BHSC Explores Becoming a Trust

The governing body of Bebington High Sports College is beginning a consultation period (8th September to 3rd October 2008) to explore a proposal to change the nature of the school to a Foundation School supported by a charitable Trust.

The Governing Body of Bebington High Sports College (Wirral) is proposing a change of school category from community school to a foundation school supported by a Charitable Trust. The proposed date of implementation is the 1st January 2009. This is a new type of school that has the opportunity to be supported by a charitable trust, set up to help the drive for improved standards both in school and the wider educational community. At the same time Bebington High Sports College will remain part of the Local Authority’s family of schools. The Governors at Bebington High Sports College are proposing to establish, through the Trust, a formal working partnership with: -

• Barnardos
• Co-operative Community Group comprising of students, parents, staff and wider community users.
• Liverpool John Moores University,
• Merseyside Sports Partnership
• Tranmere Rovers and the Football League

We and our partners are extremely excited at the prospect of establishing an educational trust in Wirral. Mr B Jordan, Headteacher believes that there are enormous potential benefits for our students, parents and the wider community from the formation of the trust. ‘This is a wonderful opportunity for students, staff, parents and the wider community to collaborate more closely to maximise their potential and prepare for lifelong learning’

Vision and Values

For the past year, the school has been talking to prospective partners and developing the vision and values for the trust.
We will work towards further creating a holistic and fully inclusive education within Bebington High Sports College with a central focus on raising achievement for all our students. To achieve this vision we will become the central focus for the development of life-long learning for our community. We are passionate about improving and enhancing the life chances of our students and stakeholders with particular focus on high levels of achievement, promoting and supporting health and well-being, sport, arts and career progression. Developing our school site into a ‘first class’ facility that our students, parents and the wider community are happy and proud to access in order to enhance their own academic fulfilment as well as facilitating their ability to strengthen their own physical, social and mental fitness.

Our aim will be to develop the above with our partners and in particular to develop a co-operative community involving all our stakeholders in the important decision making processes.

Our particular focus will be:

• To develop life long learning patterns amongst all our students, staff and stakeholders with respect to raising achievement, improving and promoting healthy lifestyles and career pathways.
• To develop co-operative community model of philosophy and practice in delivering a first class education for all.
• To strengthen the Every Child Matters agenda

More details can be obtained from reading Consultation 1 and 2 (above, left)

To be part of the consultation in this extremely exciting initiative this is what to do next: -

Read the document entitled Booklet One "Changing to Foundation School Status and Acquiring a Charitable Trust – A Rationale" which provides an overview of the issues faced by the school, the proposal being put forward, the implications of the proposal, and details of the timeline for consultation and what happens next.
You may also want to read Booklet Two "Questions and Answers" which provides a series of commonly asked questions together with answers which have been collated from the Department of Children, Schools and Families sources. This booklet can be obtained from the school or from this website
You may wish to return the response form at the end of booklet 1 by mail marked "Trust consultation" or e-mail to trustconsultation@bebingtonhigh.wirral.sch.uk and/or attend one of the consultation meetings where we will listen to your views.

A public consultation meeting will be held at Bebington High Sports College (Wirral) on Wednesday 17 September 2008 at 6.30 p.m. We hope that you will attend.

Once you have read the booklets it is sincerely hoped that as a valued stakeholder you will fully appreciate the benefits, vision and values that the proposed partnership will bring in enhancing the life choices for all our young people, their families and the wider community and you will extend as much support as possible in bringing about the success of this proposal. We would like to take this opportunity of thanking all stakeholders in advance for their views and comments during this consultation.