DIOCESE OF OXFORD REPORTER IN BERKSHIRE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE & OXFORDSHIRE
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WE BRING GOOD NEWS!
www.oxford.anglican.org
OCTOBER 2008
No 197
(D(Dr Church academy raises the bar by Sarah Meyrick first academy to be sponsored by the Diocese of Oxford opened its doors to students last month. The Oxford Academy, which replaces Peers School in Littlemore in Oxford, is part of a national government programme to improve schools in deprived areas. Academies are sponsored by business, faith or voluntary groups, who work in partnership with the local authority to help raise aspirations and standards. THE
'The Church of England has a proven track record in education over almost two centuries, and we welcome the chance now to be part of this pioneering venture,' said Bishop John. The Diocese is the lead sponsor of The Oxford Academy, which is co-sponsored by Oxford Brookes University and the Beecroft Trust. The sponsors are required to set up an endowment fund to benefit the academy, as well as bringing their own expertise and identity to the school. Meanwhile the Department for Children, Schools and Families is investing around ÂŁ31 million in brand new buildings to replace the existing classrooms. There are currently 83 academies across the country - with more in the pipeline - a number of which are sponsored by the Church of England. But The Oxford Academy is the first for the Diocese of
Oxford. A second Academy sponsored by the Diocese is currently at consultation stage in Aylesbury. If the community, the local authority and central government support the scheme, it will open in 2009 and move to the proposed new site at Berryfields two years later. Leslie Stephen, Diocesan Director of Education, said: 'We took the decision to sponsor the Academy as a way of building on our historic mission to provide the best education for all children. 'Academies are all about improving challenging schools to raise standards. 'By the time the new buildings are complete in 2010, we will have a brand new, state-ofthe-art Academy, providing an outstanding education for its students and playing a key part in the local community. 'We and the other sponsors will be working hard to ensure The Oxford Academy succeeds.' The ethos of the Academy is underpinned by
'The opening of The Oxford Academy is an exciting milestone for us all after two years of careful planning hand in hand with the local authority,' said Leslie Stephen, Diocesan Director of Education. Christian values but the school is nonselective and open to all faiths and none. A new Principal, Mike Reading, was appointed
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New Year Seven student Luke Irving, 11, arrives in his smart new academy uniform which was designed in consultation with the student body. Photo by Dave Fleming.
in January 2008 to steer the transition from school to Academy. 'We plan to build a real "can do" culture throughout the Academy,' said Mr Reading on the first day of term. 'There are already many fantastic students, talented teachers and examples of good practice that we will build upon. 'It will not be long before we have our new facilities which will only further improve the life chances and opportunities for our students and the community. A unique feature of the new Academy will be the 'Leadership Centre', which will open
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in 2010 and offer an imaginative range of courses and seminars, dedicated to 'learning for life', with international links. The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard, said: 'This an exciting step into the future for the people of The Leys, Littlemore and Rose Hill areas of Oxford - and also for the Diocese as lead sponsor. 'The Church of England has a proven track record in education over almost two centuries, and we welcome the chance now to be part of this pioneering venture.'