School poised for ‘expected’ academy move (From Worcester News)

Worcester school poised for ‘expected’ academy move

7:50am Friday 12th October 2012 in News By Tom Edwards

THERE is now an “expectation” that Warndon Primary School will become an academy, it has emerged.

A leaked e-mail to your Worcester News has revealed how the Government met with school governors last week to discuss potential future sponsors.

The primary in Edgeworth Close, Worcester, has already scrapped plans to form a federation with Abbeywood First School in Redditch, despite sharing headteacher Diane Smith.

An e-mail from County Hall to Councillor Alan Amos reveals how the Department for Education met school chiefs last Thursday.

The session was to “discuss the department’s expectation that the school will become an academy, and potential future sponsors”, according to the e-mail. It was sent by Gail Quinton, the county’s director of children’s services.

For the time being the school, which was put in special measures 13 months ago, will share Ms Smith as headteacher for at least the next two terms.

Coun Amos, who has been campaigning for the school to stay in local authority control, said: “It’s clear from the e-mail that the battle has been lost now, which is a shame for all those children.

“I’ve told the council time and time again this would not be right for the school or pupils and have been ignored.

“It’s a disgrace. The school will be lost from local authority control, which basically means the community – if there are problems there we can’t do a thing about it.

“We have never wanted this but the council is determined to go down this path. It’s awful.”

The county council has said the governing body is still “exploring all the options” for the future, one of which is sponsored academy status.

Coun Jane Potter, the cabinet member for skills and education, said: “The main priority for Warndon Primary School is to move as quickly and sustainably out of special measures as possible, and to ensure pupils are provided with the best possible education.

“The county council has been working with the school to achieve this.”