FAQs regarding Academy Status
Who are Prospects Academies Trust?
Prospects Academies Trust (PAT) is a charity formed specifically to support and
develop schools wishing to convert to academy status. PAT was formed in 2012, and
is dedicated to each academy within the Trust family, to achieve excellence in all
aspects of academy life. PAT was formed by our partner company, Prospects
Services. Prospects has grown and diversified considerably since its formation in
1995, through business development and acquisitions. From its original core
business of providing young people with information, advice and guidance, Prospects
is now recognised as one of the major suppliers of education services in the United
Kingdom with an annual turnover that will exceed £70m this year. As an
organization, Prospects were voted the Education Company of the Year 2011.
What is the PAT experience of working in schools?
Prospects Academies Trust has a wealth of experience within Prospects Improve,
our academy and school improvement partner. For the four year period through to
2010 Prospects Services were the Ofsted school inspection contractor for London
and Greater London.
What experience can PAT bring to enhance the role in Early Years/ Children's
Centres?
Through a rigorous tendering exercise Prospects won the contract to manage the
inspections of all Early Years provision and Children’s Centres in the Midlands and
Northern areas of the UK. As a consequence we have a wealth of skills, knowledge
and experience to support the development of Early Years provision.
Describe the ethos, vision and values of Prospects Academies Trust.
Our full Vision and Values statement is available on our website. We are very proud
of our values which include:
 Trust, honesty and mutual respect
 A culture of openness
 Building on strengths but confronting reality
 Learning and developing together
 Expecting the best in all our work to inspire success and excellence
What capacity does PAT have for support and ongoing CPD and improvement
in the quality for staff?
We have an extensive programme of professional development that is delivered to
academies and schools across the country, via our partner organisation Prospects
Improve and our link with Bristol University.
What is the PAT approach to school improvement and is there a model which
we use?
We have a unique approach to improvement, involving a close partnership that each
academy will form with a Challenge Partner. This relationship will form the basis for
all Improvement plans within your academy. A more detailed outline of this role is
available to discuss, which outlines how this relationship works.
How will PAT encourage schools to retain a sense of individuality?
The Prospects Academies Trust will create a community of learning and best
practice that will bring together the individual academies across the Trust. We have a
clearly articulated vision for “A Prospects Academies Trust Academy” and the
standards of teaching and learning that we would expect to achieve. We will provide
all academies in the Trust with the necessary support to help them reach the
minimum standards we have declared for our academies, through a development
cycle that recognises each academy is on its own journey of improvement.
Can you give any concrete examples of Primary School improvements that
PAT have delivered?
Prospects Improve, who PAT work in partnership with, have been involved in
supporting a large number of Primary schools over a number of years across the
country. We have a great number of case studies and testimonials that we can talk
through, to show the vast amount of work and experience our colleagues have in this
area.
Can PAT ensure job security for all staff and would there be changes to job
descriptions and pay?
Staff will TUPE across to the academy and, as such, would come with protected right
of employment. We will adopt all standard Teachers Pay and Conditions for teaching
staff and Local Government Conditions for other staff, as appropriate.
How will PAT ensure continuity so that there is as little disruption as possible
to children and parents and will they actively help manage the conversion
process with parents?
As previously referenced, we will build on the best of all that is currently available at
each primary school and work together to further develop areas for improvement.
We would want to cause as little disruption as possible to the learning of pupils in the
school and the security of the confidence the community has in the school.
How will PAT help each school increase their profile and, if necessary, the
number on role?
The most successful ingredient of recruitment for any school is the quality of the
teaching and learning on offer, as recognised by families in the community and the
standards of pupils’ achievement. We will focus our energies in maximising the
progress the pupils are making, ensuring we celebrate success and use every
opportunity available to promote the work of the academy to the wider community.
Why does PAT want to work with you and what is in it for them?
We are committed to raising standards of achievement for all learners. Uniquely, we
can offer a portfolio of skills and experience that reflects a deep commitment to and
understanding of the needs of individual schools.
What is the charity status of your organisation?
Prospects Academies Trust is a company limited by guarantee, with charitable
status.
Governing/Trustee membership, who would it consist of?
PAT has established a Multi-Academy Trust to support our academies. The Trust will
be the employer and act as the point of reference for all aspects of funding and
accountability. Below the Trust, each school will have their own Board of Governance
who will be responsible to the Trust. The appointed governors will represent the
interests of the Trust in supporting the day to day management of the academy. The
academy will work within a scheme of delegation that recognises the individual
strength of each academy. Freedom and flexibility to act as a self-regulating
institution within the Trust will be proportionate to the quality and standards of the
academy.
How will the land be protected from sale for profit?
The Trust will establish a 125 year lease for the land that currently constitutes the
school. The documentation for the new academy will reflect the historic footprint of
the school property.
How would becoming an academy affect rental agreements and out of school
provision, holiday provision, school grounds use?
All current rentals would be encompassed through the scheme of delegation agreed
between the local Governing Body and the overarching Trust. As appropriate these
agreements will be transferred to the Trust or re-negotiated in the best interests of
the Trust.