Dear Stakeholders,

I am writing to you about the possibility of North Axholme School converting to Academy status. The Governing Body of the school is considering whether to pursue conversion and wish to consult with as many stakeholders as possible. To this end I would like to provide you with some information about academies and give you the opportunity to comment.

Academies are schools that receive their funding direct from government and are free from local authority control. It is government policy to encourage all schools to become academies. The Academies Act 2010 enables all maintained primary, secondary and special schools to apply to become an Academy in order to innovate and raise standards. Currently, as of 1 st June, about a third of all secondary schools in England have become or are in the process of applying to become an Academy.

Unlike the previous generation of Academies that were set up from 2000 to replace failing schools, second generation Academies have to be 'performing well' to and do not need to have an external sponsor. North Lincolnshire Council is supportive of schools wishing to become Academies and has produced an Academy Conversion Quick Reference Guide for North Lincolnshire Schools to assist them through the process. The majority of secondary schools in North Lincolnshire are seriously considering Academy conversion. Vale of Ancholme School in Brigg will become an Academy on September 1 st and Foxhills School has recently had its Academy Order approved.

You are invited to send us your views in answer to the question 'should North Axholme School convert to an Academy?' You should send your responses or questions via email to governors@northax.net or you are equally welcome to respond in writing to the school (please label your envelope 'Academy Consultation'). We have set up an area of the school that will contain responses to Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs) from stakeholders that will be regularly updated. Consultation responses should be received by Monday, 27th June. The Governing Body will consider responses when they make their final decision on whether to pursue an application to convert on 13th July.

Leesa Murray

Chair of Governors