Academy by Easter

Governors at Prince Henry’s High School agreed last week to opt out of county council control and become one one of the first to change status under a coalition Government scheme for high-achieving schools.

The school submitted an application to the Department for Education for formal permission to become an academy – a process it hopes will be completed by Easter 2011 – and if granted, the move would allow it greater control of budgets, staff and curriculum.

Headteacher Bernard Roberts welcomed the change. He said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Prince Henry’s to build on its current strengths and, working in partnership with other local schools, to ensure the very best educational provision in the Vale of Evesham.

“Governors and staff are very mindful of their responsibility towards the local community. We intend to remain an outstanding comprehensive school, with the same catchment area.

“Becoming an academy will enable us to be more responsive to local needs at a time when the educational landscape is changing rapidly.”

The decision was made following a period of consultation with staff and parents. Governors decided the move was in the best “long-term interests” of the school and “the best way to maintain high standards and to develop the school even further”.

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member for education at Worcestershire County Council, said: “We have some outstanding schools in Worcestershire, all of which have worked hard in recent years to continue to improve. But we must not be complacent, we can improve further, and the council is committed to supporting our schools to do so.

"Central to this is putting more power in the hands of the front line decision makers, and the community – something the academy model would enable; it gives greater freedom to governing bodies and parents to develop their schools in a way that will benefit their pupils.”