Memorandum of Understanding

Dovestone Learning Partnership (DLP)

Memorandum of Understanding

Introduction

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signifies a statement of intent to collaborate but is not a legally binding document.  It is recognised that it is the intention of:

  • Christ Church Denshaw CE Primary School
  • Diggle Primary School
  • Delph Primary School
  • Friezland Primary School
  • Knowsley Junior School                
  • Saddleworth School
  • St Agnes CE Primary School
  • St Mary’s CE Primary School
  • St Thomas Leesfield CE School

to explore further ways of working together to provide the highest level of education for the pupils attending their schools.  Whilst recognising individual schools’ contribution, the partnership will bring additional strength by working together to develop practice to address local needs. This MOU became effective from 1 October 2017 and will remain so until such time partners determine it should be dissolved.

The Partnership will set itself clear priorities linked to these activities with a clear focus on raising standards of attainment, improving achievement and outcomes for children and young people, and working with our wider community to improve community cohesion. However, the overall responsibility for any school’s performance continues to lie with that school’s Governing Body.

Our Vision is:

That we are leading the way in education for Oldham children and young people enabling them to enjoy learning and achieve well.

  • The community is passionate about learning.
  • Everyone’s point of view is heard and appreciated.
  • Each school’s curriculum is engaging, inspiring and challenging for all learners.
  • Children and young people experience excellent learning and teaching and

experience a rich programme of extra-curricular and enrichment opportunities;

ensuring them to thrive and flourish within a vibrant, happy, inclusive and safe

learning environment. 

  • The adults employed to work with them are valued and challenged to be the best they can be.
  • We develop capable, independent, lifelong learners prepared for global citizenship in the twenty-first century.

Our Aims:

 The overarching aims of the Dovestone Learning Partnership are:

  • To enable distinctive, aspirational schools.
  • To encourage innovation and inspired decision-making.
  • To build capacity, resilience and determination.
  • To develop strong leadership, governance and accountability.
  • To strengthen cross-phase working and transition.
  • To enable wider opportunities for all within the school community and beyond.
  • To share expertise and best practice across our schools that is informed by evidence based research and up-to-date pedagogy.
  • To provide exciting and relevant CPD opportunities for staff to look forward and stay ahead of the game.
  • To support the well-being of pupils, staff and wider school community.
  • To deliver long term sustainability through efficiencies and savings, that release resources to improve the rate of progress for all pupils.

Our Organisation and Structure

In furtherance of this MOU each party will identify named person(s) within their organisation who shall be responsible for sharing and promoting the common interests of our Partnership Schools and those of our other partners.  Each school will have 2 representatives on the Partnership Board.  Other partners will have one representative.

It is expected that the schools and partners will commit to the Partnership for a period of 3 years subject to significant political change or external factors.

The Partnership will have its own logo and identity which can be used by each school/partner within the DLP.

 Each school will retain its own identity and independence.

Partnership Board

All partners will be checked to ensure that they comply with DfE legislation. This screening will include a DBS check.

The Partnership will work with other people and organisations, as appropriate, in order to carry out its work.

The Partnership Board will meet three times a year with an Annual General Meeting (AGM) which will be open all stakeholders.  In signing this MOU, Partnership Board members are committing to making these meetings a high priority. A Chair from within The Partnership Board will be elected annually.  The Board will appoint administrative support to undertake the necessary paperwork associated with The Partnership Board’s work and report directly to the Chair. We hope to work together in a manner which means that voting is a rare event but on such occasions each Partnership Board member has one vote and the Chair has a casting vote should a tie exist.

The Partnership Board will have twofurther members who represent the views of parents/carers, staff and community organisations, Members will be recruited who can demonstrate skills to represent the wider school community.

Should a new Partner be appointed after due consultation, then they will be entitled to nominate one Partnership Board member. Should additional schools join The Partnership they will be entitled to two Partnership Board members – usually a nominee from the Governing Body and the Headteacher.

The Partnership will establish success criteria from which progress will be measured together with milestones within the action plans to support and monitor developments.  This will be reported regularly to the full group and governors.

The Partnership will establish a collaborative self evaluation process and identify areas where joint processes and policies will support the vision and aims of the partnership.

Headteacher Strategy Group

The Headteacher Strategy group will be responsible for driving the action plans forward for the Partnership and ensuring the operational and organisation aspects of the Partnership function effectively.

Working Parties

Each school will contribute to developing a key priority for the Partnership.  They will be responsible for ensuring the identified actions are undertaken.  This can be delegated to individuals or groups.

In the first instance these priorities have been identified as:

  • Health and Wellbeing (VP, SH, RS)
  • Transition and Curriculum Continuity (RH, Saddleworth rep, MH)/ School Improvement (MM, SB, JW) Please note that for 2023-24 these groups have merged to form a Quality of Teaching and Learning Working Party.
  • Financial Efficiencies (SH, SN)

This will be reviewed at least annually to ensure relevance to Partnership plans.

For each Partnership Priority there will be regular reporting to the DLP Board through the Headteacher Strategy Group.

Governance

The MOU does not affect the existing governance arrangements of each school within the Partnership .

The Partnership Board will appoint two Governors (a minority) onto each of schools that have formed the Company (former community schools) having regard for the specific needs of each school. The term of office for such Governors will normally be four years.

Governors will be kept up to date with developments through a standing item on the agenda for Governor’s meetings.

As signatories to the MOU, Governors should support the Partnership and the aspirations of the schools to work together for mutual gain.

Our Contribution

The DLP recognises that investment from individual school budgets is essential in establishing partnership working and creating a central resource through which collaboration can proceed and impact created.

Specifically, resources will be used to:

  • Support the leadership, management and administration of the DLP
  • Fund additional running costs including venues and professional fees
  • Support the targeted learning opportunities generated by the Partnership’s priorities

All allocated funds will be managed centrally and allocated in accordance with the action plans and by mutual agreement. An annual financial plan will be presented to the Trust Board and a financial update provided at each Board meeting.

The agreed contribution to the Partnership will be decided annually.  For 2023-24 will be £500 plus £10 per pupil.  This will give a total central fund of £32400.00 plus any carry over from the previous financial year.  Signatories of this MOU agree that Saddleworth will be the fund holding school. The charge to schools will be made in April each year and should a school decide to withdraw from the Partnership the funding will be retained for the remainder of that financial year to enable budgets to be adapted accordingly.

Dispute Resolution

This MOU is intended to strengthen existing relationships between schools and conflicts are not anticipated; however, should the need arise, a neutral facilitator will be appointed by the Partnership to resolve any disputes.

If any partner breaks the terms of this MOU the Partnership will consult together with the object of remedying that breach, but if they cannot agree any party may terminate this agreement by notice.

Review/Evaluation/Quality Assurance.

This Memorandum of Understanding together with the Articles of Association will be reviewed annually.

This Memorandum of Understanding is a commitment on everyone’s part to play an active role in sharing their skills, enthusiasm, knowledge and expertise willingly to support our educational and charitable aims.

Reviewed:  September 2023