Elmhurst Junior School in Street has officially converted to an academy, meaning it is now independently run rather than being controlled by the local authority.

Academies are publicly funded schools that operate outside of local authority control. Instead of being overseen by Somerset Council, Elmhurst Junior School will now be managed by an academy trust, which has more freedom over key decisions, including budgets, staffing, and curriculum choices.

For parents and pupils, little may change in the short term. The school remains on Elmhurst Lane and will continue to serve the same community. However, the shift means the school has greater flexibility in how it operates and can make decisions without needing council approval.

One key difference is how Ofsted inspections work. Because the school is now a new legal entity, its previous Ofsted rating no longer applies. While inspectors will consider past reports when scheduling their first visit, Elmhurst Junior School will not carry over its previous inspection status.

Under the Academies Act 2010, schools can apply for academy status, often as a way to gain more control over their direction. The Department for Education argues that this allows schools to innovate and improve, though critics point out that it removes local democratic oversight.

Elmhurst Junior School's conversion means it now joins thousands of other academies across the country that operate independently while still receiving government funding.