Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust) Information pack for Headteachers and Chairs of Governors. October 2012

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1 Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust) Information pack for Headteachers and Chairs of Governors October 2012 Standards and School Effectiveness Page 1 of 7

2 Dear Headteachers and Chairs of Governors, As you are aware, over the past year Hertfordshire County Council has been working with schools and academies on the development of a new schools company to provide flexible school improvement and school business support services to meet the future needs of education in Hertfordshire. The purpose of this information pack is to: update you on the proposals to form a schools company to deliver school improvement and business support services in the future outline how school and academy governing bodies can buy a share in the company and elect non-executive directors advise you of steps the governing body will be required to take during the autumn 2012 and spring 2013 terms to become a shareholder in the new company I hope that you find this information useful. If you have any questions or require any further details please us at info@hertsforlearning.co.uk Yours sincerely Gillian Cawley Assistant Director Standards and School Effectiveness Page 2 of 7

3 What is changing? Standards and School Effectiveness (SSE) currently provides a wide and diverse range of core local authority and traded school improvement functions to help raise achievement and improve the quality of teaching in Hertfordshire schools, academies and other educational settings. The core purpose of SSE is to: promote achievement for every child and young person ensure a good early education for every child provide a good school for every child narrow the gap in attainment and wellbeing Achievement is at the heart of all the services that we provide, maintaining phase specific expertise, ensuring a focus on underachieving groups and signalling the importance of new strategic partnerships for the future. It is only the current SSE school improvement and school business support services that are being considered for transfer over to Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust). The Hertfordshire Music Service, the Virtual School for Children Looked After and the Hertfordshire Development Centre training centre will not be transferring across to HfL; they will remain with Hertfordshire County Council. What is Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust)? Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust) (HfL) will be a schools owned company providing school improvement services and flexible school business support to meet the changing needs of schools. The company will be led operationally by a Managing Director (MD) or Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and a management team, with strategic direction from a Board of Directors, influenced by the shareholders that own it. The Board of Directors will be directly elected by shareholders. The company will be commissioned by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to deliver core functions on its behalf. Page 3 of 7

4 Proposed timescales Over the past six months HCC and SSE have been working with school representatives on the development of an outline business case for HfL. The following proposed timescales are subject to Hertfordshire County Council s decision for Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust) to go ahead. Autumn term 2012 Finalising an outline business case to address funding arrangements (including income, pensions, overheads, capital funding and cash flow), legal form of HfL, constitution of the HfL Board and core functions that the company will undertake on behalf of HCC Establish a governance structure for the new company Spring autumn term 2013 Hertfordshire County Council to agree final business case and authorise establishment of HfL Schools governing bodies formally invited to buy shares and become shareholders in HfL ( 4 th 8 th February 2013) Shareholders invited to nominate candidates for directors of HfL Board (25 th February 1 st March 2013) Shareholders vote for HfL Board schools non-executive directors (18 th 29 th March 2013) Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust) board announced (15 th April 2013) Herts for Learning (formerly Hertfordshire Learning Trust) commences trading (1 st September 2013) What governing bodies need to do now.. Under the School Company Regulations 2002, the governing body of a school may elect to become a shareholder of a school company. In February 2013 a subscription pack will be sent out to all governing bodies with a formal invitation to buy a share and subsequently nominate a candidate for a schools nonexecutive director role. In March 2013 shareholders will be able to vote for a schools nonexecutive director of the company. Recommendation In order for your school to become a shareholder the Governing Body will need to discuss proposals this term and vote: on whether in principle the Governing Body wants to buy a share (at a meeting before February 2013) to nominate the Chair of Governors (or an appointed deputy) to complete the share application form on behalf of the Governing Body to nominate the Chair of Governors (or the appointed deputy), on behalf of the Governing Body, to vote for a schools non-executive director of HfL Page 4 of 7

