KINGSKERSWELL CHURCH OF ENGLAND PRIMARY SCHOOL Telephone: (01803) 873398 Email: admin@kingskerswell.devon.sch.uk www.kingskerswell.devon.sch.uk

Monday 26th June 2017

Dear Parents and Carers,

You are probably already aware that the Government (DfE) and National Schools Commissioner are firm in their intention that all schools in the country are academies within a Multi-Academy Trust by 2022.

The political and financial pressures to achieve this aim are very real and are being felt by all schools and colleges across the country. It is also true that Multi-Academy Trusts provide great opportunities for hardwired collaboration, educational improvements, maximised outcomes for young people and financial savings and efficiencies.

For about five years, the Governing Board of Kingskerswell C of E Primary School has been investigating possible pathways to collaboration. Governors from all local schools have taken presentations from different Multi-Academy Trusts (MATs), but we decided that the best option would not be to join an existing MAT, but to look at collaborating with other like-minded schools to form our own. This would mean we have more say in what it looks like, and a better say in delivering our non-negotiable elements, which include maintaining the highly unique Christian character of our school whilst continuing to deliver improved outcomes for all school stakeholders.

We are writing to inform you that the Governing Board of Kingskerswell C of E Primary School is in early discussion with other local education providers, at both Primary and Secondary Level, regarding an exciting proposal to form a new Multi-Academy Trust. We have not committed to any formal agreement, however with early involvement, if the process ends in a decision to form the MAT together, we will be one of the six founder members. The schools involved in discussions are: Starcross Primary School, Newton Abbot College, Dawlish Community College, Denbury Primary School and another local primary school (not named at this point because their staff have not been informed of the proposal).

The staff and governing board at our school have unanimously agreed to pursue these lines of enquiry, and are aware of the many positives that can be brought about by potentially collaborating in the future. Obviously, your views as parents are incredibly important, and we will value your input, in the right forum, when the time arrives. The formal consultation

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However, in order to ensure we involve stakeholders throughout the discussions and from the very outset we want to facilitate you being able to raise comments and questions. If you have any comments or questions then please email the Clerk to Governors, Louise Ward at [email protected] In addition, please visit the websites of the schools involved, in order to see the high calibre and huge variety of benefits that can be shared from investigating and potentially realising this enterprise. We are very excited about the potential benefits and gains for the young people in the towns of Dawlish and Newton Abbot and surrounding areas, and it is the exciting prospect of sharing our skills with others, bringing some of their best bits to our schools, and saving valuable money on services and resources through collaboration that is especially attractive to us.

Yours faithfully

Kev Mathieson Rachel Miller

Chair of Governors Headteacher

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