Management Information Sheet

Additional Support for Clusters
This is to inform you that the Schools' Forum has approved the recommendation to allocate the 2010/11 funding of £833,447 directly to clusters of schools based on a per capita basis. To take into account the varying size of each cluster, it was agreed that the money would be allocated as follows:

£10,000 for each of the 45 clusters	=	£450,008
Plus £3.58752 per pupil (based on January 2010 NOR of 106,882)	=	£383,439
Total	=	£833,447

The money will be distributed through the treasurer of the cluster and will be included in the Day 1 budget allocation.

This will give clusters funding for 2010/11:

	To support/engender collaboration between cluster schools and partners in regard to the extended services/Every Child Matters agenda
	To continue to support the role of an extended schools co-ordinator working across a cluster of schools (this has proved to be a valuable use of the funding as the majority of clusters have found this role is a good way to co-ordinate and manage the extended schools agenda)
	To support community consultation and the ongoing assessment of community needs
	To contribute to resource setting-up costs for new activities.

The allocation of funding to clusters:

	Implies liaison and schools collaborating together, including academies - schools can use existing arrangements to minimise workload implications
	Provides a reasonable sum to develop or continue to develop extended services for the wider cluster community
	Will need clear, open and accessible administration and it is advised that a general outline spending plan is developed and shared before funds are deployed.

Note: The funding may NOT be used to subsidise activities although it could be used for setting-up costs.

It is essential that schools continue working closely with their LA area based Early Years, Childcare and Extended Schools Development Workers who will be best able to provide expertise and guidance on the continued development and sustainability of extended services/activities and particularly as they are aware of what provision is already available in localities and where there may be gaps.

Cluster Governance
Schools will already be aware of the information issued on governance arrangements in MI 240/09 on 5th December, 2009, including the need to ensure that the governing bodies in each cluster area:-

	Are aware of the funds that have been provided to the cluster each financial year; the purposes for which they are intended and the intended outcomes
	Collectively approve the arrangements for using and accounting for such funds within the cluster. It is particularly important that governors satisfy themselves that proper arrangements are in place for the employment of staff financed by cluster moneys
	Receive reports which satisfy them that the funds have been used and accounted for in the way agreed and that the outcomes have been achieved.

Using the proforma attached to MI 240/09, the Chair of each cluster has been requested to confirm the decision of the cluster, that all governing bodies in the cluster have signed up to the model chosen and that an agreed terms of reference document has been lodged with each governing body.

Extended Services Disadvantage Subsidy Grant
This grant aims to ensure that extended schools activities are accessible to all children and young people, including those facing economic disadvantage and children in care. Schools have been informed of this funding and have been able to find out more at the March roll-out events, including the allocation of the grant per cluster from April 2010 to August 2011, and how much additional funding will be made available to help with the administration of the Subsidy grant (this will not come from the Subsidy Grant but from a centrally held Extended Schools Sustainability Grant).

Parent Support Advisers
There will also be funding provided to enable each cluster to continue to employ a Parent Support Adviser(s) working across a cluster of schools. The amount of £23,670 will be allocated to the employing school in each cluster.

Distributing Funding Within the Cluster
The Cluster Treasurer should reimburse other schools in the cluster for any Extended Schools related expenditure by completing an internal transfer form. Re-allocation of the funding following a change in the cluster treasurer should be actioned by Children's Services Finance following a written request. See contact details below.

If you have any query on the above, please contact:

For Extended Schools - Peter Simmonds, School Workforce Performance and Development Manager on 07795 265669 or email peter.simmonds@norfolk.gov.uk; or Virginia Wakely, School Performance and Development Officer on 01603 638092 or email virginia.wakely@norfolk.gov.uk.

For Cluster Governance - Tim Newton, Senior Development Officer, Review and Organisation, on 01603 222572 or email tim.newton@norfolk.gov.uk.

For Parent Support Advisers - Beverley Bird, Parent Support Adviser Co-ordinator, email beverley.bird@norfolk.gov.uk or telephone 01603 433276 ext 180.

For a change in the Cluster Treasurer - please inform Kathryn Roe, Children's Services Finance in writing, email kathryn.roe@norfolk.gov.uk.