The proposed
Newham Community Schools Trust
Gateway 2
Briefing for Governors of
Lister, Rokeby and Sarah Bonnell Schools
February 4th 2015
Purpose of the presentation
In November 2014 all three Governing Bodies approved an investigation by a joint
working group of the proposed partnership and multi academy trust status:
This presentation is a summary of that investigation:
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To explain why the partnership is being proposed and outline the expected
benefits of partnership
To propose key principles for the governance, leadership and management of
the proposed Trust
To set out a proposed consultation plan
Inform Governing Bodies so they can consider and decide whether to agree the
proposed resolutions (Gateway 2)
NB Governors sent working group update in January 2015
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Recap of overall plan and Approval Gateways
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Part 1
Rationale for the proposed partnership
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Why we are proposing this partnership
In an increasingly challenging education landscape
WE WANT TO
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Deliver better outcomes for pupils
Secure the future of our schools as high quality, locally accountable
comprehensive schools
AND CAN DO THIS TOGETHER AS
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Three very good, schools continuing to improve year-on-year
Shared determination to become Outstanding within 2 years
Shared values and commitment to supporting the achievement of all young
people in Newham
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Enhanced staff development
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Staff development is at core of our success – already good practice in sharing
residentials, Aspire programme
Ambition to become a lead facilitator for in-school teacher training
Tailored CPD programmes commissioned and delivered more cost-efficiently
Wider pool of senior, middle and subject leaders on development programmes
Opportunities for secondments if desired, joint research projects, sharing of
specialist expertise eg in SEN
Longer term stability and succession planning – more likely to attract and
retain high quality candidates at all levels
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Strengthened, continuing school improvement
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Shared use and analysis of data to identify areas of excellent and underperforming practice
Networks of staff sharing best practice in key areas
Internal quality assurance
External verification
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Richer teaching, curriculum and extended learning
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Sharing of Good Practice
Ability to offer specialist subjects
Enhanced vocational offer across three schools
Joint specialist programmes for particular groups of students
Wider extra-curricular programmes
Secure better targeted care and support for students
Responding to national curriculum changes – not working in isolation
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Stronger collective voice
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Three voices louder than one
Group of three schools more stable and resilient than three individual schools
Opportunity to influence local (and national) school landscape
Protect each school’s individual ethos
Sustain comprehensive, inclusive education
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Protecting staff
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Commitment to adopt the model Trust union recognition agreement agreed by unions
elsewhere in Newham
• Framework for union consultation and negotiation including annual pay awards and
changes to policy
At least parity with national and local terms & conditions plus commitment to London
living wage as minimum
Commitment to single tier workforce: all existing, new and promoted staff on
consistent terms & conditions
Pay, terms & conditions and employment related policies protected at point of transfer
under TUPE regulations
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Part 2
Key principles of
Trust governance, leadership and management
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Considerations of multi academy trust status
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Legal and regulatory framework for multi academy trusts including the responsibilities
of Directors
Secretary of State legal powers of intervention in the Trust:
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Standards of performance of pupils at the Academy are a cause for concern
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Serious breakdown in the way the Academy is governed or managed
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Safety of pupils or staff is threatened
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Financial mismanagement or failure to operate within budget
Ensuring high standards of education across member schools
Appropriate governance structure and strategy to balance autonomy with collective
responsibility and accountability
Financial regulation and procedures to run the Trust compliantly and efficiently
Being a single employer of staff across different schools with consistent, equitable and
fair policies
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LOCAL GOVERNING BODY
Role of Local Governing Body (LGB)
8 key roles
• Support and challenge
Headteacher
• Recommend School
Performance targets and
monitor progress
• Approve school plan to achieve
targets
• Propose and monitor school
budget
• Oversee staff deployment and
management
Lister
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Rokeby
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Sarah Bonnell
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
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• Admissions management
• Monitoring compliance with
Trust regulations, policies and
plans.
• Interface with parents and
community
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LEADERSHIP GROUP
Role of Leadership group
7 key roles
• Recommend Trust strategic plan
• Review and comment on school
performance targets
• Review and comment on school
Development plans
• Review and recommend new
schools to join Trust
Leadership
Group
• Propose and/or recommend key
employment policies
• Propose Trust 1 year budget
Lister
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Rokeby
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Sarah Bonnell
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
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• Review and consider staffing
with Trust implications
Other considerations
• All Headteachers but no CEO
• One Headteacher appointed
Accounting Officer
• External SIP for critical
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Role of Finance and Audit Committees
FINANCE & AUDIT C’TTEES
4 key roles
• Recommend and monitor
Financial Regulations &
Procedures
Audit
Committee
Finance
Committee
• Review, recommend and
monitor Trust & school budgets
Leadership
Group
• Plan and oversee audit and
recommend Annual Report and
Financial Statements
• Provide input to annual pay
awards
Lister
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Rokeby
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Sarah Bonnell
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
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TRUST BOARD
Role of Trust Directors
7 key roles
• Set Trust strategic direction
• Ensure effective school
performance and outcome for
all pupils
Trust Board of Directors
Audit
Committee
Finance
Committee
• Hold LGB to account for school
performance and pupil
outcomes
Leadership
Group
• Intervene in schools in serious
circumstances
• Determine detailed governance
of Trust
Lister
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Rokeby
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Sarah Bonnell
Local Governing
Body
• Oversee effective, efficient and
compliant use of public funds
• Employer of staff
LGB C’ttees
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Role of Trust Members
TRUST MEMBERS
Trust Members
2 key roles
• Hold Directors to account for
Trust performance
• Approve changes to Articles of
Association
Trust Board of Directors
Audit
Committee
Finance
Committee
Lister
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Leadership
Group
Rokeby
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
Sarah Bonnell
Local Governing
Body
LGB C’ttees
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Proposed Member and Board composition
Trust Members
Lister
Member
Lister
Member
Rokeby
Member
Rokeby
Member
Sarah Bon. Sarah Bon.
