Primary Consortia Update

Primary schools in Warwickshire are all invited to be part of local consortium groupings providing support and advice to each other. In total there are 14 primary consortia groups with between 8-22 schools. Please find attached the latest list of consortia groups.  

Each consortia nominates a chair, for your information below is an updated description of the role of consortia chairs. This role is supported with funding from the LA. If your consortia chair is changing from next September please let us know by emailing schoolimprovement@warwickshire.gov.uk

Secondary schools also work in groupings, these are called area networks. There are four across Warwickshire, details of those groups can also be found in the attached document.

School Improvement: Consortium Chair

The role of the Consortium Chair is to take responsibility for the co-ordination of a strategic school improvement plan for the schools within their consortium. This may include academies, free schools and maintained. The aim is to raise standards and challenge under - performance within our family of schools in accordance with WCC WE3 aim and the development of a school-led system.

• Each consortium will elect a chair and deputy. This should be reviewed bi-annually or as required

Eligibility
The Consortium Chair should:

·       be a headteacher with at least three years’ experience who is leading or has led a good or outstanding school;

·       have the full support of their school’s Governing Body;

·       be able to commit to the time expectation for the Consortium Chair role;

·       be leading or have led a school where there is continued improvement or consistently high levels of pupil performance.

Role
The role of the Consortia Chair:

1.       Convening and chairing consortium headteachers’ meetings, normally two per term, arranging for the production and dissemination of meeting records which note actions, agreements and timescales, and ensuring accurate records are kept of any delegated or contributed funds.

2.       Being the key point of contact for all headteachers within the consortium, and for WCC on any matters relating to consortium or individual schools

3.       Maintain regular check ins and contact with newly appointed Headteachers within the consortia and signposting to well-being support when appropriate. From September 2022 all Headteachers of maintained schools will be able to access free half termly sessions with a peer coach. This will provide mentor and coaching support. Academies may buy in to this as an option for their newly appointed Headteachers.

4.       Playing a full part as a member of the Primary Consortia Chairs Board representing the consortium, including ensuring that key messages from the LA are reported back to the consortium.

5.       Promoting a culture of full, open and professional dialogue within the consortium, so that schools share their strengths and concerns, and seek and offer challenge and support to each other.

6.       Strategically representing the consortium on the Area Analysis Group (AAG) identifying important consortium development issues that are common to a number of schools, and also individual schools that may have aspects vulnerable to adverse Ofsted judgements.

7.       Leading discussion on the consortium’s response to common development issues and to request assistance/finance from its members or from the AAG or Warwickshire School Improvement Partnership (WSIP).

8.       Ensuring that vulnerable schools in the consortium are identified and relevant support is brokered where it is not already in place.

9.       Reporting to the AAG on the view of progress of vulnerable schools and the effectiveness of any support they are receiving.

10.   Supporting the development of school to school support within the consortium such as learning walks, peer to peer reviews etc.

11.   Report to the AAG on the outcome of FAP and Assessment Gateway Panels held each month and convey AAG’s views/opinions on schools’ capacity to support vulnerable pupils to FAP AG Panel.

12.   Be able to speak to OFSTED regarding engagement in the Consortia, should a Local Authority Representative not be available.

13.  Provide a reference for Deputy Head Teachers within the consortia who are applying for Headship.

Any queries regarding the above can be emailed to schoolimprovment@warwickshire.gov.uk