Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019
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Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 P ersonal growth through; R especting pupils’ needs O vercoming barriers to reach potential S afe, nurturing and supportive environment P upil centred approached E mpathy and excellence in learning R ecognising achievement in all circumstances Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 1 of 17 Contents Page Introduction 3 Consultation methodology 5 Overview of the feedback received 9 Trust Response to the consultation 14 Conclusion and recommendations 15 List of Appendices 16 Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 2 of 17 1. Introduction Following approval by the DfE and Sunderland City Council in summer 2018 Prosper Learning Trust were appointed as the preferred academy trust to deliver the new Sunderland Special Free School. Following the approval in summer 2019 of the final plans for the capital build project the Trust were able to move forward with the statutory consultation. The following report summarises the key information and data which was shared as part of the consultation and informs stakeholders of the outcomes and actions resulting from this consultation period. Consultation ran from 2 September 2019 – 12 October 2019. 1.1 Geographic position of the school(s) The map below shows where Harry Watts Academy is to be located in the region alongside other Prosper Learning Trust schools. The ability to facilitate joint working across the Trust is key to delivering sustained improvements and improved outcomes for learners. Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 3 of 17 Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 4 of 17 2. Consultation Methodology The overall aim of the consultation process was to ensure that everyone who has a stake in the development of the new school had the opportunity to hear about the proposals and to share their views and ideas about the plans. The objectives of the process were to: • Provide relevant background information and context for stakeholders • Explain the reasons for the new school • Share key detail including key policies linked to admissions, safeguarding and SEND, site information and curriculum plans • Provide an opportunity for stakeholders to hear / read more and ask questions The principles laid down by the project team for the consultation were that it should be: • An open and transparent process • Accessible to all stakeholders in terms of: o The times of the events o The language used (jargon-free wherever possible and acronyms fully explained) o Well-publicised and advertised o The venues being DDA compliant A variety of media were used to consult including: • Direct letters to all schools in Sunderland, the Local and Neighbouring Authorities, public buildings including libraries, Colleges, parent/carer forum • Press releases / Media content • Leaflets and posters distributed • Publicised meetings involving presentations and questions and answer sessions • Online Survey • Website / Social Media • Emails 2.1 Direct letters A letter and/or email introducing the consultation were sent electronically to the following groups and an example is included at Appendix 1: • Parents/community members • Local schools, colleges and training providers • Local Authorities • Key stakeholders in the region Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 5 of 17 2.2 Online survey Throughout the consultation Google survey was used to capture a response to 9 key questions, these included: 1. Please tick the box which best describes the type of stakeholder you are? 2. Do you agree with our statement of provision (admissions policy)? 3. Do you agree with our safeguarding policy? 4. Do you agree with our SEND policy? 5. Is the proposed curriculum offer engaging for the pupils who may attend the school? 6. Our proposed permanent site is situated on the former Bishop Harland CE VA Primary School site in North Sunderland. Do you agree this is an appropriate location? 7. Should the Trust enter into a Funding Agreement with the Secretary of State to open our school? To understand more about what is a Funding Agreement log onto https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/academy-and-free-school-funding- agreements-multi-academy-trust 8. Any further comments or questions? 9. If you would like to receive a copy of the final report and findings and/or would like a response to any question asked whilst completing this survey, please complete the details below before submitting your form There was also an opportunity with all 9 questions to leave additional comments should the stakeholder wish to do so. Stakeholders who attended consultation meetings also responded to a hard copy version of the same survey. 2.3 Press Release A press release was prepared on the 3rd September 2019 and issued to 16 media contacts via email on 6th September 2019. 