Q. If schools wanted to explore the possibility, what would be the next step? Go to the governing body and, if agreed, fill in the paperwork, consult with parents, both face to face and in writing, then submit the paperwork to the DfE for scrutiny. At the same time the MAT submits its plan for raising standards to the DfE and David Carter. The MAT would look at the school’s accounts to make sure it is viable. In order to secure the funding, school’s need to agree to proceed (not complete) by October. Q. How can all of this raise standards? PZR felt that he had a unique perspective through working with Minehead First School and did not feel that Heads had the capacity to engage fully with parents to make a difference through early input. Doubts about this strategy were aired. Q. Why not look at a group of schools that are doing well, see why and then implement that locally, or ask the DfE to fund a key worker to target parental involvement given that there is some mileage in engaging parents before entry to first schools? Early input is only a part of wider range of tools. In addition, someone is needed to monitor children through the system, have an overview and be accountable for progress right the way through. David Carter’s vision is that all schools will become academies within the next five years and become part of a MAT. If the MAT is successful, then there is scope for the College to become part of the MAT, five to ten years down the road. This would be dependent on the College being much improved. The community bears the consequence of the failings of the College. Doing nothing hoping it goes away is not an option. If the trust is set up the future is in the hands of people that are trusted. PZR was thanked for his answers to the questions and CB was thanked for chairing the meeting before it closed at 8.20pm.
Q. If schools wanted to explore the possibility, what would be the next step? Go to the governing body and, if agreed, fill in the paperwork, consult with parents, both face to face and in writing, then submit the paperwork to the DfE for scrutiny. At the same time the MAT submits its plan for raising standards to the DfE and David Carter. The MAT would look at the school’s accounts to make sure it is viable. In order to secure the funding, school’s need to agree to proceed (not complete) by October. Q. How can all of this raise standards? PZR felt that he had a unique perspective through working with Minehead First School and did not feel that Heads had the capacity to engage fully with parents to make a difference through early input. Doubts about this strategy were aired. Q. Why not look at a group of schools that are doing well, see why and then implement that locally, or ask the DfE to fund a key worker to target parental involvement given that there is some mileage in engaging parents before entry to first schools? Early input is only a part of wider range of tools. In addition, someone is needed to monitor children through the system, have an overview and be accountable for progress right the way through. David Carter’s vision is that all schools will become academies within the next five years and become part of a MAT. If the MAT is successful, then there is scope for the College to become part of the MAT, five to ten years down the road. This would be dependent on the College being much improved. The community bears the consequence of the failings of the College. Doing nothing hoping it goes away is not an option. If the trust is set up the future is in the hands of people that are trusted. PZR was thanked for his answers to the questions and CB was thanked for chairing the meeting before it closed at 8.20pm.