Floreat Montague Park Consultation Report

 

December 2015  

 

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Contents

 

1   EXECUTIVE SUMMARY  __________________________________________________  3  

2   INTRODUCTION   _________________________________________________________  4  

3   CONSULTATION PROCESS   ______________________________________________  5  

4   RESULTS  __________________________________________________________________  7  

5   CONCLUSION   ___________________________________________________________  14  

 

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1 Executive Summary 1.1   The trustees of Floreat Education Academies Trust have exercised their statutory

responsibility to conduct a formal consultation process in accordance with the requirements of the Academies Act 2010 and in line with current best practice.

1.2   The consultation described in this report was based on whether a funding

agreement should be entered into between Floreat Education Academies Trust and the Secretary of State regarding Floreat Montague Park Primary School, as outlined in section 10 of the Academies Act 2010. Floreat have engaged actively with key stakeholders within the community to gauge the potential impact of Floreat Montague Park Primary School. Engagement has occurred throughout the consultation process and will continue into the future.

1.3   A formal consultation period of 6 weeks was established to allow stakeholders a

chance to respond fully. The consultation ran from 16th November to 23nd December 2015 and provided consultees with comprehensive information regarding the ethos, vision and teaching approach proposed at Floreat Montague Park, and the opportunity to ask questions and make additional comments. This process has proved to be an invaluable part of Floreat Montague Park’s community engagement.

1.4   Stakeholders submitted 33 consultation questionnaires during the consultation

period, all of which included an answer to the final question about whether Floreat should enter into a funding agreement with the Secretary of State regarding Floreat Montague Park. Of these 33 respondents, 31 (93.94%) agreed that Floreat Montague Park should enter into a funding agreement with the Secretary of state, 2 (6.06%) were unsure, and 0 (0%) disagreed.

1.5   In addition to the consultation Floreat Montague Park has considered feedback from 1:1 discussions, emails, and a series of information sessions with local stakeholders. These events resulted in discussion of more specific questions not covered within the consultation questionnaire. The overall response from the consultation and community events indicates good support for Floreat Montague Park from respondents across the community.

 

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2 Introduction 2.1   The purpose of this consultation report is to provide an overview of the

consultation process and a detailed analysis of the results collected. Floreat Education Academies Trust is a Department for Education-approved Academy sponsor. Floreat Montague Park Primary School is a new academy established by Wokingham Borough Council to meet demand for primary school places on the Montague Park development. Floreat believes that the purpose of schooling is to help children flourish, and that this can be done by developing both their intellectual abilities and their character virtues.

2.2   Floreat Montague Park’s public consultation ran from 16/11/2015 to 23/12/2015.

The consultation was designed to enable all community members the opportunity to comment on the practical aspects of the school, to ask questions and air any concerns. During the consultation period and Floreat Alperton's community outreach, a wide array of stakeholders was targeted with a variety of communication means. The engagement methods used included:

§   Open information sessions for parents and community stakeholders. §   Production of the Floreat Montague Park information leaflet (Appendix 2)

outlining the ethos and vision of the school in addition to providing further details of upcoming events.

§   Distribution of over 2000 leaflets to local residences and businesses. §   Online advertisements. §   Floreat Montague Park website. §   Social media coverage including twitter and GetReading website. §   An article in The Wokingham Paper §   Consultation questionnaire – available online and in hard copy at information

sessions, and emailed to a long list of local stakeholders (see Appendix 1). §   Attendance at multiple local adult and toddler groups.

2.3   The responses and enquiries received came from a variety of stakeholders

including teachers, parents and carers, local councillors, local businesses and religious leaders.

 

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3 Consultation process 3.1   The Floreat Montague Park consultation questionnaire (Appendix 1) was

produced in both hard printed copies and via a web link to the questionnaire on our website.

