A presentation by the Principal to parents on the Strategic Development Plan of the Berkhamsted Schools Group (13/11/2012)

1. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Strategic Development Plan
Presentation to Parents
Mark S. Steed MA (Cantab), Principal
Centenary Theatre
Tuesday 13th November, 2012

2. Berkhamsted Schools Group
This Evening’s Presentation
Business/ Operational
• What is the BSG?
• Size – pupils and staff
• Estate – the land we own
• Key Financials
• Key Strategic Initiatives
– Future Structure of the Prep
School
– Optimum size
– Satellite Preps – Heatherton
– Eco-projects
– Supporting Working Parents

3. Berkhamsted Schools Group
This Evening’s Presentation
Business/ Operational Educational
• What is the BSG? • Pastoral Care
• Size – pupils and staff • Teaching and Learning
• Estate – the land we own – E-Learning
• Key Financials • Co-curricular
• Key Strategic Initiatives • Future Capital Projects
– Future Structure of the Prep
School
– Optimum size
– Satellite Preps – Heatherton
– Eco-projects
– Supporting Working Parents

4. Berkhamsted Schools Group
This Evening’s Presentation
Business/ Operational Educational
• What is the BSG? • Pastoral Care
• Size – pupils and staff • Teaching and Learning
• Estate – the land we own – E-Learning
• Key Financials • Co-curricular
• Key Strategic Initiatives • Future Capital Projects
– Future Structure of the Prep
School There will be an
– Optimum size opportunity to ask
– Satellite Preps – Heatherton questions at the
– Eco-projects end of each
– Supporting Working Parents section

5. What is the
Berkhamsted Schools Group?

6. What is the Berkhamsted Schools
Group?
• Registered Charity
– (Charity Number 310630)
• Company Limited by Guarantee
– (Company Number 622349)
• It has a Governing Body
– Stewardship role
– Non-Exec Director role
All surpluses are reinvested into the Schools

7. The Governing Body
Committee Structure
• Education
• Finance & General • Each committee meets
Purposes once a term.
• Property
• Heatherton • The Full Governing
Body meets once a
term

8. The Governing Body
Position Name Competence Connection Type
Chairman Mr G C Laws Banking Former Parent Co-opted
Vice-Chairman Mrs A F Moore-Gwyn Law OB Co-opted
Chair of Finance & GP Mr A H Noel Accountancy Former Parent Co-opted
Chair of Property Mr R G Groom Property Former Parent Co-opted
Chair of Heatherton Mrs E Jeffrey Law OB and Parent Nominated (Old Berkhamstedians)
Mr J J Apthorp Business Parent Co-opted
Mr S R R Bourne Business / Publishing OB Co-opted
Dr. Y A Burne Education Co-opted
Mr P A Burroughs Law / Property Former Parent Co-opted
Mrs B W Canham Education Co-opted
Mrs C Green Business Former Parent Nominated (Town Council)
Mr B Parker Law Nominated (St. John’s Cambridge)
Mr A Reston Education Ex Officio (All Souls, Oxford)
Mr S Rolland Business Parent Co-opted
Mr M A Scicluna Business/Accountancy OB Co-opted
Mrs S Tidey Business Parent Co-opted
Mrs S Turner Business Co-opted
VACANT Nominated (Old Berkhamstedians)
VACANT Nominated (Borough Council)

9. School Structure
Berkhamsted Schools Group
School Structure
1996 - 2011

10. School Structure
Berkhamsted Schools Group
Group Structure
2011

11. School Structure
Berkhamsted Schools Group
Group Structure
from
September 2013

12. School Structure
Berkhamsted Schools Group
Group Structure
from
September 2013

13. Group Management Structure

14. Characteristics of Berkhamsted School

15. “Big-Small”
“Small School Feel”
• Berkhamsted Pre-Prep
• Berkhamsted Prep
• Berkhamsted Boys
• Berkhamsted Girls
• Berkhamsted Sixth
are all small schools
and have small pastoral
units

