Meeting documents

Delegated Decisions by Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement
Tuesday, 3 October 2006

XI031006-02

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Division(s): All

ITEM CMDSI2

CABINET MEMBER FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT – 3 OCTOBER 2006

ESTABLISHMENT OF AN OXFORD ACADEMY AND CLOSURE OF PEERS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Report by Director for Children, Young People & Families

Background

  1. The Academies programme was first introduced in March 2000. The first Academy projects were announced in September 2000, there are now nearly 60 of them in England. Academies are publicly funded ‘independent’ (ie non maintained) schools.

  2. Academies are all ability schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working in partnership with central Government and local authorities . The sponsors establish a Trust, which is then used by the board which runs the academy, to further its objectives and promote its specialist curriculum areas. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) provide the capital costs for the Academy.  Running costs are met in full by the DfES according to the funding formulae for local authority maintained schools in the area.

  3. Most Academies are located in areas of disadvantage. They either replace one or more existing schools facing challenging circumstances or are established where there is a need for additional school places. Academies are set up in the context of local authority’s strategic plans to increase diversity in secondary provision and improve educational opportunities.

  4. Academies have the potential to play a key part in the regeneration of communities. A new Academy can provide a significant focus for learning for its pupils, their families and other local people. Academies can help break a cycle of underachievement.

  5. Each Academy offers local solutions for local needs. Each is different, drawing on the expertise of its sponsors to help develop its own distinctive ethos and mission. Whether they involve new buildings, refurbishment, or both, Academies are usually innovative in design and built to high environmental standards.

  6. An Academy is usually set up as a company limited by guarantee with charitable status and under the control of its governing body.

  7. The size of the governing body is not prescribed but, typically, comprises about 13 governors.  The Sponsor may appoint the majority of governors, (typically around seven).  Each Academy governing body is also made up of the Principal (in an ex-officio capacity) a local authority representative, and at least one elected parent representative.  Most Academies also have a teacher governor (elected or appointed), a staff governor ( elected or appointed) and may include community representatives.  The governing body can also appoint co-opt governors.

    8. Proposal

  8. Following informal discussions involving Oxfordshire County Council; Peers Community College’s headteacher and governors; the Diocese of Oxford; and the DfES, it is proposed to submit an ‘expression of interest’ (EOI) to the DfES with a view to establishing an Oxford Academy on the site of what is now Peers Community College.

  9. The Diocese of Oxford is proposing to be the sponsor of the new Academy, with a view to a possible start date of September 2008.

  10. If the DfES accepts the Expression of Interest proposal it will commission an extensive Feasibility Study, including local consultation, before it determines whether to proceed. If approval is given, and in order to establish the Academy, it will be necessary to close Peers Community College. Approval to take the first steps towards the Feasibility Study is sought, before the Cabinet will have had the opportunity to agree, formally, to support the establishment of this Academy, in line with its policy of diversity of educational provision. The Cabinet has already given its support to an Academy in Banbury, plans for which are well underway.

    11. RECOMMENDATION

  11. The Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement is RECOMMENDED to:

          1. ask officers to support the Expression of Interest being prepared for an Oxford Academy to be established on the site of what is now Peers Community School; and

          2. agree, in principle, to propose the closure of Peers Community College, subject to subsequent confirmation by the Cabinet, and with the support of the existing school and its governing body, should the DfES Feasibility Study conclude that an Academy be established.


    STATEMENT OF DECISION


KEITH BARTLEY
Director for Children, Young People & Families

Background Papers: Nil

Contact Officer: Shannon Moore Senior Adviser (Partnership & Extended Learning) 428116

September 2006

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