Return IPACA to local control

<p>The future of education on Portland is under threat.&nbsp; It has recently been announced that IPACA will become part of Aldridge Education - a national Multi Academy Trust (MAT) -&nbsp;based in and run from London by a group of &ldquo;external experts&rdquo;.&nbsp; This group will have complete control of all aspects of IPACA.&nbsp; There will be no local representation.&nbsp;</p><p>School governance should involve stakeholders including parents, school staff, learners and the local community <em>with</em> local accountability. &nbsp;</p><p>To safeguard the viability of IPACA and our children&rsquo;s future, governance should transfer to safe local hands, as part of a local MAT with other local schools, with a locally appointed Governing Board that will&nbsp;understand local needs, views, aspirations <em>and&nbsp;</em>be accountable to parents/carers and the local community.</p><p>The undersigned, record a vote of no confidence in the Aldridge Foundation.&nbsp; We do not support IPACA becoming part of the Aldridge Education MAT.&nbsp; We believe that being part of a local MAT would be more beneficial to our children and the local community and we, therefore, demand an immediate return to local governance with a fully representative, locally appointed, accessible and accountable Governing Board.</p>