Theresa Villiers MP steps in after Ravenscroft School in Barnet is rejected for Academy status (From Times Series)

Theresa Villiers MP steps in after Ravenscroft School in Barnet is rejected for Academy status

7:20am Wednesday 28th July 2010 in

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AN MP has stepped in to try and get Academy status for a Barnet school initially turned down by Government inspectors.

Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has written to Education Secretary Michael Gove urging him to review the decision not to allow the Ravenscroft School to have the status.

All Outstanding rated schools have been invited to apply for Academy status by the government in a bid to reduce bureaucracy and give them more control over budgets, curriculum and school life.

Governors at the technology specialist school unanimously agreed to apply for the status at the end of June, before legislation was even properly drafted.

In turning down the application Mr Gove cited concerns over standards, under-subscription and its capacity to support another weaker school.

After a meeting with Ms Villiers Mr Gove agreed to send the decision back to the assessment team under Lord Hill for more consideration.

In a letter to him following the meeting the she wrote: “As you will recognise, the decision to reject the application is a huge disappointment to the whole school community - to staff, parents and students – and to all of us in Barnet who strongly support the school and value the work that it does.

“You will see that the students come from diverse backgrounds, with a significant proportion having special educational needs and others coming from the refugee community. “In my opinion, Ravenscroft’s progress been hugely impressive in recent years. Ofsted’s rating of the school as outstanding reflects the hard work by governors, staff and students.

“The school has given vastly improved life chances to hundreds of students who might otherwise have struggled or become disengaged from education.”

She adds: “I know you do not wish Academy status to be confined to those schools which head the results league tables.

“When Lord Hill looks at this decision again, I would urge him to come to a different conclusion and allow Ravenscroft to take part in the first wave of new Academy Schools.“ If successful the school would have Academy status conferred on it from September 1, in time for the start of the new school year.