| SPOTLIGHT |
The directly-elected mayor of Leicester City Council has threatened legal action after it emerged that the Education Secretary plans to turn a junior school into an academy.
The local authority said it had learned that Nicky Morgan was replacing an interim education board (IEB) at Uplands Junior School with her own board. The school is understood to have been in special measures since January 2014.
The new board comprises the chief executive of L.E.A.D Academy Trust, the headteacher of Humberstone Junior Academy, the principal of Thomas Estley Community College in Broughton Astley, and the chair of governors at Kibworth High School.
The revamped board, which took over from 30 May, is to consult on whether the school should become an academy sponsored by L.E.A.D Academy Trust.
Peter Soulsby, City Mayor for Leicester, said: “We have discovered late today, on the last day of half-term, that the Secretary of State is going to impose her own board on Uplands to make sure it converts to an academy.
“This is grossly unreasonable and takes no account of the needs of the children or the wishes of the community. We will be taking legal advice and if we are able to challenge it through the courts, we will.”
Asst City Mayor Cllr Sarah Russell said: “This action shows a complete disregard for the children, parents, staff and local community.
“Ofsted visited the school and January and found that progress was being made. This could halt that progress and is also against the wishes of the overwhelming majority of parents who wish the school to stay with the local authority.”
A Department for Education spokeswoman told the Leicester Mercury: "Our sole priority is making sure every local child has the chance to get an excellent education and the best start in life.
"It is clear that robust change in leadership and governance is needed in order to secure rapid and sustained improvement at Uplands, and becoming an academy with the support of a strong sponsor is the quickest and most effective way to do this.
"L.E.A.D. Academy Trust is one of the strongest sponsors operating in the East Midlands, with a track record of successfully improving underperforming schools and we are confident it will help secure the school's long term future."
