Archived decisions
TRUST SCHOOLS
1 The 2006 Education and Inspections Act encourages schools to seek Trust Status. Under the legislation, the County Council is required to promote choice and diversity and therefore to support applications for Trust Status. However, it needs a policy to guide its work in determining whether or not to support individual schools' applications, because it also has a wider responsibility to promote high standards of education and the well being of all children and young people.
2 As a result of the above, the Executive Lead Member has delegated authority to the Director of Children's Services to support schools' applications for Trust Status where the following questions can be answered positively by the School;
· Will affiliation to this particular Trust raise standards rather than just maintain them?
· Will affiliation improve the well being of all children and young people in the community served by the school?
· Will affiliation improve community cohesion and collaboration without any loss of existing quality?
· Will affiliation improve the school's potential to meet the objectives of the Children and Young People's Plan?
and, in the case of secondary schools:
· Will affiliation improve the school's potential to meet the objectives of the 14-19 Strategy?
3 If the answers to all the above questions are positive, then the Local Authority will support the school for Trust Status. If not, then it will point out to the Community in what way the proposal may disadvantage quality and standards and refer its view to the School's Adjudicator. Local Members will be informed if any of their local schools are seeking Trust Status. Copies of the Executive Lead Member report on Trust Schools are available in the Members' Rooms.
4 The decision will ensure that Hampshire secondary schools capitalise on all opportunities to develop learners' understanding and appreciation of their role in society and their capacity to contribute. This supports the Council's Corporate Priorities.
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