Management Information Sheet
Consultation on Cluster Reorganisation
Dear Headteacher and Chair of Governors
Over the last couple of years we have had several discussions, in a variety of consultative meetings, about the value of clusters and their current effectiveness. We introduced new cluster governance arrangements and in several clusters these have been very effective.
However, several headteachers and governors have raised concerns over the current cluster arrangements and asked for a review to see if we have the most effective groupings of schools to form coherent clusters and to see if we can develop a more consistent approach to cluster governance.
This has become urgent because of the proposals we are about to consult on through the Fair Funding consultation which will be available from the end of September. One of the proposals relating to SEN funding depends on a consistently effective and efficient network of clusters. In addition most of the current developments in school improvement and the provision of school services depend on really effective clusters.
You will find reference to the changes in clusters in the Fair Funding consultation document but we need to have separate, detailed discussions relating to our thinking and proposals for a redesign of clusters across the county. A detailed discussion paper will be posted with a MI covering sheet in early October but at this stage I want to get a series of meetings in the diary to ensure maximum attendance. These meetings will take the place of my termly meeting with headteachers for this term.
I have identified the attached dates and locations for groups of clusters to attend. As this could be one of the most fundamental changes to the way we all work together in the future, allocate resources and develop schools’ capacity to commission services I hope that every school will participate in this review.
My senior colleagues and I look forward to engaging with you on this important matter and we intend to have new cluster proposals in place by the beginning of the Summer Term 2012 so there is a need for some really focused debate about this matter. We will be carrying out a separate piece of work with the Norfolk Governors Network to develop the governance arrangements that will support the new cluster arrangements.
Yours sincerely
Fred Corbett
Assistant Director, Children’s Services
Over the last couple of years we have had several discussions, in a variety of consultative meetings, about the value of clusters and their current effectiveness. We introduced new cluster governance arrangements and in several clusters these have been very effective.
However, several headteachers and governors have raised concerns over the current cluster arrangements and asked for a review to see if we have the most effective groupings of schools to form coherent clusters and to see if we can develop a more consistent approach to cluster governance.
This has become urgent because of the proposals we are about to consult on through the Fair Funding consultation which will be available from the end of September. One of the proposals relating to SEN funding depends on a consistently effective and efficient network of clusters. In addition most of the current developments in school improvement and the provision of school services depend on really effective clusters.
You will find reference to the changes in clusters in the Fair Funding consultation document but we need to have separate, detailed discussions relating to our thinking and proposals for a redesign of clusters across the county. A detailed discussion paper will be posted with a MI covering sheet in early October but at this stage I want to get a series of meetings in the diary to ensure maximum attendance. These meetings will take the place of my termly meeting with headteachers for this term.
I have identified the attached dates and locations for groups of clusters to attend. As this could be one of the most fundamental changes to the way we all work together in the future, allocate resources and develop schools’ capacity to commission services I hope that every school will participate in this review.
My senior colleagues and I look forward to engaging with you on this important matter and we intend to have new cluster proposals in place by the beginning of the Summer Term 2012 so there is a need for some really focused debate about this matter. We will be carrying out a separate piece of work with the Norfolk Governors Network to develop the governance arrangements that will support the new cluster arrangements.
Yours sincerely
Fred Corbett
Assistant Director, Children’s Services