7th September 2012 - updated 14th November 2012 - updated 2nd January 2013
Media release - Thursday, 20th December 2012
The Aspirations Academies Trust in partnership will open a primary school in Bournemouth next September and it will be called the Jewell Academy Bournemouth.
The Department for Education has today approved the Council's recommendation that the Aspirations Academies Trust sponsors the new academy in Jewell Road.
After an extensive assessment process, the Aspirations Academies Trust was selected after best meeting the criteria of the Department for Education (DfE) and the Council, and for demonstrating how they would work closely with the local Townsend community. From September 2013 Jewell Academy Bournemouth will offer 60 reception places and 30 year 1 places and then grow incrementally in future years.
An open evening for the new Jewell Academy Bournemouth will now be held for prospective parents at Townsend Community Centre on 9th January 2013 at 6pm.
Steve Kenning, Chief Executive of The Aspirations Academies Trust, said: We are delighted to have the opportunity to develop a brand new 'world class' primary school in Bournemouth. With our high expectations, high aspirations and high quality teaching, children in the Townsend community, as well as from other areas of Bournemouth, are going to get the very best start to their education. We do hope as many parents as possible will attend our presentation about the new Academy at the Townsend Community Centre at 6pm on Wednesday 9th January."
Neil Goddard, Service Director for Community Learning and Commissioning Service, added: We are looking forward to working with the Aspirations Academies Trust to open the new primary school in Bournemouth. We now progressing with the rebuilding and refurbishing of the building and are currently out to tender for a number of services for a September 2013 opening.
The Aspirations Academies Trust currently runs two other academies in Oxfordshire - Banbury Academy (secondary) and Dashwood Banbury Academy (primary).
Notes
Cabinet agreed in March 2012 that a new school should be provided on the site of the former Townsend primary school site in Jewell Road to meet the demand for primary school places in September 2013.
The new school will be funded with £4.15million of Basic Need government grant which will be used to substantially refurbish, remodel and extend the existing buildings.
Media release - Tuesday, 13th November 2012
The Aspirations Academies Trust will be recommended to the Cabinet on Tuesday 20 November as the preferred sponsor to run the new primary academy opening in Bournemouth next September.
After an extensive assessment process, the Aspirations Academies Trust was selected after best meeting the criteria of the Department for Education (DfE),the Council, and of the children and local Townsend community.
Neil Goddard, Service Director for Community Learning and Commissioning Service, said: The Aspirations Academies Trust’s proposal for the new primary school is exciting and clearly shows how they will work closely with the local community and provide excellent opportunities for local children, ensuring that they can reach their fullest potential. We were very impressed with their attitude and school ethos.
The Aspirations Academies Trust currently runs two academies in Oxfordshire - Banbury Academy (secondary) and Dashwood Banbury Academy (primary).
Steve Kenning, Chief Executive, The Aspirations Academies Trust, said: We are very excited about the new Townsend Bournemouth Academy and the opportunity to work with the local community to help raise the aspirations of the young people in the area and to provide them with a world-class education."
The Council received two high quality applications during the month-long tender process the other came from a partnership between Place Group, Bellvue Education and School Business Services. An extensive assessment process took place for both applications, which included a sponsor presentation to an audience of councillors, local headteachers, officers and community representatives, plus a formal interview with a selected panel of councillors and senior officers.
If Cabinet approve the recommendation at its November meeting, the Department for Education (DfE) will be notified and the Secretary of State will consider the Council’s preference when making his final decision about which sponsor to appoint to the new school.
Notes
Cabinet agreed in March 2012 that a new school should be provided on the site of the former Townsend primary school site in Jewell Road to meet the demand for primary school places in September 2013.
The new school will be funded with £4.15million of Basic Need government grant which will be used to substantially refurbish, remodel and extend the existing buildings.
Media release - Tuesday, 4th September 2012
Potential sponsors are being sought to come forward with proposals to run a new primary school as an Academy in Bournemouth.
The Council plans to open a new 420 place primary school in Strouden Park, which will open ready for September 2013 offering 60 reception year places. This will meet some of the continuing demand for primary school places in the borough. The School Place Planning Programme has already introduced significant numbers of additional school places into the Borough through the permanent or temporary expansion of many primary schools.
Councillor Nicola Greene, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Education and Children's Services, said: Having considered all options, opening a new primary school has been identified as the most cost-effective solution to meet the shortfall of reception places in the area. We are looking for a sponsor who can help us to deliver a high standard of community focussed education in a building that is exciting and attractive.
During September sponsors are invited to submit their proposals to the Council, and a shortlist of bidders will be selected in October. A panel made up of councillors, senior officers and a headteacher representative will assess each shortlisted bid on pre-defined criteria and a recommendation on a preferred sponsor will be made to the Council's Cabinet in November. The Cabinet will then make a recommendation to the Secretary of State for Education who will make the final decision.
A key component of the selection process will be the sponsor's willingness and ability to engage with the local community, and to help ensure high aspirations and outcomes for all children in the area. The successful sponsor, amongst other requirements, will also be able to provide outstanding teaching and learning, provide support for pupils with a range of needs and aptitudes, ensure pupils reach their full potential and create an engaging learning environment.
Prospective sponsors should read the Background Information document and School Specification document, which together with an application form can be found at www.bournemouth.gov.uk/schoolplaceplanning. Alternatively, please contact Sally Lissenden on 01202 456141 or sally.lissenden@bournemouth.gov.uk. Applications from potential sponsors must be received by 28 September 2012.
Parents who would like to apply for a reception year place for their child at the new Academy for September 2013 should visit www.bournemouth.gov.uk/schoolplaces for more information, or contact the Children's Information Service on 01202 456222. The admissions process for the new school will be separate and parents must also apply for three other schools via the usual school admissions process. The closing date for applications is 15 January 2013.
Notes
The £4.15 million cost of setting up the Academy will be funded by the Basic Need grant allocated to the Council by the Department for Education specifically for the purpose of providing additional school places.