Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy

The Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy received the green light to open from the Secretary of State for Education in April 2012 and opened in September. The new Academy was the culmination of four years' work by Portland's Heads and School Governing Bodies who, with the sponsors, wanted to transform education for Portland's young people.

The Academy co-sponsors are Dorset County Council and its is patron Professor Stephen Heppell. It is a locally run, non-selective, co-educational state school, for students aged 4 – 16. In addition to offering a full, wide curriculum, the Academy specialises in sports and environmental science. It will also continue to offer provision from the age of 2, through the existing Little Stars Foundation Stage Unit and Brackenbury Nursery.

The Academy opened in the sites of its four founding schools and is planning to relocate to two new campuses at Osprey Quay and Southwell Park. Alison Appleyard was appointed the Academy's first principal in June 2012.

Click here to see ITV West Country news coverage of the announcement of the Funding Agreement for the Academy in April 2012.