“Consideration of academy status and joining a Catholic Multi Academy Trust Consultation briefing ”

St John Fisher Catholic High School

Diocese of LeedsDiocese of Leeds

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Introduction

Welcome and Opening Prayer St John Fisher Mission and Aims Where we are now? How do we progress? What are the Diocese considering? Where do we want to go? What does this mean for our children? What happens next?

Diocese of Leeds

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Welcome

Pictures of children or school based material

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Opening Prayer For Catholic Communities

God, our Father, creator of all, we cry out to you as humble servants of our Lord, Jesus Christ within our schools and parishes.We give thanks for all we have received as we seek to teach, guide and guard the children in our care.We call upon the gifts of our confirmation and the power of your Holy Spirit as we consider the future of the distinctive Catholic education of our children.In all we think, say and do may we be Yours.May we be wise and selfless and have the courage and strength to follow your way.We ask this in Jesus’ name and through the power of your Holy Spirit.

Amen Diocese of Leeds

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St John Fisher Mission and Aims “Following the example of our Patron, St John Fisher,

priest and scholar, we aim to love one another

throughout our life at school, to learn and

develop our full potential in the image of Christ.”

• to help pupils to know and love God and the wonders of creation• to help pupils to understand and live the Catholic faith• to enable pupils to grow in self-esteem• to help pupils to become responsible and responsive adults• to enable pupils to develop their physical potential• to enable pupils to develop their intellectual potential• to prepare pupils for life in a multi-cultural and technological society• to create a community in which individuals respect each other regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, ability, sexuality, religion or social status.

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Achievements

Received “Outstanding” in the Leeds S48 RE Inspection December 2012

Received “Good” in the Ofsted Inspection October 2012

“St. John Fisher is a school that lives out its Mission Statement . There is an excellent shared understanding between all members of the community of the school’s ministry to young people and its service to the Church.”

Quote (Source: Leeds S48 Report, December 2012)

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Catholic schools Our Catholic schools are provided to assist Catholic parents in

their duty of educating their children

Governors of our schools have to perform a largely strategic role in the life of the school

School improvement – establishing policies and targets designed to achieve those objectives

School standards and pupil performance – monitoring, evaluating and reviewing the progress of the school

Strategic view – setting aims and objectives

Critical friend – offering challenge and support to the Headteacher and the team

And in particular Foundation Governors have a responsibility to ensure that, at all times, the school is conducted in accordance with the Diocesan Trust deed and serves as a witness to Jesus Christ in every aspect of its work

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How do we progress? At St John Fisher, the primary aim is to be completely

committed to the Catholic faith, believing that by putting Christ at the centre of everything we do, children are given a set of principles for life which are even more important than educational achievement.

This is not to say that attainment is not important; we have extremely high expectations, yet we strongly believe in developing the child in mind, body and spirit.

Catholic schools are now a major component of the education system and as society changes, we have to too, in order to ensure we meet the needs of our children and young people.

We are now at the point of considering the next major change in Catholic education – that of becoming academies.

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Key factors to look at

EnvironmentInformation Gathering

InternalWhere are we?What works for us?

ExternalWhat will our future look like?What is happening outside?

Resources Identify resources available

staffing structure facilities equipment training & development finances key stakeholders

Mission Strategic vision, how we work together to achieve and

deliver

Diocese of Leeds

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So what is an Academy? An academy is a state-funded school which

operates independently within the requirements of national codes of practice for state schools

It receives its funding directly from central government rather than through a local authority

It is the current intention of the coalition government that all state schools should become Academies

“In September 2010, 32 schools in England started term as shiny new "converter“ acadamies . By the end of the 2012 academic year, there were 1987 and the number continues to increase.

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Building the future The phenomenal pace of developments in technology and communications, increasing secularisation and the challenges posed by a pluralistic and multi-cultural society face all schools alike.

These developments and challenges call for:

‘” … courageous renewal on the part of the Catholic school …

And so, now as in the past, the Catholic school must be able to speak for itself effectively and

convincingly “.

