CASTLE Trust SECTION 10 CONSULTATION REPORT. June July 2018

Transcription

1 CASTLE Trust SECTION 10 CONSULTATION REPORT June July 2018

2 Cntents Page Executive Summary 3 Cnsultatin Overview 3 Site Prpsal 4 Cnsultatin Methdlgy 5 Analysis f Cnsultatin Respnses 6 Quantitative Data Validatin f Cnsultatin Respnses 7 Qualitative Data Validatin frm Stakehlder Events 7 Cnclusin 8 Acknwledgements 8 Next Steps 8 Appendices Appendix A: Cnsultatin Dcument 9 Appendix B: Cnsultatin Questinnaire 10 Appendix C: Website Screensht 11 Appendix D: Public Ntice 12 Appendix E: Letter t Parents / Neighburs 13 Page 2 f 13

3 Executive Summary This Sectin 10 Cnsultatin Reprt has been cmpiled in respect f the Free Schl applicatin fr the Bridge Specialist Academy made by the CASTLE Multi-Academy Trust (the Trust), t aid a decisin n whether the Trust and the Secretary f State fr Educatin shuld enter int a funding agreement t pen a Scial, Emtinal and Mental Health (SEMH) Free Schl in Medway. This reprt cvers the pen cnsultatin which tk place fr a six-week perid between 4 th June 2018 t 13 th July The reprt dcuments the planning, activities and resurces that were designed, created and distributed in rder t deliver a fully cmprehensive and infrmative cnsultatin regarding the pening f the Bridge Specialist Academy. The activities undertaken t create this reprt are in accrdance with the statutry requirements set by the Department fr Educatin. In establishing the prpsal t pen the Bridge Specialist Academy, the Trust has actively engaged with identified key stakehlders in the Medway area. Thrugh this engagement, the Trust is nw fully aware f what it needs t deliver in rder t meet expectatin and respnd t the needs f the cmmunity. The psitive cmments received frm the wide range f stakehlders cnsulted with endrse the ratinale prpsed in the Free Schl Applicatin and strngly demnstrate that there is a real need and an enrmus amunt f supprt fr the prpsed new SEMH prvisin in Medway. Cnsultatin Overview The CASTLE Trust prpsal is t pen an SEMH Free Schl, the Bridge Specialist Academy, in Medway, in rder t meet existing and predicted demand fr high quality places fr pupils in Medway and the surrunding areas wh have scial, emtinal, cmmunicatin and interactin difficulties named in their Educatinal Health Care Plans (EHCP s). The Bridge Specialist Academy will becme part f the Trust s educatinal prtfli and it will be strategically led by Karen White MA (SESI), the CEO f CASTLE Trust. The day-t-day peratinal running f the schl will be led by the Principal Designate (yet t be appinted) wh will be the first pint f cntact with regard t matters relating t the curriculum, behaviur, care and safety f the pupils. The schl will take pupils in the 5 t 11 age range, it will have capacity fr 40 pupils and will pen in September The schl will prvide full time, high quality, specialist teaching and learning and therapeutic supprt t vulnerable pupils with EHCP s; pupils whse needs typically cannt be adequately supprted in mainstream schls. With a flexible and brad curriculum that meets natinal standards and high aspiratins fr pupils, the Bridge Specialist Academy will supprt every pupil s individual learning needs with persnalised academic and behaviural prgrammes that will aim t; Reduce the attainment gap fr pupils cmpared t their peers; Help pupils return t a mainstream setting (where deemed apprpriate at EHCP reviews); Deliver persnalised, high quality teaching in the cre cmpulsry subjects; Equip pupils with essential life skills. Admissin t the schl will require that it is identified by Lcal Authrities n a pupil s EHCP. Page 3 f 13

