September 2011 the Governing Body of The Community Science College @ Thornhill passed a resolution to consult about a proposal for the College to convert to become an Academy and to begin the process by making a formal application to the Secretary of State for Education. This decision was informed by a series of Academy Working Group meetings that had taken place between May and September 2011.  The application has been made on the strength of the school’s status as “performing well” and will, therefore, not be required to be supported by another school or Academy, nor by any commercial sponsor.

The Governing Body considered a range of factors prior to making their decision, both about the potential benefits and challenges of becoming an Academy. Our primary aim is to continue to provide a high standard of education for local families. In addition the reasons why the Governing Body wishes to convert to Academy status are:

• To raise educational standards and outcomes for all current and future young people attending the College
• To develop a further stimulus for continued and renewed community engagement
• To collaborate more closely with other schools and providers, both within and outside the immediate local community
• To be afforded the Academy freedoms published by the Department for Education
• To develop the College as a centre of excellence for teaching and learning and the dissemination of best practice
• To be able to support other schools facing challenges and difficulties
• To be in control of the total allocated budget and free to spend in the best interests of the College
• To safeguard the future of the College
• To develop strong and lasting commercial partnerships

The Governing Body is consulting with a range of stakeholders, to include Staff, Students, Parents and Carers, other schools, Trade Unions and the local authority. The purpose of this letter is to invite you to express your views and ask questions about the proposed change to Academy status and to describe to you the next steps in the process that the Governing Body will follow.  An initial meeting has already been held in college to present information regarding the proposal, and a second meeting is scheduled during the consultation period on Monday 14^th November, at 5pm.  You will be able to ask questions and seek further information then.

You can respond to the consultation in any of the following ways:

• The Community Science College @ Thornhill, Valley Drive, Thornhill, Dewsbury WF12 0HE
• By e-mail: send to office.thornhill@edukirklees.net and mark your e-mail “Academy Consultation”
• In person: at the consultation meeting to be held in College (see attached timeline)

Please ensure we receive your response no later than 4pm on Friday 6^th January 2012.

The Governing Body will publish a summary of responses received as part of the process on the College website (www.cscat.org.uk).

The Governing Body has indicated that the proposed conversion date will be 1^st April 2012.  This allows for a comprehensive consultation process to take place and sufficient time for everyone to formulate responses and submit their views.

Further information about Academies and the conversion process can be found on the DfE website (www.education.gov.uk/Academies) and other information can be found by following the links on our website.