service level agreement 2019-2022

Contents

Introduction 1

Core Services 2

Additional Core for VA Schools & Academies 4

Charges 5

Enhanced Service Agreement 6

Bespoke Services 6

Service Level Agreement 2019-2022 We are delighted to present our new service level agreement. Our offer to MATs,

academies and schools is designed to address your requirements in a changing educational

landscape. Our highly experienced and expert schools’ team provide a range of support services

tailored to support you in your specific context.

At the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education (ODBE) we currently provide high quality bespoke support to

over three hundred schools and academies throughout the Diocese of Oxford. Our provision covers the

areas of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire through an expanded and highly skilled team of

professionals. We are privileged to serve nearly 100% of all Church Schools in the diocese and also provide

services to schools in a growing number of other and MATs, academies and schools.

The dedicated team of school advisers possess significant headship experience and this is employed in support

of schools through a programme of visits each academic year. This highly effective support empowers schools and

academies to meet the challenges that they face and explore new opportunities to improve. This may be in response

to Ofsted and/or SIAMS inspections through exploiting the professional network of best practice developed

throughout the diocese. In addition to the advisory team, ODBE employs a highly effective team of specialists who

are able to support schools in a variety of practical applications. Our portfolio of support currently comprises the

following aspects: Premises, Admissions and Appeals, Religious Education, Governance, Headteacher Appraisal

as well as School Improvement.

Given its scope and scale, ODBE is well placed to work in partnership with both local and national government as

well as external partners to leverage support for the academies and schools within its care. As the largest diocese

in England, we can draw upon significant human and physical resources in our provision for schools and our work

in support of schools is heavily subsidised by both the ODBE and the diocese as a whole. Consequently MATs,

academies and schools subscribing enjoy excellent value for money together with access to a portfolio of

support for every aspect of school life in increasingly challenging times. We offer a simple core agreement

and a range of enhanced features all delivered by a team that you know you can trust.

We thank and praise God for all that you do to ensure that our children and young people receive a world-

class education and we wish you every blessing in the work that you do for our families and communities in

name of Christ. It is our hope that you will choose the package of support that best suits your circumstance

over the next three years. We believe that this Service Level Agreement enables us to be there when

you need us and we warmly commend it to you.

Tony Wilson, Director of Education The Right Revd Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham Oxford Diocesan Board of Education Chair, Oxford Diocesan Board of Education

Core Services

Over the last 6+ years 95% of schools have taken out at least Core Level

support enabling us to develop our service offer greatly.

The Core Service Level Agreement includes Adviser support from our dedicated

and experienced team of officers including Link Advisers with significant

headship experience as well as our RE Adviser and SIAMS Adviser. Many of

the advisory team have inspection qualifications and experience, both with

Core SLA includes:

• Primary schools receive two visits per year from your Link Adviser. Secondary schools receive

four visits per year from your Link Adviser.

o Support in developing your school’s distinctive Christian vision and evidencing the impact

of this on your community

o School development support according to your identified SDP priorities

o Headteacher pastoral care

o Leadership development at all levels

o Early headship support

o Bespoke training for school staff and governors on identified priorities

o Work to support community and parish relationships to enhance the provision for children

and young people

• SIAMS reflection school visit between inspections

• Support with preparation for inspections, Ofsted and SIAMS

• Offer of adviser attendance at inspection feedback, Ofsted and SIAMS

• Telephone and email access to advice from your Link Adviser and from the wider team

Advice on Headteacher Recruitment for Governing Bodies

o Adviser attendance at succession planning, shortlisting and interviews for

Principal/Headteacher

o Guidance, sample documentation and templates for the recruitment process

o Induction, Early Headship Support, mentoring for those in early headship

Governance Support

o Access to our comprehensive governor training programmes including Excellence in

Governance (EiG)

o A programme of support for Chairs of Governors through RIGHT Oxford including

events at reduced costs, access to the web pages and mentor support

o Updates on statutory changes relevant to trustees and governance

o Telephone and email access to advice from our Schools’ Support Officer or your Link

Adviser

o Member and Trustee support and training (for academies)

RE Adviser Support

o Telephone and email support from our RE Adviser

o School RE INSET

o Free access to the ODBE Scheme of Work, meeting requirements of locally agreed syllabi

o Subsidised RE training courses including Understanding Christianity and RE Conferences

held every two years

o Updates through RE newsletters and Network meetings held across the Diocese

SIAMS Adviser Support

o Management of SIAMS inspection process

o Advice on SIAMS Inspection requirements

o SIAMS administration fee waived

Chaplaincy Adviser

o Chaplaincy support is available for specific support agreed

through your Link Adviser

Access to subsidised Continuing Professional Development and Training

o Excellence in Schools: our annual school effectiveness CPD programme

o Excellence in Leadership: support, training and mentoring for aspiring church school

Headteachers

o Headteacher Induction for experienced Headteachers new to church schools, and

those new to Headship

o Performance, Resilience and Support Programme for School Headteachers: a programme for

school leaders to pause and reflect on their personal professional journey as well as sharing

strategies for the challenging role of headship with other headteachers in a confidential setting

ODBE Communications

o Updates on national Church of England education office policy changes and the

implications for your school

o Information bulletins and updates via email for Headteachers/Principals and governors,

chairs/clerks

HR advice

o Access to a professional HR telephone and email advice service provided by our in-

house schools’ specialist. Up to one hour is available per school per year.

