EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
To sponsor the first of two Primary Schools at the
Waverley Development site, Rotherham S60.
The Waverley Development
SPONSOR APPLICATION FORM
Closing date Friday 16th December 2016
Before completing this document please ensure that you have read
Rotherham’s prospectus document for Waverley. The document is available
at: www.rotherham.gov.uk/waverley/
Please note when completing this form you may refer to supporting documentation
as necessary, however, please do not submit copies at this stage of the application
process. However, relevant supporting evidence may be requested later in the
selection process.
** Please use Arial 12 font and use a maximum word count of 2,000 words per
question. Where questions have multiple parts the word count total is applicable to
the whole group of questions in that section.
PROPOSER’S DETAILS
Name of Proposer
Address
Email
Telephone Number
Contact details for this proposal
(if different from above)
ABOUT YOUR ORGANISATION
Approved Academy Sponsor
Academy
Parent led
Further Education/Post 16/University
Other
If other, please give details:
Shortlisting scoring process
Scores will be allocated by individual panel members in relation to the evidence
and argument provided to individual questions, using the scoring criteria stated
in the table below. The scores will then be moderated by the selection panel
members for each individual question and an overall individual score agreed.
The moderated scores for each question will then be multiplied by the weighting
applied to each individual question. The weightings for each individual question
are determined on the importance placed on each individual question by the
evaluation team based on the criteria in the table below.
The total points available are 432, in striving for a high standard of submission,
any response which achieves an inadequate response (0) in any of the
submissions or fails to meet the quality threshold of a minimum of 348 may be
rejected. The minimum threshold equates to a minimum score standard of 4
being achieved for each question, with at least 6 questions being judged to have
a score standard of 6.
The Regional Schools Commissioner will also be consulted at the shortlisting
stage, regarding the suitability of applications.
Score
Score Standards
Excellent Response
The individual panel member is of the opinion that the
evidence and argument shows an excellent
understanding of the requirements for the new school.
4
Good Response
The individual panel member is of the opinion that the
evidence and argument shows a good understanding
of the requirements for the new school.
2
Adequate
Response
The individual panel member is of the opinion that the
evidence and argument shows an adequate
understanding of the requirements for the new school.
0
Inadequate
Response
The individual panel member is of the opinion the
evidence and argument to the question is inadequate
in terms of the requirements for the new school.
6
Weighting
Weighting Definition
5
High importance to the contract
4
Medium - High importance to the contract
3
Medium importance to the contract
2
Low - Medium importance to the contract
1
Low importance to the contract
Final selection process
All organisations meeting the minimum score threshold of 348 points will be
invited to attend the second stage of the selection process.
This will comprise of a presentation and a series of questions, the subject of the
presentation will be advised if you are invited to attend. The presentation will
assist the individual panel members to obtain a clearer and deeper
understanding of the prospective sponsor’s responses to subsequent questions.
The scoring criteria to be used for the individual questions will be the same as
above, no individual scores will be given for presentations however, the
information contained will be used to vary (either up, down or remain the same)
the scoring allocated to individual questions.
At the end of this process, the selection panel will recommend a preferred
sponsor for consideration and approval by the Regional Schools Commissioner
and endorsement by Council Cabinet.
1. Your Organisation
Please describe your organisation, including any experience it has of running
schools in similar contexts to the one outlined in the prospectus.
Include details of your current organisational leadership and governance
structures and Ofsted profile(s) of current schools in your organisation.
Also include details of your planned organisation expansion strategy should
you be appointed sponsor of this new school.
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
2. Outline of the school
Please provide confirmation of how the school will provide:

210 initial mainstream places when open to all year groups (phase
one) (mixed sex, primary school places)

