Archway School is exploring the possibility of converting to academy status.
Headteacher Kieron Smith told Stroud Times that any switch to an academy would involve a consultation with parents, staff and the wider community, he explained: “Archway is one of a very small handful of local authority controlled secondary schools in Gloucestershire.
“It is important that, as part of the regular strategic reviews undertaken, governors and senior leaders scan the educational landscape and considers future pathways for their school.
“Thankfully, as an OFSTED graded ‘good’ school we are able to largely determine our own destiny at Archway. It is the role of governors to ensure that the school is financially viable and that the students gain the best possible outcomes.
“It is important to stress that this is only one possible future pathway for Archway”
Kieron Smith, headteacher
“It is prudent to look at all possible models of how this can be done for the future health of the school. Many schools, primary and secondary in Gloucestershire have joined multi-academy trusts.
“Were Archway to choose this future pathway, then a great deal of stakeholder engagement would need to take place. It is important to stress that this is only one possible future pathway for Archway. We are in the fortunate position to be able to determine whether or not our current status as a local authority school is best for our students.”
The comprehensive school in Paganhill, Stroud, welcomed its first pupils in 1961. The sixth form opened in the 1980s and the school now has 1,000 pupils on its roll.
Former England and Gloucestershire cricketer Jack Russell is a former pupil and made his debut for Gloucestershire whilst a sixth former at the Stroud school.
What are academy schools?
Academies are state-funded schools. However, unlike other state-funded schools, they’re independent from local authorities, meaning that they aren’t overseen by councils. As a result, they have more freedom in how the school is run.
Pupils in academies study the same core subjects and do the same exams as those in any other school, but unlike schools managed by the local authority, academies can choose to adapt the curriculum, term dates and school hours to help children learn.
Academies also have the power to decide how to spend their money on things like teacher salaries and classroom equipment.
Some academies used to be council-run schools and others are brand new schools known as ‘free schools’ which are established to create more school places in a local area.
Any type of school can be an academy, including primary schools, colleges and special schools.
