September 7, 2011 4.46 pm This story is over 149 months old

Two more Lincoln schools converted into academies

Academy status: Two more Lincoln schools have received academy status, giving them independence from the County Council.

Two more city schools received academy status from the Department for Education. The schools are Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School and Westgate Junior School.

“The extra freedom which the academy status affords will undoubtedly help us as Governors, staff and children to move the school forward from ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’,” said Dominic Freestone, Chair of Governors at Westgate Junior School.

“We believe that [academy status] will enable us to offer specific help and support much more rapidly when it is required,” explained Andy Wright, Headteacher at Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School.

“It will also enable us to purchase certain services from any supplier of our choice rather than a local authority provision,” Wright added.

“I congratulate both Lincoln Christ’s Hospital School and Westgate Junior School on making this important change and wish them the very best of luck,” said Lincoln MP Karl McCartney.

“Teachers, not bureaucrats, should be in charge of running schools and I hope that these schools soon witness some of the benefits that academy status brings.

“It will give them freedom around the delivery of the curriculum, freedom to change the length of terms and school days — and most importantly, freedom from local and central government control.”

Lincolnshire County Council on Tuesday recommended all county schools should become academies, despite vehement opposition from campaigners and unions.

There are 1,300 academies open across the country.