Staffing

What CPD opportunities will be available for teaching and non-teaching staff?

CPD is at the heart of our work. I attach a power point presentation which I hope will explain to some degree the importance we place on CPD for all staff. All our academies are invited to seek Investors in People accreditation and this cannot be achieved unless all staff are receiving appropriate and meaningful professional development. Our school improvement framework can be viewed at www.improveframework.org. This contains a significant amount of advice, guidance and support for all staff to dip into as they feel appropriate. We also provide our own web-based Learning Platform as part of our support services and on this platform there are courses for pupils, teachers and support staff.

The AET will become a National Teaching School Alliance on 1 April 2012. This will enable any of our academies that meet certain criteria to act as Teaching School Hub.

Would the school’s current capability and disciplinary procedures be changed (obviously still in line with statutory rights)?

Policies are constantly being updated by government. Our Communications Portal offers exemplar policies for our academies to use. As the sponsor becomes the Single Employer the Human Resources polices are consistent across all staff but all other policies are at the determination of the Academy’s governing body.

Would the sponsoring group seek to change the TLR structure (including the make-up of the Leadership Group) and the support staff structure? If so, why? If there were to be any changes, is it likely that staff would need to re-apply for their jobs?

We offer guidance as to TLR SLT structures through lessons learnt across all our academies. Again the final decision remains with the governing body who as retain the current responsibility to ensure their staffing structures are affordable. We believe the SLT structure is most effective when set in-line with the Ofsted framework that is in place at that point in time.

Who would have effective operational day-to-day control of the school?

The Principal and Senior Leadership team.

Would current pay scales be maintained (support staff are currently attached to scales as determined by the LA’s Pay and Benefits scheme)?

The AET only work through the School Teachers Pay and Conditions and Local Government Pay and Conditions. If the governing body wished to break away from those pay and conditions the AET would not be an appropriate sponsor.

Would certain support functions cease to exist as currently provided in-school (eg payroll) and what central services would the sponsoring group provide?

The AET does not centralise any functions and those currently provided by the school remain. We are seeking to find better way of procuring goods and services across the group as we believe we can offer schools better value for money on aspects such as utilities, stationery, etc.

Does the sponsoring group become the employer?

Yes

If so, will TUPE be operative and, would there be any economic, technical or organisational reason (other than the school’s own forecasted need for staff reduction in September) to either change terms and conditions of staff or to dismiss staff? Is there a time limit for the protection of staff’s terms and conditions?

Yes TUPE was applied in full. No there would be no ETO reasons. We have always been clear with Local Authorities and DFE that any staff reductions prior to the school converting are the responsibility of the governing body and Local Authority.

As stated above the AET only works through National Pay and Conditions. This is written into our Memorandum and Articles of Association and therefore extremely difficult to amend. Our Board consists of Chairs of Governors and a National Executive member for the NUT. I have no doubt the Board would fight any attempt to move away from National Pay and Conditions for any member of staff.

Would there be any specific staff benefits which are cost-neutral or provided by the school/sponsoring group?

We offer a small health package to each member for staff. We also have an arrangement with Ford UK which offers discounts for car purchase.

Will support staff still retain the benefits of being members of the Local Government Pension Scheme?

Yes

Does there exist the same staff association recognition as at present?

The AET has a full Union Recognition agreement based on the Trades Union Congress recommendations. All our academies are requested to hold half-termly Joint Consultative Committee meetings. AET Board representatives meet with the National level Professional Association representatives twice per year

Would present part-time working arrangements be honoured in the future?

This would be a governor decision.