10:28am Friday 23rd July 2010
By Lawrence Dunhill
CONCERNS have been raised about whether schools gaining academy status could be forced to become a comprehensive under a future Government.
Five grammar schools in south Buckinghamshire have expressed an interest in becoming an academy - a move which would give them freedom from the National Curriculum and the ability to change the length of school terms and times.
They would no longer be run by Conservative-dominated Buckinghamshire County Council, instead being controlled by central Government.
Councillor David Watson, Conservative member for Thames, raised concerns at a full county council meeting yesterday.
He said: “Should a grammar school become an academy? Is there really a long term guarantee that a future Government could not come along and say 'you're no longer under local authority control, you cannot any longer remain a grammar school'?”
Steven Adams, cabinet member for Education, said: “I don't think it's for me to say whether they should or shouldn't – they have to make the decision for themselves.”
He said he was trying to give schools as much information as possible about the move, adding that a group of MPs are currently trying to amend the bill to ensure schools could safeguard their future as grammars.
Secondary schools to show interest in becoming academies are: Royal Grammar School and John Hampden Grammar School in High Wycombe, Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, Highcrest Community School, Wycombe High School and Chesham High School.
Primaries Seer Green C of E Combined, Chalfont C of E School and Coleshill Church of England Infant School have also shown interest.
© Copyright 2001-2012 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.bucksfreepress.co.uk/trade_directory/