Frequently Asked Questions
What are academies?
Academies are publicly funded independent local schools that are set up to provide a first class free education .They are all-ability, non-selective schools established by sponsors from business, education, faith or voluntary groups working with partners from the local community. Academies provide a teaching and learning environment that is in line with national best practice and offer a broad and balanced curriculum to pupils of all abilities with particular expertise in one or more subject specialisms.
Why have we got to have them in Maidstone?
We don't. But we believe this is an effective route to:
- Raise standards
- Achieve new state of the art buildings
- Use this investment in new buildings to stimulate community and pupil engagement in education
So what is the plan?
In 2010 two new rebuilt academies will open. They are:
- New Line Learning Academy at Boughton Lane, Loose.
- Cornwallis Academy at Hubbards Lane, Linton.
What will be different?
The curriculum at New Line Learning Academy will reflect its new specialisms of Business, Enterprise and Vocational Studies. Cornwallis Academy already has two specialisms – technology and science - and opportunities here will continue to expand. Most secondary schools now have specialisms and these offer enhanced learning opportunities for pupils in the areas chosen. For the New Line Learning Academies this means focusing on new opportunities in business and science.
Is that it then with regard to changes?
Not at all. Above all we want to ensure more pupils are more successful recognising that exams are necessary but no longer sufficient. Schools need to ensure that their students are adequately prepared for lives of change. This means improving both exam performance and students’ soft skills. The academy status means that we will be expanding our staff training programme; using information to better customise our curriculum and support to students; expanding our use of new technologies in our schools; developing our skills curriculum for all students; expanding opportunities, stay on rate and achievement at 18+.
When will building work commence?
This will start in January 2009 at NLL Academy and shortly afterwards at Cornwallis Academy. The new buildings will be located away from the existing schools to avoid any disruption to the students’ education.
How will the schools work together when the Academies are established?
The Federation which already exists between NLL and Cornwallis will continue to exist but under a new legal framework once the schools become academies. The Federation will help ensure standards of education between sites and an ability to offer every student a much broader curriculum.
What about travel routes?
We are working with the Local Authority to make sure that travel routes to both sites are made as safe and accessible as possible.
Will there be adequate access for disabled learners?
New buildings at both sites will be state-of-the-art and will have very high standards of accessibility for all.
What about disabled learners?
New buildings at both academies will be state-of-the-art and will have very high standards of accessibility.
Will the two academies take students of different abilities?
No. Both academies will take all abilities and we will work very hard to make sure that neither of them gets better treatment than the other. Both academies within the federation will take students of all abilities. There will not be any partial selection on the basis of students’ aptitudes for the specialisms. The admissions to NLL Academy will give priority to local students and thus to the communities around the existing school. The Cornwallis Academy will also give priority to its local residents, but also to students in the villages to the south of Maidstone for whom Cornwallis is their nearest school, even though they may live some distance away. The historic feeder primary school arrangements to Cornwallis will cease in 2009. In this instance the change in education regulations in 2006 meant that the admission arrangements would have had to change in any event. We will publish our admission arrangements for 2009 once they have received final approval by the Local Authority and the DCSF (Department for Children, Schools and Families).
Who are the sponsors of the academies and what is their role?
The sponsors are Kent County Council, Cornwallis On-Line (a company owned by Cornwallis school – but not contributing any money), Hewlett Packard and Gallaghers. We expect additional sponsors to come onboard in the future. Initially only KCC and Cornwallis On-Line will be represented on the new governing body which is currently being constructed. If we achieve additional sponsors in the future they will have the option of taking a seat on the governing body.
How soon do you expect academies to show real improvement in educational standards?
Government does not expect every academy to be an overnight success, but we expect our academies will make steady upwards progress and it is possible that they will show dramatic improvements very quickly. The academies will be schools where pupils want to learn and where the teachers have high expectations of each and every pupil. Good teaching, excellent facilities and motivated pupils will deliver real improvements in educational standards.
How are academies accountable to their local communities?
Government wants academies to be at the heart of their communities, and expects them to be established in consultation with local stakeholders. We have been encouraged by the public response to our proposals, and local interests will be represented on the governing body. Parents will also be represented as they are currently.
Will opening an academy adversely affect other schools in the area?
Quite the opposite as academies will be part of the local family of schools, sharing their facilities and expertise with other schools and the wider community, contributing to raising standards across the whole area.
Do academies receive more funding than maintained schools?
No. But they do receive monies currently spent by the local authority for running the school. Academies, as independent schools, carry out many of these functions for themselves.
Do academies have to deal with lots of bureaucracy?
The Department for Children Schools and Families is committed to freeing academies from unnecessary bureaucracy. They are looking at how to maximise the freedoms and flexibilities available to them. Academies will be encouraged to make full use of the flexibilities that they already enjoy.
If you have a question that isn’t featured here, please email it to: office@newlinelearning.com
We will reply to you directly and in some cases add the answer to this website so that other people can benefit.You can find out about other academy projects from the DCSF website