16. “Big-Small”
“Small School Feel” “Big School Infrastructure”
• Berkhamsted Pre-Prep • Sports Hall
• Berkhamsted Prep • Swimming Pool
• Berkhamsted Boys • 550-seat Theatre
• Berkhamsted Girls • Extensive Sports Pitches
• Berkhamsted Sixth
• Specialist Teachers
are all small schools • 27 A-level Subjects
and have small pastoral • 19 GCSE Subjects
units

17. “Co-education and Single Sex”

18. “Co-education and Single Sex”
• SINGLE SEX
In the Classroom

19. “Co-education and Single Sex”
• SINGLE SEX
In the Classroom
• CO-EDUCATION
Outside the classroom
– Choir and Orchestra
– CCF and DofE
– School Trips

20. “Day and Boarding”
“Day School”
• The vast majority of the
pupils are day pupils.
• We are a “community
school” – we serve the local
area.
• We are a “through school”
taking pupils from 3 to 18

21. “Day and Boarding”
“Day School” “Boarding School”
• The vast majority of the • “Vertical” Pastoral / House
pupils are day pupils. structure
• We are a “community • Ethos: Commitment to broader
school” – we serve the local view of Education
area. • Boarding School Infrastructure
• We are a “through school” – Chapel
taking pupils from 3 to 18 – Boarding Houses
• Extended Day
– Breakfast and Supper

22. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size - Pupils
School Age Range Numbers
Boys Girls Total
Day Nursery Mixed 5 months – 3 years 25 15 40
Pre-Prep Co-ed aged 3 - 7 117 124 241
Prep Co-ed aged 7 - 11 164 149 313
Boys Boys aged 11 - 16 429 429
Girls Girls aged 11 - 16 328 328
Sixth Co-ed aged 16 - 18 177 156 333
Total 912 772 1684
Heatherton Girls aged 3 - 11 138 138
TOTAL 912 910 1822

23. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size - Staff
463 people work in the
Berkhamsted Schools Group

24. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Estate
The School owns
• 81 acres of land in
Berkhamsted
• 63 Buildings
(80 Properties)
• 1,835 Rooms

25. Kitchener’s Field
Berkhamsted Schools Group
Y7 and Y8 Boys
Estate Playing Fields

26. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Estate
Berkhamsted Boys
and Sixth - Castle
Overton House Dean Fry Court
Central Admin Staff Flats
St John’s and Incents
Boarding Houses

27. Staff Accommodation
• The School built Dean
Fry Court
– 10 2-bed and 3
3-bed flats on the
High Street for staff
– September 2011
• Subsidised
accommodation to newly
qualified teachers.
“A motivated and effective teaching and support staff”

28. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Overton House
Estate Central Admin
Berkhamsted
St John’s and Incents
Prep Boarding Houses
Berkhamsted Girls
and Sixth - Kings

29. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Estate
Chesham Road
Senior Playing Fields
Haslam
Prep
Playing Fields
Berkhamsted Day
Nursery and Pre-Prep
Haresfoot

30. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Key Financials
Turn-over £23.4m
Surplus £1.0m
Total Net Assets £26.2m
Land and Buildings £30.2m (insured for £103m)
Fixed Asset additions in year £3.5m (of which £2.8m is land and buildings)
Staff costs as percentage of 66%
total resources expended
Figures for the Year 2011-12 (Year end 31/07/12)
Full accounts are posted annually on the Charity Commission Website:

31. Key Strategic Initiatives

32. Key Strategic Initiatives
Recent Priorities Future Priorities
• Castle • Prep
– Dining Room – Reorganisation of Prep and
– DT Pre-Prep
– Art • Sports Facilities
– Sixth form Houses – Playing Fields
– House Reorganisation – All-weather Pitch
• Kings – Chesham Road Pavilion
– Nash Harris – Sports at Prep
– Quad
– Refurbished Main Buildings

33. Key Strategic Initiatives
1. Future Structure of the Prep School
2. Future size of the Schools
3. Eco-Projects
4. Satellite Preps – Heatherton
5. Supporting Working Parents

