The 360 Collaborative Group of Schools


The collaborative was first formed in 2022 by a group of Headteachers who were keen to collaborate with other like-minded schools in a way that had a direct impact on the children. There are currently 7 schools: Ellistown Primary School, Heather Primary School, Sir John Moore Primary School, Appleby Magna, Belvoirdale Primary School, St Denys CE Infant School and Ibstock Junior School.


What is the purpose of the collaborative?


“Working and sharing together, for the good of all in a committed, equal
partnership.”

  1. To promote effective education across member schools to support and sustain high standards and positive outcomes for all children and families.
  2. To support all schools with their individual visions and aims to enable all pupils to achieve their full potential within a caring and safe environment.
  3. To offer support to any school facing challenging circumstances, within the capacity of the group, but not to the detriment of any individual school.
  4. To share best practice to address current and future challenges.

Members agree to the following principles:

  1. Each school maintains its own name and individual autonomy – and
    therefore its distinctive ethos.
  2. Each school shall work in good faith with a spirit of openness, honesty, trust
    and respect for each other and each other’s roles.
  3. Every school will actively participate in the achievement of the delivery plan.
  4. There will be a willingness to share data, self-evaluation and financial
    information.
  5. Partner schools will not actively seek to admit children already on roll at
    another partner school.
  6. Member schools may be invited to be part of headteacher recruitment at a
    partner school.
  7. The group will be for primary schools only.
  8. Schools cannot be held responsible for partner schools.
  9. Member schools will respect the confidentiality of all parties within the
    Collaborative.


How do the children benefit?


One of our aims is that as the collaborative grows, group events will be organised so
that all children from across the collaborative can come together. Giving them an
opportunity to make new friends and to get to know children from other schools,
who they may transfer to High School with. So far, in the short time the
collaborative has been running we have held:

  • Pupil Premium Sporting Events
  • KS1 School Council Events
  • KS2 School Council Events


How does the collaborative support teachers?


Teachers meet regularly with colleagues from the other schools who teach the
same year group. They use this opportunity to moderate teacher assessments and
share practice and experiences. It is also a very valuable networking opportunity.
Subject leaders meet regularly to share resources, procedures and experiences.


How does it support Senior Leaders?


There are more formal networking opportunities for Deputy Headteachers and
School Business Managers


How does it support Headteachers and Chairs?


The headteachers have had joint training on partnerships visits and a cycle of visits
is in place. The head teachers share their School Development Plans so that joint
projects can be planned to have a direct impact on individual school improvement
as well as improving the provision and experience for all pupils across the
collaborative. A skills audit is carried out at the beginning of the school year and
schools are able to support each other by sharing expertise in partnership.