Academy status confirmed for Shene School (Twickenham & Richmond Liberal Democrats)

Academy status confirmed for Shene School

April 5, 2010 11:04 AM

shene • [Mar 23] RICHMOND Council's Cabinet last night approved plans to transform Shene School into an Academy on 1 September 2010 and to close the existing school the day before.

The academy will be sponsored by Greensward Charitable Trust, whose operational arm, the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) will manage it. The Council will act as co-sponsor. The specialism for the Academy will be English, with a second to be confirmed.

Cllr Malcolm Eady, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education on Richmond Council, said: "This is great news for the school, which is currently one of the most improved in the borough. Academy status will see £17 million of investment to transform the existing facilities and curriculum. AET, which already runs four successful Academies in England, has a proven track record, and its traditional, yet personalised, style of learning will give each pupil the chance to find new ways to learn and get the most of their education. The improvement of our secondary schools is a key Council priority. The staff, pupils and governors have worked very hard and the school is now showing very good progress. I am therefore confident that, working with AET, Shene Academy will become an excellent school and one which local parents will be very proud of."

Chief Executive of AET, David Triggs, added: "I am delighted with the Council's decision. It follows a period of extensive public consultation which created an emphatic endorsement of the academy plans. We are now working with the school and surrounding community on proposals for a new name, and this will be followed by further consultation on the proposed uniform and logo."

The Academy will be for 1,100 students aged 11-16, sponsored by Greensward Charitable Trust, whose operational arm, the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET) will manage it. The Council has formed a strong relationship with AET and will work closely with them, the school and local families to deliver the Academy. A Partnering Agreement is being finalised on the details of co-sponsorship, in regard to aspects such as admissions, exclusions and SEN provisions.

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