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Secretary of State signs off Taunton Academy’s September opening
The Secretary of State for the Department of Children, Schools and Families has signed the Funding Agreement, securing the future for the new academy in Taunton.
The signing of the Funding Agreement is a key milestone in the project, which was initiated in 2008 when the Expression of Interest was drafted. The academy will replace the existing Ladymead Community School and St Augustine of Canterbury School . The Agreement means that year on year funding from central government is now guaranteed and Taunton Academy will open in September 2010.
Maureen Bollard, Director of Education for the Diocese of Bath and Wells, representing the lead sponsor of the new Academy, said: ‘We are tremendously pleased by the news that the project has been given this vital endorsement. We can now proceed with the exciting business of shaping the new Academy, and delivering an education which will give local children high aspirations, and equip them with the tools to build a happy, fulfilling future.’
Cllr John Osman, Somerset County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, added: ‘We are proud to be co-sponsoring the new Academy and know that it will benefit the community of north Taunton. We will work hard, with the Academy and the other project partners, to ensure delivery of a fully inclusive Academy. The new Academy will offer specialisms in Sustainability and Science, with a focus on Health.’
The Academy will open in September 2010 in the current buildings of the former schools, but will move into new and remodelled accommodation on the site of Ladymead Community School in September 2013.
Mark Trusson, Principal Designate, Taunton Academy began his work this month. He said: ‘The signing of the Funding Agreement is fantastic news for the Academy. We are now getting on with planning an innovative curriculum, a new staffing structure and drawing up proposals for how the Academy can work best to deliver the vision of its sponsors and partners.’
Notes to Editors
1. The proposed Academy will replace the existing Ladymead Community School and The St Augustine of Canterbury C of E/RC School.
2. The proposed Academy will primarily serve the community of north Taunton and will have a designated catchment area encompassing the catchment areas of the two predecessor schools.
3. Partners in the proposed Academy are the Clifton Diocese, Somerset College, Queen’s College, NHS Somerset and Viridor Waste Management. The initial consultation period on proposals for an Academy ran between 8 June and 22 July 2009.
A new Academy for North Taunton moves a step closer
Proposals for a new Academy for Taunton moved a step closer today (9 December 2009), following the decision of Somerset County Council Cabinet members to approve the closure of Ladymead Community School and The St Augustine of Canterbury School.
Both schools will close on 31 August 2010 and reopen on 1 September 2010, on the two sites as an Academy with a move to new and refurbished buildings on the Ladymead site in 2013.
Somerset County Council, which is a co-sponsor of the proposed Academy, invited feedback on the proposals to close both schools. The consultation period was from October 1 to November 11.
Maureen Bollard, Director of Education for the Diocese of Bath and Wells said; “This is an important step towards the establishment of a first-class Academy for the young people of North Taunton. £15 - £20 million will be invested in new buildings and equipment and there will be an entirely fresh approach to teaching and learning.
“It’s not just about the buildings, the Academy will be inclusive, committed to meeting the needs of students with special educational needs and open to all students irrespective of ability or faith. This is an opportunity to build on the improvements made by both predecessor schools and to provide an outstanding education for all our young people.”
Cllr John Osman, Somerset County Council’s Chair of Education and Deputy Leader, added; “I am delighted that plans for an Academy are moving forward. We are committed to providing the best education for all our young people and we believe that the Academy offers exciting opportunities and a renewed vision for the North Taunton Community.”
Somerset County Council decision
The SCC Cabinet has decided today (16/9/2009) in favour of the Academy, by a vote of 7-1, the chair abstaining.
The decision will be upheld at full Council meeting in December, but the only likely reason for rescinding it will be if the promised BSF money is not forthcoming.
There was a full debate of 90 minutes, including presentations from the public, 5 from St Augustine’s in favour and 5 from Ladymead against (the 3 governors and two parents), and there were 2 or 3 independent views. The debate was full and fair.
The decision was made because the St Augustine’s problem had to be resolved, and there was a substantial pot of money available now that would not be available later by which time the St Augustine’s problem would have become worse.
Update on Principal Designate Interviews
The Diocese of Bath and Wells and Somerset County Council have decided that the proposed interviews for the position of the Principal Designate for the Taunton Academy will be postponed until mid-late September.
Since initiating the consultation period, it has become apparent that it would be best to defer making the appointment until after the consultation period has ended and Elected Members have had the opportunity to consider the outcomes of the consultation process.
The applicants from the current field who did not meet the criteria will not be taken forward to interviews. The internal applicants will be taken forward to re-arranged interviews in September, as will new applicants from a re-advertisement who meet the criteria. This will still allow an appointment to take effect from January 2010.
Although the Sponsors appreciate this prolongs any uncertainty for the existing Headteachers, it does allow them more time for further consultation with them and their respective unions about their individual positions.
The Sponsors believe that deferring the interviews also provides a further opportunity to advertise the vacancy and attract the strongest field of applicants available for this key position.
Feedback
Thank you very much to everyone who has given us feedback about the proposed Taunton Academy at meetings, via post and electronically.
We are updating the website in light of your feedback on an ongoing basis, so please visit regularly for updates and read our Q & A's page. Your views are important to us, so please keep letting us have your feedback.
