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22 May 08Proposals for Academies Unveiled
An exciting proposal to create three new academies in Bournemouth and Poole is being discussed as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme 
; an ambitious project to transform secondary education across the conurbation.
Draft proposals are currently being discussed with Head Teachers and Governing Bodies and will then be put to public consultation from 6th June 2008.
Barry Watts, Programme Director for Building Schools for the Future in Bournemouth and Poole said: "The establishment of three new academies will be a central pillar in our wider plans to transform secondary education. The question of academies will be considered as part of an overall look at the future provision of secondary education in Bournemouth and Poole and we are keen to find out what people think of the various options. We are at the early stages in the development of our proposals and people's views will be taken into account as we move towards making a decision on how we should proceed. However the status quo is not an option. In order to secure the BSF funding we are required to be bold and ambitious."
Academies are independent, state-funded schools established in areas of high social and economic deprivation and educational disadvantage with the aim of trying to break the cycle of under-achievement among secondary pupils in the area. Their running costs are met directly by the Government through the BSF programme rather than through the local authorities.
There is the possibility of three academies. The schools being considered are Rossmore Community College , The Bishop of Winchester Comprehensive School and one academy to replace Oakmead Technology College and Kings High School .
Jane Portman, Executive Director of Children and Families Services for Bournemouth Borough Council said, "A brand new secondary school for North Bournemouth is a fantastic opportunity for the whole community. I must also emphasise that these are early proposals and we are seeking views on them. No decisions have been made."
Academy sponsors - who may come from business, Faith, or voluntary sectors, either individually or in partnership with local government - will contribute £2m to each academy which will be put into an investment fund for the benefit of students, but which will not be used to help with the capital costs of an academy's initial development.
Alternatively, or as well as providing funds, sponsors may provide expertise which can help raise standards and provide new direction.
Alongside the academy proposals, the BSF consultation will also look at how funding can be used to improve Winchelsea and Montacute special schools, provide shared facilities at Winton and Glenmoor schools and additional accommodation at Ashdown Technology College to facilitate the intake of an additional year group in 2013.
John Nash, Strategic Director of Children and Young people's Services for the Borough of Poole added, "The proposals we are developing are not just about new buildings. We will need to tackle the issue of falling pupil numbers and develop a system of secondary school education that will effectively meet individual pupils' needs by providing the right teaching and learning environments. This is the biggest investment in education for over 50 years and it will affect the lives of many thousands of young people for generations to come so we must get it right. There will undoubtedly be some difficult decisions to be made along the way and we are determined to make them in full consultation with the communities involved. We will continue to inform and consult with all our stakeholders throughout the project."
Wide-spread consultation with the local community, schools, children and young people and key stakeholders will run for 6 weeks from 6th June -18th July 2008. Consultation documents will be widely distributed and will be available online.
Public meetings in schools will also be held between 6th June and 18th July. Dates and venues will be published in local press soon.
Further consultation will take place as detailed proposals are developed. Any building work would not commence until 2011 with the first buildings completed by September 2013.
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