We won the battle last time round and the Governors of Harton Technology College decided not to pursue turning it into an academy school last time around "at this moment in time". That was January 2015, but last Friday parents like me received a text saying that the school is consulting again on turning it into an academy. The closing date for responding is 30 June. They are not being forced to do this and seem to be trying to railroad this through with the minimum of consultation, especially informing parents the day before half term holiday week, with a text not a letter. The document on the school's website says the Governors made the decision on this BEFORE George Osborne announced in the budget (15 March story in the media) that all schools would be forced to go academy. "In February 2016, the Governing Body at Harton Technology College resolved to move to revisit the conversion to a multi academy trust, instigating a new consultation process on its establishment." With the Government's climb down to say they will only force failing schools and schools in a council area where a majority of schools have already become academies, there is NO reason for Harton TC to do this. You can read the document on the school website here: https://harton-tc.co.uk/harton-technology-college-news/proposed-academy-conversion-consultation/ You can read the article in the Gazette from last January here: http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/education/top-south-shields-school-rules-out-academy-bid-1-7063971 Please share this petition with family, friends, work colleagues and also please do write to the school governors directly to express your view. We will be doing everything we can to get the Governors to change their minds AGAIN! Look out for coverage in the Gazette and we will be having stalls near the school, at the Nook, to gather more petition signatures. If you could get signatures on a paper petition do comment here and we will get back to you to sort that out.