4 Site Prpsal fr the Bridge Specialist Academy The prpsed site fr the Bridge Specialist Academy is n the rear f the grunds f Delce Academy in Rchester, Kent, (area cntained within the red edged bundary n the site map belw refers). Delce Academy part f the Trust s educatinal prtfli. The prpsed building will be a new build cnstructin and will therefre be designed specifically t meet the needs f the pupils and staff. It will be zned t ensure pupils can be kept safe at all times, it will have separate teaching areas fr the different phases and additinally cntain an array f ancillary teaching and administratin rms plus facilities fr separate dining, play, cmmunal ccupatin and cmmunity spaces. Page 4 f 13

5 Cnsultatin Methdlgy The Trust devised and implemented a cmprehensive Sectin 10 Statutry Cnsultatin plan which sught t penly and hnestly engage with the lcal cmmunity and key stakehlders t fulfil the statutry bligatin t cnsult under the Academies Act The cnsultatin dcument is shwn at Appendix A and the cnsultatin survey at Appendix B. The survey was als set up n Survey Mnkey and the Schl website, but culd be cmpleted using either paper r electrnic means. The wrding f the dcument was als designed t elicit pinin frm the lcal cmmunity. Further infrmatin was available thrugh the Schl website. A wide range f channels t cmmunicate the cnsultatin prcess were used and a wide range f stakehlders have been given the pprtunity t cmment including; Online Cnsultatin questinnaire The Schl website Persnalised letter/questinnaire t parents/carer s at Delce Academy (the prpsed site) 601; Persnalised letter/questinnaire t residential and business addresses in the immediate vicinity (5- minute walk f the prpsed site) 750; Persnalised letter/questinnaire (via Ryal Mail) t residential and business addresses within a 2- mile radius f the prpsed site - 13,513; Individual t lcal Head Teachers incrprating a link t the questinnaire 41; Individual t cuncillrs and LA Officials incrprating a link t the questinnaire 21; Lcal press annuncement incrprating a link t the questinnaire 1 week; Standard display adverts nline n lcal media advertising platfrm fr 2 weeks 25,000; Billbards nline n lcal media advertising platfrm fr 2 weeks 5,000; Open public frum events at the prpsed schl site n 18:00 19:30 and 13:00 15: The frmal cnsultatin perid ran fr 6 weeks (4 th June 2018 t 13 th July 2018). A ttal f 57 peple respnded t the cnsultatin prcesses. Overall, the majrity f respnses t the cnsultatin prcess were psitive. There was sme ppsitin t the Schl n the grunds f the lcatin being viewed by sme as nt suitable due t traffic/parking restrictins. Other discrete issues f cncern were raised, including questining the need fr the schl. By wrking clsely with the lcal stakehlders, the Trust are setting in mtin clear strategies t minimise the risk f any cncerns impacting the lcal cmmunity. Page 5 f 13

6 Analysis f Cnsultatin Respnses The cnsultatin prcess undertaken by CASTLE Trust has prvided the Trust with the pprtunity t engage with a range f stakehlders and interested parties. The cnsultatin dcument was in 2 frmats, althugh identical in cntent; Paper dcument (Appendix A and B); Online. The questins were designed t reflect the views f the respndents regarding The Bridge Specialist Academy, t the Department fr Educatin and the majrity were psitive. Further detailed infrmatin abut the schl was available n the website and respndents were encuraged t r telephne the Delce Academy Schl Office if supprt r further infrmatin was required. A ttal f 46 nline questinnaire respnses and 11 paper respnses were received. Of the ttal respndents, 14 (24.56%) left individualised cmments and further feedback as part f their questinnaire respnse. Whilst the prpsal t establish the Bridge Specialist Academy is clearly supprted by the majrity f stakehlders, sme issues have been raised that warrant further cnsideratin including; Traffic; Parking. Castle Trust recgnises the imprtance if these issues / queries and cmmits t cntinue t wrk cllabratively with lcal stakehlders n these matters. Page 6 f 13

