Federation decision by the Governing Boards of Redlands and Alfred Sutton Primary Schools

The consultation started on October 16th with details of our proposal to federate these two neighbouring East Reading primary schools. As stipulated in the guidance from the government, we held a consultation period when questions and comments were invited from everyone. We had a number of questions asked, and we have added these in the document below. Some people also told us that they were happy with the proposals as they believed it to be a positive move for both schools. 

The consultation period closed on November 29^th and the feedback we had received was considered by the SLTs of both schools and the two Governing Boards. There were no issues raised that meant the federation proposal had to be changed in any way.

It is a requirement that the governing boards of each school meet separately to make a final decision on whether to federate or not. Redlands Governing Board held an Extraordinary Full Governing Board meeting on the 10^th December where they unanimously voted in favour of federation with Alfred Sutton primary school.

On Wednesday 18^th December, the governing board of Alfred Sutton also held an Extraordinary Full Governing Board meeting where they also voted unanimously in favour of federation with Redlands Primary school. 

What happens next?

The official federation date is Monday 6^th January. Children, parents & carers and the vast majority of staff will see no differences in how the school is run and the children taught from what has happened in both school since September when school resumed. The difference in January will be in the governance of both schools. The two Governing Boards will be dissolved on 5^th January and one, new Governing Board will take over the oversight of both schools from 6^th January. The membership of the new Governing Board will consist of a number of governors from both currently existing governing boards and one or two new people. This will ensure a high degree of continuity of knowledge and skills within the new board. Regulations stipulate that we hold elections for the posts of both staff and parent governors.

We are very pleased with the outcome of the votes made by both governing boards, as we strongly feel that this is the right decision for both schools in the face of the challenges that everyone in the education sector is having to deal with. We assure you that the new governing board will continue to work hard to ensure that the education offered and experience provided for the children in the East Reading Federation is excellent. 

Hard copies are available to collect from each school office.