Figures show fall in number of North East school exclusions
Jul 30 2010 by Nicola Juncar, The Journal
Four North schools want to be academies
FOUR schools in the North East have applied to become academies.
Government figures released yesterday showing around 150 schools in the country that are considering changing to academy status.
The list includes Gosforth High in Newcastle, Whitburn Church of England in South Tyneside, Meadowdale Middle School in Bedlington, Northumberland, and Shotton Hall School in Peterlee, County Durham.
Last month, the Journal reported how 30 schools had expressed an interest in becoming an academy but only four have put in firm applications.
Education Secretary Michael Gove wrote to every primary, secondary and special school in May inviting them to apply for academy status.
Around 1,900 schools nationally registered an interest, meaning about one in 12 have fully applied.
Schools rated "outstanding" by Ofsted were pre-approved for academy status, allowing those that have already applied to make the change as early as this September - in time for the start of the new term.
Gosforth High, which is an outstanding school, has stressed this will not happen in its case, as it still plans to carry out a thorough consultation when pupils return from the summer holidays.
The Academies Bill became law earlier this week.
