Contact: Chris Holt, Telephone: 01962 845673, E-mail: [email protected]

1 Summary

1.1 The following decision is sought:

1.2 That the County Council continues to support collaboration between schools and, where appropriate, promotes more formal federation in partnership with governing bodies where it can be shown that this is likely to raise standards.

1.3 That the Director of Children's Services be authorised to identify situations where federation or collaboration might be appropriate and to work with relevant governing bodies to assess the potential benefits.

2 Reason

2.1 Collaboration and federation is not new to Hampshire schools. However a renewed emphasis from the DCSF on partnership between schools has produced a timely opportunity to set out a policy to guide its work in this area of school organisation.

2.2 This decision supports the following Hampshire County Council priority:

"Maximising well-being" by ensuring that Hampshire secondary schools capitalise on all opportunities to develop learners' understanding and appreciation of their role in society and their capacity to contribute.

2.3 The decision supports the following aim of the Children Act:

"Enjoying and achieving" by allowing students to fulfil their potential through good academic progress and personal development.

3 Other Options considered and rejected:

3.1 No other options were considered.

4 Conflicts of Interest declared by the decision maker or other Executive Member consulted

4.1 None.

5 Dispensation granted by the Standards Committee -

5.1 None.

Approved by: Date:

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Councillor David Kirk

Executive Lead Member for Children's Services (Education)