New school for Nuneaton
The new George Eliot School in Nuneaton will ring its first bell when term starts in September after the Office of the Schools Adjudicator approved the proposal.
After receiving the go ahead from Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet earlier this month, the decision on forming a National Challenge Trust School in partnership with North Warwickshire and Hinckley College hinged on the decision being confirmed by the Schools Adjudicator.
The adjudicator Canon Richard Lindley this week approved the proposal on the basis that the close involvement of the College will benefit the education of the present and future pupils at the school and contribute to raising standards and attainment.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member responsible for schools, said: “This is a tremendous step forward for education in Nuneaton and one which will provide the foundation for our high ambitions for children in the area.
“Many people have worked extremely hard behind the scenes to make this new school a reality. As a National Challenge Trust School it will benefit from significant extra income and have the advantage of a strong educational partner to help raise existing standards.”
As part of a ‘fresh start’ from September, the George Eliot School is set to have a new uniform and logo, and newly-appointed headteacher David James has pledged not only to build on the strengths of the school but to bring new approaches, a new curriculum, and investment in ICT and resources to raise levels of attainment.
The Government’s National Challenge programme states that there should be no schools in the country with less than 30 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A*-C GCSE grades including English and Maths.
In 2007 results at George Eliot were below that threshold but last year attainment exceeded 30 per cent. National Challenge Trust status will attract up to £750,000 extra funding until September 2011 to maintain this progress.
Marion Plant, Principal of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, said: “We are delighted the new school has been given the green light. This is a hugely exciting and significant development for young people in Nuneaton which will create vital opportunities and enhance the learning process at the school.
“As the lead education partner we will build on our already strong working relationship with George Eliot and our experience as an ‘outstanding’ college to play our part in driving up standards and moving the school forward.
"We will use our skills and resources to support governance and leadership and offer a broader curriculum, providing greater choice and opportunity for youngsters attending the school.”