34. The Future Structure of the Prep School

35. Haresfoot School
• Haresfoot School
occupies an 8 acre site
on Chesham Road on
the edge of
Berkhamsted.
• It has a beautiful, rural,
woodland setting

36. Haresfoot School

37. Haresfoot School
• It has an enclosed walled
garden for school sports
and for play-time.

38. Haresfoot School
It has a full-sized sports hall which serves as a versatile space
for sports, indoor play, school assemblies and concerts

39. Haresfoot School
It has a purpose-built classroom block.

40. Restructure
We are restructuring Berkhamsted Prep:
• The Haresfoot site will be the home of
Berkhamsted Pre-Prep
(Early Years and Key stage One;
pupils aged 3-7)
• The Kings Road site will remain the home of
Berkhamsted Prep
(Key Stage Two
pupils aged 7-11)

41. The Future Size of the Schools

42. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size of Berkhamsted Pre-Prep
Year Group Max No of No of Max Class
Pupils Classes Size
SS 54 3 18
Reception 54 3 18
Y1 54 3 18
Y2 54 3 18
TOTAL 216
Maximum Capacity from September 2016
Located on the Haresfoot site

43. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size of Berkhamsted Prep
Year Group Max No of No of Max Class
Pupils Classes Size
Y3 80 4 20
Y4 80 4 20
Y5 100 5 20
Y6 100 5 20
TOTAL 360
Maximum Capacity from September 2016
Located on the Doctors Commons Road site

44. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size of Berkhamsted Girls
Year Max No No of Max No of
Group of Classes Class Houses
Pupils Size
Y7 75 4 20* 6 * There
may be
Y8 75 4 20* 6
rare
Y9 80 4 20* 6 exceptions
Y10 80 4 20* 6
Y11 80 4 20* 6
TOTAL 390
Maximum Capacity from September 2016
Located on the Kings Road site

45. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size of Berkhamsted Boys
Year Max No No of Max No of
Group of Classes Class Houses
Pupils Size
Y7 60 3 20* 8 * There
may be
Y8 60 3 20* 8
rare
Y9 100 5 20* 8 exceptions
Y10 100 5 20* 8
Y11 100 5 20* 8
TOTAL 420
Maximum Capacity from September 2016
Located on the Castle site

46. Berkhamsted Schools Group
Size of Berkhamsted Sixth
Year Group Max No of Max Class No of
Pupils Size Houses
L6th Y12 180 15* 9 * There
may be
U6th Y13 180 15* 9
rare
TOTAL 360 exceptions
Maximum Capacity from September 2016
Located on the Castle and Kings Sites

47. Eco-Projects

48. Key Strategic Initiatives
Eco-Projects
Prior to 2011 we recycled
20% of our Waste.

49. Key Strategic Initiatives
Eco-Projects
We currently recycle
80% of our Waste.

50. Key Strategic Initiatives
Eco-Projects

51. Key Strategic Initiatives
Eco-Projects
• Energy Saving Initiatives
– Improved building insulation
– Lamp replacement to Prep, Castle and Kings
– Replaced the boilers to Cloisters
– Replaced Heating to East Wing
– Fitted local thermostatic control to Deans’ Hall, Thorn
– Improved boiler controls

52. Key Strategic Initiatives
Eco-Projects
Photovoltaics on the flat roof at Kings

53. Key Strategic Initiatives
Eco-Projects
The Dynamos – as featured in the School Prospectus 1912

54. School Dinners
• All meat is UK sourced and Fresh not frozen, Red
Tractor accredited
• All vegetables are fresh not frozen, except peas,
sweetcorn and spinach
• Fish is from sustainable sources, including Tuna
• All soups and sauces are made onsite using fresh
ingredients, no packets or ready to use sauces (RTU’s).
• Bread is freshly baked onsite.
• Reduced food miles:
– Central Distribution Unit (CDU),
– Number of lorries delivering to each site on a weekly basis from
– Completion April 2013. First phase commenced October 2012.

