Department for Education to debate Suffolk school changes

The Department for Education's East of England advisory board is set to meet at the end of April to discuss requests in regards to becoming academies, moving schools under new trusts and adding additional resources.  

One of the items includes discussing plans to open an offsite facility for pupils with complex needs at Langer Primary Academy in Felixstowe. 

The academy was rated 'good' by Ofsted last November, two years after being deemed inadequate by the education watchdog.

Meanwhile, Woodbridge primary schools Hollesley and Waldringfield are in discussion to be converted into academies. 

If they are converted into academies they will join ASSET Education, which is a trust consisting of 14 academies based out of St Helens Primary School in Woodbridge. 

ASSET Education believes its approach is unique, and said: "Each school is encouraged to express its distinctive personality, reflecting its locality and taking a prominent role in the lives of the people and organisations that surround it."

They had also announced the opening of a new primary school in Ipswich's town centre earlier this year. 

Finally the board will discuss requests in relation to schools changing trusts. 

Holbrook Academy is looking to move out of its single academy trust and transfer to East Anglian Schools Trust Ltd. 

This trust has nine other schools across areas surrounding the town of Ipswich. 

Similarly, the John Milton Academy Trust which contains four schools based in and around Stowmarket has discussions scheduled to merge with Ipswich base Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust.

The John Milton Academy Trust has been looking after the Stowupland High School has received a 'Requires Improvement' Ofsted rating in December after an inspection last January following concern of 'military-like' strictness in the school.

Ofsted believed that behaviour issues were not consistently addressed in the academy. 

The meeting is due to take place on April 25.