Public Consultation - Booklet One

Please read this document entitled "Booklet One - Changing to Foundation School Status and Acquiring a Charitable Trust – A Rationale" which provides an overview of the issues faced by the school, the proposal being put forward, the implications of the proposal, and details of the timeline for consultation and what happens next.

You may also want to read "Booklet Two - Questions and Answers" which provides a series of commonly asked questions together with answers which have been collated from the Department of Children, Schools and Families sources. Both booklets can be obtained in hard copy from the school or by clicking here:

• Public Consultation - Booklet One
• Public Consultation - Booklet Two

You may wish to return the response form at the end of Booklet One and/or attend one of the consultation meetings where we will listen to your views.

SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP TRUST

1. Executive Summary

The Governing Body of Woodchurch High School Specialist Engineering College and Training School (Wirral) is proposing a change of school category from community school to a foundation school supported by a Charitable Trust. The Governing Body are proposing an implementation date for Foundation with a Charitable Trust being 1st January 2010. This is a new type of school that has the opportunity to be supported by a charitable trust, set up to help the drive for improved standards both in school and the wider educational community. At the same time Woodchurch High School will remain part of the Local Authority’s family of schools. The Governors at Woodchurch High School are proposing to establish, through the Trust, a formal working partnership with:

• The Church of England (Diocese of Chester)
• Kier
• Liverpool Hope University
• The University of Chester

1.2

Woodchurch High School, supported by the Trust, will continue to work to improve the existing high standards of attainment and range of services for pupils and their families in the local community.

1.3

The Governing Body of the school will gain new powers and responsibilities. It will become the employer of all staff, although existing pay and condition arrangements will be unchanged as the school will remain in the maintained sector and be subject to national pay and condition agreements. The Governing Body will also become responsible for pupil admissions, but will work with Wirral Metropolitan Borough to administer the provision of pupil places within the requirements of the National Schools’ Admissions Code. We will be reviewing the admissions arrangements to ensure they support the agreed educational objectives which we will share with our partner feeder schools. The Trust will hold the land and capital assets in Trust for the school and the Governing Body will retain day to day responsibility for managing these assets.

1.4

The full consultation document is contained in two booklets:

Booklet One Changing to Foundation School Status and Acquiring a Charitable Trust – A Rationale is the document you are now reading and provides an overview of the issues faced by the school, the proposal being put forward, the implications of the proposal, and details of the timeline for consultation and what happens next.

Booklet Two Questions and Answers provides a series of commonly asked questions together with answers.

1.5

The Governing Body will consider the outcome of the consultation and then decide on whether to publish Statutory Proposals on changing category and acquiring a charitable trust with all, or some, of the proposed partners or to remain a community school. This means that after considering the results of consultation the Governing Body may decide not to proceed to Statutory Proposals.

1.6

We have tried to put forward the proposals in a clear manner and there are opportunities to attend meetings and ask questions about the proposals. We are open to alternative suggestions and nothing in this consultation document or process pre-determines the outcome of the consultation.

2. Vision and Values

To provide a specialised and fully inclusive education within Woodchurch High School with a central focus on raising achievement for all our pupils. To achieve this vision we will become the central focus for the development of life-long learning for our community. We are passionate about improving and enhancing the life chances of our pupils and stakeholders with particular focus on high levels of achievement, promoting and supporting health and well-being, sport, arts and career progression. Developing our school site into a ‘first class’ facility that our pupils, parents and the wider community are happy and proud to access in order to enhance their own academic fulfilment as well as facilitating their ability to strengthen their own physical, social and mental fitness.

Our aim will be to develop the above with a range of partners and in particular to develop a co-operative community involving all our stakeholders in the important decision making processes.

2.1

Our particular focus will be:

• To develop life long learning patterns amongst all our pupils, staff and stakeholders with respect to raising achievement, improving and promoting healthy lifestyles and career pathways.
• To strengthen the Every Child Matters agenda.

