The Proposed Academy
Kent County Council is currently consulting on closing The Astor of Hever Community School in West Maidstone in order to replace it with a new 11-18 Academy as part of the local authority's strategic vision for secondary education in Kent.
The proposed Sponsor, Woodard Schools, in partnership with Kent County Council, will offer a leadership and vision which will provide a new dimension and diversity to educational provision in West Maidstone. The proposed new Academy will provide a new energy and direction in raising education achievement for your community.
The Academy would open in existing buildings in January 2011 moving into new purpose built premises by September 2014. The building of the Academy would be managed in a way that would minimise disruption to students' learning.
What is an academy?
Academies are Government-funded schools that provide a first class, free education to local students of all abilities. Each Academy is unique, able to provide local solutions to local needs, drawing on the expertise of Sponsors to deliver a distinctive ethos. They have additional flexibility to be more creative in what they offer and how they are organised and run. All offer a broad and balanced curriculum, consistent with national curriculum requirements, and focus on one or more specialisms.
Academies are all-ability schools established by Sponsors from a wide range of backgrounds including business, faith or voluntary groups working in highly innovative partnerships with central Government and local education and other partners. Should the proposal to open this Academy go ahead, the Department of Children, Schools & Families (DCSF) would fund the running costs at the same level as other specialist secondary schools in Kent.
Successful Academies share specialist experience and facilities with other primary, secondary and special schools, together with the local community. In this way, they play their part in the regeneration of communities, providing a focus for learning and raising aspiration.