Academy Funding Agreement brings certainty to fresh start

Although the Academy will initially open in a temporary home, the staff are determined to create the new ethos from the outset. There will be some limited environmental improvements to the school buildings on the Darwen Moorland site, but these improvements will be targeted to have the maximum impact on student learning, for instance in the introduction of mobile laptop technology for students. Again, the Academy has listened to the ‘student voice’ and there will be a new Student Services provision and dedicated student reception, new and improved toilet facilities and the introduction of lockers for students. There will also be a dedicated space for the new sixth form and a small-scale entrepreneurship centre.

“Understandably the past uncertainty about the future of the academy has been a cause for concern among prospective students and parents. We are embarking on a new era and looking to the future. We have remained committed to the academy and are delighted to finally be able to detail the true significance of this major boost for education in the borough. We are now extremely busy on a four month countdown to the opening, but we are thinking big and longer-term with our vision and plans,” added Brendan, 44, who was formerly head teacher at Westhoughton High School and Technology College in Bolton and achieved significant improved key stage 3 and GCSE results there, as well as doubling the size of its sixth form.

The Darwen Aldridge Community Academy is a long held dream of entrepreneur Rod Aldridge OBE. Rod had a highly successful business career, taking the company he founded to become one of the countries top 100 companies.

“Entrepreneurship is about highly motivated, confident learners who make use of every opportunity for success,” he said.

“We will seek to unlock the talent in the area, encouraging and stimulating more entrepreneurial activity as well as providing young people with the skills and confidence to take decisions about the future direction of their lives. Entrepreneurship is about a positive attitude and state of mind, an approach to doing things and a determination to succeed”.

The specialism also includes social entrepreneurship. Pupils will examine what it means to be a part of a community and to work with partners to develop that community, helping them to be proud of their town, environment and home. Pupils and staff alike will be encouraged to become involved in volunteering for community based projects. This approach will permeate through every aspect of the school day, with the Academy providing new opportunities to participate in sport, art, ICT, music, drama and even learning practical job skills.

Graham Burgess, chief executive of Blackburn with Darwen Council, added: “I am delighted the uncertainty now over. We look forward to another high quality school in our borough which will provide a vital building block for the regeneration of Darwen and equip our young people with the skills to meet the challenges of the 21st century.“

Colin Rigby, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, has also welcomed the news.

“The Academy will work closely with all the borough's schools. Looking at the plans for the school it’s impossible not to be impressed.”

Plans have won further support from the business community.

Amanda Meachin, chief executive of Community and Business Partners Ltd, a non-profit making company which has been involved in encouraging the private sector to contribute to the area’s future for the past 20 years, said: “We feel the impact of the Academy will be hugely positive for the town — especially given its obvious leaning towards encouraging entrepreneurship, which is something we work towards too.

“But importantly, via the Darwen Employers’ Forum, the Principal Designate Brendan Loughran has been able to speak directly to the business leaders in the town and find out what they need from the Academy. This ongoing dialogue is vital as it means the Academy will be relevant to the town and to employers in the area.”

Read BBC News Online article about the Academy here.

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Notes to editor: Broadcast interviews by arrangement. For further details contact Andrea Sturgess or Leah Maguire on (01254) 585136.