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11
Nov 2022
Primary schools near Harrogate face uncertain future after academy plans fall through
Three village primary schools in the Harrogate district face an uncertain future after plans to become part of a multi-academy trust fell through.
Beckwithshaw Primary and Ripley Endowed C of E schools are both required to become part of an academy after they received 'inadequate' ratings from Ofsted this year.
The two schools are federated, along with Kettlesing Felliscliffe Primary School, and as Church of England schools are also part of the Leeds diocese.
However, plans to join Elevate Multi Academy Trust (MAT) from the beginning of this month fell through shortly before the start date.
In a letter to parents, Anne Vetch, vice-chair of the schools' interim executive board (IEB), said:
While Ripley and Beckwithshaw schools are required to join a MAT because of their Ofsted ratings, Kettlesing Felliscliffe, which is rated 'good', is not. A consultation with parents was held earlier this year over whether to remain part of the federated schools and join the MAT.
Since the two 'inadequate' ratings were given last year, the three schools had had two interim executive headteachers since the spring: Victoria Kirkman and Chris Whitehead.
Mr Whitehead left during the October half-term, having expected the schools to become part of the MAT immediately afterwards. Ms Kirkman has stayed on part-time as co-executive interim headteacher, alongside her role as head of Admiral Long and Birstwith primary schools.
She will be joined by Rebecca Foy, who has been the schools' special educational needs coordinator.
Read more:
- Beckwithshaw primary school rated 'inadequate' by Ofsted
- Ofsted rates Ripley primary school as 'inadequate'
Parents have been invited to an information evening on December 5, when representatives of the IEB, North Yorkshire County Council and the Leeds diocese will explain what could happen next.
The situation has followed a similar pattern to Woodfield Community Primary School, which was rated 'inadequate' and then failed to find a MAT to join. With falling roll numbers and just one pupil now attending, the school will close at the end of December.
However, leaders of the three federated schools said they are determined to find a trust to join and have confidence in the education provided by the schools.
In a statement issued through North Yorkshire County Council, Robert Ling, chair of the interim executive board at the three schools, said:
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