<h1>become  a  member</h1>		
			<h2>Terms of Reference</h2>		
			<h3>1.	What is a Federation?</h3><p>The Federation of Independent Schools (TFoIS) has been formed whereby a number of schools have come together for collaboration purposes, but remain independent. The FoIS network seeks to drive forward partnerships. This is sometimes referred to as “soft” federation, which is in effect a collaboration; This is a less formal arrangement in which the governing bodies remain separate. Through the Federation, member schools have access to a range of school improvement and support services.</p>		
			<h3>2.	The Benefits of Federation</h3><p>The benefits of federation are numerous. <br><br><b>This includes:</b><br><br><b>2.1 </b>Stronger schools supporting weaker schools, as appropriate<br><br><b>2.2 </b>Small schools banding together to increase capacity and protect education provision<br><br><b>2.3 </b>Federation across phases to strengthen education provision across the education community<br><br><b>2.4 </b>Better and broader offer for pupils - both curricular and extra curricular<br><br><b>2.5 </b>More opportunities to employ specialist staff<br><br><b>2.6 </b>Significantly more opportunities for CPD for staff<br><br><b>2.7 </b>Better recruitment and, succession planning &amp; retention of staff<br><br><b>2.8 </b>Moderating and benchmarking same systems of assessment, data and finances, HR and IT<br><br><b>2.9 </b>Learning from each other<br><br><b>2.10 </b>More capacity for innovation<br><br><b>2.11 </b>Efficiencies<br><br><b>2.12 </b>Improved confidence through benchmarking</p>		
			<h3>3.	Mission Statement</h3><p>Our Mission is to support and challenge schools with developing and delivering world class education. Our vision is that all individuals, groups or schools aspiring to deliver world-class education feel confident in the support, challenge and collaboration available to them.</p>		
			<h3>4.	The Purpose/Aims of the Federation of Independent Schools</h3><p><b>4.1</b> Whilst working in partnership, to ensure that students are at the heart of any decision making.<br><br><b>4.2</b> To develop a collaborative approach within a school and across schools to secure the best outcomes for children and young people.<br><br><b>4.3</b> To ensure that member schools are offered a full range of services in order to secure school improvement.<br><br><b>4.4</b> To offer high quality, bespoke CPD and training, with the aim of empowering individuals and organisations to shape their future.<br><br><b>4.5</b> To promote self improvement through networking with other member schools within the federation.<br><br><b>4.6</b> To facilitate forums for outstanding leadership to share ideas and disseminate information.<br><br><b>4.7 </b>To ensure that practice is well-grounded in researched methods.</p>		
			<h3>5.	Term</h3><p>The Terms of Reference is effective from May 2020 and will be ongoing until terminated by agreement between the parties, in line with the Cancellation Policy.</p>		
			<h3>6.	Membership</h3><p><b>6.1 </b>Membership of TFoIS is annual, from 1st August to 31st July.<br><br><b>6.2 </b>Who can be Members ?<br><b>6.2.1 </b>To be elected to Membership of the Federation of Independent Schools, Members (Heads/Principals/School Leaders) are required to:<br><b>6.2.1.1 </b>be the person in day-to-day control of the school,<br><b>6.2.1.2 </b>have sufficient relevant experience, as agreed by the application process.<br><br><b>6.3 </b>Our Members do not have to hold a specific degree or qualification.<br><br><b>6.4 </b>The Head is the member, not the school</p>		
			<h3>7.	Registration Requirements</h3><p>All schools/colleges with more than 5 pupils of compulsory school age are required to be registered with the Department for Education as an independent school and to undergo a Government approved inspection, e.g. Ofsted or ISI. FE (Further Education) colleges with fewer than 5 pupils of compulsory school age may apply for full membership based upon a successful Educational Oversight Inspection. <br><br><b>7.1 </b>To be elected to membership satisfactory inspection standards must be reached and maintained.<br><br><b>7.2 </b>Applicants for Membership submit a copy of their school’s latest inspection report for consideration. This may be an ISI, Ofsted or other report from a recognised inspectorate.<br><br><b>7.3 </b>Where there are no significant regulatory failings and where inspection judgements meet the standards, schools will be eligible to be brought into membership.<br><br><b>7.4 </b>For registered Independent schools, where significant regulatory failings exist and/or standards are below an acceptable level, the Federation may defer membership until evidence of satisfactory regulatory compliance is available. While membership may not be possible at this juncture, TFoIS will advise and support the school, at a cost, until appropriate standards are reached and an application for membership can be resubmitted. No additional application charge is levied.<br><br><b>7.5 </b>In cases of minor regulatory non-compliance, TFoIS may admit an applicant into membership.<br><br><b>7.6 </b>All members are required to send ISA any Ofsted or other public reports as soon as these are published.</p>