Soft Federation

A soft federation is a formalised agreement to work together. In this context, the term 'federation' is a governing body-led initiative intended for all phases of education. It evolved through the Raising Standards agenda and in a nutshell, can be described as

"Schools working together for the benefit of all pupils and their communities".

Park View Academy, Northumberland Park Community School and Gladesmore Community School have made a formalised commitment to work together.

The Soft Federation is between the three schools. It has a headteacher from each school reporting to a federated governing body and works on the basis that all schools have their own particular strengths and advantages, whether it is facilities, staff or resources. Sharing these assets can make every school even better for its pupils
Its purpose is;

• To report on the operation and progress of the federation during the school year
• To review the challenges which promoted the creation of the soft federation
• To make recommendation for the future of the federation

The agreed recommendations are as follows:

1. That the three schools continue to form a soft governance federation for the school year 2008/9
2. That the Federation Governors Committee continues to function in its current form with current terms of reference
3. That the federation continues its focus on CPD and develops this area further
4. That the federation extends its remit to at least one area of cooperation and federated working in addition to CPD.

To find out more and be updated on the latest news with what is happening with the Federation please visit their website: http://www.ehfederation.org/