3.2   The consultation questionnaire asked questions on the following:

1.   Admissions policy 2.   Site 3.   Use of Facilities 4.   Length of school day 5.   Breakfast club 6.   Vision 7.   Character virtues 8.   Curriculum 9.   Adventure and Service Learning 10.  Funding agreement

3.3   Over the consultation period Floreat Montague Park held four open information

sessions at the Cornerstone Community Centre on Norreys Avenue. These were on a mixture of afternoon and evening sessions. The dates, times and locations of these events were as follows:

§   Tuesday 20th October 4pm-6pm §   Monday 26th October 4.30pm-6:30pm §   Thursday 26th November 4:30pm-6:30pm §   Tuesday 15th December 2pm-4pm

3.4   The information sessions introduced the core team of Floreat to the local

community. Attendees were given an overview of the school, its ethos and the practical aspects of managing or being part of the school. Following this, attendees were then encouraged to ask questions which were answered by the panel. Hard copies of the consultation questionnaires were readily available at these events, as well as attendees being encouraged to fill in the questionnaire online, where translation was available for those with English as an Additional Language (EAL).

3.5   In total 37 stakeholders attended the four information sessions that were held

during the consultation period, and as a result a number of parent-follow up emails, and queries regarding job opportunities have been received. Those in attendance included local parents and teachers.

3.6   During the information sessions a number of question topics were raised

including the: §   structure of the school day §   staffing structure §   leadership structure §   number of school days per year

 

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§   childcare §   building and facilities §   locations for sports §   swimming lessons §   breakfast club §   nursery §   governance structure §   admissions §   school ethos and vision §   qualification level of teachers §   lunch §   ICT §   homework

These questions and their answers were noted and will be included in the school prospectus or Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on our website.

3.7   In order to ensure that every member of the local community who might be

interested to partake was informed, sufficient advertising of the consultation was required. The consultation was distributed amongst a number of local schools (see Appendix 3) and additionally publicised on the Floreat Montague Park twitter account (@FloreatMontague) which has a following of 20 and was re-tweeted by Floreat Education (@FloreatEdu) which has a following of 410. In addition, the consultation was on the news – and thereby home page - of the school website, distributed in hard copy at the 4 open information sessions, and publicised in a number of media outlets. Moreover, as a result of signups on the website, there are 24 subscribers to our newsletter. The newsletters contained information regarding upcoming information sessions, links to the consultation questionnaire, as well as information regarding admissions.

 

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4 Results 4.1   This section provides information on the results of the consultation process,

including the responses recorded in the completed questionnaires and an analysis of the feedback received during the information meetings.

4.2   The Floreat Montague Park consultation questionnaire asked 10 questions

regarding various aspects of the school, 9 of these questions included: 'YES', 'NO', and 'UNSURE' responses, with the remaining question allowing respondents to fill in their own choice. In addition to this there was an opportunity for respondents to make further comments within a comment box for each question.

4.3   At the close of the consultation period, a total of 33 completed questionnaires

were collected, 10 (30%) of these were via an online web link to our website, and 23 (70%) were filled in by hand.

 

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Consultation questionnaire results A detailed breakdown of the questions posed in the consultation questionnaire, quantitative responses and a selection of the comments received can be found below: Question 1 Do you support the admissions policy for Floreat Montague Park? YES - 78.79% NO - 3.03% UNSURE - 18.18% “It would be beneficial to see the catchment area map when this has been decided.”

Question 2 Do you agree that Floreat Montague Park should be located in the Montague Park development? YES- 84.85% NO- 0% UNSURE- 15.15% “Parents I had spoken to were concerned that there would not be enough school places for children in and around the Montague Park area, therefore the school would be a welcome addition.” “With such a large estate being built, a school will be needed.”

 

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Question 3 Do you support Floreat Montague Park’s aspiration to make some of its facilities available to the wider community? YES- 96.97% NO- 0% UNSURE- 3.03% “Activities that help promote a healthier community such as Zumba classes and Slimming World” “As long as it is of no detriment to the children’s wellbeing. Maybe sporting activities to set an example to the children within the school. Language courses, dancing classes etc.”

