The Governing Body of Mill Water School is consulting on joining a Multi-Academy Trust.<\/p>\n
Mill Water School joined a Cooperative Trust in 2012. Most staff who went through the change\u00a0saw no significant difference in school.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With the changing landscape in education and the Government\u2019s intention that all schools will be part of a Multi-Academy\u00a0Trust (MAT) by 2030, the Governors and\u00a0Headteacher\u00a0have been researching differing models of collaboration and MATs.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0Governors\u2019\u00a0priority is to enable our school to continue to provide an excellent education for our\u00a0pupils, whilst\u00a0protecting our school\u2019s ethos and identity, and\u00a0retaining\u00a0its individual qualities and strengths.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Working together with other\u00a0similar schools in a MAT\u00a0offers many benefits for our\u00a0pupils, the\u00a0school\u00a0and the wider community. To\u00a0retain\u00a0our school\u2019s identity and its\u00a0capacity\u00a0to sustain future improvements, the Governors\u00a0now feel it is vital for us to\u00a0work together in partnership with a like-minded group of special schools.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n After much consideration and understanding on what joining a MAT could mean for the school, the Governors and\u00a0Headteacher\u00a0have approached the Special Partnership Trust (SPT).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n SPT is\u00a0an equitable\u00a0partnership of schools and specialist provision, with schools in Devon and Cornwall. SPT are ambitious\u00a0for excellence in learning and support, constantly\u00a0seeking\u00a0to improve the offer to young people and their families through\u00a0collaboration,\u00a0challenge\u00a0and cooperation across the partnership.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We feel that the ethos and vision of SPT closely aligns with that of\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School. The\u00a0Governors\u00a0have\u00a0concluded that\u00a0joining SPT may now be in the best interests of the school, its\u00a0pupils\u00a0and the local community.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Next Steps<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n The\u00a0Governors\u00a0of\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School are now\u00a0initiating\u00a0the consultation process with key stakeholders. Stakeholders are\u00a0invited to\u00a0submit\u00a0comments and questions and the responses to this consultation will be used to further assess the case for\u00a0proceeding\u00a0with the proposal to join SPT.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0Governors\u00a0are currently seeking the views of:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n So that you can find out more about SPT, the\u00a0reasons why\u00a0Governors\u00a0are considering joining\u00a0SPT, and some of the potential concerns about MATs, we have developed this consultation\/frequently\u00a0asked questions\u00a0document. We hope it will help you to formulate your own views on this\u00a0important issue.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The consultation process will start\u00a0on Monday 25<\/span>th<\/span>\u00a0March 2024 and conclude on 29th April 2024. Questions and comments\u00a0regarding\u00a0the consultation can be\u00a0submitted\u00a0as follows:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n E-mail:\u00a0<\/span>consultation@millwater.devon.sch.uk<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Letters:<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0marked \u2018Private and Confidential \u2013 MAT Consultation\u2019 and handed (or\u00a0posted) to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>School Office,\u00a0<\/span>Mill Water School,\u00a0<\/span>Bicton,\u00a0<\/span>East\u00a0Budleigh,\u00a0<\/span>Devon,\u00a0<\/span>EX9 7BJ<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>In addition, consultation meetings will be held at the school as follows:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Staff<\/strong><\/b>:\u00a0Monday 25<\/strong><\/b><\/span>th<\/span><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0March 2024 at 3.40pm<\/strong><\/b> Parents\/carers, local community\u00a0and other stakeholders:\u00a0Monday 25<\/strong><\/b><\/span>th<\/span><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0March 2024 at 5.30pm<\/strong><\/b>\u00a0at\u00a0Mill Water School,\u00a0<\/a><\/strong><\/b>Bicton, East\u00a0Budleigh, EX9 7BJ Consultation documents will also be made available on the School Website.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Only once all the stakeholder comments and representations have been collated and considered will the\u00a0Governors\u00a0decide\u00a0whether or not\u00a0to pursue joining SPT.<\/span><\/p>\n What is The Special Partnership Trust?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Please follow this link to find out more about the Special Partnership Trust…\u00a0<\/span>www.specialpartnership.org<\/span><\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Background<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n The Governing Body\u2019s\u00a0primary function is to ensure that\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School delivers the best possible education for its pupils\u00a0and their families. The\u00a0Governors\u00a0also take very seriously their responsibility to serve the local community. After much\u00a0thought and discussion, Governors\u00a0now believe joining a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT) may offer\u00a0a number of\u00a0significant\u00a0benefits which could support the schools drive for continuous improvement.