Beaumont School could convert to academy status (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Beaumont School could convert to academy status

4:30pm Monday 6th February 2012 in News By Zoe Forsey

A secondary school in St Albans could change into an academy if it is given the go ahead by the governing body.

Beaumont School in Oakwood Drive is currently in talks with Hertfordshire County Council and the Department for Education about converting to academy status.

By becoming an academy the school would no longer be controlled by the local authority, and would instead report directly to the Department of Education.

Elizabeth Hitch, headteacher at the school, showed her support for the potential plans whilst assuring that the school will not change as a result.

She said: “We are very clear that we don’t want to change.

“We have said to the students and staff that we want to maintain our very high standards and we see this as a way we can continue this.”

Academies, which were introduced by Tony Blair, are state-maintained but independently run with help from outside sponsors.

They have more freedom than schools that are controlled by the local authority, and they also have more control over what they teach.

Beaumont School has been considering converting to academy status since they were first introduced in 2010.

Mrs Hitch added: “We have given a lot of thought to this - we have been discussing and researching this for some time now.

“We think it’s the right move.”

A community consultation evening will be held on Wednesday, February 22 to allow students, parents and residents to share their views on the school’s future.

After that the final decision will be made by the governing body, and if all goes ahead the school could see the change completed by July.

The headteacher hopes that the pupils at the school will not be too affected if the change is approved.

She said: “I don’t think it is a particular issue for the children.

“So many schools are becoming academies so the children don’t seem particularly pro or against.”