Dear Sir
In response to the letter entitled “Why did Woodham go it alone” in last week’s Newton News, I am pleased that the writer recognises the fact that Woodham is performing well and is able to convert to an academy because it is a good school.
This was confirmed by Ofsted when the school was inspected in September 2011. I can assure readers that the Governing Body took the decision to convert after careful consideration of the facts. It is our view that academy status will allow us to better serve our students and our community.
As an academy, we will receive additional direct funding from the DfE and will be able to choose where we buy services from. It is highly likely that we will continue to buy many of the services which we currently purchase from Durham County Council. However we will be in a position to secure best value for money.
The writer questions the phrase “following consultation with the wider community”. Again, I can confirm that Woodham’s Governing Body carried out a full and extensive consultation process, involving all staff, parents, students, trade unions, Durham County Council, Great Aycliffe Town Council, Phil Wilson MP, all local schools, colleges, training providers and universities and a number of other organisations in the town, including the Newton News.
In responding to the consultation, the ASSET Board made a formal response “The ASSET Board understands the need for the request by Woodham Community Technology College to convert to an academy but is disappointed that this necessitates Woodham withdrawing from the Trust (this view is shared by all three Headteachers).
The Board hopes that if Woodham Governing Body do decide to convert to an academy, the three schools will continue to collaborate closely in the future and also with the trust partners.”
Woodham fully subscribes to working in partnership with other institutions and looks forward to continued collaboration for the benefit of young people in Aycliffe.
Mrs C. Forsyth
Headteacher
Woodham Community Technology College
