Shire Oak School awaits academy decision

Monday 24th January 2011, 2:44PM GMT.

A secondary school in Walsall has applied to be an academy – and will this week find out if it has been successful.

Gary Crowther, head teacher of Shire Oak School, said the application had “100 per cent” approval from the school’s governing body and they were very confident of being granted the status.

If the status is granted Walsall Council will hand over control of the school to a charity or business, which will then take over the school’s funding. The council would only retain one seat on the board of governors.

Mr Crowther said: “I can’t think of any reasons they would turn us down, particularly with the government drive to convert schools into academies.

“We are very confident that it will be a positive outcome.”

A total of 28 schools in Walsall, which have at least one outstanding feature according to Ofsted, have been invited to adopt academy status. Shire Oak School, in Lichfield Road, Walsall Wood, has six outstanding features.

Serco, the private firm which runs Walsall’s schools, is also exploring academy status include Willenhall Sports College, Alumwell Business College, Blue Coat Performing Arts College and Frank F Harrison Engineering College.

View more: Schools news, Walsall news, Walsall Wood news.