Prater: A New, Better View on Academies by Kent County Council

Folkestone West County Councillor Tim Prater has welcomed the statement by Kent County Council Leader Paul Carter on Kent Schools and Academy status. Previously, Mr Cater had advised all schools to consider academy status, but in a letter to school governors issued today, he changed that position.

The letter said:

"...our view is that you should not need to become an academy to benefit from the freedoms outlined at the start of this letter - these advantages are available to all schools, and for those of you who do not wish to become academies there is further support available by remaining with the local authority."

The text of the letter is at http://tp.me.uk/a4pNJ

lib Dem County Councillor Tim Prater commented:

"I'm delighted with this statement which is a big, but very welcome, U-turn. Kent should continue to work with schools, and, I believe, give them good reasons to remain part of Kent as the local education authority. Some schools, some governoring bodies may see Academy status as the way forward. I welcome the statement from Kent that it will now actively support those schools that do not wish to seek Academy status."