2.2

We will make a difference by:

• Continuing to improve Standards of Achievement and Attainment at all key stages by providing a wider range of qualifications and opportunities supported by all our Trust partners in particular The Church of England (Diocese of Chester), Liverpool Hope University and The University of Chester.
• Continuing to develop a fully inclusive education ; our new partners will support our ethos and strategies for a school community that embraces 21st Century learning.
• Developing continuing professional development of all our staff in partnership with Liverpool Hope University and the University of Chester.
• By increasing and supporting educational progression into Further and Higher Education, widening participation for all pupils and increasing our links for progression post 16
• The Trust will be instrumental in helping to deliver our objectives for Careers Education, our mentoring programme and support for the development of the Diploma objectives in partnership with Kier.
• The Trust will support and further develop our extended school provision to provide extended services through adult education and social activities for our community.
• We will further extend sport, art, drama and music opportunities through the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) new build due to open in September 2010.
• The Trust and Governance will work together to strengthen our community links participating in the decision making processes and developing our strategic vision. The trust will therefore represent and be represented by all our stakeholders creating community ownership.

2.3

What are we proposing?

A partnership arrangement with:

• The Church of England (Diocese of Chester)
• Kier
• Liverpool Hope University
• The University of Chester

To support the education and opportunities of the pupils in our learning community as outlined in section 2.2

The specific focus would be to enhance and develop the Every Child Matters Agenda as follows:

2.3.1

Being Healthy – by providing greater opportunities for our pupils to participate in a wider range and greater frequency of physical education and sporting activities through our sporting links with the universities. Enhanced opportunity for parental and wider community involvement in Engineering and fitness programmes. Improving swift and easy access to referral and support for pupils, parents and the community in relation to emotional, social, health and economic well-being with the provision of a Chaplaincy to support the work of the pastoral team for the benefit of pupils and the school workforce.

2.3.2.

Staying Safe – Our extended service provision from 07.45 – 18.00 for all pupils and in the evenings 18.00 – 22.00 ensures that provision is available for pupils and the community in order for them to partake in a variety of activities.

2.3.3.

Enjoying & Achieving - Increased Sport, Dance, Art and Drama enhancement activities available Out of School Hours (OoSH) for pupils and the local community. Raised achievement via curriculum development, to further improve teaching and learning and increased opportunities for OoSH learning.

2.3.4.

Making a Contribution - raising positive self worth and self-assertiveness by increased participation in whole school and community life i.e. Neighbourhood Management, the Woodchurch Partnership, and the development of a community focus group through The Partnership Management Board will be integral to delivering the vision and ethos of the school.

2.3.5.

Economic Well-Being - business and other partners, widening curriculum opportunities, raised achievements and leadership activities to prepare pupils for future employment progression.

2.4.

Trust Schools are a new kind of school – part of the Local Authority system, but supported by a Charitable Trust which will appoint a minority of Governors to the Governing Body of Woodchurch High School. The existing Governing Body will continue to run the school and be responsible for its performance and budget. The school will still maintain its strength as a locally maintained secondary school serving the local community and will still be part of the Local Authority family of schools.

2.5.

Woodchurch High School will be run by its own Governing body within the vision and framework of the Trust. The Trust members will meet once every term and receive reports from the Governors and consider any issues which are raised.

2.6.

The Trust will have the land and assets released to them. The Governing Body having day to day responsibility for managing these assets as at present.

2.7.

However, the Trust is keen to work in partnership. The Trust will work in a strategic fashion managing a collective responsibility for the five outcomes of the “Every Child Matters” agenda.

2.8.

In order to make the change, we are proposing to change our status to become a Foundation School and at the same time formally acquire a Trust ‘’The Woodchurch High School Trust”. We are seeking your views on these two related processes.

3.

What the Trust will do?

3.1.

The Trust will establish a long term sustainable relationship that will bring together in a formal arrangement Woodchurch High School and external partners from the Diocese of Chester, Kier, Liverpool Hope University and the University of Chester. This partnership will devote itself to delivering improved children’s services and community cohesion within the wider community.

