Dinnington: Comprehensive academy plans

Dinnington Comprehensive School has moved a step closer to becoming an academy after school leaders and governors announced they expect to complete the conversion within six months.Now the school has issued a list of questions and answers following a consultation session with parents, to address any concerns they may have.
Dinnington Comprehensive SchoolDinnington Comprehensive School
Dinnington Comprehensive School

Those present to answer questions on Wednesday 9th April were headteacher Paul Blackwell, business manager Andrew Blench, head of governors Monica Carol and head teacher of Brinsworth Comprehensive School Richard Fone.

One of the key points stressed by the school is that they have not beenput under pressure by the Department for Education or the Local Authority to convert to an academy. A school statement said: “This is a decision taken by the Governing Body after careful consideration of all available information.”

“They believe it represents the best way to preserve the future of the school, whilst continuing to strive to provide an outstanding education for all the young people of Dinnington and surrounding areas.”

The school also assured parents that it would still serve the community when it converts to an academy.

The statement said: “Our core values based on ‘One and All’ remain and we will maintain the strong links we have with our Learning Community Primary Schools and the community in general.”

It was confirmed that the school would receive some extra funds for becoming an academy, but it would also have to pay for all of the services it previously received for no additional charge from the local authority.

Other issues covered were that it will not have to change its teaching guidelines, it will not get a new building and teachers will not have to re-apply for their jobs.

The release issued by the school also stated that they have high performance hopes for all pupils.

The school said: “The aim is to be an outstanding school with 80 per cent making expected level of progress.”

“Forty per cent of pupils with better than expected progress and 70 per cent achieving five A* to C grades, including English and maths.”

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