In July, Cllr Andrew Parry, our portfolio holder for Children, Education and Early Help, wrote to the Secretary of State, Gavin Williamson MP, and asked the Government to delay turning Weymouth’s Budmouth College into an academy. The letter was sent after a motion was put to Full Council and agreed by councillors. Cllr Parry has now received a reply and Mr Williamson has said the Government will not delay the process. Read his reply.
Cllr Andrew Parry said:
“We asked the Government to delay this academisation, as we were reflecting the concerns of parents, pupils, councillors and the local community about the process. The Department for Education have said the academisation must take place as they planned. I know many people will be disappointed by the response, but we must now move forward and work with Budmouth College, Aspirations and the Regional Schools Commissioner to make the necessary changes and, most importantly, safeguard the standards for our young people. I know I’m not alone when I say we want pupils at Budmouth to receive the best possible education, so our priority must now be supporting Aspirations and the school to make this happen.”
