Statutory Public Consultation
For
Highfield Humanities College
Academy Conversion
This consultation will begin on 23rd September 2015 and will finish
on 21st October 2015
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Contents
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................3
2. Overview of proposed academy .............................................................................3
2.1. Why have we decided to become an academy? .................................................3
2.2. Why consult? .......................................................................................................4
3. Timeline of process .................................................................................................4
4. How to respond .......................................................................................................5
5. TET Mission and Values…...…................................................................................5
6. Highfield Humanities College Mission Statement ...................................................6
7. Admissions Overview .............................................................................................7
8. Governance Overview ............................................................................................7
9. Consultation Questionnaire ....................................................................................8
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1. Introduction
The Board of Governors has decided, in the best interests of the school and the
education of the pupils, to apply for academy status with the Tauheedul Education
Trust (TET) as the named sponsor. This will be subject to consultation with all
stakeholders.
TET has been given permission by the Secretary of State to become a sponsor. It
has also been nominated by the Department for Education (DfE) to sponsor the
conversion of Highfield Humanities College into an academy at Easter 2016. This
consultation provides details of the proposal to convert Highfield Humanities College
into an academy by Easter 2016.
2. Overview of proposed academy
2.1
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Why have we decided to become an academy?
Academy status will allow us to accelerate the current improvement
programme in the school and focus even more on raising standards and
achieving better outcomes for students.
Becoming an Academy will give us the opportunity to strengthen governance
and leadership of the school through the partnership with TET.
The partnership with TET, which is based in the North West, will also allow us
to benefit from a wider network of established education expertise, including a
number of outstanding schools, in our improvement journey.
By working with TET we will benefit from the experience of its board which
includes a former Regional Director of Ofsted, a former Director of Education,
the Chief Executive of a Local Authority, a Deputy Lord Lieutenant and
individuals with specialist legal, business and teaching expertise.
The Academy funding model will enable us to secure best value for the school
through economies of scale within TET’s arrangements.
Academies have more freedom over the curriculum taught – this means that
Academies can tailor the curriculum to meet the needs of the children, to
reflect the values of the local community and achieve the very best outcomes
for students.
The changing education landscape means that local authorities have a new
role as commissioners of school improvement.
The Academy – in
partnership with TET – will work closely with the local authority in this new
relationship through the local Challenge Board.
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2.2
Why consult?
Section 5 of the Academies Act 2010 requires all schools to carry out a formal
consultation on the specific question of whether the school should enter into
Academy arrangements with the Secretary of State in order to convert the school
into an academy. This document outlines the key questions that the Governing Body
wishes people to consider, the process by which you can respond and what will
happen to your responses.
We are very keen to hear your views as this process moves forward.
3. Timeline of process
The overall consultation process is from 23rd September to 21st October 2015.
Within that time various events, activities and support will be available to help
anyone take part in the consultation.
Date
Events and activities
Purpose of event
Who is it for?
Friday 25th
September
at 5.30pm
Formal consultation
event including session
with Q&A – held at
To provide
information about
Highfield
Humanities
College’s reasons
for converting to an
academy and
answer any
questions and
concerns raised
.
Stakeholders,
including parents,
prospective
parents, governors,
local schools,
community groups,
associated partners
and local residents.
To provide
information about
Highfield
Humanities
College’s reasons
for converting to an
academy and
answer any
questions and
concerns raised by
staff.
School staff
Highfield Humanities
College, Highfield
Road, Blackpool,
Lancashire, FY4 3JZ
Wednesday
23rd
September
at 3.30pm
Formal consultation
event including session
with Q&A – held at
Highfield Humanities
College, Highfield
Road, Blackpool,
Lancashire, FY4 3JZ
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4. How to respond
Anyone wishing to take part in the consultation process can do so in a variety of
ways, including;
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You can complete the questionnaire on our website at
www.highfieldhumanities.co.uk
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There will also be a public consultation meeting (please see timeline table
above for date, time and venue). At this meeting representatives of the
Governing Body will outline the reasons and proposals for why Highfield
Humanities College should become an academy. There will be plenty of
opportunities to ask questions and give your views, so you can contribute to
the development of the school into a successful academy.
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You can read and then complete the questionnaire at the back of this
consultation document and then post back to:
TET
Shadsworth Road
Blackburn
BB1 2HT
or via email to: communications@tetrust.org
5. TET Mission and Values
Our Mission
We aspire to create outstanding organisations that cultivate learners who excel in
academic achievement, personal development and service to communities.