Additional Core Services for VA Schools & Academies Buildings & Premises

• New buildings projects – from inception to bid preparation, funding discussions and project

management. (Services to academies will reflect the different funding streams)

• Buildings advice, including visits, on maintaining, adapting and developing existing buildings

• Provide templates and advise Headteachers/Governors on the preparation of school premises

plans

• Provide advice on the sources of funding available for building projects

• Advise headteachers/governors on the latest DfE building guidelines and school premises

regulations

• Assist, where appropriate, headteachers/governors in liaising with professional building

consultants on school sponsored projects

• Provide advice on appropriate consultants and contractors

• Provide a professional view on projects proposed/developed by the local authorities and provide

project management on a case by case basis

Trust & Land Issues

• Provide advice to Headteachers/Governors on trust and property issues, including use by third

parties

• Liaison with site trustees concerning all legal agreements/consents affecting land

Admissions

• Formally review and advise on governing bodies’ admission policies

• Provide advice and support to governing bodies and Headteachers on admissions

• Maintain an overview for VA schools and academies on LA

• admission forums, school place planning forums and other relevant

bodies

• Responding to the Schools’ Adjudicator

Appeals

• Provide advice and support to Governors/ Headteachers on

admission appeals

• Provide updates on the law relating to appeals

• Guidance, sample documentation and templates

• Send regular reminders to ensure admission authorities are adhering to the time frames given in

the Codes

• Respond to the Local Government Ombudsman and Education Funding Agency

• Information bulletins and updates to changes in the Codes

Charges for Core Services

CORE SERVICES FOR

VC SCHOOLS

CORE SERVICES FOR

VA SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES

£4.75 per pupil Price Frozen 2019 - 2022

Subject to a minimum charge of

£500pa per school and a maximum of

£900pa

£6.25 per pupil Price Frozen 2019 - 2022

Subject to a minimum charge of £500pa per

school & a maximum of £1,700pa for

primary & £2,150pa for secondary schools

Sign up for Core Services for 3 years and enhance this package annually as

school needs demand. Further details can be found overleaf. Your Service

agreement charge will be invoiced annually over the three-year agreement.

How are our

Services Funded

Our core services for schools are subsidised significantly so that we can provide quality support

for all schools at an extremely competitive price.

We recognise the need to provide value for money is especially important at a time when budgets are tight.

At the same time schools need to ensure they are working with organisations they can genuinely trust

and who will provide a first class service.

The Diocese is well placed to provide

this service given our special

relationship with schools.

For further information about all services please contact: Tracy Richardson on

01865 208242 or

sla@oxford.anglican.org

“I looked around at several possible

providers for the services we needed. The Diocese were far and above the

best value for money” – Primary Headteacher

Enhanced Service Agreement

In addition to the core services the following enhanced support package is available

and will be tailored to your school’s specific needs and priorities with you Link Adviser

and can include input from across the ODBE team

We have simplified the enhanced element of the SLA and now include a single level of three

additional days support at a cost of £1,425 (£475 per day). If additional support is required

above this level, please get in touch.

Bespoke Services

Our bespoke services provide an opportunity for schools to benefit from ODBE advice in a

range of ways. ODBE reviews always begin with a meeting to discuss how the school wishes

to use the ODBE support, and the process Advisers will follow. Costs will vary according to

the number of adviser days needed to complete the full review cycle and may be taken from

your enhanced package (excluding HT Appraisal), or through an additional payment. All the

bespoke services listed here will conclude with a written report to the school.

Headteacher Appraisal This is an additional service available at a cost of £625. It includes full facilitation for

governors, analysis of current practice and recorded documentation supporting national

requirements. This is a very popular service so early booking is recommended.

Governance Review Audit of the governor policy and practice. This will involve reviewing governor minutes and

relevant school documentation, (including checking that all necessary annual reports are

published) the interview of key staff and governors against a review tool developed by the

diocese based on Ofsted, SIAMS and DFE guidance on what contributes to effective

governance.

Teaching and Learning Review This review uses evidence from visits to lessons; discussions with pupils; scrutiny of pupils’

work and meetings with leaders and managers, including governors. Aspects of the leadership

of teaching and learning will be explored and monitoring the quality of teaching and learning

alongside leaders in this way provides an excellent opportunity for schools to scrutinise their

own evidence for self-evaluation of provision. This review may support schools in preparation

for inspection.