(Source: Diocese of Leeds, Office for Education and Schools, Building the Future – Considering Multi Academy Trusts, Guidance for Governors, October 2011, page 4)

Diocese of Leeds

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What is a Catholic Multi Academy Trust

A Catholic Multi Academy Trust is a number of Catholic Academies who agree to work together within an overarching trust body

The Diocese of Leeds has suggested groupings to explore the Catholic Multi Academy Trust to avoid any school being left isolated

Diocese of Leeds

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The Diocese Proposed Model

Diocesan Council

Multi Academy Trust A

Multi Academy Trust B

Multi Academy Trust E

Multi Academy Trust D

Multi Academy Trust C

Diocese of Leeds

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Catholic Multi Academy Trust

TrustBoard

Primary School A

LGB Primary School B

LGB

High School A

LGB

High School B

LGB

Primary School C

LGB

Diocese

Diocese of Leeds

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Trust Board and LGB

Trust Board 4 Head teachers 2 Staff 2 Parents

Elected from schools 8 Foundation

Including clergy

To be confirmed!

Local Academy Council Head teacher 1 or 2 Staff 2 Parent 6 Foundation

To be confirmed!

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The Mission of the Catholic Multi Academy TrustWith Jesus Christ at the centre of the life of the Trust we;

Seek to provide learning communities offering the highest possible standards of education

Are committed to working in partnership and trust for the common good

Strive to encourage and empower children and young people to recognise and realise their God-given potential and to discern their vocation in life

Recognise as learning communities inspired by faith, we celebrate achievement, offering each other challenge and support, as together we follow Christ in self-giving love and service

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Key Principles

Collective Responsibility

Partnership Working

Collaboration

Support

United In Faith

Trusts are collectively responsible for all children

Promotion of strong positive links through partnership working with parishes and families

Collaboration with other academies and trusts to share best practice

No individual school left in a vulnerable positionSupport will be available from other schoolsThe Catholic faith is at the heart of the Trust and academies will promote spiritual, educational and pastoral provision for staff and pupils

Diocese of Leeds

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Catholic Multi Academy Trust A place with so much more on offer

A shared vision and core principles – liturgical, sacramental and spiritual life

Improved quality of educational provision Development opportunities for all personnel An improvement in teaching and learning A clear Catholic identity and distinctiveness Shared effective skills and resources Establishment of best practices Sustained safe/ family environments Strengthened social cohesion Enhanced parish links Greater involvement and interaction of key stakeholders (Pupils,

parents, carers, school, governors, parishioners, volunteers) Eased transition for pupils to Secondary Education

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Creating new opportunities in our region

14 Primary Schools

St Josephs-HalifaxSt Mary’s-HalifaxSacred Heart-Sowbery BridgeSt Joseph’s-BrighouseSt Malachy’s-HalifaxSt Patrick’s-Elland St Patrick’s-BirstallSt Joseph’s-HuddersfieldSt Patricks-HuddersfieldOur Lady of Lourdes-HuddersfieldHoly Spirit-HeckmondwikeSt Joseph’s-DewsburySt Mary’s-BatleySt Paulinus-Dewsbury

The proposed Catholic Multi Academy Trust in Calderdale and Kirklees district may include 16 schools

2 Secondary Schools

All Saints-HuddersfieldSt John Fisher-Dewsbury

Diocese of Leeds

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Schools who have expressed an interest to convert - in the first stage December 2013Primary Schools

St Mary’s-HalifaxSacred Heart-Sowbery BridgeSt Malachy’s-HalifaxSt Patrick’s-Elland St Joseph’s-Dewsbury

Secondary Schools

All Saints-HuddersfieldSt John Fisher-Dewsbury

Diocese of Leeds

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So what will it mean for our children? They will learn in the same school building They will work with the same staff They will wear the same uniform The school times will be the same They will serve and live as a part of their parish community The school building and land will still be owned by the

Diocese of Leeds They will still be part of their local community They will have greater opportunities … to develop their

skills, knowledge and experience

‘Education is not and must never be considered as purely utilitarian. It is about forming the human person, equipping him or her to live life to the full – in short it is about imparting wisdom. And true wisdom is inseparable from knowledge of the Creator’.

