Fresh start for George Eliot
The new George Eliot School in Nuneaton opens its doors for the first time yesterday (Tuesday) for a fresh start as a National Challenge Trust School.
The school, now being run in partnership with North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, has a new headteacher, David James, and is benefitting from a long-standing commitment by Warwickshire County Council to improve educational standards.
Mr James, Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member responsible for schools, and Marion Plant, Principal and chief executive of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, are joining pupils on Wednesday to mark the start of term by releasing balloons into the sky.
The George Eliot School has a new uniform and logo and will receive up to £750,000 Government funding until September 2011 to maintain its upward curve.
Mr James has pledged to build on the strengths of the school and to bring new approaches, a new curriculum, and investment in ICT and resources to raise levels of attainment.
Cllr Izzi Seccombe said: “The opening of the new George Eliot School marks a fresh start for pupils, staff and the community. There is very much a feeling around the school that this is a new chapter in the school’s history and we will look back on this day with great pride.
“We have very high ambitions for children in Nuneaton and this new school is part of our strategy to raise existing standards in the area.”
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.
Marion Plant, Principal and chief executive of North Warwickshire and Hinckley College, said: “As the strong educational partner for the new school we will be working closely with teachers, pupils and parents to develop new and exciting opportunities for all learners to help them achieve their full potential.”