Ponteland High School delay bid for status

Jan 29 2010 by David Black, The Journal

A HIGH-PERFORMING school’s bid to take more control over its own future has been put on hold after two of its four prospective partners pulled out.

Governors at 1,100-student Ponteland High in Northumberland have agreed to delay their bid to become one of the Government’s flagship foundation trust schools.

The decision was taken after Newcastle Airport and the Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University made a U-turn on plans to be partners in the venture – leaving only Northumberland County Council and the Co-operative Group on board.

Yesterday governors said they remain committed to the trust plan and could have gone ahead without the two organisations, but have agreed to use their withdrawal as an opportunity to find new prospective partners.

Ponteland High – which is one the best-performing state schools in the North East – sees foundation trust status as an exciting opportunity to build on its successes.

While remaining part of the state system, it would offer more freedom to decide how best to raise standards, strengthen its leadership and staffing, develop and deliver a vision for the future and work in closer partnership with parents and the local community. The move would also see the governing body become the employer of the school’s staff, be able to decide on admissions and take ownership of the school’s land and assets.