7th November 2024
Dear Parent/Carer,
You may be aware that schools across the country are being encouraged to adopt ‘academy’ status, and a government White Paper in 2022 proposed a date of 2030 for all schools to be part of a ‘strong’ multi academy trust (MAT).
That’s why we’re announcing plans to consult with THS staff, students, parents and the wider community around adopting academy status, a process we started looking at informally in 2022.
We are actively working on our school improvement plan, but we are being hindered by lack of funding from central Government and dwindling support from Devon County Council. Both the Governors and I believe we need to take urgent and pro-active steps to create the environment for our students to flourish.
We have been involved in discussions with a number of MATs, regional and national, already – and started to work on a management partnership with a MAT earlier this term. Currently there are only three secondary schools in Devon, including us, that are not in academies.
To be clear, no decisions around a MAT have been made, and we will thoroughly consider the options open to our school. The next steps we take in consultation will involve all stakeholders, including parents and the wider community and be in the best interests of staff, students. This process is likely to take nine to 12 months.
Academising may also be an option for Heathcoat Primary and Rackenford Primary schools moving forward. Other than our two primaries, Two Moors Primary School and Castle Primary School are the only other state primary schools in the Tiverton Cooperative Learning Partnership.
I will be back in touch to update you on the consultation as soon as I can.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Crook
Headteacher
Tiverton High School