(Pope Benedict XVI, Address to Teachers and Religious, Twickenham, September 2010)

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So why change? The Trust will give us the ability to maximise what

we are able to deliver in education by sharing expertise, resources and services, including support for struggling schools

The Trust will be an example of collaborative working, providing school to school support and working closely with the local Catholic community

The Trust will provide expanded professional development opportunities for staff in Trust academies and help with succession planning

Greater flexibility with the financial resources available to us

“It will help us become better at what we already do”

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Funding

Now

Local Authority Funding

Percentage is top sliced to pay for central services

Academy Funding

100% of the funding goes direct to the Academy Trust for distribution to the school

We can prioritise all our resources as a school in the way that best meets our objectives

We can exercise CHOICE and be innovative in how we spend our money

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Key questions Won’t this cost us a lot of money ?

No.

We would need to spend a small amount for things like legal fees but if we decided to apply there is a small grant available (£25k) for schools to help with start up costs and there would also be the potential to share these costs with the other schools

Does becoming an Academy mean we have less money and therefore need to lose staff ?

No. We would have the same level of funding and it would be received directly. It is the schools responsibility to budget for costs accordingly and understand all requirements. Recent reports of difficulties in local schools were unrelated to moving to Academy Status

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Key questions continued

Would we continue to use the Local Authority ?

Yes, if that is best for us, however, the Local Authority landscape is evolving too with many more moving to selling their services or reducing capacity. This way we can plan and adapt in the best way for St John Fisher.

Would this bring greater responsibility and accountability ?

Yes, and we would need to assess how we would adapt to a new reporting structure. However, we have already had to implement significant standards and procedures to meet current regulations with regards to finance.

Challenges also provide opportunities

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Opportunities We can be innovative in how we spend our funding and

maximise best value for St John Fisher

We would no longer have to contribute 10% directly to capital projects

By being part of a multi academy trust there are direct and indirect opportunities for sharing resources

DIRECT The Trust could employ specialist staff directly that schools

could utilise e.g. school improvement staff

INDIRECT The Trust could use its economies of scale to ensure the

best deals were available for schools to access goods and services

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Where do we go from hereOur individual governing bodies are still considering whether

a Catholic Multi-Academy Trust is the way forward for our schools

Schools that receive Diocesan approval will then apply to the DfE (central government) to convert

The schools which have not chosen to proceed at this point may join at a later stage

Nothing is yet finally decided - the process is at consultation stage The consultation deadline date is 17th May 2013Responses will be collated and reported to the governing

body and then to all key stakeholdersSchools may withdraw at any stage from the process

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To move forward we need to

Work as a team Value and encourage staff Support staff development Promote best practice Work collectively to improve pupil attainment and

progress Further develop a creative and engaging curriculum

for all Engage, consult and involve all stakeholders Evaluate service provision Review financial viability Develop and implement a workable action plan Implement control systems to monitor performance Work together to develop a three year business plan

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To succeed we need to manage and embrace change Be open and transparent about the need for change

Clear communication Clear direction Clear Catholic identity and distinctiveness Strong positive leadership

Acknowledge the importance of partnership working Governors, Staff, Pupils, Parents, Carers, Parishioners and the

wider community Private, public and third sector organisations Local schools and local communities

Influence and promote change to enhance quality of educational provision Encourage staff to develop their potential Inspire and promote excellence Provide safe and friendly environments

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Building upon success …We’ll work with integrity to make a difference and deliver the Catholic Multi Academy’s Trust Mission and aims:- create prayerful communities (3-19 years) based on Christian values, notably those of

‘Love, Justice, Peace, Truth and Respect for All’, and to encourage individuals in their commitment to these ideals

  encourage everyone to do their best to achieve the highest standards in all areas of

activity  enable children to grow into confident, open, resourceful young people with a sense of

responsibility and of service  create vibrant Catholic Christian communities by working by a spirit of partnership and

mutual support and respect

encourage, celebrate and empower all learners to make a positive contribution to society by living out the Gospel Values

  recognize the uniqueness of each Academy within the Trust and work in partnership

and collaboration in a spirit of mutual support to ensure the continued development and progress of all

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Further Information and Questions Useful Websites

www.catholicacademies.org.uk www.education.gov.uk www.catholicpost.org.uk www.dioceseofleeds.org.uk/education/news

Any Questions Please feel free to ask questions Or please forward any questions/queries on the

pro forma you may have to the head teacher via post or email

headteacher@stjohnfisher.org.ukoffice@stjohnfisher.org.uk

Thank you for your timeand

your continued support

The Head teacher and Governors of St John Fisher Catholic High School