After a recent Ofsted inspection which graded the school Inadequate, the Department for Education (DfE) has issued an academy order which forces the school to be taken over by an academy and the DfE will choose which academy that is.

A number of parents/carers/students have raised concerns about this, although there are concerns about the school and things that need to change for some students and their families, there are worries about being forced to join an academy which may not keep the ethos and culture of the school.

We strongly believe that if we are unable to challenge and stop forced academisation, then the governing body and teaching staff should have a real say in the choice of the academy.

We also request transparency about the decision of which academies are being considered, there are significant concerns about the prospect of an academy or multi academy trust taking over which may be very different to King Edwards.    

This petition is to show the level of resistance from the wider school community and how many students and their families do not want the school to be taken over by an academy, this will be used to demonstrate to the DfE that they should offer the school an opportunity to address Ofsted's concerns without such significant upheaval.