Newtown Linford Primary School

Newtown Linford Primary School Main Street, Newtown Linford, Leicestershire, LE6 0AD Tel: 01530 242370 Fax: 01530 244558 Headteacher: Mrs Chris Chorlton Office email:[email protected] Website:www.newtownlinford.leics.sch.uk

18th April 2016 Dear Stakeholder,

You will no doubt be aware that many schools locally and across England are looking at whether or not to convert to academy status. Our Governing Body has discussed and researched at depth, over a number of years whether Newtown Linford Primary School should remain as a Local Authority School or become an Academy, The decision we have previously always made has been to remain as a Local Authority school as we felt this would best enable us to further outcomes for children.

Our Governing Body now feel it is best to consider an alternative situation and so we are beginning a consultation period for the options outlined below:

 To consult with all stakeholders on whether Newtown Linford Primary School should become an Academy.  To consult with all stakeholders on whether Newtown Linford Primary School should become part of the Bradgate Education Partnership.

Bradgate Education Partnership is a Multi Academy Trust which is being proposed (subject to each schools’ approval and the approval of the DfE) to be established by the following schools:

Broomfield Primary School – East Goscote Church Hill Infant School - Thurmaston Eastfield Primary School - Thurmaston

Gaddesby Primary School - Gaddesby Great Dalby Primary School – Great Dalby The Merton Primary School - Syston Newtown Linford Primary School The Pochin School - Barkby The Roundhill Academy - Syston Seagrave Village Primary School - Seagrave Swallowdale Primary School – Melton Mowbray

The Partnership aims to form a Multi Academy Trust where each school has equality in organisation, governance and decision-making process with children at the heart of everything we do. As Headteachers and Chairs of Governors we are aware of the growing focus for schools to become part of Multi Academy Trusts and with this in mind, we want to take control of our own destiny. We have chosen to consider Bradgate Educational Partnership due to the relationships we have had working with these schools as part of STEP Teaching School Alliance.

Some of you will have experience or knowledge of academies, while others will be keen to find out more. Therefore, we have included a key questions document with this letter that sets out what academy status is, what it might mean for the school and how you can contribute to our consultation process.

Our consultation period begins today on Monday 18th April and will end on Monday 16th May. During this time you are invited to make any written submissions you wish the Governing Body to consider. When the consultation closes we will collate responses and then Governors will make a decision on whether or not the school should convert.

Furthermore, we would like to invite you to a consultation meeting on Tuesday 3 rd May at 6.00pm. At this meeting we will outline the proposal and respond to any questions you may have. If you are able to attend, please complete the reply slip below.

We hope you find the accompanying document useful so that you can be as informed as possible about what is being proposed. We hope you will feel you can contribute to the consultation process and share your views with us by completing the short questionnaire on the last page of this document. Please also complete Bradgate Education Partnership’s questionnaire on: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/2PMTTV2.

Yours sincerely

Mrs C Chorlton Mrs B Blythe Headteacher Chair of Governors

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… …………. Academy Consultation Meeting Tuesday 3 rd May at 6.00pm

Please complete the reply slip below if you are able to attend the consultation meeting on Tuesday 3 rd May at 6.00pm.

Name:…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. (please print)

I am *able/*unable to attend the consultation meeting on Tuesday 3rd May at 6.00pm.

*Please delete where applicable.