Rod Aldridge

Rod Aldridge is an entrepreneur with over 40 years experience of working in the public and private sectors.

He is the founder of the Capita Group retiring in July 2006 as Chairman. Subsequently he established The Aldridge Foundation to continue his work on public service reform and to focus on his charitable activities.

• Educational underachievement & Social Exclusion
• Public Service Reform Partnership and Development
• Community Engagement

What are Academies?

Academies are a new type of secondary school, aiming to break the cycle of underachievement in areas of social and economic deprivation. Academies provide a fresh approach to the standards of teaching and facilities needed in the 21st century. They are publicly funded independent schools providing a free education to local pupils regardless of ability.

Academies bring together innovative teaching with state-of-the-art technology and surroundings. A defining feature of an academy is its “specialism”, which the sponsor is able to choose. As well as providing the National Curriculum offer, academies are also able to provide an additional range of courses and learning experiences in relation to that specialism.

Academies are part funded by private sponsors who contribute up to £2 million towards the project, whilst the Government and local education partners provide the balance of the funding in line with an agreed budget. The involvement of sponsors from business and other non-government areas means that the academies benefit from a different perspective in terms of the curriculum and administration.

Every academy will be individual and develop its own distinctive ethos and mission to reflect local needs.