PLANS to turn a Sheffield comprehensive into the city's third City Academy are set to move a step forward.
A consultation process with parents, staff, children and the local community on the future of Parkwood High School in Shirecliffe is now complete.
A report to the city council cabinet on Wednesday recommends the process now advances to the next st
age - that the council lodges an 'expression of interest' with ministers and, if approved, that a feasibility study is carried out.
Parkwood is one of five inner city comprehensives which has indicated interest in becoming an academy, but is the only one so far to set procedures in motion.
It has potential sponsors in charity organisation Edutrust and Sheffield Hallam University, and has secured the promise of Government funding for a new building if the plans go ahead.
The new academy would also be bigger than the current Parkwood, with 900 places rather than the current 750, reflecting increasing pupil numbers in the Shirecliffe, Burngreave and Fir Vale areas.
Consultations have been carried out by a 'neighbourhood commission' - a panel made up of parents, parent governors, pupils and councillors.
Public meetings and drop-in sessions were held in Burngreave and Shirecliife to explore the views of present and future Parkwood parents.
The cabinet report admits the meetings were not well attended by parents - only around 15 to 20 turned up, while only 23 responded to a questionnaire.
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