Parents - FAQs
How can my child’s school become a trust
school?
The process to become a trust school is
straightforward and ensures both parents and the local community
are fully consulted. The basic process is as follows:
The school's governing body decides it would like to become a
trust school and who it would like to work with. They then draw up
proposals and consult with parents and other stakeholders.
On agreement with stakeholders following this first stage of
consultation formal, ‘statutory proposals’ are published. After
this consultation the governing body decide whether to establish a
trust.
Once the trust is established, the land is transferred to the
trust (and must be used for educational purposes) and new governors
are appointed.
If a local authority thinks that the views of parents and local
stakeholders have not been adequately listened to, or that the
trust will be unable to raise educational standards, it can refer
the school’s proposals to the schools adjudicator.
How long will it take for my child’s school to become a
trust school?
The time taken for each school to go through the process may be
different. The process can start at any time during the school year
and the timescales will depend on how much detail has already been
agreed by the school and its partners before beginning the formal
process and on how frequently the governing body meets. It can be
achieved in as little as 16 weeks (term time) though many schools
take approaching a year to go through the process.
What are the benefits for my child if their school
becomes a trust school?
Examples of benefits for young people underway at the Garforth
School Partnership Trust include:
- Reaping the rewards of working together
- Holiday activities for children
- Joint school council (trust wide)
- Joint celebration events – sporting, musical, gifted &
talented
- Feeling ownership (eg school uniform for all schools has the
trust logo discretely placed)
- Trust newspaper to celebrate work of children and schools
If a trust school can have ‘partners’, who decides on
the partners and who might they be?
The governors of the school decide on the partners and
stakeholders that they believe can play a role in the success of
the school. The partners can include:
- Businesses
- Community groups
- Educational charities
- Further education colleges
- Higher education institutions
- Schools
- The local authority
- Universities
What can partners contribute towards my child’s
education?
The level of involvement a partner has with a trust school will
depend on the needs of the school and the resources available. The
creation of a trust will allow firm foundations to be put in place
allowing schools and partners to work together in the most
effective way. Different partner will bring different skills and
expertise to schools and what they can contribute will be shared as
part of the consultation process. If it is not clear from the
‘vision’ statement for the trust what the trust hopes to achieve
then parents can ask their school to share this.
How does a school identify partners?
To identify the most appropriate partners a school must have a
clear vision and focus. This will increase the engagement of
partners and contribute to the long term success of the trust
school. For a school to be successful in engaging with partners it
will need to build a business case for support and tailor its
approach to any potential companies/organisations etc.
Will the partners be able to dispose of the school
playing fields?
There is some specific legislation that applies to the disposal
of a schools playing fields and this applies to a trust school just
as it applies to any maintained school. There is a specific process
that a trust school will need to follow to enable it to dispose of
these assets irrespective of who the partners in the trust may
be.
Why would a partner want to get involved with my
child’s school?
It provides them with an opportunity to engage with young people
and potential future employees and develop relationships that can
enhance long-term brand recognition. They may see it as part of
their community and social responsibility to support a school in
their local area.
Will my child still follow the national
curriculum?
Yes. All trust schools, primary, secondary or special deliver
the national curriculum.
If my child’s school becomes a trust school does it
mean that it will be safe from closure?
No. Schools that are community schools, foundation schools or
trust schools are all subject to local authority plans for
reorganisation. If your local authority plans to close a school
then it must consult with parents before it does so and this would
remain the case if your child’s school is a trust school.
Will the partners be responsible for running the
school?
No, the governors will remain responsible for running the school
and the school will still continue to be inspected by Ofsted. The
partners will be engaged in the running of the trust and meeting
the educational aims of the trust.
Will my child have the same holiday dates as LA
community schools?
A trust school may set its own holiday dates though it may want
to consider the dates of other schools in the area so that families
with children who attend different schools may have some
consistency in respect of term time.