James Gray MP praises Springfields Academy

On Monday in the House of Commons James Gray, MP for North Wiltshire said, “The Secretary of State is absolutely right to praise Springfields Academy in Calne, one of the first special schools to achieve academy status.

“However, in Wiltshire we have a very helpful and supportive local authority and elsewhere it might be much more difficult for special schools to achieve academy status.  What will the Secretary of State do to remove the slightly tortuous and bureaucratic process that the Springfields Academy had to go through in order to make it easier for other schools in the same position?”

Michael Gove said that he was grateful to Mr Gray for raising the case of  Springfields Academy, which is an outstanding school doing wonderful work for children with behavioural, emotional or social difficulties and those on the autistic spectrum.  He further commented, “I am also grateful that the local authority has been so constructive.  We are working, gently but firmly, with all local authorities to ensure that their schools see the benefits of academy status.”