The PAG Newsletter - Issue 16
Contents
Introduction from Tom Legge?
Welcome to the second free schools issue of the PAG Newsletter. PAG was established in part to support proposers open free schools and that support has grown from our early days to today where we’re trusted by the DfE to provide support to all free schools proposers through our Create: Schools division. PAG Towers is buzzing at the moment with the glow of successful clients in the recently announced in Wave 15 of the free school programme, including BRIT School North. We’re also taking a breath after finishing our work on Wave 3 of the SEND free school programme where we supported more client applications that in any round previously – but only briefly as we’re diving straight back into supporting applicants in the safety valve competitions which have just opened. It’s an honour for us to work on this programme and with such great clients and I hope you enjoy this issue.?
PAG News: Success in the Wave 15 announcement
By Helena Senior
A couple of weeks ago, the DfE released the list of schools that had been successful in Wave 15 of the central free school waves, with 15 new schools given the go-ahead. PAG was delighted to see that three of our clients had been successful; BPI, Red Hill Academy Trust, and Brighter Futures. We couldn't be prouder of the outcome having worked closely with each of these organisations to craft their bids and support them throughout the application process.
Our first indication of the success of this wave of free school bids came when the news broke that BPI had been approved for BRIT School North. We were very glad to have supported them in their vision to replicate the successful BRIT School model - which has helped to launch the careers of artists including Amy Winehouse, Jessie J, and Adele - in Bradford. The BRIT School North will offer courses in dance, music and theatre to 500 pupils aged 16-19.
This wasn’t the only PAG bid to receive media attention, as the Red Hill Academy Trust bid for Bolsover Sixth Form will bring post-16 provision to an area that currently has no further or higher educational facilities, meaning pupils in the area rely on public transport, travelling up to an hour to commute to sixth forms and colleges in neighbouring areas. The much-needed Sixth Form will fill a gap in provision and provide further education to 400 pupils aged 16-19.
Overall, PAG is pleased with the success of these three clients and we are proud to have worked with organisations that have such dedication and vision for the future of education. As we now look to the pre-opening phase, PAG is available to support successful free school bidders with project management support and you can find out more here .
DfE's Safety Valve Programme
By Karen Rodgers?
The DfE and local authorities are working together to seek suitable proposers for seven new SEND schools.?
The DfE’s Safety Valve programme is designed to support local authorities with the highest Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficits, with the purpose of ensuring SEND services are sustainable and delivered more effectively. As of the 23rd of August, the DfE announced it is working with more local authorities to open seven new SEND schools across Cambridgeshire (2 schools), Kent (2 schools), Norfolk (2 schools) and Merton (1 school).??
The DfE and local authorities are currently seeking suitable proposers to open the new free schools. The following shows the details for each local authority:?
You can find more information here .?
The deadline for pre-registering is 5pm on the 22nd of September 2023.? The deadline for submitting your application is midday on the 3rd of November 2023. Please note that pre-registering does not commit you to bid, so we encourage you to sign up before the pre-registration deadline even if you’re unsure about submitting a bid.??
If you’re interested in supporting SEND pupils in these areas, Create: Schools can support the writing of your bid and is here to answer any questions you may have. Create: Schools is the DfE’s sole delivery partner for the free school applicant service and can offer expert support and guidance from a team of highly experienced consultants completely free of charge.??
You can get in contact with Create: Schools here !?
Free Schools and PAG: Q&A with Tom and Charlotte
By Helena Senior
PAG’s Directors, Tom Legge and Charlotte Pearce Cornish, both have a wealth of experience with the Free School Programme. Tom has been involved from the start of the Free Schools movement, having led the team that placed the first ever free school proposal on the minister’s desk, the day after the 2010 General Election, whilst Charlotte has been working directly with free school proposers since Wave 2 of the process in 2011, across all areas from strategy to writing to financial planning to community engagement.??
With the most recent free school waves coming to an end, we asked Tom and Charlotte to reflect on their experiences working with free schools.?
How has the free schools programme changed/evolved since its inception???