55. Satellite Preps - Heatherton

56. The Concept of a Satellite School

57. Satellite Schools
A Satellite Prep retains its own
distinctive ethos, market niche and
branding and continues to be run by
the existing senior management
team.
However, its governance and some
of its support functions are run
centrally, thus benefitting from
economies of scale and centralised
Group policies, which ease the
financial and regulatory burden.

58. Satellite Schools:
• Location: Chesham Bois
• Founded in 1912
• 140 pupils
• Single Sex – Girls aged 3-11
• Turn-over: £1.4m
• Incorporated Charity

59. Satellite Schools:
• Location: Chesham Bois
• Founded in 1912
• 140 pupils
• Single Sex – Girls aged 3-11
• Turn-over: £1.4m
• Incorporated Charity
• Heatherton became part of the Berkhamsted Schools
Group on 1st August 2011, through a merger of the
Charities.
– There was no “purchase price”
– The only costs to Berkhamsted were Due Diligence and
Legal fees

60. Satellite Schools:
Case Study:
What has stayed the same:
• has a secure future as a 3 – 11 Girls’ School
• retained its name and branding
• still prepares pupils for the Bucks 11+
• retained its school uniform
• retained its teachers and senior management team
What has changed:
• better marketing and a new website
• a parental portal, giving access to key information
• Governance and line-management of the Headteacher

61. Satellite Schools:
Division of Responsibilities
Heatherton Autonomy Berkhamsted Control
• Curriculum • Support Functions
• Allocation of School • Central Supply Contracts
Educational Budget • Staffing Levels
• Budget Priorities • Salary Levels
• Departmental Budgets • Setting overall Satellite
School budget for major
line items
• Major Capital Project
Decisions

62. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for
Business:
• Compliance and
Regulation
• Financial Security
• Access to Specialists
– Health and Safety
– Marketing and PR
– Human Resources
• Opportunities for
Investment
• Cost Savings and
Economies of Scale

63. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for
Business
• Financial Stability:
• Investment
 £1m earmarked for Investment
• Economies of Scale
 Piggy-backing on BSG contracts
• No reduction in teaching or
contact staff
• No support staff redundancies
 The Bursar now has
responsibilities for two sites

64. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for
Educational: Staff
• Improved Educational
Opportunities
 Shared teaching and
resources
NEED JOINT
• Senior Management have CURRICULUM
more time to focus on DAY PIC HERE
educational issues
• Staff feel part of a bigger • Scope for Staff Career
team Development
 Joint Staff INSET
 Joint Curriculum Planning

65. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for
Educational: Pupils
• Joint Y5 and Y6 Lacrosse
Coaching
• Joint Curriculum Days
• Use of Berkhamsted
Facilities
 500 seat Theatre
 Sports Facilities
 Swimming Pool

66. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for the Berkhamsted
Schools Group
Business:
• Extends “reach” into new
areas
 Marketing

68. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for the Berkhamsted
Schools Group
Business:
• Extends “reach” into new
areas
 Marketing
• Recruitment
 Seven Heatherton girls
started at Berkhamsted in
Year 7 in September.

69. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for the Berkhamsted
Schools Group
Business:
• Extends “reach” into new
areas
 Marketing
• Recruitment
 Seven Heatherton girls
started at Berkhamsted in
Year 7 in September.
• Increases the critical
mass of the organisation
 Economies of Scale
 Reorganisation allows for
more in-house specialists

70. Satellite Schools:
Advantages for the Berkhamsted
Schools Group
Educational: Staff
• Sharing of best practice between schools in the
Group.
• Draw on a greater range of expertise.
• Internal Entrance Examinations can be earlier
 Internal exams are in November, external in February
 This spreads the work-load for key staff
• Scope for Career Development
 by movement of staff within the group
 by taking on a Group-wide responsibility

71. Supporting Working Parents

72. Supporting Working Parents
Berkhamsted Day Nursery
• 5 months to 3 years
• 0730 -1830
• 50 weeks a year
• Haresfoot site
Berkhamsted Schools Group:
Committed to supporting Working
Parents.

