School Transformation

Two schools sharing the same site: a community Infants, and foundation Juniors.

Falling roll caused by competition, demographics and underperformance meant both schools were no longer viable.

Governing bodies had agreed to merge, but needed a) support through the process, and b) a neutral Chair of the emergent single school. 

Identify the milestones and obstacles to a successful merger

Prioritise actions

Understand what external support was needed

Fix mechanism of merger

Brief legal and HR advisers

Avoid potential headship conflict

Prepare governors and trustees for collaborative working

Lead SLT in creating a single school structure

Keep LEA in the loop

Innovative Co-Headship designed to satisfaction of both Heads

New mission, vision and values devised across pupils, staff and governors

Highly targeted and seductive Headteacher recruitment campaign

Smart parallel process to find new Head or select a multi-academy trust to join

Devised succession plan to appoint new Governing Body leadership

Led merger process

Designed and led Headteacher recruitment

Devised and implemented MAT ‘beauty parade’

Oversaw staff restructuring

Merger concluded on schedule with one entire staff body transferred

Resignation of both school Heads crisis-managed

Challenge of demanding Person Spec for new Head met

Staff restructure successfully negotiated, reducing income spent on staff from 92% to 72%

New Governing Body leadership installed