Cabinet approves next steps for the Wyebridge Academy

Herefordshire Council has agreed to begin the statutory consultation process to change the status of Wyebridge Sports College to an Academy in September 2008.

The move to academy status will bring with it a £22 million capital investment from the government's Partnership for Schools to rebuild and refurbish the school buildings.

However the Secretary of State will not give final approval to the new academy until the statutory process required for the formal closure of the existing school and opening of the new academy has been undertaken.

Under strong leadership, the school has made consistent progress over the years, improving five GCSE pass rates from just over ten percent to 52 percent in seven years. Although the right learning atmosphere has been created with improved teaching and learning, the building is in need of major capital investment and the academy programme will allow this to happen. Without it, the school would have to wait until around 2020 for the next wave of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

Wyebridge Academy, to be sponsored by the Hereford Diocese, will not be a church school and admission arrangements will remain the same as they are at the moment. The head teacher of Wyebridge Sports College has been appointed to the post of principal of the new academy and all other staff will transfer across under TUPE (transfer of undertakings) legislation.

Cabinet members were told that although the business case has yet to be completed and approved, the Department for Children, Schools and Families has stipulated that the statutory notices need to be issued now if the expected timescale for opening is to be met. The business case will be presented for discussion and approval at the council's cabinet meeting on 27th March.

Martin Erwin, chair of governors at Wyebridge Sports College, said:
"South Wye deserves the very best. The investment of £22 million will not be on the table again. Having fought hard to get to this place, we must not turn back. On the 18th December 2007, a special meeting of Wyebridge governors was called and we voted unanimously to support the academy proposal."

"We are delighted that the council has agreed to take this very important next step towards making the academy a reality for the children and families in South Wye."