3.2.

The Trust will support this partnership and create an environment where all learners of any age will have access to and support for a wide range of learning opportunities. It will help to raise standards and make a direct contribution to raising achievement and improving the well being and aspirations of pupils.

3.3.

Proposed Trust Members Contribution to the Trust

Proposed Trust Partner	Partner Contribution to the Trust
Woodchurch High School	Specialist School Status as an Engineering College and Training School School sport expertise and facilities supporting our local community of schools and the wider community Ensuring the highest levels of achievement Expertise in educational issues Early intervention strategies and expertise in development of a fully inclusive school environment Facilities for Extended Schools activities
Diocese of Chester (Church of England)	Support ethos and community links through the Church of England local and national networks Develop partnerships with church schools across the Diocese of Chester in training and staff development Support Collective Worship and spiritual, moral and social development with the introduction of a Chaplaincy on site Develop international links and access to national societies
Kier	Support training programme for school leavers and graduates Sponsorship of foundation degrees Support Engineering specialism through project based activities Support Diploma development in Construction and Built Environment and Engineering Support external accreditation of Health & Safety Support the school’s mentoring programme and careers guidance
Liverpool Hope University	Support Initial Teacher Education programme Provide students for Graduate Teacher Programme Support the Students Associate Scheme Providing alternative pathways for pupils 16-19 Widening participation – summer schools for Gifted & Talented and Aim Higher cohorts Coaching, mentoring and external academic accreditation for staff
University of Chester	Support Initial Teacher Education programme Provide students for Graduate Teacher Programme Support the Students Associate Scheme Providing alternative pathways for pupils 16-19 Widening participation – summer schools for Gifted & Talented and Aim Higher cohorts Coaching, mentoring and external academic accreditation for staff

3.4.

As the Trust develops its work in the long term, it may be appropriate to consider additional partners. There will be a process involving existing Trustees to ensure that any future partner will comply fully with the vision, values and aims of the Trust.

4. How the Trust will work

4.1.

The School Partnership Trust will be a charitable, not for profit Trust, meeting the legal and other requirements as set out by the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). It will carry out its duties in relation to the school as set out by the DCSF, specifically by appointing a minority of the members of the Governing Body and by holding the land and assets of the school on trust.

4.2.

The Trust will be legally established with the Charity Commission and registered as a company limited by guarantee with Companies House. The Charity Commission will regulate its activities (as with all charities).

4.3.

Trustees will not be able to derive an income from the Trust, but the Trust may become an employer as it outworks its objectives in providing services and or commissioning services to the school. Any income generated by the Trust must only be used to support its charitable aims. The Trust will not seek to alter the individual character of the school.

4.4.

The Trust will meet a minimum of three times a year (co-ordinated with school Governance as required).

4.5.

The Trust will support the vision and aims of the partnership and in particular will support the provision of coordinated;

• School and professional services
• Development of consistent transition arrangements, curriculum development and inclusion arrangements
• Enhancement of current extended services, community and family learning provision

1. Provision of support for schools within Wirral

• Adding to the diversity of schools in the local area

4.6.

At Woodchurch High School Trust the Trust will appoint a minority of four Governors. (see 6.7 below)

5 Foundation Status

5.1.

To facilitate the organisation of the Trust, Woodchurch High School is required to alter its current status to become a foundation school and acquire a Foundation. In acquiring Foundation Status, the Governing Body and not the Trust, will assume new responsibilities including responsibility for the employment of staff and the admission of pupils to their school. In addition, the Trust will hold the land and assets in trust for Woodchurch High School Trust. The Governing Body will have day to day responsibility for managing the assets, as is the case in the present situation.

5.2.