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0These include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This document has been specially prepared by the\u00a0Governors\u00a0of\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School to inform stakeholders about\u00a0academies and Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs) and the current intentions of the\u00a0Governors\u00a0of\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School.<\/span><\/p>\n Frequently Asked Questions<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n What is an academy?<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n An academy is an independent, state-funded school. It still\u00a0has to\u00a0follow the same rules on admissions, special educational\u00a0needs\u00a0and exclusions as other state schools. An academy receives money direct from the Government, not via the Local\u00a0Authority. It is owned and\u00a0operated\u00a0by an Academy Trust (often a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT), being one company\u00a0operating\u00a0a\u00a0number of\u00a0academies).<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n What is a Multi-Academy Trust (MAT)?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n A MAT is a charitable trust which\u00a0is responsible for\u00a0the operation of more than one academy.\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School is currently a\u00a0foundation school in a Cooperative\u00a0Trust and proposes to join Special Partnership Trust which is a MAT.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The people in charge of running the\u00a0MAT are the Company Directors, who\u00a0are responsible for\u00a0strategic\u00a0oversight and management. They are also Charity Trustees and must\u00a0comply with\u00a0duties under company law, charity law\u00a0and education law to promote the success of the Academy Trust. They\u00a0determine\u00a0the policies of the trust,\u00a0monitor\u00a0the\u00a0effectiveness of each academy within the MAT, manage central services where\u00a0appropriate\u00a0and report to the Secretary of\u00a0State. They work to ensure that each academy is performing to the best of its ability and gets the support it requires.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The role of the Members of the MAT is\u00a0largely limited\u00a0to appointing and removing Directors and making key decisions such\u00a0as amendments to the Articles of Association and changing the name of the Academy Trust.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Each of the academies in the trust usually has its own local Governing Body which has authority delegated to it by the Trust\u00a0Board.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Whose decision is it\u00a0whether or not\u00a0to join a MAT?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n The decision to join a MAT and which MAT to join rests with the\u00a0Governors\u00a0of\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School, with approval also being\u00a0needed from the Regional Directors that act on behalf of Secretary of State for Education.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Has the decision already been made to join a MAT?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n No. The\u00a0Governors\u00a0are currently seeking views from all stakeholders and these views will be considered before any final\u00a0decision is made.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Who will the\u00a0Governors\u00a0be consulting?<\/span><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The\u00a0Governors\u00a0will be consulting with all staff at the school, parents and various other stakeholders, other local\u00a0schools\u00a0and other community members.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n How can I share my views?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n You can e-mail:\u00a0consultation@<\/a><\/strong><\/b>millwater.devon.sch.uk<\/a><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0or write to\u00a0Mill Water\u00a0School. Please mark your envelope \u2018Private and\u00a0Confidential \u2013 MAT Consultation.’ Responses to all questions will be made available on the school website.<\/span><\/p>\n The question I want to ask is not in this FAQ document. How can I ask my question and get an answer?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Questions can be\u00a0submitted\u00a0through e-mail or by letter as described above.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Why do the\u00a0Governors\/Senior Leadership Team think that it is in the best interests of the school to join a MAT?<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n There are\u00a0a number of\u00a0benefits in joining a MAT:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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\n(there will be an online\u00a0option\u00a0later in the evening)<\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/span>(there will be opportunity to join online)<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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\nGeneral Questions about Academies<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n
\nConsultation and Decision Making<\/span><\/strong><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
\nBenefits\/Push\/Pull factors of joining a MAT<\/span><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n\n
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