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31st March 2014 FAO Parent/Carer
Dear Parent/Carer Re – Wallasey School: Conversion to Academy Status In November 2013, Wallasey School was placed into a category of serious weakness after an OFSTED Inspection. As such, all schools in such a category are expected to convert to Academy status with a mutually agreed sponsor. The Department for Education has been working closely with the Headteacher and Governors to assist with this process, and we are delighted that following several months of dialogue we are able to announce that we are proposing to join the Northern Schools Trust as an Academy – this trust already has three very successful schools in Liverpool. Being in a category of serious weakness we have had to explore all potential positive outcomes for the pupils and families in our care, and we are pleased to have found such a suitable partner to assist us in the running of Wallasey School. The combined ethos and culture of the team at the Northern Schools Trust fits well with our ideals and ambitions - the added bonus is that they are based locally in Liverpool and want to invest their energy and resources within our region. Governors voted unanimously to accept the Northern Schools Trust as the proposed sponsor for Wallasey School, and as such, we are all very excited about the opportunities and benefits that this partnership will offer the community and the children living within it. This partnership will allow the school’s overall financial position to improve and will also support the school in its progression out of the category of serious weakness. The Senior Leadership of the school fully support this process, and will ensure that while the proposed changes are managed effectively, it will be business as usual for the school, and no significant changes will be made in the short-term. We understand that this may be unsettling for you, and we fully intend to communicate with you regularly about these changes. We will communicate updates every 3 weeks by letter and copies of all correspondence will be placed on our website. The proposal will form part of a consultation process and we will ensure that you are informed of the timeline linked to any consultation. The consultation period will allow you to meet the proposed sponsor and there will be an opportunity for you to have dialogue with representatives of the sponsor. I know you will agree that this is a superb opportunity for the future of Wallasey School, and that the community which the school serves will benefit from this change for many years to come. We welcome any comments you wish to make, either in writing or by email, to Mrs U L Jones, Clerk to the Governing Body at office@wallasey.wirral.sch.uk, please mark your email Academy Status Response. Yours sincerely
Mr Geoff Dunn Chair of Governors
Mrs Amanda Cawood Headteacher