October saw two welcome sessions for new starters from across the twelve schools and offices. One of the actions following feedback from the Staff Working Conditions and Wellbeing Survey was to build an inclusive 'one organisation' culture across our family of schools and the Foundation Office in order to demonstrate the benefits of belonging to the wider organisation. Therefore, colleagues including receptionists, heads, teachers, technicians, and many specialists, attended to find out more about the organisation they have recently joined and to meet and hear from staff and governors in central roles in the King Edward VI Foundation.
Chief Master of King Edward's School, Dr Katy Ricks, opened both online events by explaining her role and that of the Foundation Education Group (FEG) which she leads. Professor Hywel Thomas, the Chair of the Foundation, spoke about the history and our mission, and the steps being taken to fulfil this, including incorporating more comprehensive schools. Then Jodh Dhesi, our Chief Executive Officer covered our new Foundation Strategy and his plans for our organisation.
The second half saw Tom Rowland, Director of Finance and Operations, introduce the central services and explain how the Foundation’s Endowment and finances work, followed by our Interim Director of Educational Development (and Head at King Edward VI Handsworth School for Girls), Amy Whittall, and Grace Cousens, Associate Director of Educational Support and Growth, who talked to attendees about education and school improvement.
The penultimate speaker was our Director of HR, Sarah Cunningham who outlined the services provided by human resources and how to access them and the sessions concluded with our Collaboration Manager, Sarah Hinksman, explaining how to access and create opportunities to work and share with colleagues across our schools.
A new induction pack has been created to help colleagues find their feet. This brochure contains a little about each of the twelve schools that make up the Foundation, and covers the organisation, the city, and our mission; more about the Foundation Strategy; information on our staff networks, plus our employee benefits and HR contacts. The material has also been published on the King Edward VI Foundation Basecamp HQ for any colleagues to reference ([email protected] for new access requests).
There are also five new videos available:
Our Chief Executive, Jodh Dhesi, welcomes new starters in this video and talks about our mission, the Foundation, working together, growth, and the new Foundation Strategy and what it means for everyone in our schools (running time 2 minutes 37)
The Chair of Foundation, Professor Hywel Thomas covers:
- The Foundation’s history - landmark events (running time 1 minute 58)
- Our mission to make Birmingham the best place to be educated in the UK (running time 1 minute 14)
- A unique Foundation - comprehensive, grammar, and independent schools within one city, and the benefits of our endowment (running time 1 minute 26)
- One Foundation - the Foundation Education Group (FEG), our educational strategy, and sharing knowledge and skills (running time 1 minute 49)
Jodh Dhesi, CEO, said; “It was a great opportunity to meet our new starters and to speak with them about the King Edward VI Foundation and our exciting plans for the next few years.”