7 Quantitative Data Validatin f Cnsultatin Respnses All survey respnses were received befre the advertised clse f the statutry cnsultatin perid therefre all were included fr analysis. The largest respndent grup was lcal residents. This grup was respnsible fr 32 (56.14%) f the ttal respnses t the cnsultatin all f whm identified themselves as neighburs f the site. Of the 32 respndents wh live within a 1 mile radius f the prpsed site 17 (53%) agreed t supprt the prpsal; cmments included; Gd luck in yur new venture Great fr the cmmunity There is insufficient parking at the mment fr the amunt f cars arund the schl causing difficulties fr residents Therefre, the decisin t pen the Bridge Specialist Academy n the Delce Academy site remains the clear apprpriate chice f lcatin. In terms f the admissins arrangements, 27 (47.36%) f respndents supprted the draft arrangements n the website. Cmments included; I fully supprt this applicatin and believe that it will benefit the pupils and families f Medway I dn t want anther mental health schl r safe hme in the area I fully supprt the prvisin f this vital need in Medway and wish yu every success In the matter f whether the Trust shuld enter int a funding agreement with the Secretary f State fr Educatin t pen the Bridge Specialist Academy 23 (40.3%) f respndents believed that it shuld, 18 (31.58%) were unsure. Whilst the majrity f respndents; 23 (40.3%) supprt the Trust entering int a funding agreement with the Secretary f State fr Educatin, sme f the cmments frm thse stakehlders wh chse t cmment further, were nt all supprtive, details f all further cmments can be seen in Appendix B. Qualitative Data Validatin frm Stakehlder Events The tw public frum events were attended by a ttal f 10 attendees representing a crss sectin f stakehlders; pupils, parents, neighburs, educatrs and gvernrs frm ther lcal schls. Attendees watched a presentatin n the prpsal delivered by Karen White, CEO f CASTLE Trust fllwing which, they were invited t share their views, express any cncerns and t ask questins they had abut it. The main subject that did recur was the traffic/parking in Green Clse and the surrunding rads, the CEO assured neighburs that the Trust was cmmitted t wrking clsely with lcal residents in this matter and wuld ensure these were clear strategies in place t minimise impact n the lcal cmmunity. Page 7 f 13

8 Cnclusin CASTLE Trust has cnsidered, in detail, the respnses it has received frm its Sectin 10 Cnsultatin exercise and has decided that, fllwing the statutry cnsultatin prcess, it wishes t enter int a Funding Agreement with the Secretary f State fr Educatin t establish a new SEMH Free Schl in Medway. In making this decisin, the Trust is mindful f the cncerns raised by stakehlders but als f the psitive feedback received frm parents/carers and educatrs f pupils with the particular needs that the prpsed Free Schl wuld educate, which supprts and endrses the fact that the Trust has the necessary skills and experience t address the needs f SEMH pupils and that in additin, this is a much needed and widely supprted prvisin in the cmmunity. Acknwledgements CASTLE Trust wuld like t express its gratitude and appreciatin t all the stakehlders wh engaged in this cnsultatin, tk time t cmplete the cnsultatin questinnaire / survey, visited the website and attended the public frum events. Yur respnses, cmments and feedback were all gratefully received. Next Steps As a result f this exercise it is recmmended that; This reprt is reviewed and apprved by the CASTLE Trust Bard f Directrs; The Trust cntinues t prmte the fact that it is aware f the access challenges the site ffers and wrk with lcal residents and ther stakehlders t mitigate the impact f these; The Trust cntinues t prmte the fact that it has had significant experience and success in educating and prviding therapeutic supprt t vulnerable pupils with EHCP s and that it cmprehensively understands all the challenges invlved in meeting and addressing the needs f the pupils during all element f the schl day including the jurney t and frm schl. Page 8 f 13

