Foundation Academies

The Aldridge Foundation harnesses entrepreneurship as a catalyst for social change, in particular to help young people reach their potential, become active citizens and improve their communities.   

To this end, the Foundation sponsors non-selective community Academies (run as separate Charitable Trusts) in areas of disadvantage, low aspiration and poor attainment.  Each Academy has entrepreneurship as its lead specialism which is integrated into all areas of Academy life – focusing on the development of entrepreneurial attributes, rather than just enterprise skills.  

Our definition of the entrepreneurial mindset is one ‘which strives to take action, solve problems, and rejects the status quo’.  The attributes that we reward in students and prioritise in all our work are passion, creativity, teamwork, risk taking, determination, discipline, problem solving and vision.   

Each Academy offers resources and physical spaces to support entrepreneurial activities developed by members of the wider community as well as for its student body.   

The Foundation and its Academies also work in partnership with local individuals and organisations (charitable, voluntary, commercial, public sector) to develop each Academy as a civic and community asset.  Our Academies are non-selective and free, with admissions based on the existing local authority system, and there are no entrance examinations. 

Academy Schools are schools funded directly by the Government, rather than the local authority, and have “sponsors” who contribute extra resources and new ideas to benefit the students. Sponsors must be approved by the Government, to ensure they are capable of running an Academy successfully. 

Like all schools, Aldridge Academies are inspected by OFSTED, and our GCSE results are made public. Each one has a Principal and Leadership team who are responsible for the day to day running of the Academy, with a Board of Governors that includes parents, teachers, Foundation staff, community and local organisations, responsible for ensuring the Academy meets the education standards it is set, and the needs of the local community it serves. 

The Foundation opened our first Academy in September 2008, in Darwen, Lancashire, with a second following in September 2010 in Falmer, Brighton. Our third Academy is planned to open this year in Portslade, and a fourth is scheduled to open in 2014 in North Kensington. 

Academy Vision

Our Academies and the Foundation have a shared vision for every student at an Aldridge Academy. Find out about the ten key elements of this.
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Second Specialisms

Each Aldridge Academy holds entrepreneurship as the lead specialism, but then also holds a second specialism. In Darwen and Brighton, the second specialism is sport. In Portslade, it is proposed that this will be science. In Kensington it is proposed to be Expressive Arts.
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Darwen Aldridge Community Academy

The residents of Darwen, a Lancashire town of over 40,000 in population, saw the new building for Darwen Aldridge Community Academy opened by Prince William in April 2011. There are currently over 740 students enrolled at the Academy, recognisable to the community in their smart eye catching new uniforms.
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Entrepreneurship Specialism

The lead specialism in all Aldridge Academies is entrepreneurship. This is selected by Rod Aldridge, because it describes a state of mind which strives to solve problems rather than accept defeat. An entrepreneur is determined to succeed, is not afraid of failing, remains positive throughout and will ultimately win through. This will provide a wider and more varied educational offer and, as part of a thus enhanced curriculum, students will be able to experience running mock businesses and develop the skills that are necessary to achieve success. They will meet successful business people and have the opportunity to gain work experience.
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Portslade Aldridge Community Academy

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy will open in September 2011, replacing Portslade Community College. The Academy will hold specialisms in Entrepreneurship and Science.
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Brighton Aldridge Community Academy

Rod Aldridge chose to sponsor a second Academy in the City of Brighton and Hove where he grew up. Brighton Aldridge Community Academy replaced Falmer High school situated to the east of the city.
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Kensington Aldridge Academy

The Foundation is delighted to be lead sponsor for Kensington Aldridge Academy, working with co-sponsor the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, and a range of educational partners.
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Portland Academy

The Aldridge Foundation is to become the lead sponsor of a proposed innovative “all-through” Academy in Portland, Dorset, catering for four to nineteen year olds. The project intends to bring together the schools on the island to create a new Academy Trust, alongside the Foundation, Dorset County Council as co-sponsor and Professor Stephen Heppell as Patron.
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