New governing board appointed for Homewood College

A new governing body has been appointed by the council to oversee Homewood College after many of the existing governors stood down. 

Homewood College is a small special school for pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Needs. The school has been in the Ofsted category of ‘inadequate: special measures’ since December 2021 and despite the efforts of school leaders, staff and support from the council, the school has not made sufficient improvement.

The school has been subject to an Academy Order for more than 2 years, but no Academy Trust has been found willing to take over the running of the school on a permanent basis.

The council is consulting with parents and carers of pupils at Homewood College and school staff about proposals to de-commission places at the school and find alternative educational placements for the pupils currently studying there.

Independent safeguarding and health and safety review

Councillor Jacob Taylor, co-chair of the Children, Families and Schools Committee, said: “The council has worked rapidly to appoint a new governing body for Homewood College. 

“I’m confident that we’ve appointed strong leaders with a wide range of expertise to support the school in the challenging circumstances the school is facing. We will be making sure robust support is in place so they can fulfil their roles as governors of Homewood College.

“Our first priority remains to make sure we’re providing the best possible education to meet the identified social, emotional and mental health needs of all the pupils. That’s why we’ve also ensured that an independent safeguarding and health and safety review has taken place. 

“I appreciate this remains an unsettling time for the parents and carers and staff at Homewood College. We’re continuing discussions with the Regional Office for Education (DfE) about the future of the school and hope to provide more information as soon as possible to those affected.” 

Plans are in place to appoint additional governors to join the core group and the council has received more applications for the roles. The council will be putting robust support in place to help them the new governors in their roles.