All existing staff would transfer from the employment of Wirral Metropolitan Council to the employment of the Governing Body under Regulation 3(4) of The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007. The effect of this transfer is very similar to a transfer under TUPE Regulations and would protect all staffs' existing terms and conditions of service. In addition, all new staff will be employed under the same terms and conditions of service as the current staff. However, the Governing Bodies do not wish to see their staff working under different pay, terms and conditions to those in neighbouring schools. Consequently, the Governing Body proposes that it is their intention to modify staff terms and Conditions of Service and their pay at dates in the future so as to mirror any changes introduced within the remainder of the Local Authority.

5.3.

Following the proposed transfer of staff to the employment of the relevant Governing Body, the Teachers' Pension Scheme will continue to be available to all current and future teaching staff. In addition, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council have been asked, should the proposals go ahead, to make a statutory resolution that all Support Staff employed in the Foundation School covered by these proposals (both current and future employees) who are eligible to be members of the Local Government Pension Scheme will be ‘active members’ of that Scheme.

5.4.

Woodchurch High School Trust will continue to teach the national curriculum and will be inspected by OFSTED at appropriate times.

5.5.

The Governing Body will continue to have day-to-day responsibility for the school’s land and assets (which the Trust will hold in trust for the school) as is the case at present.

5.6.

As an All Ability Foundation School we will act as our own admissions authority, the admission arrangements being decided by our own Governing Body. It is our intention to mirror the Local Authority admission arrangements and the school will work within co-ordinated admissions scheme run by Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, i.e. Wirral LA will co-ordinate the preferences. If applications for places at Woodchurch High School Trust exceed the published admission number, priority is currently given in accordance with the criteria published in our Admissions Policy which we are also consulting on at the same time and is available from our website www.woodchurchhigh.com. The criteria are subject to consultation and may be adjusted so we can mirror the Local Authority admissions arrangements, although in the future we may invite a number of primary schools to become ‘Link’ schools, offering, if these pupils apply, a place at Woodchurch High School.

We will not select pupils on ability as we will continue to be an All Ability School. Children with disabilities will be treated no less favourably than other applicants for admission. Woodchurch High School Trust will continue to an inclusive school offering all pupils access to education that meets the needs of individual pupils.

5.7.

If adopted, these arrangements will not be applied until the admissions of September 2011.

6. What does this mean for pupils and parents?

6.1.

Pupils will continue to attend their preferred primary schools and transfer to Woodchurch High School Trust as is the situation at present.

• Trust partners will work with pupils, staff, parents and the community so enhancing educational opportunities and raising achievement.
• Our workforce will be supported by staff linked to our partners (such as university students)
• The Trust will increase our profile making it easier to attract and retain the best quality staff

6.2.

Woodchurch High School Trust will remain part of the Local Authority’s family of maintained schools. Parents will apply for places at a Trust school as part of the Wirral Local Authority process. The Woodchurch High School Trust will work in partnership with Wirral Local Authority to ensure pupil places are given fairly in line with the published admissions criteria which will conform to the National Code of Practice on Admissions.

6.3.

It is not envisaged that the number of parent Governors will alter. The current situation of appointing community Governors, Local Authority Governors and staff Governors will be maintained.

6.4.

The Governing body will undergo minimum changes in order to comply with the appropriate legislation. The proposed structures are outlined below alongside the existing structures to allow a comparison.

6.5.

Under these proposals the number of parent Governors and staff Governors will remain the same. Parent Governors must be at least one third of the Governing Body. Staff Governors must be at least 2, but not more than one third. If there are three or more staff governors then one must be a non-teacher. The Local Authority nominated Governors will reduce by two, as will the Governing Body nominated Community/ Co-opted Governors. Local Authority nominated Governors must number at least one and be no more than 4 out of the 20. Community Governors must be at least two.

6.6.

As the Trust is to appoint the minority of governors, the governing body must comprise:

• Trust appointed governors: at least two,and up to 45% of the governing body
• Parent governors: at least a third of the governing body
• Elected staff governors: at least two places but no more than a third of the governing body. One place is reserved for the headteacher even if he or she chooses not to be a governor.
• Local authority-appointed governors: at least one but no more than one fifth.
• Community/Co-opted Governors: (appointed by the rest of the governing body): at least one tenth of the governing body.

