This is the update that I have shared with those who signed my Felixstowe Academy petition. If you have not signed yet, please do so at the link below as I will present it to Parliament when I return from the Easter recess.
As a signatory of my petition regarding Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) and Felixstowe Academy, I am writing to provide you with an update.
Firstly, thank you for signing the petition, which has been supported by more than 2,400 parents and residents of Suffolk Coastal. I plan to present my petition to the House of Commons on our return after the Easter recess.
Over recent weeks, I have since met the National Schools Commissioner, Sir David Carter. The Commissioner has informed me that he has written a Pre-termination Warning letter to AET. This is the first stage of the process that can lead to securing a new organisation to run the school. I understand that AET have produced an Improvement Plan for the school and a headteacher from another school has been seconded to give extra support at leadership level.
After Easter, I will be meeting the Education Minister to go through the situation in detail. Unfortunately, the meeting had to be rescheduled till then, but it should mean more information is available to help make progress. I also will meet AET and the National Schools Commissioner to focus on rapid improvement in the short term.
I continue to remain concerned about AET's ability to help the school tackle all of the problems identified, which is why I will keep pressing for AET to go. The pace of change must be increased in order to help the young people of Felixstowe Academy fulfil their potential. Ensuring that students who are due to sit their GCSE exams shortly are fully prepared must remain a priority. That said, it will take some time to sort out a new academy sponsor.
Thank you again and I will update you in due course.
