John Rankin Junior School to become an academy, Department for Education decides

The Department for Education has decided to turn a junior school in Newbury into an academy.

John Rankin Junior School is to become part of an academic trust instead of being run by the local authority, newburytoday can reveal.

It would also be funded directly by the DfE rather than by West Berkshire Council.

In an email sent to parents on Thursday (February 13) on behalf of the Governing Board, chair David Marsh said:

“The DfE will select a trust it considers the best fit with John Rankin to work with us in bringing about the best possible outcomes for our children.

“We have been assured that our views about a suitable partner will be taken into consideration.

“Please be assured that we and the staff continue to implement the School Development Plan and that the focus on the children has not, and will not, change.”

The school is currently seeking clarification on the timeframe for the change and what this means for both schools, since both the infant and junior schools are under one federation.

Staff are due to meet with representatives from the DfE next week.

Mr Marsh said he had nothing to add at this stage when approached by newburytoday.

John Rankin Junior School was deemed to be ‘Inadequate’ at its last Ofsted inspection before Christmas.

The regulator’s report determined the school still required “significant improvement” despite the positive changes it had made to personal development and pupil behaviour.

The report prompted a group of parents to start an online petition calling for a change in leadership. They complained about the lack of communication and quality of education their children receive.

The school previously made national headlines when headteacher Flora Cooper initially refused to allow Ofsted to enter her school following the death of Caversham headteacher Ruth Perry.