From the consultation it is recognised that there are considerable gains to be made by becoming a Trust School . But there are perceived concerns from the College staff regarding the necessity to become a Foundation School .

The Governors will now look to address these and take regard of  the responses. The issues will be looked at before their next meeting in September.  At that meeting the Governors will consider issuing a statutory notice to gain Trust and Foundation status.

A full summary of the formal consultation process is on the College Web site.

The College distributed 2750 Consultation prospectuses and 800 student information leaflets.  30 official responses were returned and 23 student response forms, together with 5 letters and a petition from the College staff with 126 signatures.

Formal response details:

Support for Burleigh Community College becoming a Trust School .

In favour 12         Against  9   Not Sure  4   No Comment  5

Support for Burleigh Community College becoming a Foundation School

In favour 12          Against 9   Not Sure 2    No Comment  7

Student response details:

Support for Burleigh Community College becoming a Trust School .

In favour 13                Against 10    Not Sure  0   No Comment    0

Support for Burleigh Community College becoming a Foundation School .

In favour 13                Against  10    Not Sure 0      No Comment  0

The main issues raised were:-

• Concerns regarding the School becoming a Foundation school. This includes concerns regarding job security, terms of conditions, pay levels and the loss of the Local Authority as the employer.
• Transfer of land to the Trust.
• The role and power of parents.
• Detail contained in the prospectus.
• The reduction of control of the Local Authority.
• The impact on learning in the College and the ethos of the College.
• The impact on Leicestershire’s reorganisation plans.
• Financial implications.
• The impact on the College admissions policy.

The Positive comments included:-

• The opportunities to improve academic success.
• The potential to improve conditions of service.
• The good range of potential partners.
• Improved governance.
• Improved image.
• Parent involvement.

At the Governors meeting on the 7^th July the Governors resolved to:-

• Analyse the concerns and put forward and issue responses to these.
• Cross reference these to legal requirements.
• Ask the Local Authority to meet with staff at the College to discuss the Local Authority involvement.
• Draw up a protocol to cover issues that relate to Foundation status.
• Recognise the rights, responsibilities and duties of the local Unions  and County Union representation.
• Given these further aspects the Governors will hold another meeting in September to consider issuing a statutory notice.

John Smith Principal

8^th July 2008