How much influence will the academy have on the curriculum that is being taught and children. The curriculum must be broad and balanced and include English, maths, science also on the religion that will be taught? and RE – subject to the requirements described in the answer above. Aquila gives a high priority to a broad and wide-ranging curriculum and supports schools in working towards Due to Aquila being a part of the Diocese of Canterbury. Will there be pressure to add externally validated awards such as Artsmark and sports and music awards. An Artsmark more Church of England religious teaching into the curriculum? funded project is beginning now in Aquila which will focus on creating resources and Will the school stay non-religious, considering Aquila is the Canterbury Church of England learning opportunities in order to prove that engagement in the arts has a positive impact diocesan trust? on outcomes and attendance. Sandwich Infant School will continue to plan its own curriculum in response to the needs The school has run a number of clubs over the years which cannot run under current and interests of the children in the school. Joining Aquila will give us the opportunity to circumstances. These have included French and music but are dependent on good local share good practice across the Trust which may mean positive change to the curriculum we providers and parental interest. There is no space for the school to offer peripatetic music offer; but that will be the school’s choice. lessons.

Sandwich Infant School will retain the character of a community school and will be required Aquila also had plans for inter-school arts and sports activities to run through the Summer to abide by the Department for Education rules which apply to community schools in the this year.. Perhaps next year? teaching of RE and in collective worship. The coverage of RE, which is already part of our rich and vibrant curriculum, will remain the same at Sandwich Infant School, as will the time given to the subject. Assemblies will continue to follow their well-established themes and pattern in the school day.

Will admission still be free? Yes. Academies are funded directly by the Government and remain free to all children. The current admission arrangements will remain in place so that the school will continue to serve the local community. Academies are required to follow the same rules as local authority maintained schools on any charging for school activities.

Does this mean Sandwich Infant School will become an Academy converter? What kind of independence and autonomy will the school gain from this 'conversion'? Will this enhance the curriculum in any way (more clubs, learning foreign language or instruments etc)? The school is choosing to seek academy status and is therefore described as a converter academy. (Schools which are required to become academies within a multi academy trust are termed “sponsored” academies.) As our letter to parents says, “we are choosing this change as a positive step for our school. All schools need support to improve and in the current financial climate we are unable to secure this from the Local Authority. As Governors we want the school to be part of a group of schools which can support each other. Joining Aquila will give us high quality support for school improvement and the opportunity to share and develop good practice with other Aquila schools.” The school will continue to have its own local governing body and headteacher. It will set the curriculum and has some flexibility to develop the curriculum to meet the needs of its