Issue - meetings

Report ED13084

The Portfolio Holder introduced a report providing an update on the Bromley academy programme and the number of free schools being established in the Borough.  68% of Bromley schools had now either converted to academy status, were in the formal process of conversion to academy status or were actively exploring conversion to academy status.  Four free school applications had received approval from the Secretary of State to open in the Borough in the academic year 2013/14 or 2014/15 comprising Harris Primary Free School Beckenham, Harris Aspire, Family Langley and the Bromley Bilingual Primary School.  There were three known potential applications to open free schools in the Borough in the academic year 2015/16 which could include a joint bid by the Langley Secondary Academies for a Primary Free School based on the Langley campus.

In response to a question from a Member, the Assistant Director: Education confirmed that Mottingham Primary School had recently had its application for stand-alone academy status refused.  There had been a change of policy and the Department for Education was now encouraging primary schools to convert to academy status as part of a group to ensure long term sustainability and realise economies of scale.  The Special Schools in the Borough were currently exploring the potential of developing an academy cluster.  The small schools in the Borough had also been considering developing an academy cluster, and work was being undertaken by the Local Authority to support these schools in identifying a range of options for academy conversion.

A Co-opted Member noted that the Harris Aspire Free School would provide an alternative education for 11-18 year olds in the Borough.  The Assistant Director: Education confirmed that Harris Aspire would primarily support young people who were pupils at other Harris academies but that places could be purchased by other schools or by the Local Authority where this alternative provision was judged as providing the support needed by individual pupils. 

A second Academies’ Conference would be held in Autumn 2013. This event would help support schools to develop links with other schools or academies with a view to moving towards academy status.  It would also provide academy schools with a good opportunity to share their experiences of converting to academy status with other schools.

RESOLVED that the Portfolio Holder be recommended to note the update.