Our Values
We believe that education transforms lives. Our Trust is built on the values of selfdiscipline, compassion, mutual respect for all people, regardless of difference and
respect for the earth itself.
We believe that all our students, from every background, are capable of achieving
outstanding outcomes and developing into active British citizens who contribute fully
to the local and global community.
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We believe passionately that:
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Children and young people are at the heart of everything we strive to achieve
and we have a key role to play in their physical and emotional well-being.
Our success depends on the unity of purpose and clarity of conviction of all of
our leaders, parents, staff, children and young people, who must strive for
excellence at all times and show a willingness to make sacrifices for the
greater good.
Each child and young person, regardless of prior ability and background, can
succeed and make outstanding progress academically, socially and
personally.
We should embrace innovation whilst respecting those traditions that have
stood the test of time.
Our organisation belongs to, and has a responsibility for, our wider
community.
Energy, enthusiasm and endeavour are key to the delivery of sustained
excellence.
Character, integrity and how we treat each other do define us as people.
No one person can deliver amazing results on their own – it is always the
product of earnest endeavours by lots of people.
Each person has personal strengths and is unique and special.
Long-term sustainability should drive all decisions.
6. Highfield Humanities College Mission Statement
We all work together to achieve academic and personal excellence. “Working
Together” is not just a motto, it is seen in everything we do. We are an academic
school where pupils enjoy their learning and aspire to do their very best. We
encourage pupils to be responsible for their own learning. We emphasise high moral
values, social responsibility, tolerance, love, compassion and honesty.
We aim to give every Highfield child the very best teaching and personal support that
we can. Teaching and support staff work together with other schools and agencies
to meet the needs of all our pupils. We provide pupils with experiences that help
develop their personal and academic skills. We prepare them well for the next stage
of their education, training or employment. We continuously adapt and improve what
we do. We want everyone to have excellent communication and numeracy skills, be
good team workers, problem solvers and use new technologies effectively. These
are skills needed to succeed in the 21st Century.
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7. Admissions Overview
Admission to the school is managed by Blackpool Council according to its published
admissions policy. The policy can be found here .
8. Governance overview
TET has agreed to sponsor Highfield Humanities College. The Trust is governed by
a Board of Trustees, further details of which can be found here.
This Board of Trustees will be responsible for the key strategic decisions relating to
Highfield Humanities College. Highfield Humanities College will have a local
governing body which will provide for the active involvement of local stakeholders in
the day-to-day oversight of the school in partnership with the Trust. This is a key
role in the Trust’s governance arrangements, and the local Governing Body will
report to the Board on progress in securing improved student outcomes and on the
delivery of the curriculum.
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Consultation Questionnaire
TET is proposing to convert Highfield Humanities College to an academy at Easter
2016.
Please complete the questionnaire below and return it no later than 21st October
2015.
Additional
information
is
available
on
the
website
at
www.highfieldhumanities.co.uk including a section on Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ) and information related to academy conversion.
Question 1 - Your details:
(This question is only asked to help us analyse responses to the
questionnaire)
Name: ………………………………………………………………………………………..
Address: ……………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………….
…………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Postcode: …………………………………
Tel: ………………………………………...
Question 2 – Who are you? Please tick alternatives
Parent/carer of a child who currently attends Highfield Humanities College
Prospective Parent/carer of a child who may attend Highfield Humanities
College from September 2016
Member of staff at Highfield Humanities College
Governor at Highfield Humanities College
Parent /carer of a child from another local school
Staff Association representative
Employed at another school
Governor at another school
Local resident
Local Employer/Business
Councillor
M.P.
Other – Please specify (e.g. Member of an Organisation/Society)
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Question 3 – Overall Mission and Vision
Do you support the Mission Statement of Highfield Humanities College?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Comments
Question 4 – Equality Assessment
Do you think any groups or individuals will be adversely affected by the proposal
outlined in our consultation document?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Comments
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Question 5 – Admissions
Do you think Highfield Humanity College’s Admissions overview and criteria are
clear and fair?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Comments
Question 6 - Funding Agreement and academy conversion
Do you agree that Highfield Humanities College should convert to become an
academy with TET as its sponsor, by entering into a Funding Agreement with the
Secretary of State for Education?
Yes
No
Don’t know
Comments
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When completed, please return this questionnaire to:
TET
Shadsworth Road
Blackburn
BB1 2HT
or via email to: communications@tetrust.org
ENDS
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