School prepares for academy conversion

A VARIETY of new projects have been launched at Penketh High School, Warrington, as it makes final preparations to convert to Academy Status.
The drama department has started rehearsals for Beatles-themed musical “Lucy in the Sky,” which will allow Year 7 pupils to demonstrate their talents.
The school’s in-house media production team, Red Rose Media, and the Performing Arts department will soon be starting a new musical feature film project to be screened at cinemas in summer next year. It will be filmed this summer and up to 1,000 pupils are expected to be involved on screen and in technical roles. Auditions will take place in April.
The school is currently converting to Academy Status and staff and pupils are looking forward to the change from April 1.
Head teacher Jeff Hughes said: “Whilst pupils and parents may not see any outward sign of this happening, it enables our school to have greater control over our funding and, as a result, on how we use that funding to support the education of our children.
“In being granted the power to become a self-governing academy, Penketh High is seen by the Department for Education as a school that has a strong capacity to continue our drive for improvement.
“We are again optimistic that this year will see continued improvement in GCSE examination results. More fundamentally, I believe that the school now has the right balance between providing excellent care, exciting opportunities and a determined focus on ensuring progress in learning.”