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IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PRINCE HENRY'S GRAMMAR SCHOOL

 

OTLEY AGAINST ACADEMY STATUS

Unanimously Resolved: by Otley Town Council on 18th July 2011 at Policy & Resources Committee

Otley Town Council is extremely concerned to learn that the Prince Henry’s School Governing body has expressed an interest in exploring further the possibility of academy status for the school. Otley Town Council sees no educational benefit in the proposals and wishes to express its total opposition to Academy status. It believes there are better options to promote and develop the school, including the potential of Trust status and these should be examined prior to any final decision. Furthermore Otley Town Council is committed to working with Prince Henry’s to explore the Trust model. Otley Town Council has serious misgivings about the future governance of the school, particularly its role as a resource for the whole community, should academy status be granted. We believe that, because there is no “new money” associated with this status, any additional funds that Prince Henry’s receives will reduce the effectiveness of the new Pupil Premium and will be to the detriment of all other local schools – including the Primary feeder schools. Furthermore, Otley Town Council has serious misgivings about the future viability of community facilities including the Chippendale Swimming Pool – and believes that academy status would potentially undermine the excellent work that has taken place in recent years to increase the pool’s use. Otley Town Council, as the democratic representation of the town, believes that before the governing body proceeds to apply for academy status, a full parental ballot, conducted under usual democratic oversight should be conducted. We further feel that a meaningful discussion should be held with the people of Otley about the future of their school.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Otley Town Council Offices

7 Bay Horse Court, Otley, LS21 1SB, Tel: 01943 466335, email: townclerk@otleytowncouncil.gov.uk 

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