| 5 April 2011
Dear Parents
I would like to ask for your support, views and prayers at a time of decision-making for our school. You will be aware of the many changes taking place in education as a result of government policies. One of these changes is an opportunity for good schools with outstanding elements to move to Academy status.
Mrs Slaght and the Governors have researched the implications of a move to Academy status, taking advice from the Bishop and the Catholic Education Service as well as consulting with Swindon Local Authority and other Catholic schools in our area.
The Governors have met and considered the situation very carefully. At a meeting on 23 March our Governing Body voted unanimously to pursue the option of achieving Academy status for Holy Rood Catholic Infant School. We would retain our status as a school in our own right but we would like to work in closer partnership with Holy Rood Catholic Junior School and St Joseph’s Catholic College. We believe that this is an opportunity to strengthen our school and develop our working relationships with other Catholic partners as well as continuing to serve the community of Swindon in accordance with Christian values. We have made an application to the Department for Education and a formal request to the Trustees of Clifton Diocese and the Bishop to obtain their views.
For many schools conversion to academy is a big change but for Catholic voluntary aided schools such as Holy Rood Catholic Infants, it is not quite as significant. This is because we already have some of the rights, responsibilities and benefits, like the ability to set our own term dates and employ staff directly. We believe that the impact of the proposed change upon the children will be good as we will have more control over the curriculum demands on the school and our own resources.
You are invited to Holy Rood Catholic Junior School, Upham Road, Swindon at 7.00pm on Thursday 12 May for a joint presentation and consultation meeting with the Junior School. Parents and carers are a vital part of the communication process in this important step and your views are needed. Representatives of the Governors and staff of the schools will be present to listen to your views and answer questions.
It would be helpful if you would send in your questions before the meeting to our dedicated email address: admin@holyrood-inf.swindon.sch.uk. Alternatively you can send in questions on the reply slip attached to this letter. It would be helpful if you could indicate whether you will be attending the meeting.
The decision to become an Academy is critical to the future of our school as it will enable us to continue to provide the high quality education and Catholic teaching that is so important to all of us.
I look forward to hearing from you and meeting with you on 12 May.
Yours sincerely
Mrs Anne Jones
Chair of Governors
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