Value for Money Statement Academy trust name: St Birinus School Academy trust company number: 0810520196 Year ended 31 August 2013 I accept that as accounting officer of St Birinus School I am responsible and accountable for ensuring that the academy trust delivers good value in the use of public resources. I am aware of the guide to academy value for money statements published by the Education Funding Agency and understand that value for money refers to the educational and wider societal outcomes achieved in return for the taxpayer resources received. I set out below how I have ensured that the academy trust’s use of its resources has provided good value for money during the academic year. Improving Educational Results The GCSE attainment results for 2013 equalled the best results the school has had – which were gained in 2011 at 61% 5A*-C, including English and Maths. The rates of progression, particularly within English and Maths were record results. The projected results for 2014 will add 6 – 9% onto the attainment figures, thereby very clearly hitting record levels of success at GCSE. The vision thereafter is to maintain the success level at 70% 5A*-C, including English and Maths, and to start building towards 75%. It is worth noting that these figures will be considerably higher than our FFTD external prediction figures and considerably higher than the attainment and achievement of boys at national level. This trajectory of performance, over time, will see the school move from its current Ofsted rating of ‘Good’ to become ‘Outstanding’. The figures for 2014 will also see a considerable closing of the achievement gaps between the performance of disadvantaged students, including Free School Meal and SEN, and other students. Sustained and long-term success will be built on high standards, expectations and performance within Key Stage 3. It is now the case that students are expected to make at least 2 levels of progress between Year 7 and Year 9 within all subjects, with increasing numbers making 3 levels of progress. Where students are not making progress, the school is increasingly strategic and forensic in its use of data and intervention programmes, particularly involving literacy skills, so that these learners do not fall behind in their learning and development. High aspirations for all students within Key Stage 3 will help to ensure high quality outcomes for students leaving Key Stage 4. Within Key Stage 5, our joint Sixth Form with Didcot Girls’ School achieved record results, with 57% of students achieving A*-B grades. This shows an improvement of 13% on the previous year. Having achieved this high level of collaborative success, we will ensure that this level of performance continues and that increasing numbers of Year 11 students leaving Key Stage 4 are able to access high quality pathways through post 16 education, be this involving ‘academic’ A’ Level routes or Level 3 vocational pathways into further and higher education and training. Financial Governance & Oversight The Governors’ Finance Committee meets regularly to consider the School’s budget, to review expenditure against budget, to ensure money is being appropriately spent under proper control and delivers good value. In addition, our Responsible Officer audits our financial management processes. x times each year. Separate dedicated governance arrangements, with Governor involvement, have been implemented for two major projects, as outlined below. Procurement i. IT The School undertook a major transformation to its IT system during the summer and went through a competitive tender process, with expert support, during early 2013 to identify an IT partner that could deliver the best system and service at best value. The primary need was to have in place an IT network which would bring the School into the 21st century and provide facilities that students have become used to using in their everyday lives. This will now be used to creatively enhance teaching and learning. In addition, the new system will improve the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the school’s administrative support systems. ii. Academies Capital Maintenance Fund (ACMF) Project In December last year the School was successful with its bid to the EFA for funds of £540k to assist with a large re-roofing and double glazing project. Following notification of the success of our bid, there followed a successful tender process to appoint a contractor and the works should be complete by the end of 2013, ahead of the 31 March 2014 deadline. It is felt, however, that it would probably be helpful in future to commence the tender process, without commitment to contractors and minimising expenditure on project consultants, before, before the outcome of the bid application is known. This would enable works to start at an earlier stage and take advantage of the better weather in the summer months. It would also reduce the amount of term time disruption which has adversely impacted on classroom 2 teaching during the autumn term. iii. Printing Solution The School invested in an improved printing solution at the beginning of 2013 with four large copier/printer/scanners. These were acquired through the Government Purchasing Scheme. This is to be developed further with the removal of local printers which will be replaced with a significantly reduced number of generic MFDs leading to a reduced amount of copying, improved efficiency of printing and therefore cost savings. iv. Collaborative working with local schools The School works closely with Didcot Girls’ School (DGS) and operates a combined Sixth Form of c400 students. This enables a wider range of courses to be offered and improves the educational experience on offer. We are in discussion with DGS to consider how our respective IT systems can be integrated more closely, with particular regard but not exclusively to our Sixth Form students. For example, we are exploring the possibility of introducing cashless catering using a common system across both schools. Income Generation The School’s facilities are let on a regular basis to a number of local organisations and this provides a steady flow of income into the School. In addition, surplus funds are invested on short to medium term deposits with the bank. 3 Signed: ………………………….........................................Mr A Richards Name: ……………………………………………………………Mr A Richards Academy Trust Accounting Officer Date: …………………………………………………………….12 December 2013 4 .