Gomer Junior School Whole Governing Body convened on 4 November last. Parents/carers were communicated to about this on Monday 7 November. The purpose of the meeting was to consider the following proposal:
‘That the Gomer Junior School Governing Body resolves to convert the school to academy status and to become a founder member to the Gosport and Fareham Multi Academy Trust.’
The GFM Trust would initially comprise Bay House School, Lord Wilson School, Gomer Junior School and subsequently to include Brune Park School should Bay House become sponsor designate.
All of the Governing Body attended as did invited observers – Ian Potter Executive Head Teacher Bay House School, Sue Carter Finance Director Bay House School and Stuart Tyreman Head Teacher Lord Wilson School.
This meeting was not intended to revisit the comprehensive work that had been carried out by the Governors over the past nine months but to provide the foundation for a decision on the proposal by the Whole Governing Body.
It was noted that consultation meetings to address the rationale for conversion had been arranged for parents/carers, school staff, union representatives, local school head teachers and other stakeholders. During the consultation process questions received and corresponding answers had been placed on the school website. It was also noted that only two formal objections to conversion had been received and one written criticism of the consultation process.
Following further discussion the observers, outlined above, withdrew and the resolution was put to the vote. The outcome was a unanimous decision to proceed to convert to an Academy and to join the GFM.
The current target for conversion to Academy is April 2017. The process can however be terminated at any point. Progress will be highlighted on the school website.
The best interests of Gosport and Fareham learners were at the heart of this endeavour and the decision reached was based upon careful examination of what would offer them the best outcomes – both academically and socially.