5 Frequently asked questions To give you some further background to the proposals for this new schools company and help the Governing body make an informed decision we have prepared some FAQs which we hope you will find useful. Understanding the need for change Q: Why are Hertfordshire County Council proposing to set up a schools company for their school improvement and business support services? A: To provide a more flexible, responsive service working with and for schools that reflects: a change in the relationship between schools and the LA financial and political context a shared passion for continued improvement in outcomes for all children Q: Are other local authorities taking a similar approach to Hertfordshire County Council? A: As a result of funding changes and political direction, local authorities are reviewing their school improvement services. Some have ceased to offer a service, some have outsourced and a few are seeking to establish schools companies to deliver school improvement. Here in Hertfordshire, the LA and schools have been working for some time towards a schools company as the best way of ensuring sustainable services to meet the changing needs of schools. Q: How have schools been able to influence the set up of the new schools company? A: HCC have been working with school representatives nominated by the schools forums (Primary Headteachers Forum, Hertfordshire Association for Secondary School Headteachers and Special Schools Forum) to begin the journey of transformation. This reference group has agreed to offer support and guidance to the project as a shadow board until the school community have been through a full, open election process for directors. This early involvement of schools has been critical and has ensured that the new company will be shaped by schools, for schools. Q: Are Hertfordshire Catering Services going through a similar change? A: Hertfordshire County Council is also working with Hertfordshire Catering Services to create a new company. This project is being managed independently from HfL. For further information please visit Page 5 of 7

6 Becoming a shareholder Q: What are the benefits of being a shareholder? A: Shareholders will be able to influence the direction and accountability of school improvement and school business support services in the future. They will also have the right to nominate and vote for the six non-executive directors from schools and be able to attend the HfL Annual General Meeting and ask questions of the Directors. Crucially, as a shareholder in the new company, schools would be able to commission services from the company without the need for a lengthy, bureaucratic tendering process. Q: Who is entitled to buy a share? A: Any Hertfordshire maintained school or academy (including Free schools and Studio schools). Independent schools are not permitted to buy a share as company rules state that shareholders must be publicly funded. If an ESC converts to academy status they will become eligible to buy a share in HfL. Q: What will be the cost of a share? A: The cost will be 100 per share/school Q: What will the 100 share price be used for by HfL? A: The 100 share price is a nominal price to indicate a school s commitment to HfL. It has been set at this level as evidence suggests that where there is a larger investment in schools companies then the shareholders (schools) play a more active part in the company and have a greater sense of ownership and engagement. Share capital will be retained and used as reserves for HfL. Q: Why is the share price the same for a small primary as it is for a large secondary? A: Company law dictates that all shares of the same class must be of equal value. Q: Can a school buy more than one share? A: No, schools are only able to buy one share per institution. Q: Our school runs a tight budget and we have not forecasted this cost. Could we defer payment for the share until after April 2013? A: We are aware that many schools especially small schools budgets are stretched at this time of year. It is hoped the low share price will allow all schools to participate equally in the schools company. Any school that feels this might be a barrier to purchasing a share should contact info@hertsforlearning.co.uk Q: What liability does a shareholder have for HfL? A: By buying a share, a school gains many benefits (see above). Equally, the advantage of this low share cost is that the most a school could ever lose by being a shareholder is the 100 they have invested, therefore limiting any liability to the school. Q: Could our school withdraw from the new company if we purchased a share? A: Yes. If a school ever wanted to withdraw from the schools company they would be able to sell the share back to the company at any time. Page 6 of 7

7 Q: Can I still buy services from HfL if my school is not a shareholder? A: Yes - although being a shareholder will enable schools to have a greater say in the development and delivery of services offered to schools and reduce costs/processes incurred by schools for procuring services. Managing the new company Q: How will the new company be governed? A: There will be between nine and eleven directors: 6 non-executive directors from schools (3 Primary (including Nursery), 2 Secondary and 1 Special) 2 non-executive directors appointed by Hertfordshire County Council Up to 2 non-executive directors co-opted by the Board 1 executive director, responsible for operational control of the company These directors will lead the strategic development of the company and ensure it meets the needs of service users. Q: Who can stand as a director? A: Any school that has bought a share can nominate a director for election. This could be any governor or member of staff. Each school/shareholder can only nominate one potential director. Q: Our school is thinking about nominating a director. How can we find out more about the requirements of the role? A: A copy of a draft job description for the role of non-executive director can be found online at: HCC will also be offering free information sessions for potential directors to help them understand more about the role, responsibilities and commitment required. Q: Who is entitled to vote for the directors? A: Each Governing Body purchasing a share will be able to vote for a schools nonexecutive director from their phase. Q: What if we do not have a full governing body meeting to decide who to vote for as a director? A: The vote could be achieved without a governing body meeting if this responsibility has been delegated to the Chair of Governors (or an appointed deputy) at an earlier meeting. Further information If you have any questions or require any further details about the proposals for a new schools company please us at info@hertsforlearning.co.uk Page 7 of 7