Picture caption: Helen Drew
A Birmingham school is the latest academy to enlist the Midlands
office of national audit, tax and advisory firm Crowe Clark
Whitehill as a specialist adviser.
The Ninestiles appointment means Crowe Clarke Whitehill now acts
for 14 academies in the region and 65 across the firm.
Helen Drew, Midlands Not for Profit partner, said: "Our
expertise in this sector is bringing us more and more academy
clients.
"We are very pleased that Ninestiles has decided to call on our
experience."
Based at Hartfield Crescent, Acocks Green, Ninestiles has more
than 1,400 students. Crowe Clark Whitehill will provide audit and
also a range of advisory services.
And Ms Drew has a family affinity with Ninestiles - her mother
attended in the late 1940s when it was Harrison Barrow Grammar
School for Girls.
"This is still an outstanding school grasping its future with
both hands. Appointing auditors, and producing accurate management
accounts as well as statutory financial statements and returns, is
part of ensuring it has a robust base off which its educational
abilities can flourish to the benefit of its students."
Principal Christine Quinn said: "Academy status and greater
independence means it is crucial we operate as a business and gear
up accordingly.
"Crowe Clark Whitehill will assist us in making sure that is
accomplished. Our appropriately skilled workforce, students,
parents, governors and the wider community work in partnership to
ensure that high quality learning takes place.
"Our aim is to ensure Ninestiles becomes nationally and
internationally acknowledged as a high achieving, innovative and
exciting school which recognises and celebrates the diversity of
its community. We want it structured and resourced to meet the
needs of 21st century students. Within a caring environment we seek
to develop and reinforce the values, skills and attributes which
promote good citizens and lifelong learning."
Academies, which were launched under Labour and are being driven
forward by the Coalition, are legal entities with a board and
trustees, companies limited by guarantee, with more freedoms and
the ability to set their own pay and conditions for staff. The
Government believes that, unburdened of constraints, academies can
excel.
For more information about Crowe Clark Whitehill, please visit
their website here: www.croweclarkwhitehill.co.uk