New Portland Academy proposal given the go-ahead

The Aldridge Foundation is to become the lead sponsor of a proposed innovative “all-through” Academy in Portland, Dorset. 

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.

This follows the decision by the Government to put £7million into the project, and means there will be investment available to develop new and existing facilities for young people on sites across the island. 

Individual schools and their Governing bodies are now taking individual decisions on whether they will to move to Academy status and benefit from being part of the new model.

Following their decisions, a wider conversation will begin with the community, about how the ambition for the Academy will be realised and educational standards raised. Developing plans have already taken on board local concerns and priorities previously identified through consultation. 

In a joint statement, the Sponsors and Headteachers said:

“We believe that by working together to deliver our core principles, we can help to regenerate Portland and improve aspirations, experiences and outcomes for the whole community.”