Academy gets support of top public schools

1:43pm Tuesday 11th March 2008

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A top public school is backing plans to establish a flagship academy in Sussex.

Winchester College has joined forces with the United Learning Trust (ULT) to draw up the plans for the school in Midhurst.

The school would replace Midhurst Grammar and take on older year groups from Midhurst Intermediate School and Herbert Shiner Intermediate school in Petworth.

Winchester, which is 30 miles away from Midhurst, will help run the school and share teaching materials and staff training.

The ULT is a subsidiary charity of the United Church Schools Trust.

It runs ten schools, including Guildford High and Caterham School in Surrey, along with 13 other academies.

It has been the most prolific sponsor of the Governmentís academy scheme, becoming involved with projects in Manchester, Sheffield and London.

Academies have been criticised by the National Union of Teachers (NUT) who object to what they call increasing privatisation of state education.

Under the plans, the schools are run by the partners involved and not under direct local authority control.

The Government set up the academy scheme to encourage private investment in schools.

It provides millions for rebuilding projects if a sponsor pledges to provide backing as well. Initially there was a minimum requirement of £2 million but this has since been dropped.

In exchange for their involvement the sponsor is given power to manage the academy and can influence its curriculum.

ULT chief executive Sir Ewan Harper said: ìIn everything that we do, we seek to provide the best possible opportunities for our students and staff.

"Parents in Midhurst and the Rother Valley have high aspirations for their children's education.

"We want this academy not only to meet these aspirations but to exceed them.

"The partnership with Winchester College demonstrates our commitment to creating an academy that is a force for academic achievement." The plans are supported by West Sussex County Council and Chichester MP Andrew Tyrie.

Council cabinet member for children and young people's services, Mark Dunn, said: "This is wonderful news for all the children and parents in the Rother Valley area.

"This is a unique opportunity for parents and pupils of the area to benefit from both ULT's experience and the link with Winchester.

"We will be talking with all the communities in the area in the coming months to make the very best of this opportunity." Mr Tyrie said: "This is a transformational opportunity for secondary education in the Midhurst area.

"Winchester College and the ULT both have reputations for the very highest standards in education.

"They will be working closely with the Midhurst community to turn Midhurst Grammar into an outstanding school." Winchester headmaster Ralph Townsend said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for Winchester to look outward, to share our knowledge and experience with those with similar aspirations to us and to learn from our partner organisation.

"The historic mission of Winchester College fits well with the aims of the academies programme.

"We are very keen to work closely with a school geographically close to us with whom we can build an ongoing relationship of support and sharing." West Sussex members of the NUT have already unanimously voted to oppose academies in the county.

The proposal for the academy, which will serve 11 to 18-year-olds, is currently subject to independent public consultation being conducted by Dame Jocelyn Barrow.

A final decision will be made in June and if it goes ahead, the new academy will open in September.

The Midhurst scheme has emerged amid moves to reorganise state schools in the Rother Valley, which also includes Petworth and Pulborough.

Several schools will be merged in the process and some could be closed.