Agenda item

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services and the Corporate Director of Resources which provided an overview of educational aims and plans for academisation and catholic education in the Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle, alongside the priority schools in their conversion strategy.  The report reviewed the financial impact of the academy conversion of the last maintained Roman Catholic secondary school, St Bede’s Roman Catholic Comprehensive in Peterlee and its conversion to join the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust, and, considered the accumulated financial deficit of the school, at the point of conversion (for copy see file of minutes).

Cabinet noted the leadership support provided by the Academy Trust had had a positive impact, with the achievement of a good overall Ofsted inspection in 2017.  The school had continued to prosper and pupil numbers were on the upward trajectory.  The school was moving to a more sustainable footing and the proposed deficit write-off would enable the school to convert and continue to improve.

Resolved:

That the recommendations in the report be approved.