Brighton school could be forced to become an academy after 'inadequate' rating

Brighton and Hove City Council said it has been told by the Department for Education that has been issued an Academy Order after the inspection.

Concerns raised by inspectors included the quality of teaching, pupil’s attendance and ‘rough play’ in the playground.

The regional schools commissioner has said he is currently considering a suitable academy sponsor for the school, and that he will let the council know when he has selected one.

But the Labour-run council is opposing the move.

Councillor Nick Childs, chair of Brighton and Hove City Council’s children, young people and skills committee, said: “Our new administration’s preferred position is in favour of maintaining all local authority controlled schools.

“We are fundamentally opposed to this attempt by the Regional Schools Commissioner to tell the people of Brighton & Hove that we must hand over our community school to become a private academy company without local accountability.

“The council will be arranging a parental and staff ballot regarding the Academy Order and we will be sharing the results of this ballot with the Commissioner.

“I very much hope that this will be reflected in any final decision made about the school.

“We shall also be writing to the Secretary of State to request that the school be re-inspected in the autumn, and asking for the privatisation process to be halted in the interim.

“In the meantime we have a great head and staff team working at the school, and the comprehensive package of support we have put in place to improve academic standards there will continue.”