Further details released over future of Skegness Academy

The Department for Education earlier this year decided the school on Burgh Road, currently operated by the Greenwood Academies Trust, should be transferred to another sponsor organisation.

The latest position has been revealed in a letter to parents from chief executive of the Greenwood Trust, Wayne Norrie, who also apologised for the lack of information up to this point.

He writes: “I have been seeking confirmation from the Regional Schools Commissioner’s office of the proposed sponsor before being in a position to share any news with you. I do understand how frustrating this has been for you as parents and the wider community, but the delay in release of any information has been out of the trust’s control.

“The Department for Education has indicated that the David Ross Education Trust is its preferred sponsor for Skegness Academy and that they would like the transfer to be complete by 1 September 2017. As you may be aware Skegness Academy operates within a selective education system and is located directly alongside the Skegness Grammar School, which is also sponsored by the David Ross Education Trust. We understand that David Ross Education Trust is interested in adding Skegness Academy to their portfolio of schools in the local area. We fully understand the reasoning behind this as the sponsorship should ensure that children and young people in the area get access to a more joined up secondary educational experience.

“As soon as I have any further information about the potential transfer I will write to you. However, I would like to reassure pupils and parents that during this period of change it is business as usual at the Skegness Academy. If the transfer of the academy is ultimately agreed the academy will work in partnership with the new sponsor, pupils, parents and staff to ensure that your child’s education is not disrupted.”

He added the trust ‘remains fully committed to Skegness’.

The Standard contacted the David Ross Education Trust, which is based in Grantham, for a comment.

A spokesman said: “The Trust is aware that Skegness Academy has been put forward for rebrokerage by the Regional Schools Commissioner.

“We are currently carrying out due diligence to ensure that when the Trust board formally decides if it is beneficial to allow the academy to join the network, they can do so with all the facts in front of them.

“It is important to stress, however, that there are some key areas that need to be explored and considered and that no decision has yet been made.”