28 February 2023

To all Parents, Carers and Families

At a meeting of the school’s Governing Body on 23 February 2023, it was decided to:

• Change our school category from Community to Foundation; and
• Establish a charitable Trust named Bridge Education Trust (Southampton), which is a co-operative membership trust with effect from 1^st March 2023.

This is in line with the consultation and published statutory proposal.

The decision was taken as the Governing Body believe the Trust will raise standards through the creation of a platform for on-going improvement. The resources and expertise brought to the Trust by the partners will strengthen strategic leadership, increase support and challenge and consolidate effective monitoring, thereby promoting improvement in outcomes for pupils.

The mutual co-operative nature of the membership trust with its high levels of stakeholder involvement and accountability will greatly assist in further raising the profile of education across our community and lead to enhanced community cohesion.

This decision followed a consultation process during which all relevant parties were consulted and consultation meetings were held for staff, parents and the general public.  The unions and trade associations were also consulted. Statutory guidance was followed.  The views of those consulted and any representations from the Statutory Notice were considered by the Governing Body before deciding to proceed to implementation. 

The school will continue to be run and managed by the Governing Body as before with the additional benefit of Trust nominated Governors and our partners to assist us in our future developments.

Kind Regards

Andy Dobson                       Karen Mellor

Chair of Governors                Headteacher

Over the past few months, following a discussion with Southampton City Council about further cementing our relationship with some of the schools in the Redbridge and Lordshill Primary Federation, we have investigated different ways to plan for the long-term futures of our schools and we have decided to consult with our school communities on forming a Cooperative Trust together.

As a Trust, our aims would be to:

●       Provide the best possible education for the communities we serve, in turn create a learning setting that is focused on giving pupils an outstanding educational environment and promoting positive outcomes for all.

●       Work together to share ideas, enhance leadership expertise, promote best practice, offer cross-school curricular and sporting opportunities, whilst allowing each school to maintain what makes it special.

Being a Cooperative Trust school would mean that we would continue to work very closely with colleagues at the Local Authority (Southampton City Council), but for our children and staff, there would be no difference on a day to day basis.  Our governing body would continue to provide strategy and direction to our school, the Headteachers and Chairs of Governors would come together as a Board of Trustees and we would also form a Trust Forum that would consist of representatives from our learners, parents, staff, partners and other stakeholders that would reflect issues and opportunities across our communities.

The Cooperative Trust would be a not for profit charitable organisation.  We would adopt and support the values and principles of the Cooperative movement in our work: all Cooperatives are based on the values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity.     Cooperative members also believe in honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring for others.

This notice marks the beginning of our period of consultation, which runs for four weeks from Thursday 5^th January.  We are also consulting with learners at our school; teachers and support staff; teacher associations and trade unions representing school staff; local schools which might be affected by or interested in the proposals; our Local Authority; Southampton City Council as well as local MPs and elected local councillors.

Further details can be found in the three links below, which consist of a letter to parents, staff and other stakeholders of our school, a summary of the consultation and a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about cooperative trust schools.  In the summary of the consultation is a link to a Google form which you can complete to respond to the consultation, and an invitation to a Zoom virtual meeting for parents, which will take place on Tuesday, 10^th January at 2.00pm.  

Topic: Consultation Meeting for Parents/Public - Bridge Education Trust
Time: Jan 10, 2023 02:00 PM London
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88332909218?pwd=ekthUjNSVlN6MTA3TjYyYjZ0bWRKQT09

Meeting ID: 883 3290 9218
Passcode: JMDYR4