MATTERS TO BE SPECIFIED IN FOUNDATION PROPOSALS Insert the information asked for in the expandable box below each section.

1. All proposals must include the following information— (a) School Details

The name, address and category of the school for which the governing body are publishing the proposals;

Simon Balle School (Community) Mangrove Road, Hertford, Herts, SG13 8 AJ

(b) Dates

The proposed implementation date (“implementation date”);

1st June 2012

(c) Objections and comments

A statement explaining that any person may object to, or comment on, the proposals and procedure for making such representations, including— (i) the date (4 weeks from the publication date) by which objections or

comments should be sent to the governing body; and (ii) the address to which objections or comments should be sent;

The publication date for publishing the proposals for Simon Balle School to change its status from that of a Community to Foundation is 20th March 2012. From this date there will be a five week period of representation which ends at 12 noon on Monday 23rd April. All representations must be submitted to Madeleine Harman, School Manager, Simon Balle School, Mangrove Road, Hertford, Herts SG13 8BJ

(d) Consultation Evidence of the consultation before the proposals were published including— (i) a list of persons who were consulted; (ii) minutes of all public consultation meetings; (iii) the views of the persons consulted; (iv) a statement to the effect that all applicable statutory requirements in relation

to the proposal to consult were complied with; and (v) copies of all consultation documents and a statement on how these

documents were made available;

The Governing Body has consulted by letter; All members of staff of Simon Balle School All the parents of students attending Simon Balle School

The Headteachers of local primary and secondary schools Hertfordshire Local Authority Mark Prisk, local MP Unions representing staff including Unison, NASUWT, ATL, NAHT, ASCL and NUT Local Council YPLA Minutes of public consultation meetings There have been no public meetings but everyone consulted was invited to contact the school either by post, email or phone to discuss the matter or to arrange a mutually convenient appointment. Views of the people consulted A parent of a Y11 student opposed the plan. He felt that long term there could be no guarantees over Teachers Pay and Conditions. He was also against the fragmentation of education across the country. He believes that this could lead to the privatisation of education. He fears that when the longer term ramifications are apparent it will be too late to change course. A Parent asked if the school would want to bring in a system of pupil selection at the school. Replied that it would not – admission rules would remain the same. No further response. Mark Prisk MP was supportive of the idea and asked to be kept up to date. Justin Donovan, Director of Education and Early Intervention (Children’s Services – Herts County Council) was very supportive of the idea. He was pleased to note that it was the school’s intention to continue to work with other local schools and with the LA to foster the partnerships which have been developed. The LA will help to support the school through the process and will continue to build on our successful relationship. Alastair Skinner, Headteacher, Wheatcroft Primary School, Hertford, wished the school well in its current deliberations and wanted to be involved in future discussions on local partnership development working with other local schools who share Wheatcroft’s ethos. He welcomed the school’s commitment to partnership with stronger links and believed that the desire to move to Foundation Status was an understandable step in the current process of national change. Statement to the effect that there was compliance with all the applicable statutory requirements in relation to the proposal to consult The Governing Body has complied with all the statutory requirements in relation to the proposal to consult. Copies of all consultation documents and a statement oh how these were made available All the documentation relating to the consultation regarding the proposal to change the category of Simon Balle School from Community to Foundation Status may be read either at the school or copies obtained by writing to Madeleine Harman, School Manager, Simon Balle School, Mangrove Road, Hertford, Herts SG13 8BJ

(e) Alteration description A statement of which one of, or combinations of, the alterations prescribed in regulation 3 of the School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 comprise the proposals.

The Governing Body of Simon Balle School, in accordance with provisions in the 2007 Act, regulations made under that Act, and having regard to guidance issued by the Secretary of State under that Act, proposes to change the category of the school from Community to Foundation.

