Maryport school set to become an academy

The school appeared on a list published by the Government this week of schools set to become sponsored academies.

The Department for Education confirmed that the step was required, following a change in the law that means all schools rated inadequate by learning watchdog Ofsted must relaunch as academies.

The department said a potential sponsor had been lined up and had had early talks with the school.

But Netherhall bosses claim that, since being informed in June about the requirement to become an academy, they had been left in the dark about who will take over.

Jan Clarke, chairman of governors, said: “We have been in talks with groups of academies who have come into the school and gone away again.

“We have been awaiting a letter, which we were supposed to get 40 days after we were told we would become an academy.

“That letter has never come so although we have been talking to people we have no idea who our sponsor is or when the school will become an academy.”

The school was rated inadequate by Ofsted and placed in special measures in June.

It followed an inspection in May, just weeks after David Tromans arrived as acting headteacher.

If a school is rated inadequate, the law now requires it to become an academy, run by a Government-approved sponsor.

Inspectors acknowledged that the head was “working hard to improve the quality of provision”.

They added: “He has brought a new drive, determination and vision to improve standards for pupils.”

Neither Mrs Clarke nor Mr Tromans would comment on what becoming an academy would mean to Netherhall.

Both said they had insufficient information at this stage.

Mrs Clarke, however, said: “It is what it is and we will have to turn it into something positive for the school and community.”

A Department for Education spokesman said: “It is crucial we identify schools that are not doing enough to help their pupils fulfil their potential.

“The academy programme has helped to turn around underperforming schools. Results in sponsored academies, schools that have struggled in the past, have been improving and we expect that trend to continue.”

Workington MP Sue Hayman has accused the Government of using Ofsted to “politically manipulate” schools into becoming academies.

She said: “I know many teachers are concerned that Ofsted inspections have been changed and some are concerned the move to academies might be part of the reason.”

Meanwhile, Mrs Hayman this week demanded action over the state of Netherhall’s buildings.

She called for a statement from the Secretary of State for Education on the “crumbling buildings and meagre resources” at the school.

Mrs Hayman made her call after teachers at Whitehaven Academy went on strike over the conditions they are forced to work in.

Both schools were identified for improvement under the last Labour Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme, which was scrapped by the coalition government in 2010.

Mrs Hayman vowed to continue to fight to make schools in this area fit for purpose.