Culverhay School in Bath to become sponsored academy

A boys' school in Bath which was saved from closure has been approved to become a sponsored academy.

Culverhay School had been earmarked for closure after operating at half capacity.

But the council overturned its decision following a review and submitted applications for it to become either an academy or free school.

The school will now become a co-educational academy sponsored by the Cabot Learning Federation.

In a letter, head teacher Richard Thomson said: "The governors are thrilled that the community served by the school will now have the chance to access a potentially outstanding secondary provision on the Culverhay site."

As part of the new arrangement, Culverhay will be paired with one of the federation's other schools which has been rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted.

Councillor Nathan Hartley, deputy leader of the council, said: "The future of education on the Culverhay site is now much clearer.

"Bath & North East Somerset Council's wish for co-education provision with a means to drive up standards through an academy sponsor is set to become a reality."

The council, school and federation will work together to produce a plan on how the school will be converted into an academy.

It will also include an agreement on the transfer of staff, site and buildings to the trust which will need to be approved by the Department for Education.