February 2011 Update

... Portslade Academy Awarded £12m

… Academy for North Kensington receives £17m

... Brighton Aldridge Community Academy new build takes shape

... DACA Principal presents at IAA

... Ice skating star of DACA

... Rod Aldridge interviewed in Third Sector

Portslade Academy awarded £12m…

The Foundation was delighted to move on through the next stage for a new Academy in Portslade.  Co-sponsored by Brighton and Hove City Council, with University of Sussex as our Education Partner, the Academy would specialise in entrepreneurship and science.  With £12.7m committed by Ministers, a mix of refurbishment and new buildings will see a dynamic new space created, with first class facilities for both specialisms as well as sport – a subject traditionally important within the Aldridge Academies.  Brighton and Hove City Council are currently consulting on the closure of Portslade Community College, which, if approved by the Cabinet, will lead to the opening of the Academy.

For more information on Portslade, contact Honor Wilson-Fletcher:
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 … and Academy for North Kensington receives £17m

Government backing to build a new Academy in North Kensington has been confirmed with funding of £17.6 million offered.  Work to develop a funding package to meet the full cost of the project has begun, led by the Foundation, alongside the co-sponsor, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.  Design work to ensure that the buildings meet the needs of generations of children and improve the public realm in this disadvantaged part of the borough will also begin.  The Council’s Cabinet agreed on 6 January to take the project forward to its feasibility phase which, amongst other things, will involve a consultation over the summer months with local people and other stakeholders.

For more information on KAA, contact Sally Lawson-Ritchie:
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Brighton Aldridge Community Academy new build takes shape

Aerial pictures of BACA show the fast pace of work taking place on the Academy’s new home.  Being constructed around the predecessor school, the new home will feature an entrepreneurship centre, hubs where students can develop their own businesses, state of the art sports and drama halls, and creative spaces for students, staff and the wider community.

Being designed to ensure the best teaching and learning provision and facilities, the Academy will move into the building in September 2011.

For more information on BACA contact:
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Other Aldridge Foundation news in brief …

… DACA Principal Brendan Loughran presented at an Independent Academies Association Conference workshop, talking about the benefits of our Opening Eyes programme, which sees our students make inspirational trips both within the UK and internationally.

… Well done to 18 year old DACA student Sally Riding who, with her partner Jakub, came 14th in the European ice-skating championships in Switzerland.  Sally and Jakub are now 45th in the world.

… Catch Rod’s interview in Third Sector, where he talks about the work of the Foundation and the role entrepreneurship can play for young people:
http://thirdsector.co.uk/Resources/Fundraising/Article/1050647/Big-Giver-Rod-Aldridge-Aldridge-Foundation