Tom: I think CPC and I both remember when free schools were a movement and not a programme. While I still get a huge buzz for every school that I help open, there was something special about the first schools we opened in 2011 as we felt like the pioneers. I’ve just remembered we buried a time capsule at Eden Primary – that must be due to be dug up soon!?
In 2011 a Deputy Director at the DfE said that we were building a bridge over a canyon one bit at a time and it certainly felt like that. We all fell down some holes during the early days and it still pains me that some of those early schools didn’t work out as, at the end of the day, the kids there didn't get the education they deserved. Fast forward to 2023 and the process is much slicker and perhaps inevitably has become dominated by MATs who have the resources and expertise to scale up. That said I’m still delighted that the programme allows new entrants like BRIT School North who we were delighted to support.?
Charlotte: The whole education eco-system has changed so much in the last 13 years. Consultants who have joined PAG in the last five years don’t remember a world in which tens of new state schools weren’t being established across the country every year, but it was a huge innovation at the time.????
The early days of the programme (or as Tom says, the movement!) were both exciting and nerve-wracking. I was working for the free schools charity NSN at the time; frequently we would have a question from an applicant, we’d have to ask DfE, they’d have to ask their lawyers and then the answer would come back down the chain. It took quite a long time to work out whether academy trusts had directors or trustees, for example…??
The country essentially running out of money had a big impact. Within the first three years, free schools went from being designed to be challengers and disrupters, offering parental and employment choice, to basically being the means by which new school places were provided in areas needing them. With the end of noughties baby boom very much in sight, it will be fascinating to see what happens next.?
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How has the free schools programme benefitted education over the last decade??
Tom: Without the free schools programme, there would have had to be some way to increase capacity and quality in the system. I do wonder whether another model would have delivered a Michaela Community School, A London Academy of Excellence or Rugby Free Primary and Secondary Schools?
Charlotte: I agree with Tom that there are shining examples of best practice which have come out of the process. I’d add the incredible SEND and AP schools to his list – WAC Arts College and the Bridge Integrated Learning Space, for example. There are also some incredibly exciting applications going through the assessment process for both AP and SEND right now.??
More generally, the free schools programme has been part of a rebalancing process which, at its best, empowers the teaching profession to lead the sector, rather than politicians. That’s the kind of change I’m passionate about supporting.?
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What has been the most satisfying/rewarding thing about working on free schools???
Tom: As a risk manager I tend to focus on the bits that we didn't get quite right and how we make sure we get it right next time. But, since you ask….?
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Charlotte: As the director for the DfE’s supplier of support to free school applicants, it’s been intensely satisfying to help to improve the process for both the DfE and applicants at both the start of my career and now – coming full circle, as it were.??
Tom’s a MAT trustee and free school founder in his own right, whereas I’m just a lowly consultant. But getting that invitation to attend a school opening into your inbox – nothing beats the feeling that you know you’ve played a tiny part in supporting England’s amazing educationalists to improve our education system and thus the lives of children and young people.?
Navigating the Capital Project Management Challenges of the Pre-Opening Phase?
By Yurou Yin
In August, the Department for Education (DfE) released the results of applications for free schools in the Wave 15 round. As successful applicants embark on the next stages of their free school journey, they encounter the challenging and time-consuming pre-opening phase. For many schools in the pre-opening phase, the initial hurdles involve finding and securing suitable sites and establishing a clear plan for their capital project.?
This challenge arises from various factors. Identifying and securing sites in the appropriate location to meet demographic need can be extremely challenging, particularly in urban areas with a high density of development. Many trusts are also stretched for capacity, running lean senior and operations teams, when they embark on what is an intensive programme with a jagged timeline. Other trusts may also not have undertaken a capital project of this magnitude previously, with all the opportunities and risks this brings.?
The Department for Education will oversee the execution of the capital project with a team of experienced project managers and technical advisers. Part of the DfE’s role is to guide the trust through the process, but there are also competing pressures on DfE as it seeks to manage cost, work across the whole programme and navigate a (hopefully smooth) political passage for the project. Furthermore, DfE’s own capacity is limited, especially when – as now – each of mainstream, SEND and AP waves are all aiming towards similar opening dates.?
