(pdf, 443KB)The Academies Programme
The academies programme offers Richmond upon Thames opportunities to improve school standards and buildings. In March 2008, the Council and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) announced that we had agreed preferred sponsors for three new academies in the borough.
This site will be updated regularly so that you can find out more about the programme, the timetables for public consultation and opening the academies. You will find answers to your questions, links to other websites and who to contact for more information.
What are academies?
Academies are publicly funded independent local schools. They are all-ability schools which aim to raise standards by innovative approaches to management, governance, teaching and the curriculum. The involvement of sponsors allows them to bring their skills and expertise to the Academy. Academies provide a teaching and learning environment which offers a broad and balanced curriculum, focusing on one or more subject specialisms.
Two schools will become academies, sponsored by Kunskapsskolan, on 1 September 2010. They are:
One school is proposed to become an academy, sponsored by Academies Enterprise Trust, on 1 September 2010. That school is:
Consultation on the proposal to close Shene on 31 August 2010 and replace it with an academy the following day will last for six weeks, from Friday 8 January 2010 until Friday 19 February 2010. Details of the consultation can be found on the Academies Consultation page.
Who are the sponsors?
Kunskapsskolan
Kunskapsskolan runs 30 secondary schools in Sweden as part of the state sector. Its model of education emphasises personalised learning, with clear weekly and yearly goals set for each pupil and a stepped curriculum and flexible timetable that are designed to meet pupils' needs. It uses a mixture of one-to-one support, tutorials and lectures and will be adapting its approach to deliver the English National Curriculum. Kunskapsskolan is keen to work with local stakeholders to provide the best opportunities for pupils.
Academies Enterprise Trust (AET)
AET runs three academies in Essex and has an oustanding track record in school improvement.
An initial long-list of potential sponsors provided by the Office of the Schools Commissioner was narrowed down and a short-list of two particularly strong sponsors was tested against a specification drawn up after meetings with the headteachers, chairs of governors and parent-governors of nine local primary schools. Both potential sponsors showed real strengths, but AET were able to demonstrate more clearly that they have the skills and experience to build quickly and efficiently upon the recent improvements at Shene – and meet the ambitions of local families for an outstanding school in the area. AET runs four academies in Essex very successfully.
The Government confirmed AET as the lead sponsor in September, and the Council's Cabinet confirmed the Expression of Interest document on 23 November.
The Council will co-sponsor the proposed academy with AET, and we will work with them to develop the proposal further.
More information
For more information please contact:
Matthew Paul,
Deputy Head of Commissioning, Delivery and Service Improvement
Children’s Services and Culture,
Regal House,
London Road,
Twickenham TW1 3QB
Email: m.paul@richmond.gov.uk
Phone: 020 8891 7588
Sign up for regular email updates on the Academies Programme. Updates will start once one or more of the proposed academies enters the Feasibility stage.