Warwickshire News Mine

A report to cabinet is asking members to approve the submission for a formal Expression of Interest to the Government for the opportunity to invest in a flagship Academy to replace Manor Park School and Alderman Smith School in 2010.

If it is then approved by the Government, consultation on the plan can go ahead prior to the intended opening date of September 2010. A review of secondary school priority areas in Nuneaton and will also be undertaken.

The Academy investment is a central element of the county council’s drive to raise educational standards, improve school buildings and deal with surplus places in Nuneaton.

Mark Gore, Head of Transforming Education at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The Expression of Interest sets out the detail of how the proposal will secure capital investment and address the serious issue of surplus places.

“Most importantly, it also sets out an exciting vision of how the college will use its experience and expertise to work with the county council to deliver higher educational standards and opportunities for young people in the area.

“There have been recent significant strides made in educational attainment in Nuneaton but it remains clear that urgent action is still needed to address the problem of surplus places and to make a step change in levels of attainment.

“The plan going before cabinet this week is the next step to securing significant Government funding. North Warwickshire and Hinckley College is an outstanding College committed to raising levels of achievement in the community it serves. I am confident the involvement of the College in the Academy will ensure the best possible future outcomes for all young people in the borough.”

Academies are publicly funded, all ability, independent schools established by sponsors working in partnership with the Government and local authorities.

The Nuneaton proposal is for an Academy, with North Warwickshire and Hinckley College as the sponsor, to be developed on the existing Alderman Smith site. The Academy will open next September and building work is scheduled to be completed by September 2013.

If given the go ahead, the Nuneaton Academy will provide 1,050 places for 11 to 16 year-olds and post-16 provision of 150 places. It has also been earmarked to specialise in engineering and science, although the college remains committed to continuing the good work of the two existing schools in their chosen specialisms of sport and performing arts.

Both the county council and the college are keen to ensure as much information as possible is available to the public. Meetings have already taken place with parents, staff and governors to ensure that people can hear information first hand and ask questions of senior officers. A full scale consultation is planned for the autumn.

The academy proposal is part of a wider plan for Nuneaton which also includes a proposal for a National Challenge Trust School at George Eliot, and the rebuilding of every secondary school in Nuneaton as part of the Government’s Building Schools for the Future programme. The county council is committed to ensuring strong, viable and successful schools across the borough.

Marion Plant, Principal of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, said: “The College remains fully committed to working in partnership with all its school partners to raise the educational attainment of youngsters in Nuneaton and North Warwickshire. The proposal to develop an Academy with Manor Park and Alderman Smith Schools presents an exciting opportunity to support both schools in developing their strengths and in tackling areas of underperformance.
“The College looks forward to working with the pupils, their parents, and the staff and governors at the schools to develop this proposal at the appropriate time.”

Link to WCC