2. Where the prescribed alteration is a change of category to foundation, the proposals must contain the following information—

(a) the rationale for the proposals;

Simon Balle School has a clear vision. All students are set challenging academic and personal targets. They are also given the support and encouragement to succeed. An outstanding educational experience is the greatest gift we can give our young people who will be the leaders of the next generation. As the world is rapidly changing we need to ensure that all of our students go into the globally competitive world with the skills, behaviours and attributes for twenty first century living. As a learning community, good teaching and learning must be at the heart of all we do. Academic results therefore, are extremely important and although our curriculum is fairly traditional we place great emphasis on our out of hours learning, clubs and visits. The latter are an important aspect of a student’s whole school experience and allows us to broaden the curriculum beyond the boundaries of the school. Our moral sense of purpose alongside our values, drive all we do. We are a responsible and responsive community, caring and nurturing within our community and in the context of the wider world. Our students want to make a difference – to their school, their own lives and further afield. Simon Balle is a forward looking school. The Governing Body now proposes a change of school category from community school to foundation school. Although still part of the Local Authority, Simon Balle would have greater control over its resources as it would own the land and assets and also employ its own staff. This, we believe, will give us greater flexibility to respond to ever changing circumstances enabling us to achieve even greater success for our students and the wider community in Hertford. Thus, the Governing Body would gain new powers and responsibilities. As the employer of all school staff it will still be bound to honour existing pay and conditions as the school will still be part of the maintained sector. Although responsible for student admissions, the Governing Body will keep to the same LA admissions procedure. We believe that becoming a Foundation School will:

• Provide greater clarity and autonomy to develop our unique vision and values. • Lead to an even sharper and more focused decision making process • Develop deep partnerships with schools and the wider community which will enrich all

students and lead to greater opportunities and achievement. • Renew our focus upon our community, developing a model of Governance and ownership

which has a greater representation from different focus groups.

(b) a statement that the school will— (i) have a foundation established otherwise than under SSFA 1998; or

(ii) belong to a group of schools for which a foundation body acts; or (iii) be a foundation school not falling within either of sub-paragraphs (i) or (ii);

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(c) where it is a change of category to foundation from a voluntary aided school or voluntary controlled school, a statement that in accordance with section 20 of the EIA 2006, the consent of the trustees and the persons by whom the foundation governors are appointed has been obtained.

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3. Where the prescribed alteration is the acquisition of a foundation established otherwise than under SSFA 1998, the proposals must contain the following information—

(a) the name or proposed name of the foundation;

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(b) the rationale for acquiring the foundation and the ethos that it will bring to the school;

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(c) the details of membership of the foundation, including the names of the members;

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(d) where the majority of governors are to be foundation governors, a statement that a parent council will be established in accordance with section 23A of EA 2002(1);

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(e) the entitlement to appoint charity trustees and the number of trustees to be appointed;

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(f) the proposed constitution of the school’s governing body;

(1) Section 23A was inserted by section 34 of the EIA 2006.

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(g) details of the foundation’s charitable objects;

(h) whether the foundation already acts as a foundation for any foundation or voluntary schools;

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(i) except where the alteration consists of a voluntary aided or voluntary controlled school changing category to a foundation school and it is intended that the foundation should appoint a minority of foundation governors, a statement that the requirements set out in the Foundation Regulations will be met;

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(j) a statement and supporting evidence as to how the foundation will contribute to the advancement of education at the school and in particular how it will help to raise standards;

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(k) a statement of how the foundation will contribute to the promotion of community cohesion and the impact the foundation will have on the diversity of school provision in the area.

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4.—(1) Where the prescribed alteration is a change in an instrument of government which results in the majority of governors being foundation governors at a school for which a foundation already acts, the proposals must include the following information—

(a) the name of the foundation; N/A

(b) the rationale for the change and how it will contribute to the advancement of education at the school and in particular how it will help to raise standards;

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(c) the details of membership of the foundation, including the names of the members;

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(d) details of the foundation’s charitable objects; N/A

(e) a statement that the requirements set out in the Foundation Regulations will be met;

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(f) a statement that a parent council will be established in accordance with section 23A of EA 2002;

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(g) the proposed constitution of the school’s governing body; N/A

(h) the entitlement to appoint charity trustees and the number of trustees to be appointed.

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(2) In addition where the relevant change relates to— (a) a foundation school which immediately before the 25th May 2007, was a

foundation school having a foundations; or (b) a foundation school which having been a voluntary school immediately before the

25th May 2007, changed category to a foundation school on or after that date, a statement that in accordance with section 20 (E&I Act 2006) the consent of the trustees and the persons by whom the foundation governors are appointed has been obtained.

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