Plymouth High School for Girls Consultation
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*** THIS CONSULTATION HAS NOW CLOSED ***
The consultation process has now closed, many thanks to all those people who took part. Below you will see our response to the points raised between the interim feedback and the end of the consultation process. Consultation responses will be shared with the Regional Schools Commissioner.
Plymouth High and the Trust are committed to ensuring that students and staff enjoy the best possible experience. Both institutions put the child at the heart of decision making and ensure that the development of teaching and learning is a core priority. The welfare of all staff is important to Plymouth High and the Trust has made it very clear to us that they share this philosophy. The Trust aims for the terms and conditions for all staff to be very favourable compared to other schools and we feel this will help us to recruit and retain the best people.
Like all Multi-Academy Trusts, Thinking Schools is an exempt charity regulated by the Department for Education and retains all funds generated.
Consultation questions and answers
Following the letter sent to parents in September we fielded a few questions and thoughts, and we feel the answers are useful to share.
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Thank you for taking the time to learn more about the proposal of Plymouth High School for Girls joining the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.
On this page you will be able to discover more about the process, why we have chosen The Thinking Schools Academy Trust, hear from the CEO and have an opportunity to leave any feedback or questions.
I am fully invested in doing everything I can to help PHSG provide the best possible experiences and life chances for our students. I absolutely believe that joining Thinking Schools will help us to do just that.
Regards,
Simon Underdown
Headteacher
Thinking Schools Academy Trust’s students in harmony as they call for all to #BeKind
Students from all 17 schools across the Thinking Schools Academy Trust sung in harmony as they called for all to #BeKind through a special performance of This Is Me from The Greatest Showman.
WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED?
It is being proposed that Plymouth High School for Girls becomes an Academy School and joins the Thinking Schools Academy Trust, which would be the academic sponsor.
WHO ARE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST?
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust, is made up of a family of schools that work together to “improve the life chances” of all our children and young people. They are a successful and expanding group of like-minded schools that are committed to providing outstanding education. Currently there are 16 schools in the Trust located in hubs in Portsmouth, Kent & Medway. As they have grown, so has their ambition. From the outset TSAT has had schools covering key stages 1–5 and has excellent knowledge and experience of education from pre-school to sixth form. Their success is due to their excellent understanding of thinking, learning and pedagogical research, and having talented and highly dedicated staff, leaders and governors.
Below is a letter that has been sent to parents in September.
WHAT WOULD CHANGE IF WE DID BECOME AN ACADEMY UNDER THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST?
There would be more opportunities to share best practice between staff across the Trust’s schools. This can be a huge asset, allowing teachers and support staff to share ideas and practices and to help each other grow as professionals.
Trust members work together as a family of schools who share a passion for developing all of our children and young people as independent, resilient and creative thinkers.
There would be more opportunities for staff to undertake training and development, focused at all times on ensuring that outstanding outcomes are achieved for all children through outstanding teaching and learning.
We would benefit from access to and shared expertise of the Trust’s central services such as Marketing and IT.
The school name would not change at the point it becomes an academy, but complimenting branding would be created to show the school is part of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust.
ASSURANCES MADE ABOUT WHAT WOULD NOT CHANGE
PHSG would still have its own name, individual character and identity. It is vital that this is not lost. The school would continue to provide children from the local community with an excellent education.
The Thinking Schools Academy Trust believes in local governance and the school would have an Advisory Board to support and challenge the school leadership which would include parents, staff and representatives of the local community
At this stage there is no intention to change the admissions policy. The school would continue to have the same admission arrangements and the term dates and hours would remain the same. All current students and staff would transfer to the new academy.
READ THE THINKING SCHOOLS ACADEMY TRUST’S OUR TRUST MAGAZINE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THEIR WORK
We encourage you all to fill out the questionnaire below. It is important to us that we hear your views on this proposal.
TALK TO US AT ANY TIME
Although the consultation period will run for a period of five weeks from Friday 9th October, you can discuss any questions, queries or ideas you have about the school with the governors at any time.
CONTACT DETAILS
St Lawrence Road
Plymouth
PL4 6HT
tel: 01752 208308
email: phs@phsg.org