Petition for required consultation Woodleigh Federation

9 years ago Featured

Would like proper consultation about this please. It feels as though it's already been decided and there is extremely tokenstic consultation going on. We all appreciate the financial pressures local authorities are under but feel the model our schools operate under is of fundamental importance. Exactly how will the new proposed structure be accountable and to whom?

I am with Chris Carter on this, everyone needs to calm down and re-read the letters that have been sent. There has been no decision made other than to investigate this as a possible way forward, their letter is the start of the consultation process. If we want our small village schools to remain open then it is the governing bodies responsibility to ensure a sustainable future, whatever that may be. Lets wait to hear what is said at the parents meetings after half term before jumping to any conclusions.

The Federation was set up to make our three schools more efficient, the staffing more streamlined and affordable but now we are told that the school must leave the county structure and become part of a government sponsored multi-academy trust, because the heads salary, which is set by the governors, is not affordable. So what's going on? Are the schools in deficit? The governors have kept their cards too close to their chests and need to be more open and accountable. Any change to the Federation's structure should be driven by a motivation to give our children and those to come, the best opportunities possible. The heads of schools are the people to be researching options and making recommendations to governors, parents and the wider community. They have the knowledge to know what is required to integrate schools to the benefit of the pupils and they would have to deliver any change. The proposed MAT has a strong church influence, have we been told this? What is its business plan? How strong are its finances? What is the commitment to retaining three local schools? There are good MATs and others that seem to be more focused on a dash for growth. They have a complex, even incomprehensible governance structure and no local accountability. They 'top slice' each schools funding to support executive posts. It would have been better to engage the staff and parents on this journey. The governors are not professionals and have not been advised well, but they must respect the community they serve and hold a proper 'conversation' and deliver what parents want for their children and our communities want for our schools.

9 years ago Featured

If the Governors are genuinely interested in soliciting feedback from the stakeholders and are prepared to adjust their decision based on that feedback, then you're right, there is nothing to worry about and this petition will amount to nothing. However, after two letters, a large number of people feel that this has NOT been effectively communicated. People are genuinely concerned that the decision to join the Link Academy Trust has been made and that the tone of the letters is that any consultation will simply be treated as a one-way communication from the Governors to the stake holders about why they believe it is the right decision regardless of any protest or concerns presented.

9 years ago Featured

The fact that our schools only found out at the same time as the we tge parents did to me is very worrying! I would like to know the for and against argument for us moving to a link academy. At the moment i feel it is certainly not the right decision for our children and our lovely little village primary schools!

I'm really confused by the comments being made here about not following process and libelous allegations about not following legally binding process. The second letter states; “Governors voted unanimously to investigate joining the Link Academy but this would be subject to due diligence and various approvals. This includes starting the notification process (which includes consulting with all stakeholders).” The Governors have fortunately reached consensus about which path to investigate and now they begin that investigation including the consultation of parents. You’re all moaning about a problem that doesn’t exist!

9 years ago Featured

This link academy has only been in existence for a few months. Parents MUST be consulted. We are grandparents of children that will be affecredited.

It is unacceptable that proper legally binding processes are not being followed in an educational establishment where governors are given the trust to do so.

9 years ago Featured

I believe the staff were unaware of this and found out this decision on Friday too. I know some feel exactly the same as us parents. Staff are unable to vote, therefore just 6 governors may have decided our schools future without following the proper procedures of consulting the very people they should represent. This saddens me greatly. It may indeed be the right decision, but I now lack confidence as the correct procedures have not been followed in this irreversible decision.

I love the fact that in a country like ours free speech so easily allows petitions like this to exist.. it's really fabulous. But in this case I would like to defer to the governors. In the same way the 35 million old consenting adults devolve power to 600 or so MPs and a few more lords I devolve my vote to the governors, some of who I know and respect. I am no fan of academies and because of this I would never vote for a party that supports the notion of them. But we are where we are politically and indeed where a Federation head is no longer economically viable if we want high quality teaching in the classroom. Whatever the case my vote is with the Board of Governors in who's trust I am very happy to place my children's education.

I am uncomfortable that such a major decision affecting our children's future appears to have been made without any prior communication on the subject let alone proper consultation.

This seems quite a momentus decision and should have proper consultation

Extract from https://www.teachers.org.uk/sites/default/files2014/consultation-on-academy-conversion-guidance-for-nut-members-may-2016.doc The NUT (National Union of Teachers)believes: • No school governing body should take a vote on academy conversion until after full and meaningful consultation with the whole school community has taken place. The feedback from this consultation should inform the decision of the governors. • At a minimum those consulted should include staff, parents, pupils, neighbouring schools, parents at feeder primary schools (in the case of a secondary school considering conversion) and the local authority. • The Union believes the timing of consultation should begin as soon as any discussion about the possibility of academy status arises and before any vote by the governors occurs. • Meaningful consultation means that the school community should hear both sides of the argument – for and against academy conversion – so that all interested groups can genuinely come to an informed view on the pros and cons of academy status. This means that if the school is sending written materials to parents or posting information on its website, the case against academy status should be given equal prominence and the same weight as any arguments in favour. • The school should organise stakeholder consultation meetings where speakers both for and against conversion can make their case and where parents, staff and others can ask questions and receive answers and full feedback.

Let's remember that the Governing body is in place to make decisions. Based on the fact that a unanimous decision has been made by the governing body I am going to assume that there was only one feasible option on the table. This decision will have been based on the costs, benefits, risks whilst making best efforts to maintain the continued high level of education our children enjoy today. The letter quite clearly states that information regarding the change, and the decision making process, will become available over the coming weeks. I think a little less panic, more patience and big dose of pragmatism may be required from us all at this time. I therefore neither support nor will be signing this petition.

This seems a major change to the governance of the schools and full consultation is essential

I would like to add my support to the petition as there needs to be full consultation with current and future parents if the school before just making decisions that can affect the future. There is the risk otherwise of feeling dictated to rather than being involved in the growth of the school.

Thank you to the Governors for all their hard work but parents need to be included in the decision making process

We would be grateful for any unbiased information about the whole set up. Yes, we do appreciate all the work the governors put into running our schools, although I am currently feeling disappointed by the lack of communication about such any important decision. Please help us all work & move forward together.

9 years ago Featured

It is important to me that due process is followed to ensure that the best decision is made for my children and their peers. Although it may be the right decision, it is unnerving that this has come out of the blue and apears that legal processes have not been followed.

Pursued!