6.7

Status	Number of Governors (20)
	Current	Proposed
Local Authority	4	2
Parent	7	7
Staff	4	4 inc HT
Community	5	3
Trust/Foundation Governors	0	4

6.8.

School processes and procedures including those relating to behaviour and academic performance will be unchanged. The Vision and Values and its expectations of pupils will form the basis for the work of the Trust. It is envisaged that the new partnership arrangements will contribute to a further improvement in school performance across the Trust and even better educational experiences and outcomes for every young person and their family.

7. THE CONSULTATION PROCESS

7.1.

The consultation starts on the 18th September 2009 and you can comment until the 16th October 2009. Please let us know what you think about the proposal.

There are a number of ways on which you can do this. You can:

7.2.

Complete the section at the end of this booklet and return to Woodchurch High School marked “Trust Consultation”.

7.3.

You can email comments to schooloffice@woodchurch-high.wirral.sch.uk

7.4.

You can send written comments to Woodchurch High School, marked “Trust Consultation”. This can be done on the Trust Consultation leaflet which will be sent to all stakeholders. Additionally, an on-line poll on the website will also be ‘live’ during the consultation period.

7.5.

If you are a member of Staff, you are invited to attend a staff meeting to discuss the proposal with the Headteacher, Governors and representatives of our school partners.

Staff consultation meeting will be held on: Tuesday 13th October 2009 at 15.30

7.6.

If you are a parent, or a member of the public, please come to our public meeting to discuss the proposal with the Headteacher, Governors and representatives of our school’s partners.

The public consultation meeting will be held on: Tuesday 13th October 2009 at 18.30

7.7.

Pupils at the School will be consulted via a whole school assembly and form debates followed by feedback through the Pupil Forum.

7.8.

After the consultation is closed all comments will be considered and a report will be prepared for the Governing Body. This report will be made available on this website. Individual responses will not be published on the website but will be presented to the Governing Body and will be available for inspection by the public on request. The Governing Body will then hold a meeting to review the report and all the comments before reaching an informed decision.

7.9.

The Governing Body may decide to:

a) issue Statutory Notices about a change to Foundation Status and the adoption of a Trust

b) modify the proposal in the light of suggestions made during consultation and, if the changes are significant, re-consult on the changes

c) decide to remain as a community school without any changes

7.10.

If the school Governing Body decides to proceed and issues Statutory Notices there will be another chance to comment on any formal proposals which might be made before a final decision is taken by school Governing Body. This process is likely to take place during the period 9th November – 5th December 2009.

7.11.

The proposed implementation date is 1stJanuary 2010 for Foundation with Trust Status.

7.12.

Copies of all the consultation documents can be obtained here, or from Woodchurch High School.

• A translation service is available if required.
• A larger type version is available on request.

7.13.

If you have any queries about anything you have read here and would like further clarification, please write to Woodchurch High School Trust or e-mail to schooloffice@woodchurch-high.wirral.sch.uk

8. List of Consultees

As part of the consultation process, the Woodchurch High School Trust will consult with the following:

• Parents of the pupils and pupils currently on the roll at Woodchurch High School
• Staff currently employed at Woodchurch High School, both teaching and non-teaching
• Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
• Local Members of Parliament
• Serving local Councillors
• Trade Unions of teaching and non-teaching staff
• Headteachers, Staff, Parents and Governing Body of surrounding secondary and primary schools
• Vice-Chancellor of Liverpool Hope University
• Vice-Chancellor of The University of Chester
• Chief Executive of Kier
• Local groups and users of school facilities including local businesses, leisure groups, Sports Organisations
• Specialist Schools & Academies Trust

In addition notices will be placed in a local newspaper to inform the public of the consultation.
If you feel there are other stakeholders who should be consulted, please contact Woodchurch High School.

9 Response Form

Please return any response to Woodchurch High School by 12 Noon on 16th October 2009.