New sponsor steps forward to lead Falmer Academy partnership

One of Brighton and Hove’s most successful entrepreneurs and a national leader of activities to support youth charities has put himself forward as the potential head of a new partnership to sponsor the proposed Falmer Academy in Brighton.

Hove-born Rod Aldridge founded the Capita Group in 1984, and turned it into one of the UK’s most successful companies. In 2006 he retired from Capita to set up the Aldridge Foundation, which focuses on the effects of educational underachievement and social exclusion on the young.

He spent six years as a trustee of the Prince’s Trust from 2001-7, and now chairs ‘v’, the new youth led charity that champions youth volunteering.

The partnership Mr Aldridge will be heading up includes City College and the Albion FC. The Falmer Academy project is set to lever in more than £26min government funding to build state-of-the-art new facilities at the site of the current Falmer High School.

The school’s most recent Ofsted inspection report rated it as satisfactory, praising the school's continued improvement and citing many good aspects of the school's work.

Brighton & Hove City Council has been working closely with the partnershipto make sure the proposed Academy delivers maximum educational, economic and social benefits for the local community.

Brighton & Hove’s lead councillor for children’s services, Vanessa Brown, said: “I’m delighted the Academy proposals look set to get back on track.

“Falmer headteacher Stuart McLaughlin and his team have created a real momentum in terms of educational improvement in recent years, but are being held back by outdated buildings and facilities.

“This would give them and the community they serve the state-of-the-art facilities they deserve.

“Rod Aldridge brings to the table unrivalled public and private sector experience and a huge commitment to improving opportunities for young people. I think he will be an excellent sponsor.”

The city’s opposition spokesperson on children’s services, Councillor PatHawkes, said: “This is great news. With the backing of the new sponsor and partners like the universities, City College and the football club, the Academy looks set to be able to equip students and local people with a very exciting range of skills and opportunities.”

Mr Aldridge said: “Brighton & Hove is in my blood. I went to school in Portslade, worked for Brighton Council for a number of years and still have a flat in Hove.

“I’m passionate about giving young people the chance to maximise their potential, particularly in the areas of business and entrepreneurship and through voluntary work. It’s a great privilege to be offered the chance to be involved in a project like this.”

Falmer would be the second Academy to receive the backing of Mr Aldridge. He is already the sponsor of an Academy in Darwen, Lancashire that has aparticular focus on entrepreneurship and giving young people the work and social skills they need to succeed in the 21st century.