A SPONSOR has been found for Thomas Clarkson Community College as the Wisbech school’s bid to become an academy accelerates.

The school’s full governing body have ratified Brooke Weston Partnership (BWP) - who have worked with a series of other schools - as its preferred sponsor.

Thomas Clarkson hope to achieve academy status by the start of next year, giving them independence from local authority and national government control.

As a publicly-funded independent school, Thomas Clarkson could have freedoms such as setting pay and conditions for staff, flexibility with the curriculum and the ability to change the length of their terms and school days.

Three potential school sponsors were considered by a panel comprising representatives from the Department for Education, Cambridgeshire County Council, the trust and Governors.

Final official approval will now be sought from the Brooke Weston Trustees and the recommendation taken to the Secretary of State.

Maureen Strudwick, Principal for Thomas Clarkson Community College, said: “Brooke Weston Partnership has an outstanding track record of working with schools and more importantly for us, putting the students’ needs first and raising examination results.

“Like us, BWP’s approach is simple: students come first and they begin with asking the question ‘what would I want if this was my child?

“We look forward to working together on building on what we have already achieved to improve education for youngsters in Wisbech.”

Peter Simpson, Executive Principal of the BWP, said: “The Brooke Weston Partnership is delighted to begin working with Thomas Clarkson Community College and Cambridgeshire County Council on plans for conversion of the college to academy status.

“We are confident of a bright future for Thomas Clarkson and look forward to making a full contribution to education in Wisbech and the surrounding area as the College joins our existing family of schools.”