Warwickshire News Mine

Warwickshire County Council and its educational partner North Warwickshire and Hinckley College have received approval from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) to begin a feasibility study for the scheme and to launch a full consultation.

Last month the county council’s cabinet submitted 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. The document, together with a list of frequently asked questions, can be accessed at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/academyeoi

Consultation on the plan is scheduled to go ahead in the autumn, prior to the intended opening date of September 2010. A review of secondary school priority areas in Nuneaton is also being 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.

Marion Davis, Warwickshire County Council’s Strategic Director for Children, Young People and Families, said: “It is a major step forward for us that Government Ministers have given us the thumbs up to move the Academy proposal to the next stage.

“This is a one-off opportunity to secure significant Government funding for education in Nuneaton and the Academy is at the heart of our plans to establish a pattern of strong, viable and successful schools in the town.

“The county council has an exciting vision to deliver better educational standards and opportunities for young people in the area with our outstanding educational partner, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College.

“I must reassure parents in Nuneaton that this is not a ‘done deal’ and we will be listening to their views during the consultation.”

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 is scheduled to 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.

Marion Plant, Principal and Chief Executive of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, said:  “I am absolutely delighted that the Government has given the green light for the public consultation and feasibility study into the proposed Academy, and look forward to working closely with everyone who has an interest in the future of the two schools to seize this exciting opportunity to shape the education provision in Nuneaton.
“The college firmly believes that if the Academy goes ahead, it will make a positive difference to the lives of young people in Nuneaton by providing a high quality and inspirational learning experience that will raise standards and transform lives. The setting up of an Academy will provide a much needed cash injection of around £30 million purely for the benefit of present and future pupils at the combined schools, a fantastic opportunity we simply cannot afford to miss.  We are proud to be involved in this pioneering project which, if successful, will see the establishment of the first ever Academy in the county.
“Now the Government has enabled us to put in place a public consultation, together with Warwickshire County Council we will ensure everyone who wants to access information can easily do so and have their say on the proposals. I urge everyone to take the time to find out more about the proposed changes, and make their views known as they are vitally important and will be listened to.”

Link to WCC