Question 4 Do you support the principle of running a longer school day in order to accommodate our rich extracurricular programme? YES- 87.88% NO- 0% UNSURE- 12.12%% “I think this is an excellent idea” “An 8:30 to 3:30 day appears fine, however I am unsure about adding the extra hour, if compulsory. I feel that children need time within the family home and to be able to do extracurricular activities outside of their school environment.”

 

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Question 5 Do you support the concept of a breakfast club from 8am-8:30am on school day mornings? YES- 96.97% NO- 0% UNSURE- 3.03% “I support the idea but it is not something I would use currently.” “Yes if this is not compulsory for all children” Question 6 Do you support Floreat Education’s vision to develop children’s character strengths as much as their intellectual ability? YES- 100% NO- 0% UNSURE- 0% “This is a great idea that will hopefully raise a future generation of intelligent, well-mannered people.” “Floreat’s character development is really interesting- I would love to see if this actually works with every child.”

 

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Question 7 Can you suggest other character virtues that you would like to see highlighted at Floreat Montague Park?

“Courage, compassion, love of learning, determination.” Question 8 Do you support teaching of a knowledge-rich curriculum at Floreat Montague Park? YES- 96.97% NO- 0% UNSURE- 3.03%

 

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I am very impressed at the curriculum’s acknowledgement of the sciences.” “Each important culture should be equally weighted in history” Question 9 Do you support Floreat’s plans to have adventure and service learning in the curriculum? YES- 93.94% NO- 3.03% UNSURE- 3.03% “This is a very good idea helping to bond children together”

Question 10 Do you agree that Floreat Montague Park should enter into a Funding Agreement with the Department for Education (DfE)? YES- 93.94% NO- 0% UNSURE- 6.06% “I think this is an excellent way for children to learn, life is not all theory we have to live it.” “I am excited to apply for the school for my child. It is so local and so forward-thinking!”

 

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5 Conclusion 5.1   Floreat Montague Park intends to continue its community outreach plan post

consultation. Further information sessions and events are scheduled to be held at the beginning of 2016.

5.2   In addition to this, Floreat Montague Park plans to:

§   Continue circulating the newsletter on a regular basis. §   Circulate a printed prospectus to potential parents who have registered, and

people who request one. §   Put posters up locally regarding any further-planned drop-in sessions. §   Leaflet in the town advertising the future information sessions

5.3   In response to specific feedback from the consultation and from the information

sessions, Floreat Montague Park will commit to a number of things based on the demand, such as a breakfast club and facilities being made available to the wider public.

5.4   Another concern raised by parents was the lack of older peers for the first

reception cohort. As a result, Floreat Montague Park will endeavour to work closely with other local schools to build relationships whereby regular interactions through, for example, sporting competitions and clubs can be garnered.

5.5   In response to the breadth of questions posed during parent information sessions

and through the wider consultation, Floreat will publish FAQs on the website which will continue to be updated until opening.

5.6   A detailed consultation process has been followed, which has highlighted the

thoughts, ideas and concerns of a wide range of local stakeholders. The consultation process enabled interested parties to find out about the school, and input suggestions and reflections on a number of practical issues. This input continues to be valuable as plans progress. Floreat Montague Park believes that the public consultation has been robust and has welcomed wide participation. The majority of the feedback has been very positive and supportive of the school, its vision, and its ethos.

5.7   The Secretary of State, Department for Education will give consideration of the findings of this report when he/she comes to sign Floreat Montague Park Primary School’s funding agreement in the New Year.

