Academy Decision On Bishopsford Awaited

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School set to be placed in 'special measures'

A decision is still being awaited on Bishopsford Art College in Morden, which is set to be placed in 'special measures' by the Department of Education after a critical OFSTED report.

Once the announcement is made, Merton council is set to turn the Lilleshall Road college into an Academy School, run by a 'sponsor'.

When the OFSTED decision is made, the sponsor will have to be approved by Merton's Cabinet.

Councillor Peter Walker, Cabinet member for Education, said: "I have said in the past that my preference is that we keep local schools accountable to the council and to local people.

"With active assistance from the borough Bishopsford has been steadily improving its GCSE results and last year achieved 43% 5A*-C with English and Maths. However under the new Ofsted inspection framework, when the school has been placed in special measures, the Secretary of State expects Academy status to be actively considered." 

• Meanwhile, at the next Merton full council meeting on Wednesday March 28, the Conservatives have put forward a motion encouraging all schools in the borough to seek academy status. Their motion says: "As many children as possible should benefit from the successful Academy model".

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March 22, 2012