Have your say in school conversion to academies consultation, urges Council

As seven Harrow high schools launch a consultation on whether to apply for Academy Status, the Council is calling on the whole community to get involved in the biggest decision for education in Harrow in recent years.

On Monday (7th March) Nower Hill, Hatch End, Canons, Harrow High, Rooks Heath, Bentley Wood and Park High started a four week consultation on proposals to become Academies.

At the end of the consultation, school governors will decide on whether to apply to become an Academy.

Academies are independent state schools funded directly by Government rather than through the Council. Academies enjoy a number of advantages over community schools including greater funding which can be used to improve educational standards. They set their own admissions criteria, curriculum and staffing arrangements, and are run by an Academy Trust, a charitable company that reports directly to the Secretary of State.

There are disadvantages too. With greater funding, the schools take on extra costs for maintenance of buildings and administrative functions such as insurance. As academies report directly to the Secretary of State, they do not have to consult with parents or the local authority if they want to change admissions criteria or terms and conditions for staff, for instance.

Due to the magnitude of the decision, Harrow Council believes it is essential to have an open and honest debate so that people can think carefully about the merits and drawbacks of Academy status. The Council wants information available so that everyone in Harrow can make an informed decision about what is best for the future education of children in the borough.

The seven schools have sent consultation documents to all parents and will each hold a public meeting on Monday 21st March where people can find out more or speak up on the issue.

Both the Council and school websites will include further information including questions and answers on Academies. They will also detail how the wider community can take part in the consultation by writing to or emailing schools.

Cllr Brian Gate, portfolio holder for schools and colleges on Harrow Council, said:

"This is the biggest decision schools will make in many years, with major implications for education in Harrow .

"The Council has successfully worked in partnership with schools to raise standards and increase achievement. They have flourished with all seven high schools rated either good or outstanding and the Council would prefer them to remain within the family of schools in Harrow . The system works well and I don't believe we need to rush into any changes.

"Parents, governors and the Councill all want to see really good schools serving our local communities and everyone needs to think very carefully about this decision. The Council provides a wide range of support to schools and also devolves more funding to them than any other local authority.

"That is why it is important for each school to consult fully on any changes, not only with parents but also with ward councillors, primary schools and the wider community.

"Ultimately the school governors will decide on whether to become an academy. I urge anyone with an interest to look at all the pros and cons before making their voices heard to the governors."

The Council has stated that regardless of the schools' decision, it will continue to support them, and encourage them to continue working in partnership with each other and with primary schools to deliver the very best education for children in Harrow .

The Council also wants to ensure that any changes have no impact on the borough's very fair admissions criteria so that our High Schools continue to offer Harrow school places to Harrow children.