Epworth Primary Academy - Parents Meeting Notes - South Axholme

Epworth Primary Parents Meeting held onTuesday 9 September 2013To give update on current situation regarding Multi Academy Trust and Epworth PrimarySchool.Mrs Lister, Headteacher, South AxholmeMr Barratt, Chair of South Axholme Academy GovernorsName of the trust is to be Isle Education Trust (IET)Questions and Answers:QWho is actually in charge of the Isle Education Trust?AChair of the Isle Education Trust boardQWhat happens to Epworth Primary Governing Body?AThis will be dissolved as Epworth Primary Academy will no longer be a company, the SouthAxholme governing body will become the Isle Education Trust governing body.There will be an Advisory Board at the primary school with a link into the IET Governing BodyQWill people who are on the governing board at the moment no long be in post?AAs from 1 October the Epworth Primary Governing Body will be dissolvedQWill Epworth Primary get a say in who is on the IET board?AYes – there has to be representation from all parties

QWho decides to who is on the board from the Primary school?AIt is likely there will be a number of representatives from the academic staff and parents. Oursolicitors are currently working on new Articles of Association for the new governing bodytrust. The DfE will also have a view as to how it will be formed.As governors we must always be aware that we not interfere with the education of students,the governing body look after the business side and the educationalists look after theacademic side.QIn terms of the major responsibility of governors is it unreasonable to pay them?AGovernor commitment in terms of time is vast, and currently no governor on the SouthAxholme Board of Governors has indicated they would require payment and this role is takenon because they want to support the school and the local community. However there is apossibility it could be looked at in the future if requests were received.QIs the name of the trust Isle Education Trust rather than Epworth Trust so it can encompassother schools if necessary in the future?AIn reality the trust could encompass other schools and would consider extending ifnecessary.QWhen is the earliest date a new Headteacher/Principal could be in place at the Primaryschool.AJanuary 2014, although if the right person is not there it will be re-advertised and therefore itwould be Easter 2014. The Primary could continue with the two temporary Heads if they arein agreement.QIs it possible for the new Principal to have an overlap period?AThat would be ideal, but would all depend on the temporary headteachers. Mrs Lister and MrBarlow will still have a good presence.

QIs the funding for the two schools ring fenced?AThe intention of the IET is to put a lot of the funding from the two centres together, but thereshould be a greater efficiencies in terms amalgamating service contracts which would thenincrease funding for each school. From an educational point of view arrangements wouldstill be in place in track student premium. There will be no detriment to either school.QWhen are the changes taking place and is it the right time to consider 6 th form.APlans to incorporate a 6 th form were already well advanced a long time before the EpworthPrimary issue came up. The 6 th form will be operational by September 2014 or 2015. Thechair of the IET board is confident the school has the capacity to lead effectively.QWill students in existing Y6 education be at a disadvantage because they have only got untilthe end of the year to have the benefit of a new way of working?AThey will not be disadvantaged and judging by the latest SAT results they will be wellprepared. However South Axholme deal with all students individually and any necessaryinterventions are put in place.QWill the back-up by outside agencies continue?AThe current help and advice we are receiving from the DfE and LEA can never be consideredat permanent, but they are very keen that the venture be successful and Mrs Lister isconfident that they will offer help when requested.QHas the IET got a general feel from the Epworth Primary staff as to how they are feelingabout the process?AOne of the most important things the Trust did was speak to the primary school staff beforeanything was done. The staff at the primary are generally on board. The chair of the IETsaid that staff would be supported and encouraged, but the board will not tolerate staff whodo not deliver their responsibilities and provide the best possible education to students.

QI understand teachers contracts give maximum protection to staff, so how do you propose todeal with inadequate staff?ARigorous training and support will be put in place to help staff and if this is not successfulthen action will be taken.QIs the IET an infinite body or is there a way back?AWe consider it to be a long term commitment.QAre there any current staff at Epworth Primary in post who would be asked to leave?AThe chair of the IET was not in a position to comment on that.From the 1 October 2013 all staff will be interviewed and to assess their development andpossible training needs.All teachers will go through an appraisal process together with posts with additionalresponsibility attached and they will be continually reviewed. This will take the form ofprofessional development, lesson observations, learning walks and if at any point during theprocess we feel an individual is not making progress additional support will be put in placeand if this fails action will be taken towards that member of staff.Teaching Assistants also have a very important part to play and will be assessed likewise.QWhen will Ofsted be back?AIt should be before half term and outcomes will be reported to parents.QWhen the advert for the Principal is put out, will the fact that it is part of the IET have anadverse effect on attracting applicants?AMrs Lister does not consider it would. She feels the prospect of being Principal as part of theMulti Academy Trust with all of the backroom services will be taken away to allow time todeal with the education of students and driving up teaching and learning standards will bevery attractive.

QWill the advert stipulate previous headship experience?AThere is no right or wrong answer to this, it is possible the right person could not haveprevious experience, but is ready for that role.QHow long would the IET be prepared to wait for the right candidate?AThere would be real concern is the post is not filled by Easter 2014.QWould there be a back-up plan due to the fact that there is a shortage of potential PrimaryPrincipals?AIf necessary we will employ a PR person to make sure the advert attracts as many suitablecandidates as possible.QWhat format will the interview taken?ANo format yet confirmed, however it will be a rigorous process.QCould the appointment be made on a fixed term basis?AIt was considered that for a position at this level no one would consider a fixed term contract.QIf there is a delay in getting a Primary school advisory board formed will there still berepresentation from the primary school?ANo delay envisaged

QWhen the chair of the IET talked about amalgamating contracts what did he mean?AServices such as payroll, human resources, purchase of books and bulk orders etc;