Welcome to our Open ForumThank you for coming

Wednesday 14th May 2014

The BAWB Collaboration Bainbridge, Askrigg, and West Burton Primary Schools

Mid-Dale Excellence in Education

The aims of our forum tonight…

• To share the purpose, reasoning, and benefits of our planned operational changes

• To clarify our financial position

• To explain the national picture in education

• To share the outcomes of the Local Authority’s School Improvement Commission and the future of North Yorkshire Schools

• To answer your questions and to plan solutions

• Next steps

Firstly, to clarify…• Timescale:

This opportunity was presented to us earlier than expected, when we heard of Mr Moore’s new post

There has never been a hidden agenda We are also having to respond to the pace of change in education and new information as it

presents on an almost daily basis (this is the climate at the moment)• Communicating this to parents:

Parents views / opinions are very important in establishing the operational details ‘Open Forum’ and face-to-face was always recognised to be the most important way of

achieving this Formal consultation is not a requirement as this is operational change

• Mr Armstrong’s Departure: Not ideal timing (we didn’t want to lose Mr Armstrong) but this is great professional

development for him Staff turnover is healthy (though rapid turnover leading to instability is not ideal) The most important factor is ensuring that teaching quality is of the highest standard We’re committed to recruiting an outstanding teacher to replace him (teaching quality,

extra-curricular interests, leadership skills)

Purpose, Reasoning, Benefits

• Strive for sustainability and protection from the threat of closure due to our vulnerability (more details to follow)

• To create a better educational structure for the children (especially class groupings).

• To widen social experiences

• To broaden staff development opportunities

• To reduce the negative impact of tiny cohorts (e.g. social isolation, learning opportunities, transition to new classes and schools)

• The structure provides parents with more choice around their preferred model

The Financial Picture• The majority of school funding is based on the number of pupils

• Funding is (and will continue to be) based on the number of pupils enrolled at each school (not where they are taught).

• Certain elements of the budget are ring-fenced (e.g. our ICT project)

• Both schools had (worsening) deficit budgets predicted for the next three years, based on the national funding formula and declining pupil numbers

• We are not allowed to set a deficit budget unless there is a strategic plan to recover it (until now, there was no plan)

• The Local Authority pursues closure when schools are not actively seeking financially viable solutions to establish sustainability

• The LA is aware of our budgets and was ready to pursue action, had we not done so already

• The EHT has been asked by Strategic Services if our governing bodies are actively exploring the option of school closure. My response was ‘no’, and this is the reason why

• Doing nothing is not an option

The National Picture

• The LA has no control over the funding given to schools (it is a national formula). However, it has the authority to streamline provision through instigating the closure of financially unviable schools

• Generally, ‘outstanding’ schools are not closed

• We do not benefit from sparsity funding

• Rural schools are increasingly vulnerable (in all authorities) – town / city schools are over-subscribed

• We have the opportunity now to be proactive rather than reactive

The School Improvement Commission

• A focus on the benefits of collaborative work between schools (based on extensive research)

• An expectation that schools will engage in active collaborative work

• A reduction in LA-based services

• We have the opportunity to be at the forefront of this

But we’re not alone…

• Reeth and Gunnerside have remained open by establishing this model

• Bigger schools have been closed (or have been ‘consumed’) by not being proactive (by doing nothing)

• Snape and Thornton-Watlass are going through exactly the same process at the moment

Your QuestionsWho will be teaching my children?

September 2014 Potential Structure

am pm

@ Bainbridge Nursery and EYFS: Mrs HeyMrs Metcalfe, Mrs Iveson

Y1/2: Mrs JohnstonMr Stokes

YR,1,2: new appointmentMr Stokes, Mrs Iveson

@ Askrigg Y3/4: new appointmentMiss Calvert

Y3/4: Mrs JohnstonMiss Calvert

Y5/6: Mrs UcaMrs Fawcett

Y5/6: Mrs UcaMrs Fawcett

Meanwhile….

Your QuestionsHow will we maintain the Church School ethos for Bainbridge pupils, and the VC for Askrigg pupils?• Communication with staff, parents, children and diocese is essential

• Took advice from diocese in the first stages of this plan

• Met yesterday with new diocesan advisor (with Sam Parfitt, Di Clegg, MaryRose Kearney, Rev. Ann Chapman, Natasha Johnston)

• In recognition of feedback from parents over the last week, and discussion yesterday, suggested solution = returning to home school for collective worship each day

• Joint (optional) church services each term with input from Ozzy’s Crew

Your QuestionsHow / why will the timings of the school day be affected and how will this be managed?

• We need to meet statutory requirements around the number of hours pupils need to be taught

• We want to avoid disrupting children’s learning with transport arrangements

• We would like to open a consultation on this

Your Questions

Who is in charge of each school?

• The headteacher

• The school administrator will be the first point of contact for all parents

• A named base-leader will be available to address issues around education, behaviour, etc (things which cannot be dealt with at an administrative level)

• School administrators and base leaders have a clear understanding of when it is appropriate or necessary to contact the headteacher

Your QuestionsWhat does governance look like and are the budgets going to be combined?• Currently the governing bodies are constitutionally separate but

meet together (this has been developed under the guidance of the LA Governance Manager and with agreement by the governing bodies)

• The budgets are separate but we can take advantage of collaboration to benefit from bulk-buying, and the re-charging of costs

• Governors  have corporately agreed to work as a collaboration, with pupils being at the forefront of this commitment, and will continue to uphold this view, but of course will take into account parents’ views

Your Questionscont… What does governance look like and are the budgets going to be combined?

The following is from ‘Welcome to Governance’ 6th Edition – published by the National Governors’ Association ©2014:

The role of all governors is to contribute to the work of the governing body in ensuring high standards of achievement for all children in the school by:

• Setting the school’s vision, ethos and strategic direction;• Holding the headteacher to account for the educational performance of the

school and its pupils; and• Overseeing the financial performance of the school and making sure its money

is well spent.

Your Questions

What happens when the transport budget runs out?

• The budget for this financial year has been set (with further projections for the next for two years). It includes transport costs, and sits now in a surplus position.

• We have budgeted for significant investment in the environment at Bainbridge (EYFS, ICT, decorating). This demonstrates our commitment to keeping schools open – ensuring that they are fit-for-purpose and offering a modern and appealing learning environment.

Next Steps

• Consultation on timings of the school day

• Date set for parents’ forum

• Please remember that we welcome your views in person, by phone, or by e-mail (remember the Chair of Governor / Headteacher open surgeries on Thursday)

• Comment / feedback form

• We want you on board!

Your QuestionsMy child is really worried about this? What can we do to help?

• We all have questions / queries / worries / concerns – that is a normal reaction to change

• We should see this as an opportunity to develop our children’s resilience and their reaction to, and management of change (we have a responsibility to do this)

• Highlight the positives, of which there are many

• Maintain very open communication channels between home and school

Thank you