73. Supporting Working Parents
Wrap-around Care
Prep
• Breakfast Club
– from 0730 until the start
of School
• After School Club
– From the end of the
School day until 1830
Berkhamsted Schools Group:
Committed to supporting Working Parents.

74. Berkhamsted Schools Group:
Committed to supporting Working Parents.

75. Pastoral Care
Flexi- and Weekly Boarding
• Flexi- or Occasional Boarding is
available from Year 7
– Regular nights
• e.g. every Wednesday after CCF
– One-off weeks
• e.g. when parents have business
trips abroad
• During GCSE exams and
revision period
• Weekly Boarding from Year 9
Berkhamsted Schools Group:
Committed to supporting Working Parents.

76. Any Questions on the Operational/
Business side?

77. “To place pupils at the heart of a strong,
supportive school community.”
Governors
Principal
Traditional
School
Exec
Management
Model Heads
HoDs/HoHs
Curriculum
Coordinators
Teachers
Pupils

78. “To place pupils at the heart of a strong,
supportive school community.”
Pupils
Teachers
HoDs/HoHs/
Berkhamsted Curriculum
Schools Coordinators
Group Heads
Management
Model Exec
Principal
Governors

79. “To place pupils at the heart of a strong,
supportive school community.”
Pupils
Teachers
HoDs/HoHs/
Berkhamsted Curriculum Education and
Schools Coordinators Pastoral care
Group Heads takes place
Management here
Model Exec
Principal
Governors

80. Educational Initiatives

81. Pastoral Care

82. ISI Inspection Report
Pastoral Care
“The arrangements for pastoral care are excellent.”
“The spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness of
the pupils is excellent. It is supported by equally strong
pastoral care from the heads of houses and their staff,
providing a highly supportive environment in which
pupils feel safe and valued. The caring example set by
staff is mirrored in the pupils’ own interaction. High
standards of behaviour are the norm, promoted by the
school’s clear expectations.”
ISI Inspection Report, September 2012

83. Pastoral Care
Counselling, Support and Medical Services
Counselling Services Medical Services
• Confidential counselling • Fully Qualified Nurses
service for pupils providing cover during
• 4 counsellors the school day
• Available every break
and lunchtime
Chaplaincy
• Full-time residential
Chaplain
“To place pupils at the heart of a strong, supportive school community.”

84. Teaching and Learning

85. ISI Inspection Report
Teaching and Learning
“Pupils are very well educated, in line with the school’s
aims. The quality of their achievements is good overall.
They make good progress throughout the school and
gain excellent results at A level in relation to their
abilities because of their positive attitudes to study,
dedicated and, on occasions, inspiring teaching, and
curricular provision adapted to meet each pupil’s
needs..”
ISI Inspection Report, September 2012

86. Teaching and Learning
Developments at the Prep
Specialist Facilities
• Music and Drama Studio
• Improved DT workshop
• Art Department
• Second Science lab
• Second ICT lab

87. Berkhamsted Sixth
A-level Academic Curriculum
• Mathematics • Art
• Further Mathematics • Photography
• Biology • Design Technology
• Chemistry • Theatre Studies
• Physics • Music
• English Lang and Lit • Physical Education
• English Literature • French
• Media Studies • German
• Geography • Spanish
• History • Latin
• Politics • Classical Civilisation
• Psychology • Economics
• Sociology • Business Studies
• Religious Studies

88. “A stimulating learning
environment”
• ICT resources
• Learning Platform
• Leaders Nationally in
the use of iPads
• WiFi hotspots for Sixth
Form
• 21st Century Library
“A disciplined and stimulating learning environment”

89. European Computer
Driving Licence
We have introduced the ECDL to our Y8 and Y9
curriculum
Modules
• Word
• PowerPoint
• Excel
• Improving Productivity
“To equip our students with the skills and qualifications they need”

90. Qualifications
Measures of Success
Value-Added Performance
• MidYis [GCSE]
• ALIS [A-Level]
• Base-line Testing
• Target setting for pupils
• Evaluation of Departmental
performance
“To equip our students with the skills and qualifications they need”