Our capital partner, AMR Consult , specialises in adding capacity and expertise gained over 13 years of supporting free schools and trusts. At the heart of their approach is safeguarding the Trust's interests concerning school design by understanding the impact of design choices on educational delivery and the long-term costs of maintenance.?
Should you be looking to gain a better understanding of the requirements of the process, or should you be seeking support with this element of pre-opening, click here !?
"Where Are They Now?"- A Glance at Two Exceptional Free Schools Supported by PAG?
By Ernestina Alvarez Corona?
The world of free schools is diverse, as such institutions need to cater to a broad spectrum of needs, backgrounds, and aspirations. At PAG, we have been privileged to support various educational institutions in their early days before their opening. Today, we shine a spotlight on two schools we have aided with our pre-opening project management services: Beckmead Park Academy and the Anglo-Portuguese School of London (APSoL) . Both institutions have flourished and evolved, making a difference in their communities. Let's take a deeper look at where they are now.?
Beckmead Park Academy??
Located across three sites in the London Borough of Croydon, Beckmead Park Academy is a beacon of good practice for children with special educational needs. Serving children from Key Stage 1 through 4, the school is committed to catering to students with social, emotional, and mental health challenges. But it's not just about education here; the therapy team, which includes specialists in play, music, drama, art, family, and even Lego therapy, makes a world of difference in these children's lives.?
Every pupil's unique needs are acknowledged, and the curriculum can be adapted to meet those specific requirements. What makes Beckmead stand out is its nurturing approach, with high staff-to-pupil ratios, ensuring every child feels seen, heard, and understood. Collaborative relationships with CAMHS, the School Nursing Service, and the Early Help & social care teams further enhance the comprehensive support offered.?
The school's dedication extends beyond the classroom as they work closely with families to prepare students for adult life, fostering a sense of community and active citizenship.? ?
‘Our visit to Beckmead Park Academy was an excellent opportunity to get out of the office and into an exceptional SEND school, gaining invaluable experience seeing how various aspects of school operations – from in-class teaching to ancillary services – come together to create structured and effective support for pupils and families. From the quiet calm of sensory rooms to the joy of trampolining, Chai and I were privileged to be shown a wide range of activities, features, and environments. These trips are also incredibly helpful for guiding both our research and writing in SEND provision, giving physical shape and weight to central concepts such as nurture, enrichment, and safety.’ Oscar Goldman?
Anglo-Portuguese School of London (APSoL)?
The heart of Wandsworth houses a unique school: the Anglo-Portuguese School of London, London’. Since its inception in 2020, APSoL has been a trailblazer in offering bilingual education, emphasizing that bilingualism isn't limited to those with prior language experience.?
APSoL's holistic curriculum is shaped by the National Curriculum guidelines, further enriched by Portuguese language specialists from the Cam?es Institute. Alongside language studies, students engage in Forest School sessions, swimming lessons, and music classes - ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.?
The school's ethos is rooted in inclusivity and diversity, mirroring the multifaceted community it serves. With a focus on collaborative work with families, APSoL ensures that every child is set on a path to achieving both academic and personal excellence. Parents are actively involved in the learning journey, with workshops and celebrations amplifying the communal spirit.?
Recently, APSoL earned the accolade of being rated as "Good" by Ofsted. The report lauds the leadership's vision and commitment, particularly noting the high expectations set for all pupils, including those with SEND. APSoL’s positive environment stems from the school's proactive measures in ensuring safety, addressing concerns promptly, and fostering open communication.?
Though the school currently has students up to Year 2, the leadership's foresight ensures the curriculum is prepared and refined up to Year 6. Regular reviews keep the content fresh and progressive, anticipating the growth of the institution.?
“Back-to-School" Advice from Kinetic Marketing
By Gabriel Senior
The opening weeks of school are some of the busiest but, with the admissions window for next year’s intake opening hot on the heels of this, it is important for schools not to lose focus on pupil recruitment for 2024.?
Our marketing partner Kinetic Marketing recommends that you schedule time to:??
Kinetic Marketing provides tailored marketing support to schools and trusts on an ad-hoc or longer-term basis and would be delighted to discuss your needs. You can contact an expert member of their team by clicking here .
Live Bids?
For more information on current opportunities, you can check out the live bids page on our website here .?
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