Decision - Academisation of Woodingdean Primary school

Resolved to: This council notes: 1) That Woodingdean Primary School is undergoing a consultation on proposals to join the Eko Trust. 2) There is significant concern about the principle of academisation from staff, parents, carers and the community. 3) Woodingdean has two 'good' Ofsted rated maintained schools which deliver excellent educational outcomes for children. 4) The Eko Trust is in the process of a merger with another Multi Academy Trust – feeding uncertainty into the process and future implications for the school. 5) School governors are a vital asset to our family of schools and help deliver excellent educational opportunities for the children of our city – hence we do not want to see them undermined as is often the case in a Multi Academy Trust. This council resolves to: 1) Request that the Leader of the Council writes to the Co-Chair of governors at Woodingdean Primary to seek to extend the consultation period to the autumn, supporting parent's wishes. 2) Request officers to consider how best to ensure that Woodingdean school governors are fully aware and briefed on the school improvement work undertaken in recent years, and the totality of the LEA offer to schools prior to the next Full Governing Board meeting where feedback from the consultation is to be discussed. 3) Request officers and Cabinet members to listen and respond to feedback from the school and to consider whether bespoke packages of support are available and committing to always innovate and evolve the LEA offer. 4) Request officers to consider how they can seek out schools considering academisation, and to present a robust case to them for remaining with the LEA. 5) Note the Administration's position to explicitly oppose new academisation proposals on principle.

The council considered concerns about Woodingdean Primary School joining Eko Trust, including uncertainty caused by Eko Trust's proposed merger and concerns from staff, parents, carers and the community. The motion sought an extension to the consultation, better briefing for governors, further support for the school and a robust case for schools to remain with the LEA.