Partnership Service Grant

Background Information

The Local Authority has four key strategic aims which underpin the support provided to settings, schools and colleges. The support for improvement sits within a broader ambition of 'A Good Education for Every Norfolk Learner'. The four key aims are to:

• Raise Standards at all Key Stages
• Increase proportion of schools judged good or better
• Improve leadership and management
• Improve monitoring and evaluation of impact

To support the achievement of these aims the Partnership Service works with a range of education providers to identify ways in which schools can develop their capacity to improve in the longer term by working formally with others.

In Norfolk there are a number of different structures that support the strategic aims above. These include Multi - Academy Trusts, Federations and Co-operative Trusts amongst others. Evidence is beginning to show that by working together as part of a formal structure real progress can be achieved in the longer term.

Opportunity for funding

We would like to develop these structures further and are looking for innovative approaches to leadership and management of schools that will support the delivery of exceptional outcomes for children. Norfolk is a diverse county. Successful projects will overcome the distinctive rural, coastal or urban leadership challenges faced by Norfolk schools. They will address a locally defined critical issue and ensure medium to long-term sustainability.

They will be

• targeted for maximum benefit to children in the schools
• used over 2 years to enable a rise in standards to demonstrate impact
• open to all types of schools
• innovative and inspire others
• underpinned by strong joint Governance from the outset

In short projects will support a local, structural, creative solution with regard to size and future sustainability.

There are FOUR £50,000 grants available for schools to bid for. There will be TWO bidding rounds. The FIRST round will close on FRIDAY 15TH MAY 2015. Bidders will be advised by FRIDAY 12TH JUNE.

The SECOND round will close on FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2015. Bidders will be advised by FRIDAY 7TH NOVEMBER.

Please note unsuccessful bids may be carried forward to the second round.

At least one grant would need to be rural / rural urban/coastal rural / coastal urban as above. It would be used over a 2 year period. The bid would need to support excellence in leadership and be able to demonstrate a direct link to raising standards

Project Criteria

• It must be governor-led
• It must be innovative and creative
• There must be two or more schools working together [please note - existing federations
• must bid in collaboration with other schools / federations]
• There should be a minimum of 400 pupils
• There can be a mix of age ranges
• There should be a focus on leadership and sustainability
• Offer additional value beyond existing models.

Application process

1. A short written proposal is required. Please use the attached template.

2. The proposals will be assessed by a team made up of representatives from

   • Governor Services
   • Partnership Service
   • Intervention Service
   • Achievement Service
   • Education Finance

3. Please include all relevant information in your proposal. Where specified, please do notexceed the word count given. Sections 4 a, c and d carry the most weighting when we areassessing your application.

4. As part of the contractual arrangements you will be required to complete a case study sothat the good practice developed as part of your project can be shared with others.