Hartlepool Primary School Set for Conversion to Academy Status under new plans announced by the Local Council.

Lynnfield Primary School is set to be granted Academy Status in just weeks, according to reports by Hartlepool Borough Council...

7th Feb 2025

A local primary school in Hartlepool is set to be granted Academy Status, under plans which have been revealed by Hartlepool Borough Council.

Lynnfield Primary School, located in the towns Murray Street, is said to be the latest in a long line of schools to undergo conversion to academy status, with a target date reportedly set for April 1st, 2025 according to council reports which have just been released.

As part of this process, its said that Hartlepool Borough Council will be required to grant a long-term lease of the school site to 'Lingfield Education Trust' located in Darlington County Durham, the academy's sponsor.

What Does the Conversion Involve?

Under the terms of the new 125 year lease, The responsibility for upkeep and insurance of the school site will fall upon the new education trust, apart from any pre-existing defects, Additionally, Hartlepool Borough Council typically charges academy trusts around £2,500 per school to cover legal and administrative costs incurred during the conversion process.

Who is Lingfield Education Trust?

The trust runs a number of schools across the north East...

Lingfield Education Trust, which will take over the management of the Primary School in April 2025, is said to be a multi-academy trust based in Darlington, with the Education Trust already overseeing several schools across the North East, with the Trust responsible for managing educational standards, staffing, and financial management.

What This Means for Parents and Pupils

Academy conversion often sparks debate amongst parents, teachers, and local communities.

Supporters argue that it allows schools more autonomy to shape their curriculum, staffing, and budget management without direct control from the local council. However, critics warn that academisation can lead to reduced local oversight and potential changes to school policies that may not always align with the interests of pupils and parents.

In 2019, Lynnfield School recieved a 'poor' OFSTED rating, with three further visits coming in 2020, February 2021 & again in May 2021 yielding little improvement. The school was then re-assessed in March 2023 where its rating was upgraded from 'poor', to 'good', with the report outlining that whilst the school had made some significant improvements since its previous inspections, with many pupils having 'good attendance', a significant number of pupils reportedly did not attend school regularly.

Is This the Right Move for Hartlepool?

The ongoing shift of schools from local council control to academy management raises questions about the future of education in Hartlepool. Whilst the government continues to push the academy model, the long-term benefits on whether this delivers upon better education for pupils remains contested.