Member
Member
Ind.
Member
Trust Board of Directors
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Lister
Director
Rokeby
Director
Sarah Bonnell
Director
Trust
Director
Lister
Director
Rokeby
Director
Sarah Bonnell
Director
Trust
Director
Lister
Head
Rokeby
Head
Sarah Bonnell
Head
Board to have maximum of 11 Directors
Each LGB to appoint two ‘school’ Directors, which will include at least the Chair or Vice
Chair
Trust Directors to be appointed by 9 ‘school’ Directors. One Trust Director to be
independent Chair
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Scenario 1: School Improvement Planning
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Headteacher Develops school targets and improvement plan for next academic year
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Includes proposed staff complement, structure and grades
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Adds performance review when data available
Headteacher Consults with other Headteachers on the targets and improvement plan
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Discussion with Leadership Group on opportunities for support, synergies and
efficiencies
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Leadership Group develops Trust targets and plan based on agreed shared priorities
Local Governing Body reviews and Recommends targets to the Trust Board
Local Governing Body Approves the proposed school improvement plan
Trust Board Approves school targets and Trust targets and plan
Headteacher, Leadership Group and LGB Monitor progress against targets
Leadership Group reports collective progress to the Trust Board
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Scenario 2: School Budget setting & monitoring
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Headteacher Develops school budget for next financial year
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Includes proposed staff complement, structure and grades
Local Governing Body reviews and Proposes school budget
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Detailed review to ensure feasibility and sustainability
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Recommend budget to Trust Finance Committee
Trust Finance Cttee reviews school budget and Recommends a Trust budget
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Satisfy themselves to the feasibility and sustainability of each school budget
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Identifies and considers opportunities for efficiency through joint commissioning or
procurement
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Prepares Trust budget with costs to be recovered from each school e.g. audit & legal
costs
Trust Board Approves overall Trust budget
LGB Monitors and presents reports to Finance Cttee
Finance Cttee Monitors and presents reports to Trust Board
Audit Committee oversees independent audit of annual accounts
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Financial governance and management
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Each school to retain its school funding as now: the General Annual Grant
Calculated by Education Funding Agency using Newham schools funding formula
Additional Education Services Grant will cover extra costs of academy status: no loss of
funding for schools
Contribution by each school to Trust central costs as per agreed budget
Trust required to prepare and publish Annual Statement of Accounts and Trustees
Report
• Independent audit of accounts
Compliance with Education Funding Agency requirements
Development of Trust financial regulations and procedures
• Single financial accounting software system for consistency
• Internal audit function
• Trust planning calendar
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Part 3 Proposed consultation
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Consultation objectives
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To enable Governing Bodies to decide whether to proceed further with the proposal to
create the Newham Schools Community Trust (working title) having consulted with
stakeholders
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To present to stakeholders clear information on the proposal to establish the
Newham Schools Community Trust
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To gather stakeholder feedback on the proposal and understand the level of
stakeholder interest, support and objection
Consultation to run Thursday, February 5th to Wednesday. March 24th (7 calendar weeks
and 6 academic weeks)
Consultation information will be based on the key principles set out in this presentation
Consultation reports to be considered by Governing Bodies at collective meeting in early
April 2015
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Consultation activity
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Consultation stakeholders
• Staff
• Unions
• Community leaders
• Local Authority
Parents and carers
Student
Other local schools
MPs and Councillors
Consultation packs published by each school
• Parent letter and FAQs
Staff letter and FAQs
• Joint packs for LA, schools and MPs and Councillors
• Joint consultation pack for unions
School consultation meetings for students, parents & carers and staff
Joint union consultation meetings
Note: informal consultation and information sharing has already taken place;
• Staff have already been informally consulted with including meetings, letters, emails,
and FAQs since November 2014
• Unions have been notified of the investigation of the proposed partnership, possible
future formal consultation and the NUT actions to date
• Parents have also been advised of the investigation and possible formal consultation
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Next Steps
Gateway 2: Feb 4th
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Governing Bodies to consider their specific resolutions and specifically whether to
proceed with consultation
Feedback on the principles set out in the presentation
Working group to continue to develop more detailed proposals for Trust governance,
leadership and management
Gateway 3: April 2015
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Governing Bodies to review consultation reports and decide whether to proceed further
continue with proposed partnership
Feedback on detailed proposals for Trust
Gateway 4: July 2015
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Governing Bodies to consider outcome of TUPE consultation and decide whether to
proceed with proposal
Approval of final legal documents for signing
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