THE North East is leading the way with “outstanding” schools being transformed into academies.
A school in Newcastle has become one of the fastest in the UK to convert to academy status, while the conversion of three schools in Northumberland to form a partnership is one of the largest projects to date.
Sacred Heart Catholic High School in Fenham completed the conversion process to academy status in under 10 weeks from beginning to end, one of the shortest times recorded by the Department for Education.
Meanwhile, three schools in Morpeth, King Edward VI High School, Chantry Middle School and Newminster Middle School, with more than 2,500 pupils in total, jointly converted recently. The schools are now all part of the Three Rivers Learning Trust.
Pat Wager, headteacher at Sacred Heart High School, is looking forward to the opportunities and responsibilities which come with academy status.
She said: “As a high performing Catholic school we have always been determined to provide the best environment for teaching our girls.
“Being an academy provides our governors with the freedom and independence which we believe best suits the interests of our school.
“Our governors, who already had significant responsibilities, now have complete control of the school’s budget, curriculum and procedures.
“The move means those people who know our school best will be making the decisions which matter most to our school.”
Mark Tait, business director of the Three Rivers Learning Trust, is equally enthusiastic about the future.
“The move to academy status provides the independence and autonomy these schools require to support Morpeth students,” he said.
“We had already federated the three schools and streamlined the three governing bodies into one, which has helped us move forward quickly.”
Both academies worked with law firm Watson Burton, which has an office in Newcastle, on the conversions process which was led by Gillian Hall, a senior partner and head of education and skills group.
Ms Hall said: Sacred Heart and the schools which form the Three Rivers Learning Trust are outstanding schools with proud histories of high standards and student care. We are delighted to have been part of the team helping them convert to academy status and wish them every success in the future.”
The law firm had to negotiate all the legal documentation, including transfers of assets, funding arrangements and property issues on behalf of Sacred Heart and the Three Rivers Learning Trust.
Sacred Heart, founded in 1905, has just under ,1400 pupils. Mrs Wager added: “We will continue to be called Sacred Heart Catholic High School. It’s a name we’re proud of and it has a long heritage.”
King Edward VI School was established in 1552 and celebrates its 600th anniversary this year. Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools were both opened more than 50 years ago.
