EXCITING plans have been unveiled to transform a Fareham primary school into a Church of England academy.

Jane Hoggarth and Tony Blackshaw at Oak Meadow C of E Primary with (left to right) Thomas Andersen, 9, Mercedes Warren, 9, Korben James, 9, and Courtney Riddell, 10.

The governors of Oak Meadow C of E Primary have applied for the school to join the government’s academy scheme in partnership with the Church. It would be only the second C of E academy in our diocese.

The move would release extra funding for the school, as well as extra resources provided by the Dioceses of Portsmouth and Winchester as sponsors.

Academy status means the school would operate as a state-funded school, but independent of the local authority. It might change its name, its uniform and its school badge – but there are currently no plans to change its admissions policy, headteacher, or staff.

Governors will consult formally with staff, parents, pupils and the wider community after Easter. And, if the government approves, the school should become an academy in September.

The chair of governors, Pauline Andersen, said: “Becoming an academy will allow us to ensure that all the children in the school receive the best possible start to their learning journey. Families shouldn’t notice much difference, other than the fact that we will have more freedom to make the choices that are right for the children.”

The decision by the governors came after the government suggested the school was one of 200 nationwide that were ‘under-performing’ in tests for 11-year-olds. But the most recent Ofsted inspection in March 2011 confirmed the school was ‘satisfactory’ and improving under good leadership and management.

The school is currently a voluntary controlled school, which means the Church has some input into school life, sharing responsibility with the local authority. But its admission policies are not based on faith – it accepts local children from the neighbourhood like any local authority school.

Headteacher Jane Hoggarth, said: “We were aware of the government’s policy on academies, and so our governors decided they wanted to convert to an academy with the Church as our sponsor. This means we can protect the Christian character of the school, further develop teaching and learning and make improvements to the school environment.

“We’ll be asking staff, parents, pupils and the local community what they think, with leaflets available and some drop-in days. We especially want to know if they would like us to change our name and our logo. If we do so, there is a grant available so parents can buy new uniforms.”

Our diocese has linked Oak Meadow with Bransgore C of E Primary School in the New Forest. Bransgore is a teaching school which became an academy last year and is judged to be “outstanding” by Ofsted inspectors. It therefore has much to offer Oak Meadow in terms of advice and support.

Its headteacher, Peter Pretlove, said: "Bransgore was accredited as a National Teaching Academy in September and it's a great opportunity for both our schools to work collaboratively for the benefit of the children we serve."

Tony Blackshaw, director of education for Portsmouth and Winchester dioceses, said: “We have been working very closely with Oak Meadow’s staff and governing body as well as with our Hampshire Local Education Authority colleagues. We are aware improvements have already been achieved and we expect that process to continue year on year.”

If you have any comments or questions, please contact the school on 01329-843226 or jane.hoggarth(at)oakmeadow.hants.sch.uk.