CARTER Community School in Poole has applied to become an Academy in a bid to sustain rapid improvements.
The Hamworthy secondary school is already the second most improved in the country and head teacher Rob Davies is confident Academy status will make it even better.
Parents, carers and students are currently being consulted on the issue and the school could convert as early as April 1 next year.
Mr Davies hopes to join forces with national organisation United Learning and to push towards an outstanding rating within five years. United Learning is an education charity already involved in academies and independent schools across the country, providing education to more than 23,000 students.
The same group runs the independent Bournemouth Collegiate School, which has a prep school in Poole and a senior school in Southbourne Carter Chair of Governors Phil Sand said: “This is a very exciting time for everyone associated with the school.
“We believe that this partnership with United Learning is the school’s best way to ensure outstanding education for the Hamworthy community.”
Consultation packs are now available and meetings for interested parties will be held on Thursday October 18, followed by drop-in sessions the following day.
The consultation period ends a week later.
Academy status will give the school control of its own budget and additional funding. It will have freedom to expand existing partnerships and can ensure value for money by deciding what services to buy and who to buy them from.
There are no plans to change the name of the school and admissions would remain the same.
Carter saw 48 per cent of its Year 11 students gain at least five A*-C grades, including English and maths, at GCSE this year, a massive improvement on last year when 21 per cent put it in the bottom ten schools in the country.
Consultation key dates
Consultation meetings on October 18. 3.30-4.30pm for staff and staff representatives, 5-6pm for local businesses and community groups and 6.30-7.30pm for parents, students and the local community.
Drop-in sessions on October 19.
Consultation ends – October 26.
Proposed Academy conversion day – April 1.
Proposed foundation day – mid-April.
