Government green light for academy plan
Government ministers have agreed a proposal to begin discussions on setting up an academy to replace Alderman Smith School and Manor Park School in Nuneaton, with effect from September 2010.
Warwickshire County Council and sponsors North Warwickshire and Hinckley College have received the go ahead from ministers at the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF), to take forward the proposal to invest £30 million in an academy on the Alderman Smith site.
The academy is a major plank of county council plans to revitalise education in Nuneaton and will provide a high quality learning environment to raise levels of educational attainment in the area.
The next stage of the plan is to develop an Expression of Interest, prepare a detailed plan for the academy and undertake a formal consultation.
Academies are publicly funded, all ability, independent schools established by sponsors working in partnership with the Government and local authorities.
Mark Gore, the county council’s Head of Transforming Education, said: “It is good news for us to receive the backing of ministers to drive forward our plans for the academy.
“This is an important breakthrough but I must emphasise that this is the beginning of a lengthy process of planning and consultation. We will continue to work closely with North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and with the DCSF over the coming months to work up detailed plans which will need to be agreed by Government and the Council, and will be the subject of widespread consultation.”
Marion Plant, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire & Hinckley College said: “The College is delighted to have received DCSF support for this exciting academy proposal. We are confident that this provides a real opportunity to work in a new way with partner schools to raise the aspirations and achievements of youngsters in Nuneaton."