Leadership and Management Review ODBE Advisers will use the school’s documentation, including the School Development Plan,

leadership structure, meeting minutes and pupil progress information to work with leaders in

evaluating their impact on pupil outcomes

Pupil Premium Review Along with school leaders, Advisers will focus on the outcomes and impact of provision for

pupils in receipt of additional funding. In the light of this, analysis of the Pupil Premium Strategy

and monitoring schedule will support schools in prioritising this important work.

RE Review Using the Church of England Statement of Entitlement as the benchmark for high quality RE,

the review will identify good practice and highlight areas for development. The day may

include: scrutiny of work and planning, learning walks, lesson visits, and discussion with pupils

and staff. We will consider the impact of CPD for all staff delivering RE and for leaders of RE,

and the monitoring and evaluation of RE standards across the school. In the light of the new

Ofsted Framework, we will also consider with leaders the contribution of RE to the wider

curriculum.

Worship Review

This review will explore how Collective Worship is an expression of the school’s vision. It may

include discussion with pupils, staff, clergy team and governors as part of an agreed

programme of visits which may be spread over a number of days. The review can include

attendance at several examples of collective worship and involve an audit of school

documentation including relevant policies, evidence of monitoring and evaluation, the

contribution of worship to spiritual development and the impact of worship in the school

community.

Ethos Review

The purpose of this review is to consider how school leaders evidence the impact of their

school’s distinctively Christian vision. One of the evaluation tools we use is the 2018 SIAMS

schedule with particular reference to pupils’ experience of strands 3, 4, and 5; alongside the

Ofsted understanding of SMSC in the current Framework. CEEO documentation, such as

Valuing All God’s Children and leaders’ articulation of this in their context through policy and

practice will be evaluated through observations, in lessons and elsewhere, and through lots

of discussion with children and adults.

Reviewers will agree with the school particular areas of focus and will explore behaviour and

relationships in the school that support the school’s vision and the wellbeing of all the

individuals in the school community, children, young people and adults.

Bespoke Service for MATs

The ODBE is additionally able to offer a range of services across all/several schools within a

MAT and is happy to discuss and agree the appropriate packages with the MAT.

Bespoke HR Services

(in addition to free 1 hour telephone advice in core agreement)

£400 per day. Hourly rates and bespoke project prices available on request

Support for staff disciplinary, capability or grievance hearings - Advice and support for

hearings, including preparation, documents, attendance and decision-making.

o Organisational review and development - Bespoke support provided to ensure that

schools have in place an appropriate staffing structure and advice on organisational

changes, succession planning, etc. Support with staff and union consultation.

o Employment Policy Compliance Checks including website checks - Supporting

schools to feel secure that they are meeting their statutory responsibilities as an employer.

This will include the checking and support for updating and replacing employment policies

(statutory and non-statutory policies) and advice.

HR Additional Services on Retainer Basis

Retainer of £30 per employee.

Unlimited access to a professional HR telephone and email advice service provided by our in-

house school specialist. Areas covered include:

✓ Absence and attendance

✓ Performance management

✓ Recruitment processes

✓ Pre-employment processes

✓ Pay and salary progression

✓ Conditions of service

✓ Equality/diversity

✓ Job descriptions

✓ Policy development and review

✓ Complaints and allegations

✓ Teamworking issues

✓ Discipline, capability, grievance

✓ Safeguarding

✓ Change management

✓ Transfers and TUPE

✓ Redundancy and exits

✓ Employee relations/industrial

action

✓ Disability and reasonable

adjustments

Occupational health, staff absence insurance and DBS checking

Several of our partner organisations can be recommended which have been quality assured by the

Diocese.

Employment contracts

Production of new contracts and contract variations for school employees based on your current

templates or using best practice templates. Bespoke support and advice provided for each school

in relation to contractual changes. The number of contracts and variations is unlimited.

Training and newsletters

Free attendance on HR update training (run at least annually) and termly newsletters.

As a Church school in the Diocese of Oxford, we are delighted to be able to offer

you the best possible service in support of your school, leaders and governors.

We are privileged to have been able to support so many of you in the past and look

forward to doing so again.

Contact Details

If you have any queries about the Diocesan Service Level Agreement please contact

Tracy Richardson:

email sla@oxford.anglican.org

or call 01865 208242

Further details can be found on our website

www.oxford.anglican.org/ schools/service-level-agreement

“The Diocese has

provided invaluable

support to me in my role

and supporting difficult

decisions in terms of staff

restructuring and being a

soundboard for different ideas

and scenarios”

– Secondary Headteacher

“The resources which [the

adviser] has shared have been

invaluable and praised by our

Ofsted and HMI team. I feel this

support has also had a positive

impact upon my wellbeing as

well as performance as

a Headteacher”

– Primary Headteacher

“The help and

support received by the

Oxford Diocese … has been

incredible. Knowing that the

support and training is available

to help me continue in headship

instils me with the confidence and

faith needed to move the school

forward and aim for outstanding”

– Primary Headteacher

Church House Oxford, Langford Locks, Kidlington, Oxford, OX5 1GF

Further details can also be found on our website:

www.oxford.anglican.org/schools