9 Appendix A: Cnsultatin Dcument CASTLE Trust Sectin 10 Cnsultatin CASTLE Trust is pleased t launch its sectin 10 cnsultatin* in relatin t its new SEMH Free Schl, the Bridge Specialist Academy. The specialist prvisin fr SEMH means Scial, Emtinal and Mental Health. The schl will take pupils in the 5 t 11 age range and will have capacity fr 40 pupils. *Please nte this cnsultatin is nt related t any building r planning applicatins surrunding the new schl and a further cnsultatin n the building and site layut will take place within the planning applicatin prcess. As part f the prcess f pening a new schl, CASTLE Trust is legally required t hld a cnsultatin exercise (under sectin 10 f the Academies Act 2010) t determine whether the trust shuld enter int a Funding Agreement with the Department fr Educatin. This cnsultatin will allw parents/carers and pupils, staff and gvernrs frm lcal schls, ther Lcal Authrities, Cuncillrs, lcal residents and any ther interested parties t learn mre abut CASTLE Trust and share their views. This is an imprtant step in ur jurney twards pening in September 2019 and we are lking frward t listening t yur views in rder t prvide yu with the best schl pssible. The cnsultatin perid will run frm Mnday 4 th June 2018 until Friday 13 th July Hw t respnd We and are keen t ensure that we deliver a schl that meets lcal needs and requirements and we welcme yur views, t share these with us please; Cmplete ur nline questinnaire here, Or the attached questinnaire which shuld be returned t the Delce Academy Schl Office marked Sectin 10 Cnsultatin. Public Events All stakehlders are warmly invited t attend ne f ur public cnsultatin events t meet us and find ut mre infrmatin. The events will be held as fllws; Date and time: pm (presentatin at 6:00pm) n Tuesday 12th June 2018 Lcatin: Delce Academy, The Tideway, Rchester, Kent. ME1 2NJ. T bk yur free place visit admin@thecastletrust.c.uk Date and time: 1:30 2:30pm (presentatin at 2:00pm) n Saturday 23rd June 2018 Lcatin: Delce Academy, The Tideway, Rchester, Kent. ME1 2NJ. T bk yur free place visit admin@thecastletrust.c.uk Page 9 f 13

10 Appendix B: Cnsultatin Questinnaire 1. Which f the fllwing best describes yu? Parents/Carers and pupils Head Teacher, member f staff r gvernr at anther lcal schl Other Lcal Authrity/Virtual Head Cuncillr Lcal resident Lcal business r ther lcal rganisatin 2. Where d yu live in relatin t the prpsed new schl site at Delce Academy? Within 1 mile Within 3 miles Within 5 miles Greater than 5 miles 3. Will the lcatin f the new schl meet the need fr high quality SEMH prvisin in the area? Yes N Unsure Other (please state). 4. D yu have any cmments and feedback n the draft admissins arrangements? Please visit the website 5. Shuld CASTLE Trust enter int a funding agreement with the Secretary f State fr educatin t pen the Bridge Specialist Academy? In rder fr the schl t pen it will need t sign a Funding Agreement, an example can be fund n; Yes N Unsure 6. Are there any facilities yu wuld like CASTLE Trust t ffer the lcal cmmunity? D yu have any further cmments r feedback?.... Page 10 f 13

11 Page 11 f 13 Appendix C: Website Screensht

12 Page 12 f 13 Appendix D: Public Ntice

13 Appendix E: Letter t Parents / Neighburs CASTLE TRUST The Jiners Shp, The Histric Dckyards, Kent, ME4 4TZ. Chief Executive Officer: Karen L White MA (SESI) 4 th June 2018 Dear Parents/Carers, As a valued part f the Delce Academy schl cmmunity, CASTLE Trust wants t hear yur views n whether the Trust shuld enter int a Funding Agreement with the Department fr Educatin in respect f its new SEMH free schl, the Bridge Specialist Academy. Please find attached ur cnsultatin dcument and questinnaire fr yur use in sharing yur cmments with us n this matter. Please nte this part f the cnsultatin is nt related t any building r planning applicatins surrunding the new schl; a further cnsultatin n the building and site layut will take place within the planning applicatin prcess. Yurs sincerely, Julia Knight Chief Finance Officer CASTLE Trust Page 13 f 13