 

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Appendiz 1: Consulation Questionnaire Floreat Montague Park Primary School Consultation Questionnaire

1.   Admissions

Our proposed Admissions Policy is in line with Wokingham Borough Council’s standard admissions policy. A link to our draft admissions policy can be found on our website: http://www.floreat.org.uk/montaguepark/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2015/11/Floreat-Montague-Park-Admissions-Policy.pdf Do you support the admissions policy for Floreat Montague Park? Yes � No Unsure Please outline any questions or concerns about the Admissions Policy in the box below:

2.   Site Floreat Montague Park will be located in the new Montague Park development in South Wokingham. Do you agree that Floreat Montague Park should be located in the Montague Park development? Yes No Unsure Please add any further comments in the box below:

3.   Use of Facilities Working with the community is an important means through which we expect to achieve our vision for Floreat Montague Park. We hope to be able to make some of our facilities available for hire by community groups. Do you support Floreat Montague Park’s aspiration to make some of its facilities available to the wider community? Yes No Unsure

 

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What community activities would you like to see hosted at Floreat Montague Park? Please provide comments in the box below:

4.   Breakfast Club As part of our vision to enable all children to flourish, we are considering running a breakfast club on site. Do you support the concept of a breakfast club from 8.00-8.30am on school day mornings? Yes No Unsure Please outline any questions or concerns about the proposed breakfast club at Floreat Montague Park in the box below:

5.   Extended School Day Floreat Montague Park expects to operate a longer school day for all pupils, from 8.30am to 3.30pm. At Key Stage 2 there will be a further additional hour on three afternoons per week for extra-curricular activities. Do you support the principal of running a longer school day in order to accommodate our rich extra-curricular programme? Yes No Unsure Please outline any questions or concerns about the longer school day at Floreat Montague Park in the box below:

 

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6.   Vision

“Intelligence plus character – that is the true goal of education” Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

At the heart of Floreat Education's vision is the notion that every child should have the opportunity to flourish. We believe this is achievable by aspiring to the highest academic standards for all children and ensuring we build good character in our pupils. Do you support Floreat Education's vision to develop children's character strengths as much as their intellectual ability? Yes No Unsure Please outline any questions or concerns about Floreat Education's Vision in the box below:

7.   Virtues Across Floreat schools we aim to help children develop good character. Floreat Education's four core virtues are honesty, curiosity, perseverance and service to others. Can you suggest four other character virtues that you would like to see highlighted at Floreat Montague Park? Please outline any additional comments about the virtues in the box below:

8.   Curriculum – Cultural Knowledge At Floreat Montague Park we believe that every child has the right to be introduced to the best that has been thought and known. Our pupils will develop a broad and deep knowledge about the world around them, with subject-based lessons from Reception onwards. Do you support teaching of a knowledge-rich curriculum at Floreat Montague Park? Yes No Unsure

 

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Please outline any other comments about our curriculum in the box below:

9.   Adventure and Service Learning Floreat Montague Park will provide half-termly adventure or service learning projects, through which pupils will have the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in the outdoors or in the service of their community. These will extend pupils’ academic learning and provide important opportunities to develop their character virtues. Do you support Floreat's plans to have adventure and service learning in the curriculum? Yes No Unsure Please add any further comments in the box below:

10.  Funding Agreement

In order for the school to open it will need to enter into a contract (called a Funding Agreement) with the Department for Education. This is a standard document used by all new schools and is a key legal step towards opening. Do you agree that Floreat Montague Park should enter into a Funding Agreement with the Department for Education? Yes No Unsure Please add any further comments in the box below:

 

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Appendix 2: Information Leaflet

 

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Appendix 3: Consultation Questionnaire Recipient List Wokingham Day Nursery Ashridge Nursery Kids Unlimited Wescott Infant School Meadow Nursery School Mini Oaks Preschool Yellow Brick Nursery All Saints CofE Primary School Bearwood Primary School Emmbrook Junior School Evendons Primary School St. Teresa’s Catholic Primary School St. Crispin’s School St. Pauls CofE Primary School The Hawthorns Primary School Southfield School Wokingham Library The Cornerstone Community Centre Acorn Community Centre Wokingham Youth Centre Corpus Christi Catholic Church All Saints Parish Church Wokingham Methodist Church Kings Church Wokingham Baptist Church St. Paul’s Church Cllr Alistair Auty Cllr David Lee Cllr Malcolm Richards Rt Hon John Redwood MP