Hathershaw College in academy move

HATHERSHAW College is the latest Oldham school to consider becoming an academy.

It has submitted an application to the Department for Education to allow it to start the consultation process.

But head teacher Carol Cawkwell stressed that no decision had been made — and that it was looking at becoming a converter academy rather than one run by sponsors.

The number of academy’s in England has risen from 203 in May, 2010, to 629.

They are state-funded but are outside local authority control with more freedom over the curriculum, term dates and teachers’ pay and conditions.

Previously targeted at struggling schools, the scheme has been opened up to top performers.

Blue Coat’s application to become an academy has been approved, but the funding is not yet agreed, while Crompton House plans to apply.

Hathershaw is already a part of a trust with local primary schools and other organisations.

Mrs Cawkwell said: “Governors and trustees have entered into consultation on the potential benefits of converting to academy status.

“This would be a converter academy which is not led by a sponsor and has to be a good or outstanding school. We are hoping that becoming an academy will support our determined efforts to further improve the education offered at Hathershaw.

“We have no intention of changing our name and we would remain an active member of West Oldham Trust.”

Waterhead Academy, which replaced Breeze Hill and Counthill schools, has announced 48 redundancies following a £1.8 million funding cut.

It will move into a new building in November, 2012, and Tony Harrison, secretary of Oldham National Union of Teachers, said: “Given what is happening at Waterhead, schools should be learning lessons.

“The main motivation seems to be a financial one. We have already seen that once you have had your first year of set-up costs, there is no guarantee that funding will continue. They are experimenting with an unproved, ideological policy of the government.”

Waterhead principal David Yates said: “We knew that we were over-staffed following the transfer to an academy and that a restructure would be necessary before moving to the new building.

“Unfortunately, the reduction in funding has forced this on us earlier than we expected. The academy continues to be absolutely committed to raising standards and aspirations.

“I would like to thank the staff for their co-operation and their continued efforts to raise standards and aspirations whilst going through this very difficult process.”