For full Academy Consultation Report to the Governing body click here
Questions and Answers
Q Could you clarify the amount of extra funding that would be available?
A Initially upon the Academy order being granted there is a £25,000 grant to fund the conversion process. This is a one off grant. The annual amount of extra funding Greenway would receive is £88,000. This is guaranteed for the next two years.
Q Would there be restrictions on what the funding can be used for?
A No, the extra funding would be added to the school budget and allocated in the same way as all other funding.
Q If unsuccessful in the bid and Greenway was to link with another school which school would you anticipate linking with?
A The Governing Body has not pursued this course yet other than in general terms.
Q If the Academy order is denied can the school apply again and if so is there a time limit?
A This would depend upon the reasons for the denial. There is no time limit.
Q How would the board of directors differ from the current Governors and how much decision making power would the board have compared to now?
A In terms of personnel the Governing Body and Directors Board will initially be the same people. There are no plans to change this other than by natural transition. i.e Directors moving on and parent director elections taking place. The Directors would have the same responsibilities and authority as the Governing Body do at present.
Q Would this mean that the Governing Body has total control over money spent at Greenway and if so how can parent be sure that the money is being spent in the best interest of the school and children?
A Yes, the Directors would have the same control over the money spent at Greenway as the present Governing Body. Parents will in the future form part of the Board of Directors in the same way as they form part of the Governing Body at present. In the future as at present suggestions for expenditure can be made to the Governing Body by any parent.
Q To become an Academy, the school becomes a company – what is the liability associated with this switch?
A The liability is limited by guarantee to £10.00 per Director (Governor)
Q As an Academy, will the school still have access to specialist services like speech and language?
A Speech and Language provision is not provided by the Local Authority and there will be no change regarding access and provision.
Q Academy status gives an extra £88,000 for first two years – then what?
A We have no way of knowing exactly what the amount will be in the third and subsequent years, but we have no reason to expect it to disappear but realistically we need to plan year on year according to the latest information we have. This is what we do now.
Q Will the curriculum change as an Academy, will it follow the national curriculum?
A Whilst Academy status would allow the school greater freedom to set its own curriculum the school would still be subject to Ofsted and broadly speaking we aim to continue with the national curriculum.
Q Why are there ongoing Lawyers’ Fees of £3,000?
A The Academy will require some professional advice and services relating to annual reporting to companies house and auditing of accounts.
Q Will the decision to become an Academy be influenced by one year of lower results in yr 6?
A Ofsted normally look at a 3 year profile and Mr Todd has provided the Department for Education with commentary on last year’s key stage 2 results.
Q What are the possible reasons for not being granted an Academy order?
A The schools track record for results would be examined, Ministers would consider all information provided and make an informed decision. Whatever the result we should know the department’s decision in 4 weeks.
Q Is it simply an inevitable step at some point?
A We cannot know for certain what the Government will do in the future, but the trend appears to be in this direction.
Q Where does an Academy school go for support/advice? Particularly if progress is not going so well.
A Greenway will remain in FASNA (Foundation Voluntary Aided and Academy Schools National Association) and continue to use Croner as at present.
Q I appreciate that £88,000 sounds a lot of money, but with the number of pupils and the size of the premises it will not go far. Do you have any initial thoughts on where the main focus of spending /What will the £88,000 buy us?
A The Governors are setting the budget for next year at the April 18th meeting without the £88,000 included. At present 75% of our annual budget is taken up in staff costs however the Governors have made no decisions about how the increased funding will be used. The aim is not to rush and spend it without considering the strategic implications of any expenditure and the impact on the children’s learning.
Q When will you talk to the children?
A The Headteacher will talk to the children during an assembly and it will be followed up in classroom discussions.
Q What is the positive and negative impact on the children?
A The only reason that the Governors began this process was to benefit the children, however the impact upon them in terms of things they notice will be minimal. There are no perceived negatives given that we are not immediately changing school uniform etc. which could cause financial hardship to some families. We belief the impact upon the children’s educational experience will be positive and our children will continue to have the same high regard and pride in their school that OFSTED commended at our last inspection.
Q Will any other businesses be involved in funding the Academy?
A There is no requirement for other businesses, however we will have charitable status and as such may become an attractive opportunity for local businesses to support through their social responsibilities charters. We are not soliciting such support nor do we envisage a need.
Q How will an Academy change the structure of the leadership team?
A With regards to the governance of the school the make-up of the governing body will be carried forward into the new academy. While the present governors may change their titles e.g. From “Foundation Governor” to “Appointed Director” the mechanism for selection and the responsibilities will remain broadly the same. There will still be the same ratio of “Parent Directors” as there are “Parent Governors”. Internally the leadership will still be through the Head Teacher, Assistant Head Teachers and Year Group Leaders.
Q How do we know that the National curriculum will be followed closely enough to ensure the children will be equipped to meet the academic requirements of senior school?
A Greenway has a track record of delivering quality learning with outstanding attainment at key stage two. Greenway children make the transition to secondary school very well and having developed an independent learning ability here move forwards well at key stage three. There is no plan to ditch the present broad and balanced curriculum and should standards fall the Academy would be in the same position as a failing school now in that OFSTED still inspect and require improvement.
Q How do the teaching staff feel about the school becoming an Academy?
A All staff are being engaged in the consultation in exactly the same way as all other stakeholders. As yet we have received no negative comments from staff.
Q You talk about provision for special needs children, what about those who are gifted and talented?
A Special Educational Needs includes all special needs both high achieving and more challenged children.
Q Could the minutes of the Academy working party be made available to parents?
A Working parties do not keep formal minutes. The Governing Body will make the formal full report being put forward by the working party including the proposal being made to the Governing Body on April 18th available to parents.
Year 3 Parents - 
French Trip - June 2012
