Local councillors still believe Stantonbury International School should be under council control, following the news that another trust is likely to run it.
Stantonbury International School, which has just under 2,000 students, has had two of the worst possible Ofsted ratings since being taken over by The Griffin Schools Trust in September 2016.
The Griffin Schools Trust has had its Government funding withdrawn, and last month Dame Kate Dethridge, the Regional Schools Commissioner from the Department of Education, said that the school would be transferred to another trust.
Dame Dethridge has recommended that the Tove Learning Trust take over the day-to-day running of the school.
This trust already has three schools in Milton Keynes, including the Lord Grey Academy in Bletchley, with Dame Dethridge saying it has a "strong track record of secondary school improvement".
This recommendation was welcomed by Ben Everitt, MP for Milton Keynes North, and Stantonbury Councillor Alex Walker.
But some other councillors disagree with the Government's proposals to give the Tove Learning Trust ownership of the school, and say that it should be run by the local authority.
Milton Keynes Council ran the school when it was known as Stantonbury Campus.
Councillor Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: “Tove Learning Trust have their work cut out to work with us to improve the Lord Grey School and should be concentrating on that. We are working well with them and there are signs of progress there but Elizabeth Woodville, another Tove School, is 'Requires Improvement'.
"Tove should be left to concentrate on improving the schools they already run. However, almost all Milton Keyes Council schools are good, outstanding or improving towards that, but our offer to run the school has not yet been successful."
Martin Petchey is a Ward Councillor for Stantonbury who has "serious concerns" about the Regional Schools Commissioner's recommendation.
He added: "Tove have a job on their hands getting their existing schools over the line. How can Dame Kate believe they have the capacity or experience to take on this very large failing school and turn it round rapidly?”
Cllr Alex Walker believes that the possiblity of Tove Learning Trust taking over Stantonbury International School is a positive thing.
He said: “This is good news. Nobody wants another out of area academy trust to take over. I think Tove’s reputation of turning struggling schools around is really positive and I hope this can be the start of a new chapter in the school’s story.”
The Government has not yet made its final decision on whether the Tove Learning Trust will take over the leadership of the school.
There is a consultation underway for parents, residents, and other key stakeholders to have their say.
The deadline for comments is 18th May 2021, and a formal decision will be made following a meeting on 26th May 2021.
Anyone who would like to have their say can email RSC.SCNWLON@education.gov.uk.
The following questions must be answered in the email:
a. What is your relationship to the school?
b. The current proposal is for Stantonbury International School to be transferred to Tove Learning Trust. What are your views on that option? Do you have any alternative proposals for the future of the school which you think should be considered?
c. Are there any further comments/suggestions you would like to make regarding the school’s future?