2.4 Website http://www.prosperlearningtrust.co.uk/harrywattsacademyconsultation/ was live throughout the consultation period. The site (which was accessed via the Prosper Learning Trust website) was aimed at providing detailed information about Prosper and the proposals with an opportunity to email questions or comments or to conduct the online survey. Links were also provided to the school website www.harrywattsacademy.co.uk. Two screen shots of the site can be seen on the next page with a copy of all the website screen shots provided in Appendix 2. Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 6 of 17 Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 7 of 17 2.5 Publicised meetings The following meetings were communicated to stakeholders and carried out during the consultation period: Date Time Event Venue 18 2:00pm Partner Agencies Sunderland College September 23 4:30pm School Event Biddick Academy September 24 1:30pm Elected Members, Councillors Civic Centre September and LA Officers 24 4:00pm Parents 1 Willow Fields Primary September School 24 5:30pm Community 1 Willow Fields Primary September School 30 10:00am Community 2 Redby Community September Centre 30 1:00pm Parents 2 Redby Community September Centre 30 4:00pm General Event/Drop In Session Biddick Academy September 2.6 Leaflets and Posters Copies of the leaflets and posters issued to stakeholders can be found in Appendix 3 & 4. These were distributed with all letters and to public buildings including Libraries, leisure centres, community centres and Colleges. 2.7 Email – [email protected] The email address above was used to enable anyone who wished to be able to post a question or a comment about the proposals. At the end of the consultation period these questions and comments were collected to be responded to as appropriate. 2.8 Community, LA, Partner Agencies, Schools, Councillors and Parent/Carer Presentations At each of the consultation meetings a presentation was given with information about Prosper Learning Trust and why they are looking to open a new school in Sunderland. A copy of the presentations can be found in Appendix 5. Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 8 of 17 3. Overview of the Feedback received Appendix 6 contains all the questions, comments and feedback received from the various media used throughout the consultation period. Numbers of participants in meetings and surveys are below. Appendix 7 includes a copy of the two news articles which appeared in the local press during the consultation phase. 3.1 Attendance at Consultation Meetings Date Event Venue Number in attendance 18 Partner Agencies Sunderland College 6 September 23 School Event Biddick Academy 0 September 24 Elected Members, Councillors Civic Centre 2 September and LA Officers 24 Parents 1 Willow Fields Primary 5 September School 24 Community 1 Willow Fields Primary 0 September School 30 Community 2 Redby Community 2 September Centre 30 Parents 2 Redby Community 0 September Centre 30 General Event/Drop In Session Biddick Academy 3 September 3.2 Online Survey We received 4 completed surveys online. 13 paper copies of the survey were also returned after the consultation meetings. Full detailed feedback is attached in appendix 6 and a summary of the feedback is highlighted on the following 3 pages: Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 9 of 17 Please tick the Do you Do you Do you Is the Our proposed permanent Should the Trust enter into a Any further comments or box which best agree with agree with agree with proposed site is situated on the Funding Agreement with the questions? describes the our our our SEND curriculum former Bishop Harland Secretary of State to open our type of statement safeguarding policy? offer CE VA Primary School school? To understand more about stakeholder you of provision policy? engaging for site in North Sunderland. what a Funding Agreement is log on are? (admissions the pupils Do you agree this is an to policy)? who may appropriate location? https://www.gov.uk/government/ attend the publications/academy-and-free- school? school-funding-agreements-multi- academy-trust Community Yes Yes Yes Yes member Parent Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Other Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Community Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes I think the Harry Watts Academy member will be a much welcomed, valued and needed school to meet the educational needs of children with autism. As a teaching assistant myself, often working with children on the spectrum and as a proud grandmother to an autistic grandson, this school will benefit those whose needs cannot be met in mainstream schools. LA Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes representative Other: SEND Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Team Manager (Sunderland) Harry Watts Academy Consultation Report October 2019 Page 10 of 17 Please tick the Do you Do you Do you Is the Our proposed permanent Should the Trust enter into a Any further comments or box which best agree with agree with agree with proposed site is situated on the Funding Agreement with the questions? describes the our our our SEND curriculum former Bishop Harland Secretary of State to open our type of statement safeguarding policy? offer CE VA Primary School school? To understand more about stakeholder you of provision policy? engaging for site in North Sunderland.