Sir Frank Markham School to be Replaced by Academy

2.50.16pm GMT Tue 28th Nov 2006

Milton Keynes Council is about to start an extensive consultation process about the future of Sir Frank Markham Community School.

The proposal on the table is to replace Sir Frank Markham Community School with a brand new Academy for 11-18 year-olds with effect from September 2009. The Academy would admit 240 students into each of Year 7 to Year 11 inclusive, and also provide a sixth form which would be expected to grow to 350 students over time. The new Academy would be a comprehensive school, catering for students of all abilities and would be located on the same site as is currently occupied by Sir Frank Markham Community School.

The sponsor for the new Academy would be Edge, an independent charitable education foundation. The involvement of a sponsor in running the Academy maximises the benefits that can be derived from a partnership with a charitable foundation willing to support educational and community improvement in Milton Keynes.

Replacing Sir Frank Markham Community School with the new Academy technically involves the closure of the existing school in tandem with the opening of the new Academy. The Council, in partnership with the school and the sponsor, wishes to consult about this closure with the parents of current and future students and the wider community.

The consultation process will enable all interested parties to find out about the reasons behind the proposed change, what the new Academy would be like, why it is likely to bring improvements and who it is intended to serve. This consultation will take the form of a leaflet and response form that will be sent to all staff, governors and parents of Sir Frank Markham Community School and its partner schools, other stakeholders and the wider community. Public meetings will be held at various locations. The leaflet and the response form will also be made available on mkweb.co.uk.

The consultation will run over an 8-week period from 20 November to 12 January 2007. It will involve public meetings as follows:

• Sir Frank Markham Community School - 5 December 2006 at 5.30pm

• Langland School - 11 December 2006 at 3.30pm

• Meadfurlong School - 12 December 2006 at 3.30pm

• Sir Frank Markham Community School - 8 January 2007 at 5.30pm

Talking about the consultation process, Liberal Democrat cabinet member for children, Councillor Sandra Clark, said: "We are very keen to discuss this exciting and positive opportunity with the community. I would urge people to come along to the meetings and hear about the plans that we have in place. The views of the local community are most important to us, and we want to encourage as many responses as possible."

David Gamble, Group Director for School Improvement and Planning, added: "We have been very pleased with the progress the school is making under the new head teacher and senior leadership team. Working with Edge will enable us all to build upon these improvements and provide brand new facilities and resources for the benefit of all students and families in the area."