Friday Family Forum
25th April 2015
This Weeks focus – Academisation of school
Senior Leadership Support – Jill Knowles – School Business Manager.
Visitors :Mr James Wilson – Acting Head Teacher, Miss Joanne Bartholomew – Chair of Governors
The group were welcomed and introductions were made. The focus of this week’s meeting was to
discuss the schools intention to change to an academy. James and Joanne invited questions from
parents and carers:
Q.
When is the school likely to change to an Academy?
A.
It is likely to change before the summer holidays, but no change may really be seen until we
return to school in September.
Q.
What will happen with the school uniform, will it change?
A.
No decisions have yet been made in relation to the uniform. It is expected that any changes
will be shared at the Academy meeting arranged for the 21st May 2015.
There were a number of options the school could look at in connection with the uniform, it was
recognised this would be a key area of concern for parents and the school would try to minimise any
unnecessary cost/inconvenience. Options that could be considered were:
Keeping the uniform the same – no changes
Minor change to take into account any new logo. Core items and colours could remain the same, i.e.
maintain black trousers/skirts and white shirts and only requirement would be for a new jumper or
cardigan.
Any changes could be phased in over time, older students may be excluded from the change and
new students would buy new uniform, or a perhaps a period for example 2 years could be used for
existing colours/logo’s.
The school may choose to fund some items of new uniform, for example, a new jumper or cardigan
for each child.
Q.
Are the children aware of what is happening to the school?
A.
Yes, to an extent. It is difficult to explain all aspects of the change to all children in school
given their ages and understanding. Parents and Carers should feel reassured that the sponsoring
school Moor End Academy has a very positive ethos in line with those already embedded in
Chickenley and children continue to feel very well supported during any period of change.
The school is working hard to ensure the change is an exciting time for children and their views and
opinions are very important in a lot of the decisions that are being made. Children will be involved
in decision of such things as the name of the school or any change of Logo/image.
Q.
When will decisions be made about future leadership and the Head Teacher appointed?
A.
It is hoped decisions about leadership in school would be resolved soon. Parents were
reassured that recent appointments of the Deputy Head – Miss Gorton and Associate Deputy Head –
Mr Wood were permanent and both had embedded themselves in the school quickly and were
having a very positive impact.
Joanne Bartholomew talked about recent changes in staffing in school and that in recent months it
was felt there was a real stability forming. The number of supply staff had decreased and recent
permanent appointments such as Miss Gorton, Mr Wood, Miss Froggatt, Mrs Thompson and very
recently Miss Hartley was continuing to support a stable staffing structure.
Q.
The local press have reported some elements of the Ofsted report inaccurately – what can
we do?
A.
Following each inspection and monitoring visit, the school releases a press release. The
most recent one highlighted the Ofsted inspector’s comments in relation to the school making good
progress and the continuing improvement in leadership. As a school we maintain a positive ethos
and take all opportunities to show the school in a positive light. It was acknowledged that we
cannot control the newspapers opinions and views and that different newspaper had put different
‘slants’ on the outcome of the visits.
Q.
Is the meeting on the 21st May only open to current parents and carers?
A.
No, all members of the local community and stakeholders will be welcomed to the meeting,
it is recognised that it is important to capture the views and opinions of prospective parents and
families in the area for example parents who use the Children’s centre, Community Centre or Little
Jacks. Key stakeholders will be invited to the meeting.
Mr Wilson then shared the consultation document with members of the forum. This document is to
be shared with all parents and carers and the wider community and stakeholders. Mr Wilson went
on to ask questions of the parents
Q.
Does the document ask about the correct priorities?
A.
Generally, yes.
Discussions were then held about several subjects in school including supporting children or all
abilities and pushing more able children to achieve the best. Parents raised concerns about the
amount of guided reading and support some children received in school. This discussion then went
on to talk about additional support in school and the use of volunteers for activities such as ‘Reading
Friends and guided reading. Mrs Knowles shared with the group the current position of the school in
relation to volunteers and explained the vetting process further. A number of volunteer packs were
handed out.
Q.
Academisation – what effect does it have on the community?
A.
It was agreed that all positive feedback about the school would benefit the wider
community and area. It is hoped that this will help encourage prospective parents. The academy
process would help to focus the school in the community. Regular interactive events would
continue. The recent open afternoons had been hailed a success and it was intended that these
would continue and hopefully become wider to include other parts of the campus.
Q
What is positive about the school now? – What would you like to keep?
A.
Purple – it was felt that the colour allowed the school to standout from other uniforms in
the area and the school had adopted the colour around school to co-ordinate with the uniform.
The name of the school – The school’s name has to include the word ‘Academy’ - The school could
just change to include the word or take the opportunity to completely rename and rebrand.
Amongst the forum there was a real difference in opinion as to whether the school should keep the
name Chickenley or change it completely.
Mr Wilson shared a letter that would be sent out to all parents and carers and with the children
about the school name. Some suggestions had been put forward and the option to allow a
suggestion. This is an area of the school change it was hoped children would be a part of. At the
meeting on the 21st of May this would be discussed further.
Mr Wilson & Miss Bartholomew thanked the members of the forum for their contribution and views
and confirmed that Mr Wilson would attend the meeting next week to discuss any further ideas or
opinions.