St James the Great R.C (V.A) Primary & Nursery School

Academy Consultation

Dear Parents and Friends 

You will be aware that the current Government has decided to make Academy status available to all schools in England and Wales and that it has given schools deemed to be "good” or "outstanding" by Ofsted the opportunity to individually apply to convert to Academy Status and we are therefore able to apply.

The Governors have been considering the matter carefully and believe that it is in the school's best interest to seriously consider whether the school should become an Academy.  Before making any decision, they wish to consult with you (and other stakeholders), to ask for your opinion on the question - "Should St James the Great School become an Academy?"   We have held face to face meetings with Staff and Parents and are soon to meet with the pupils. Information will also be circulated through our two parish communities.

The Governors are planning to meet on Tuesday 29th November to formally consider this issue. Please note that, in all of these considerations, the Governing Body is taking a purely practical stance as to what would be the best for the school community.  There is no political argument put forward by the Governing Body about this process, nor will political views influence its decision.

Further information on Academy status is also available from the DfE website.

If you wish to let the Governing Body know your thoughts on whether St James the Great should become an Academy, please email the school at academy@stjamesthegreat.org before the 29th.  Alternatively, you may send any comments or questions in writing to the Chair of Governors at the school address by the same date.
                                                                                                                                                 
Feedback:

The Governing Body will consider carefully any representations that are made and will continue to update the summary on this site of comments and questions received with responses as appropriate.  Specific questions from staff  pertaining to employment issues have been answered directly.  All comments and questions will form part of the governors deliberations on this issue.

The outcome of the meeting on the 29th will be notified directly to parents of children currently in attendance at the school and thereafter on this site.

Yours sincerely

Mr Edwin Abreo
Chair of Governors
on behalf of the Governing Body of St James the Great School