91. Measuring Value-Added
Evaluating Departmental
Performance
NB – Not Berkhamsted School Data

92. HoDs Performance
Outcomes, Attitudes and Behaviours
Beacon of best practice.
Specific Targets and On track to receive Immediate progression to
Outstanding INSET required increment if repeated. next increment.
On course to be promoted
3.1 3.2 3.3
Results and Outcomes
Significant areas to work
Satisfactory on. Competent, reliable On track to receive
Likely to lose increment if performance increment if repeated
to Good repeated
2.1 2.2 2.3
Significant areas to work
Loss of HoD increment on. Specific Targets and
Weak Likely to lose role if Likely to lose increment if INSET required
repeated. repeated.
1.1 1.2 1.3
Poor Good Superior
Attitudes and Behaviour

93. Co-curricular

94. ISI Inspection Report
Co-curricular Programme
“The quality of curricular and extra-curricular provision
is excellent.”
ISI Inspection Report, September 2012

95. Co-curricular Programme

96. Skills
Public Speaking
We now have our own team of LAMDA full-time teachers in
the Drama Department.
Public Speaking
Verse and Prose
Acting
“To equip our students with the skills and qualifications they need”

97. Careers Programme
• Careers Fair
• Careers Lunches
• Work Experience
• Medics Day
• Law Day
• OB Careers Mentoring
Programme
“Preparation for the world of Employment”

98. Skills
Business Skills
• Business Skills
Clinics
• CV Clinics
• How to present
yourself
• Young Enterprise
“Preparation for the world of Employment”

99. Future Capital Projects

100. Future Structure of the Prep
Plans for the Berkhamsted Prep site
2013
• The Creation of After-care Facility
• Improved school drop-off and parking
• Improved site security
• Creation of additional on-site sports facilities
– Additional full-size netball courts
– Fives courts
• Conversion of the EY dining room to Specialist music
facility

101. Future Structure of the Prep
Plans for the Berkhamsted Prep site
Subject to Governors approval and Planning Permission

102. Subject to Governors approval and Planning Permission

103. Future Structure of the Prep
Plans for the Berkhamsted Prep site

105. Future Capital Projects
Fives Courts at the Prep School
What?
• Creation of three to six Fives Courts at the Prep School
Why?
• To provide a much needed sports activity that can take place at
lunchtimes
• So that boys and girls can start playing the game at a young age
• So that the Senior Girls can play at lunchtime.

106. Our plans for Haresfoot
Outdoor Classroom
We plan to put a Glass
House at Haresfoot as part
of our outdoor classroom
project.
The Berkhamsted
Foundation are raising
funds for this project. It is
hoped that the HSA will
join forces with them in this
venture.

107. Our plans for Haresfoot
The Pond Project
Berkhamsted School is
taking on the Pond project
as a Community Service
project.

108. Our plans for Haresfoot
A Centre for Outdoor Education
Haresfoot will become the
Centre for Outdoor
Education
• Nature trails and
Discovery Walks for the
Pre-Prep.
• Bushcraft for the pupils
from Y3-Y8.
• Duke of Edinburgh
Award Expeditions
camping for pupils in
Y9-10.

109. Future Improvements
• Tarmac the Car Park.
• Redecorate and refurbish the Classroom
Block.
• New ICT suite.
• Exterior Painting.
• Under-pinning the wall of the Walled Garden.

110. Future Capital Projects
All-weather Facilities at Kitcheners
We are yet to receive planning permission for
this project –without lights.

111. Future Capital Projects
Chesham Fields Pavilion
What?
• Extension to 1st XI cricket pavilion
Why?
• To upgrade and expand changing room and storage space
• Better catering facilities for teams and associated hospitality

112. Future Capital Projects
Levelling the Chesham Rd Pitches
What?
• To level the pitches
Why?
• To improve the drainage and playing surfaces for Rugby, Lacrosse,
Football and Cricket.

113. Any Questions on the Educational side?
Any Questions on Future Capital Projects?