Take part in public consultation on proposed academy at Shene (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Take part in public consultation on proposed academy at Shene

January 17, 2010 10:49 AM

• LOCAL people are being encouraged to have their say on the proposed academy at Shene School, by attending one of a series of public meetings in late January and early February.

Eleven meetings will held at local schools to give parents, residents and other interested parties the chance to discuss plans with representatives from Richmond Council and co-sponsors the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET). The public consultation period, which will help the Council make its decision on the future of the school, will run for six weeks, from 8 January until 19 February.

Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education on Richmond Council, said: "We are in the process of developing plans to turn the school into an academy by the start of the autumn term this year. Knowing what local people think is a crucial part of this development stage. Having recently gone through a similar process with the Whitton School and Hampton Community College, we know there are certain topics, such as building design, the curriculum and parental involvement that people are passionate about, so we are keen to hear as many views as possible. We believe that transforming the school into an academy will be of huge benefit to local children and build on the excellent work of the existing staff under headteacher, Lesley Kirby. If we go ahead with the plans, there be a huge cash injection from the government that will transform the existing facilities and bring changes to the curriculum to boost the pupils attainment. However, nothing is decided yet and there is much work to be done before any decisions are made."

David Triggs, Chief Executive Officer of AET, said: "We are delighted to have been invited to act as co-sponsors with the London Borough of Richmond Upon-Thames. This is a very exciting project and with the support of the local community we believe we can develop an academy that will be the education provider of choice for the students, the employer of choice for staff and the school of choice for parents."

AET will be producing a brochure outlining plans for the academy prior to the meetings.

The public meetings will be held at the following venues:

January

26 Shene, 7pm

28 Darell Primary, 2pm; St Mary Magdalen's Catholic Primary (with invitation extended to parents of children at St Elizabeth's and St Osmund's), 7pm

February

1 East Sheen Primary, 7pm

2 Holy Trinity Church of England Primary, 3.30pm; Marshgate Primary, 7pm

3 The Vineyard Primary, 2pm; Kew Riverside Primary, 7pm

4 Sheen Mount Primary, 7pm

9 Lowther Primary, 2pm; Barnes Primary, 7pm

You do not need to register to attend. For more details contact Matthew Paul at m.paul@richmond.gov.uk

Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats: