Council's U-turn on Academy schools

WARRINGTON Borough Council has dropped its outright opposition to Academy Schools.
The council, which a year ago said there was “no appetite for Academy Schools in Warrington”, now says it will continue to support any school which decides to convert.
A statement, signed by the three party leaders, Terry O’Neill, Labour and leader of the council, Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat, and Keith Bland, Conservative, the authority says: “Any school that feels that conversion to academy status is appropriate will continue to be supported by the council and would be welcomed and encouraged to be an active member of the Warrington family of schools.”
The council says it is proud of the positive relationship it has with the community of Warrington schools.
Educational standards across the town continue to be high, with the number of good and outstanding schools in the area above the national average.
But in the last year, the national picture and criteria for conversion to academy status has changed considerably.
Some Warrington schools are considering converting to academy status and the recent Education Act has provided the Secretary of State for Education with increased powers to impose an academy solution on those schools that are believed to be under-performing.
“In the light of these changes and in recognition of the continuing close partnership working that takes place between the Local Authority and Warrington schools we would like to give assurance that any school that feels that conversion to academy status is appropriate will continue to be supported by the council.
“We believe that all schools in Warrington, regardless of their status have a collective interest in working in partnership with the Local Authority and the Warrington family of schools to ensure that the needs of all children, including the most vulnerable, are met. This includes children who may be resident within the borough, but may not be attending a school.
“Given the large number of high performing schools and colleges in Warrington, if a school is seeking an external sponsor to become an academy we would proactively support a local sponsorship arrangement and would welcome an opportunity for the Local Authority to be named as an Education Partner.
“Alternatively, schools may choose to convert to academy status, either individually or as part of a wider group, without the need for external sponsorship. In such cases the local authority would also welcome a continued formal relationship with the school.”
The council says there are a large number of schools with no interest in becoming an academy and says it is committed to continuing to support them.
If, in the future, the balance between Academy and Local Authority Schools changes, the council will review arrangements and work with schools to ensure appropriate support arrangements going forward.
The three party leaders recognise that schools are autonomous organisations that can determine their own future destiny, but invite all schools, including academies to continue to work collaboratively with each other.
Pictured: the three leaders, from the top, Terry O’Neill, Ian Marks, Keith Bland.