Feedback from Year 10

Year 10 Form Reps were asked to speak to their forms and report back any points/questions that they might have on Academy status. Below is a list of questions/points that they brought to the meeting.

We feel like we’ve been told the pros but not the cons.

Pros and cons are in the presentation I did in assembly (on the school website). The main one is that we would have responsibility for our buildings (and, as you know, they are not in a good state). However, there is no money at the LA any more to pay for repairs so we’d be no worse off!

If the roof breaks and we’re with the LA they will help us.

Unfortunately, that is no longer true. There is no money with the LA to mend our roof or any other school’s. Now, as if we changed to become an Academy, we would have to apply for money from the Government to help us with this.

It will be safer for the teachers if we don’t become an Academy, their jobs will be safer.

That is not true. In fact, if we have a little more money, teachers’ jobs will me slightly MORE save, not less. Hesketh Fletcher is run by the LA, and look what has happened there!

If we become an Academy could we get a sixth form?

In theory, though we would not be looking to do this in the near future.

Would we become Fred Longworth Academy?

No. We would remain Fred Longworth High School.

Is it true that if we become an Academy you would have to re employ the teachers?

No. Every teacher and non teaching member of staff would be “transferred” to the “Academy”.

Will it affect the courses that students can take in the future?

It gives us more flexibility in what we can offer to our students.

A lot of people aren’t that bothered. They don’t really understand what it’s all about.

To be honest, I can understand that. As far as students are concerned, you are not going to notice any big changes – we just hope that we can make sure that future students get the same good deal that you have had.

So all that’s going to happen is we get some more money and more independence.

Yes, but also we can guarantee that we will keep taking in students from the same areas as we do now, so future students from schools like Tyldesley Primary, Garrett Hall and Mossley Common will still be able to come here.