26 foundation stage 1 places

Integrated SEND provision on site
for pupils between the ages of 3 and 11.
Set out how you will plan and prepare for a rise in pupil numbers when the
published admission number increases incrementally (as detailed in the
prospectus) as additional classrooms are added at the school as funding
permits and, the pupil yield increases as the Waverley housing development
continues to grow.
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
3. Education vision and education plan
Please provide details of your inclusive education vision, educational ethos
and approach to teaching and learning for the new school.
Set out your aspirations for the achievement of individual pupils and for the
school as a whole.
Set out details of the experience that pupils will have at the new school.
How will you evaluate the achievement and performance of pupils?
How will you evaluate whole school performance?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
4. Effect on standards and contribution to school improvement
How will you help to raise the standard of education in the area and contribute
to wider school improvement?
Please describe your track record in setting, tracking and monitoring
ambitious and realistic targets for pupil performance. This should include the
most able (gifted and talented) pupils, those with differing degrees of Special
Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), pupil’s eligible for pupil premium
and children looked after by the Local Authority.
How will you support the transition of pupils across all the key stages?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
5. Curriculum
Please provide a rationale and details of the proposed curriculum.
How will you ensure that the curriculum is broad, balanced and deliverable?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
6. Inclusion
Outline your vision for the inclusion of young people with special educational
needs and disability, with specific regard to those with autism who are of
mainstream ability. Detail how you would incorporate this vision to the
operation of an integral resource. Also describe how you would work in
partnership with the Rotherham community of schools, the Local Authority
and other partners to ensure a fully inclusive setting.
Outline the strategies that you will use to overcome barriers to learning and
achievement such as children with English as their second or additional
language.
Please outline your approach to ‘narrowing attainment gaps’ for those children
in receipt of pupil premium and for those children who arrive new to
Rotherham and the UK.
How do you propose to ensure that you make the school attractive to pupils of
all backgrounds and abilities?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
7. Early Years arrangements
Please set out your approach and philosophy for effective Early Years
provision and outline how high quality Early Years provision will be delivered?
Also indicate how you will develop provision and work in partnership with
other local early years providers to offer flexible early education and childcare
for families eligible for 30 hours of childcare (to be introduced from September
2017)
How will you ensure you that you meet the requirements of the Early Years
foundation stage framework (EYFS) for nursery and reception classes?
Would the foundation one provision be run by your organisation or a third
party provider?
If a third party provider, please indicate what processes would be put in place
to ensure the quality of the provision provided?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
8. Admission arrangements
Please outline how you intend to work in line with the requirements of the
School Admissions Code 2014 and with Rotherham’s arrangements for
administering and processing admissions and appeals?
Outline how you will participate in the annual admissions consultation and
work with the Local Authority in co-ordinating all applications for a place at the
school in accordance with Rotherham’s current admissions policy.
How would you work with the Local Authority and neighbouring schools in
relation to the requirement to participate in the Fair Access protocol?
What, if any, are the circumstances where your organisation has refused the
admission of a pupil whilst under your published admission number?
Weighting 4
Maximum of 2,000 words.
9. Partnership and Collaboration
How will you develop collaborative working with other schools and partners to
continually make improvements in the provision for the schools pupils and
other children within the local Learning Communities?
How will you contribute to and promote community engagement and cohesion
and how would you engage the local community?
Weighting 4
Maximum of 2,000 words.
10. Safeguarding
How will you ensure rigorous safeguarding protocols are established,
maintained and adhered to?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
11. Capability and capacity to deliver
Please provide evidence of your ability to successfully integrate and manage
schools in your organisation and of your capability and capacity to sponsor
the new primary school.
Provide evidence of your successful ability to financially manage schools?
Provide evidence of your capacity to establish the new school infrastructure
required to support a successful opening.
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
12. Funding
The prospectus outlines the pre start up and diseconomies (in the first year of
operation) funding formula’s approved by schools forum for a new Primary
School in Rotherham under current funding arrangements.
Do you agree to the principle of the formulas?
Do you have any comments to make in relation to the formulas used?
Is your Education vision for the school both deliverable and affordable within
the available pre-opening and diseconomies funding parameters?
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
13. Staffing the school and recruiting the governing body
How will staff be recruited to the school to ensure that there are outstanding
leaders at all levels?
Outline your evidence of high quality professional development opportunities
for all staff including leadership development.
Provide details of how the recruitment of governors to the school would be
managed and how you would ensure local representation such as any
examples of a track record in working positively with the parent body, local
businesses etc.
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
14. Managing the opening of the new school
Provide details of how you will establish a successful opening of the school
and what role you will play in engaging with agencies to ensure that the
necessary infrastructure and systems (for example Contracts for Services and
Utilities, ICT, HR, Catering and Cleaning etc.) are in place for the opening of
the new school.
Weighting 5
Maximum of 2,000 words.
15. The school day
Please provide details about the length of the school day, including any
enrichment time, making a distinction between compulsory and voluntary
activities.
Please provide details of enrichment and extended services, for example,
breakfast and after school clubs.
Weighting 4
Maximum of 2,000 words.
16. Other
Please provide here any other information that you feel relevant.
Weighting not applicable – for information only.
Maximum of 2,000 words.
17. Declaration
I declare the information provided above is correct at the time of submission.
Signed:
Print name:
Position in Organisation:
Date:
Completed applications (using the form provided) should be sent
electronically no later than 12:00 noon Friday 16th December 2016 to:
Rachael McHaffie PA to the Assistant Director of Education & Skills
Email - [email protected]