Where Are We?

4. Gislingham & Palgrave When? What? Why?

5. What Makes a Successful Federation? Vision Leadership Shared Ownership Structure School Business Manager Not prepared to accept status quo Management of Resources Understanding what is expected

6. Gislingham & Palgrave Challenges! Fear of loss of individuality Not all plain sailing Resistance from parents Staff felt threatened Opportunities! Staff Children Friendships School core specialities: – Gislingham – music – Palgrave – Art COMMUNICATION!

7. Gislingham & Palgrave Governing Body - Why Does It Work? Strategic vision – grow and enhance Good and outstanding teachers / staff School Business Manager Supportive parents Supportive Governors Shared partnership with common approaches, views, values, staff and governors who interchange their school without even blinking

8. Why Does it Work? School Business Management Leadership Teaching and Learning Parents Teaching Schools Above all, trust your staff

9. Improvement Cycle SEF reviewed to highlight strengths and weaknesses School Development Plan written to target areas for improvement Budget is assigned on basis of priorities Monitoring and evaluation provides evidence of strengths and weaknesses SATS Questionnaires Observations Celebrate strengths Risk assessment identifies potential budget requirements Performance Management

10. Why Partner or Federate?

11. Working Together Playgroup New Classrooms Minibus Playground at Palgrave Teaching Schools

12. What Does the Future Look Like? Academisation? Additional partners – Bardwell – AN Other Reconstitution of the Governing Body

13. New Structures Strategic Leadership Personnel & Finance Local Governing Body Curriculum

14. And Finally! The Federated Church of England Voluntary Controlled Primary Schools The Tilian Federation

15. Questions & Comments?