Somerset schools bid for academy status (From Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News)

Somerset schools bid for academy status

7:30am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News

A NUMBER of schools in Somerset are considering becoming academies in an attempt to improve – along with the promise of more money.

The Church of England is setting up a trust to support schools converting to sponsored academy status.

The aim of the Multi-Academy Trust in the diocese of Bath and Wells, which includes the Burnham and Highbridge area, is “to secure rapid and sustained improvement of every academy it sponsors”.

Responsibility for CofE schools is currently shared by the diocese and Somerset County Council, but of those deciding to become academies the MAT will be in charge of their overall governance and performance, as well as the educational outcome of each child.

Diocesan director of education Theresa Gale said: “We’re delighted to be in a position to sponsor and support schools converting to an academy.

“The diocese, via the MAT, aims to improve the performance of staff and pupils while retaining the Christian values of CofE schools which are so important to parents and children.

“Becoming part of the MAT family in Bath and Wells will be a positive step forward for schools converting to a sponsored academy.”

Comments are closed on this article.