Academisation Update
As you know, an application for NHTS to convert to an academy and to join a newly proposed Multi-Academy Trust (Industrious Education) was submitted prior to the end of December 2024. As part of the due diligence process, the DFE scrutinise each application and – where deemed necessary – provide what they consider to be useful information. Following such discussions, the difficult decision was made for Industrious Education Trust to pursue the application as Primary only. The rationale for this decision relates to the risk of there being only one secondary school in a proposed new MAT.
I met with representatives from the DFE/Regional Director team who provided their rationale which, whilst not agreeing, I understand and can accept. I have informed Governors and Trustees and will write to parents/carers during the course of next week.
I’d like to thank colleagues for your input into the process which has helped clarify our thinking and reaffirm our priorities. We remain in a very strong position as a school and this will not deter us in the partnership work with our local primaries and across the wider community.
Staff Surveys
Thank you for completing the recent surveys. The responses are very positive overall with some areas highlighted as needing appropriate discussion, clarification and potential development. I will provide a fuller update on the perceptions survey once the senior team has had the chance to digest it and we have discussed it in more detail. Follow up to the stress survey will also be forthcoming.
Whilst the above process is taking place, I am interested in hearing the views from the following groups of staff who completed the survey:
- For the perceptions survey – teaching staff
- For the stress survey – first level leader
Should you have identified in either of those groups whilst completing the survey, I’m interested in talking to you about your perceptions, please arrange through Lindsay.
Andrew