Schools seek academy status
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TWO St Austell schools have registered an interest in breaking away from Cornwall Council control and running their own affairs.Penrice Community College and Sandy Hill Community Primary School are looking at the possibility after the Government offered the chance for schools across the country to become academies.
The move would allow the schools to set their own syllabus, scrap the National Curriculum, change the timings of the school day and holiday as well as set their own pay and conditions for staff.
The schools will be given a key official who will guide them through the process, which could see them break free from the local authority as early as the new school year in September because those rated as ‘outstanding’ have the potential to be fast tracked.
More than 120 Westcountry schools have signalled a desire to become academies under the new Government plans.
Critics claim the vast majority of schools are happy with the status quo and accuse the Government of trying to force through unnecessary reform.
The National Grammar Schools Association has issued an urgent statement advising head teachers and governors to be “extremely cautious” as they may be “covert dangers” in becoming an academy.
Andrew Fielder, head teacher at Sandy Hill School, believes becoming an academy is an evolutionary step.
He said: “We have filled in a form to say we are interested after the Government passed a resolution giving the option. That is where we stand.
“We have got to send on our financial details to show the school is on a firm financial footing, which the school is.
“It is all in the hands of the Department for Education. If schools are not outstanding schools they have to jump through more hoops.
“I think this is a modern solution to modern times. We are already taking on responsibilities. This will be an evolutionary step.
“Nearly 2,000 schools have signalled an interest in becoming academies. That in itself shows this will be an unstoppable force.
“One of the key features apart from taking control and investment is that the school is duty bound to work with other schools to raise standards.
“I am a National Leader in Education whereby I am funded and trained to support other schools, so we do that already anyway.
“I think this will shapen up local authorities business acumen so the plan will be a very good thing. Schools like myself want to buy their services like cleaning, grounds and meals from the local authority rather than going private.”
David Parker, head teacher at Penrice Community College, said: "We are always striving to improve outcomes for students. We have registered an interest in finding out more about academy status.
“We do not intend to seek academy status until we have much more information about the advantages and disadvantages for students, parents and staff.
“If the governors decide to pursue this option there will be a full consultation with parents, staff and students.
“We would also seek to assess the views of future parents still in the primary school sector as well who will be our parents of the future."
