Rayleigh and Wickford MP, Mark Francois, has formally replied to FitzWimarc School’s consultation on its bid to become an Academy and has offered his "wholehearted support" for the school’s proposal.
Mark has been a longstanding supporter of the school’s desire to apply for Academy status and was delighted when he heard several weeks ago that the school has qualified to convert. However, Department for Education rules state that schools that apply to become an Academy must carry out a consultation exercise with staff and parents and also with other key stakeholders in the area, often including the local MP.
Given this, Mark was keen to write to the school to demonstrate his support for the prospective Academy conversion, which will hopefully take place in the spring of this year.
Commenting on his decision to back FitzWimarc’s bid, Mark Francois said:
"I am a long-time supporter of the Academy movement as it allows schools and governors much greater autonomy and budgetary authority in the running of their schools, which I believe is potentially to the benefit of parents, pupils and teachers alike. I very much hope that we will see a positive response to the consultation and that FitzWimarc will be able to covert to an Academy as a result. In addition, I also believe that FitzWimarc, which is already rated as Outstanding by Ofsted, would benefit from the creation of a sixth form and I know that this is something that the Headteacher Mr Harris and his governors are keen to progress - if and when their Academy bid is successful. I wish FitzWimarc all the best and I hope that the conversion will take place soon."