Academies plan to go ahead

5:25pm Monday 21st July 2008

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OVER 1,800 youngsters are set to benefit from multi-million pounds worth of funding as Dudley secures sponsorship for two state-of-the-art academies.

Castle High in Dudley, Pensnett High and Crestwood School in Kingswinford have all been lined up to receive sponsorship from Oasis Community Learning, a Christian based charity set up to work with the government’s Department of Children, Schools and Families.

The first academy will replace Castle High in St James’ Road; and Pensnett High will join forces with Crestwood School to form the second.

Although no definite site for the second academy has been decided yet, it is thought Pensnett pupils will relocate to the bigger Crestwood site in Bromley Lane.

All staff from the Tiled House Lane school will also transfer to the new academy to work alongside Crestwood staff - and discussions are currently taking place with the two headteachers regarding their position.

Oasis Community Learning has agreed to not only sponsor both academies but also fund all running costs including teachers wages.

It will also set up an endowment trust for each academy of £1.5 million, which can be spent on whatever each sees fit.

As well as providing funding for the academies which are set to open in 2009, Oasis will also run community activities including evening and weekend youth clubs, adult learning activities and health and sports facilities for the two areas.

The charity is already involved in running academies and community events in Immingham, Enfield and Grimsby and is opening more from September.

Both academies in Dudley will cater for 900 pupils, with all youngsters currently at the three schools guaranteed places.

The new academies, which will specialise in English and the visual arts, will each have new identities and the children will be invited to choose new names for their schools - although the sponsor’s name has to be in the title.

Oasis are also set to provide each child with a new uniform free of charge.

Although both academies will open in the existing old buildings, they will eventually be replaced by new state-of-the art, purpose built facilities - expected to cost more than £20 million for each one.

Initial letters went out to parents at the three schools at the end of term detailing the plans, but intensive consultation will start from September.

News of the sponsorship comes just four weeks after the council lost out on funding from Building Schools for the Future when its £200 million bid was turned down by the government.

Speaking about the latest step forward, Councillor Liz Walker, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “We took a positive decision to proceed with the academies after failing with the BSF funding.

“Oasis are proven in their field and they will make sure the provisions are of excellent quality and that the children will fulfil their potential.

“They are committed to being in the Dudley family of schools. It is good news.”

Steve Chalke MBE, who founded Oasis in 1985, added: “Our goal is to ensure the two new academies are examples of excellence and innovation, building on the strengths and experience of the three schools and providing direct benefits for our students, their families and the wider communities.”