The Corporation of London has today (12 July 2005) confirmed that it is in discussions with Islington Council, CEA@Islington and the DfES over the possible sponsorship of an academy to replace Islington Green School.<br><br>Michael Snyder, Chairman of the Corporation of London's Policy and Resources Committee, said: "Discussions with all parties are still at a preliminary stage. Our aim is to work with local boroughs to help provide excellent education facilities that will benefit children and young people in London."<br><br>Islington councillor James Kempton, executive member for children, said: "Following on from the big improvement in GCSE results over recent years, we are determined to have secondary schools in the borough that are the first choice of children and their parents.<br><br>"The new academy will be part of the Islington family of schools, working together to continue to raise achievement and will be of benefit to the whole community.<br><br>"Across our 10 secondary schools we will have academies sponsored by the Church of England and the Corporation of London joining two Roman Catholic voluntary aided schools, voluntary aided Central Foundation and five community schools. We believe this is the right mix to meet the needs of the boroughs population.<br><br>"Along with the £40 million already spent on our schools over the last five years and the future multi-million pound investment in our secondary schools, the future has never looked brighter for Islington's pupils.<br><br>"Over the coming months we will be working with CEA@Islington, the DfES and Corporation of London on the plans and local people will have an opportunity to have their say at every stage." <br><br>The Corporation of London currently sponsors one academy, the City of London Academy in Southwark, which opened in September 2003. The City of London Academy (Southwark) specialises in business and enterprise and is a centre of academic excellence that provides high quality education for pupils from Southwark and the City of London.<br><br>The Corporation is also planning to co-sponsor a further academy in London and is, in partnership with KPMG, currently working with The Learning Trust, London Borough of Hackney and the DfES to identify a suitable site for a new academy in Hackney. <br><br>ARK (Absolute Return for Kids) had originally had discussions with local partners about the possibility of an all-age academy, to replace the current Islington Green School and Morelands Primary School in Islington.<br><br>ARK are now centring their attention on an all-age project to replace Geoffrey Chaucer Technology College and Joseph Lancaster Primary School in Southwark. ARK is also exploring academy possibilities in West London and elsewhere in Southwark and Lambeth. <br><br> <br><br> <br><br>- Ends -<br><br>Corporation of London: <br>The Corporation of London provides local government services for the City of London, the financial and commercial heart of Britain. The Corporation is committed to maintaining and enhancing the status of the business City as the world's leading international financial and business centre through its policies and services. Its responsibilities also extend far beyond the City boundaries and include management of the Barbican Centre, Central Criminal Court at the Old Bailey, Epping Forest, Hampstead Heath, three wholesale food markets, as well as acting as the London Port Health Authority. <br><br> <br><br>The City of London Academy (Southwark): <br>The City of London Academy (Southwark) is a centre of academic excellence that provides high quality education for students from the City of London and Southwark. The Corporation of London, the statutory authority for the Square Mile, is the sole sponsor, giving £2million towards the creation of the Academy, which specialises in business and enterprise. The Department for Education and Skills (DfES) has provided the rest of the funding for the school which is being constructed by Willmott Dixon on land provided by Southwark Council.<br><br>The academy opened in September 2003 and currently teaches 360 students aged 11-13 in temporary accommodation at the school's Paterson Park site. The state-of-the-art new buildings will open in September 2005, and will provide high quality facilities for 1200 pupils aged 11-19 from Southwark and the City of London.<br><br>www.thecityoflondonacademy.co.uk <br><br> <br><br>Press Enquiries: 020 7332 1754<br>Out of Hours: 07785 528 453<br>E-mail: lesley.mair@corpoflondon.gov.uk<br>Corporation of London website: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
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