Academy plans set to transform education

Plans to completely transform education and learning in Manchester with the establishment of seven brand new industry-linked Academies are now moving forwards at a fast pace.

Sponsors and the Council are working together to progress the unique proposals that are very different from other Academies being established elsewhere nationally.

Manchester's proposals will see seven brand new Academies open in Manchester by September 2010, each one linked to future growth sectors of the city's economy, and each one linked also to other schools in the city.

It is expected that at least 120,000 new jobs will be created in Manchester over the next ten years and the city's Academy plans will ensure that local pupils are well placed to be able to benefit from this.

The Academies will be fully inclusive and will work collaboratively with all schools across the city to help drive up standards and to ensure that pupils learn directly from industry and education specialists the skills they need in order for them to be able to access further and higher education, and get good jobs in the future.

There will be six Academy specialisms including creative and media; digital communications; health; finance and business; construction and the built environment; and business and enterprise.

Key sponsors of individual Academies are Bovis Lend Lease, Laing O'Rourke, BT, The Co-operative Group, Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospital NHS Trust, Manchester Airport, Willow Park Housing Trust, and Manchester College of Arts and Technology (MANCAT).

Manchester City Council and MANCAT will also be co-sponsors of each of the Academies.

Other organisations offering further support to the Academies include City College, ITV Granada, Microsoft and BBC.

The Council's Academy proposals complement the work already underway through the Government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to rebuild each high school in the city. Together this represents a £500 million investment in the city's schools.

Councillor Sheila Newman, Executive Member Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "There is no doubt that the sponsors' involvement in our Academy plans will be key to radically changing and improving the educational experience of pupils in the city's schools.

"Pupils at all schools will benefit from the proposals as the Academies' business sponsors will work collaboratively, sharing their knowledge, expertise and facilities with schools across the city. "Most importantly however, these plans will improve the life chances and future success of all pupils by ensuring that they leave school with the right skills and qualifications that will give them the best possible chance of accessing further and higher education and good jobs in the future."

The Academies will be owned by Academy Trusts which will be charitable companies limited by guarantee. The Board of the Trust will also be the Governing Body of each school and will be responsible for the running of the Academy and its outcomes.

Each Academy will be headed up by a Principal and a national recruitment drive to find the right individuals for the posts is due to begin shortly. It is hoped that appointments to the posts could be made as early as Spring 08 to enable the Principals to be directly involved in the process of establishing each Academy.

Pauline Newman, Director Children's Services, Manchester City Council, said: "The Academies will help shift children's and young people's attitudes and ambitions by offering enriched, challenging and fulfilling learning experiences.

"They will help ensure that young people leave school as emotionally resilient, confident, competent citizens with the skills and qualifications they need to be able to realise their full potential in education, training, and employment."

Five of the planned seven new Academies would replace five existing high schools - Brookway, Parklands, Plant Hill, North Manchester Boys, and North Manchester Girls - which would all close as the new Academies open. There will also be two brand new purpose built Academies, one in east Manchester and one on Queen's Road / Rochdale Road, in Harpurhey.

A period of formal public consultation on the proposed closure of the five high schools begins on 5 November and runs until 21 December.

Media contact:

Jane Lemon, tel: 0161 234 3179