Become a Maritime School - FAQs
If I join Maritime, will it mean my school having to give up its autonomy and independence?
It’s true that, for schools which become an academy within an overarching Trust, it is that Trust which holds ultimate authority and control. For academies in Maritime, a school’s autonomy and independence would need to be limited only if the school starts to slip or slide, concerns arise about aspects of its governance, leadership or performance, or if it joins with or receives a Category 4 Ofsted inspection report (in which case it is obliged to become an academy anyway). If the academy is running effectively, Maritime would not want or need to become more deeply involved or to assume control.
All academies within Maritime are involved in shaping the future as we move forward together.
How can we learn from each other if we are all the same?
Each Maritime academy serve its local community in it’s own way. This is achieved through policies that allow individuality. See our Scheme of Delegation which sets out the responsibilities
Who will make decisions affecting the running of my school?
The Headteacher will run the academy just as at present. Headteachers know the school best and are in the best position to make good local decisions for the benefit of local pupils. Governance is the responsibility of the Trust Board. However, this will be delegated in full or in part to a Local Council depending on circumstances and performance. Headteachers will report to these as at present.
Who will make decisions about recruitment?
The Maritime Board appoints the Headteacher of each academy with the support and advice of the Local Council. All other recruitment decisions are delegated to the Headteacher/Local Council.
What about my school’s budget? Won’t it have to be handed over to the Trust?
The short answer is no. The longer answer is: Overall the Trust is responsible for the finances in the schools within the trust. However, budgets are devolved to the individual schools. Just like a Local Authority holds money back for support, the Trust will ensure that there is pooled funding to pay for the support that the Trust provides. Currently this is 4.75%.
This provides support in the following areas:
- Financial
- Procurement
- Educational
- SEND
- Premises
- Website
- Music
- Coaching
- Mentoring
This support means that schools do not have to buy into additional services that they would have in the past.
The schools then set their budgets as they would normally but instead of sending it to a Local Authority for approval they send it to the Trust Board.
Is Maritime intended to be only for schools which are ‘failing’ or ‘coasting’, are in an Ofsted category or ‘require improvement’?
Absolutely not. Maritime has been established and designed so that it appeals and supports strong, effective schools as well as those in need of more intensive support. We want to attract good and outstanding schools to join, in order to achieve a balance within the Maritime family and fulfil our aim and mission to be there for as many schools as possible. This will enable all the Trust’s schools to flourish and improve together through mutual support and belonging.
What are the implications for school staff?
Instead of being employed by the Local Authority all staff are employed by Maritime Academy Trust.
Maritime made a commitment to being a good employer. We apply the STPACD and will recognise previous and continuous service. On joining an academy all staff go through the TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment) process. This protects employment rights when employees transfer from one business to another. The terms and conditions of employment for the transferring employees are maintained when a business is transferred to a new owner. The employees’ continuity of service is preserved as well as the original terms.
When a school becomes an academy, they must continue to provide access to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) for teachers. Support staff continue their membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), in a similar way to teachers in the TPS.
How do I contact you?
We are always happy to talk to others about Maritime and have visitors to our schools. Please contact RByrne@matoffice.org.
