Thursday 7th November 2024
Re: Conversion of Potters Green School to an academy as part of the Castle Phoenix Trust
The Governing Body of Potters Green School has applied to become an academy under the Academies Act 2010 and is proposing to join Castle Phoenix Trust. The governing body is now consulting on whether the school’s conversion to academy status should take place. Further information about what becoming an academy means and how to comment on the proposals is set out below.
Will Potters Green definitely become an academy?
The governing body has submitted an application to convert to academy status and is working towards a conversion in the new year. However, the school is not obligated to become an academy until the contract between the multi academy trust and the Department for Education (known as the Funding Agreement) is signed.
We have written to all parents and carers and have also invited them to a meeting on Tuesday 12 November 2024 at 6.00pm to learn more about the proposals to become an academy or to comment on the proposals. We have also held meetings with staff and will be keeping pupils informed throughout the process.
Any comments or representations which are made about the proposals will be considered by the governing body before it takes the final decision to convert to academy status. Details of how to provide comments and representations are set out below.
What is an academy?
An academy is essentially an independent school which is funded by the state. It is independent of the local authority and receives its funding direct from central government.
We are proposing to become an academy as part of the Castle Phoenix Multi Academy Trust. This means that we will be part of an academy group comprising Caludon Castle, Charter Primary Academy, Foxford School, Hill Farm Primary, Kingsbury School and Richard Lee Primary.
What are the benefits of being an academy?
In the school’s opinion the potential benefits are numerous.
Are there any disadvantages to becoming an academy?
The Castle Phoenix Multi Academy Trust will be directly liable for matters such as insurance, employment liabilities, pensions, health and safety, and property maintenance. However, as mentioned above, academies receive more funding from central government to help them meet these additional costs and, in any event, the Castle Phoenix Multi Academy Trust already deals with these matters for the other academies it supports. Once the school has converted, there is currently no route to revert back to being a maintained school under local authority control — academy conversion is a permanent change. If the school were underperforming in the future, the Secretary of State may have the power to force the school (as an academy) to transfer to a different academy trust; however, in those circumstances, it is likely that the Secretary of State would have the power to intervene, even if the school remained a local authority maintained school.
Will the admissions arrangements change?
Potters Green already deals with its own admission arrangements. As an academy, Castle Phoenix Trust will deal with admission arrangements and will also still be bound by the national School Admissions Code and School Admission Appeals Code. The current admission arrangements will remain in place for the time being. If the academy wanted to change its
Will Potters Green Change?
All staff currently employed by Potters Green Primary School will automatically transfer to the Trust on their current pay and conditions. Although the Academy will have more freedom to amend those pay and conditions in the future, any change would need to be consulted upon with staff representatives.
There is no intention to change Potters Green School, except in ways which we think will improve the school even more. Castle Phoenix Trust values the community that each school serves. For pupils, we hope you will see changes that enhance their learning experiences.
How can I find out more?
A meeting will be held at the school on Tuesday 12 November 2024 at 6.00pm. We would encourage you to attend if you have any questions or simply want to learn more. There is also more information about academies on the DfE website:
https://www.gov.uk/education/setting-up-or-changing-the-status-of-a-school
If you are unable find the answer to your question here or on the DfE website and cannot attend the meeting on Tuesday 12 November 2024 please contact karen.steele@castlephoenixtrust.org.uk who will try to assist.
How can I make representations?
To respond to this consultation on whether the conversion of the school to academy status should take place:
Representations can be made in writing to:
Karen Steele
Deputy Head of Operations
Castle Phoenix Trust
C/o Caludon Castle School
Axholme Road
Coventry
CV2 5BD
or by email to:
karen.steele@castlephoenixtrust.org.uk
The closing date for representations to be made is 16 December 2024.