Falmer Academy Open Day Gives a Glimpse of the Future

Parents and students were given a glimpse of the future Falmer Academy at an open evening held on Thursday.

The evening was held in the existing Falmer High School building, which will close to make way for the Academy which opens in September 2010.

School academies are state-run schools sponsored by an external sponsor. They were originally established to raise standards in failing schools.

The sponsor of the Academy, Rod Aldridge, said the open evening was an opportunity for parents to come and ask questions and to learn about the Academy. He added: “It’s very much a two-way exchange.”

Rod Aldridge, the founder of the Aldridge Foundation, plans to make the Academy a specialist school in entrepreneurship and sport. “It’s about a mind set to try and make people think differently about their opportunities in life.”He said.

Twenty-eight million pounds will be spent on the new building. Facilities will include a six-court sports hall, a new Sixth Form area and vocational areas for hairdressing, catering and other work experience activities. Rod Aldridge said: “It’s not all about the building, but the building will be an inspirational building where you will have top quality technology and resources.”

Many parents were impressed by the new plans at the open evening. Falmer resident, Julie Gibson, said: “At the moment the place is a bit run down so I think it will give everyone a boost. It will give the children something to look forward to.”

Donna Tilly, a central Brighton resident and mother of two children, also expressed her excitement about the new plans. “I just think it’s exciting. There will be different opportunities than other schools in the area.” She said.

Although scepticism remains over the place of external sponsors in education, the plans for Falmer Academy were greeted with a warm reception on Thursday. Rod Aldridge was optimistic about the Academy’s future. “I genuinely believe that in the future this school will be oversubscribed.” He said.

When Academy plans were first drawn up in 2008, many parents, teachers and some councillors were in opposition to the school becoming an Academy. Three academies already exist in West Sussex, with another academy planned for Eastbourne.

The Falmer Academy prospectus can be viewed at www.proposedfalmeracademy.org