Grindon Hall school founders protest against proposed academy takeover
Grindon Hall Free School in Sunderland has vowed to fight moves by the DfE to place it in the hands of multi-academy trust Bright Tribe.
After being placed into special measures by Ofsted last year, Grindon Hall Christian School will now be taken over by a new sponsor, in what is reported to be the first ever academy trust takeover of a free school.
While the school’s founders say they do not object to the principle of a sponsor, they are protesting against the DfE’s choice, stating that Bright Tribe is not a suitable fit for the school: “It has no record of improving schools and has given no commitment to upholding Grindon Hall’s Christian ethos, which the founders maintain is fundamental to students’ high attainment.”
The founders argue that they have not been briefed regarding the sponsor and that parents want greater choice in the matter, and to be consulted much more closely: “We need a sponsor which has a track record of improving schools. We want the very best for the children and we are not prepares to accept a sponsor about whom we have very little information.”
A spokesperson for the DfE said the Regional Schools Commissioner is “seriously concerned about the school” and has been “exploring options for future sponsorship, including Bright tribe”.
In a monitoring visit report last month, Ofsted said the school was making “reasonable progress” towards the removal of special measures.