The building of a new Church of England sponsored Academy for Islington came one step nearer today when it was announced that the Schools Adjudicator has approved the closure of St. Mary Magdalene Primary School which currently occupies part of the site earmarked for the new school. <br><br>This decision, which will take effect from the end of August 2007, enables the existing primary school to form part of the new Academy, which will open in September 2007. The new Academy will be for children aged 5-19 and will be known as the St. Mary Magdalene Academy in recognition of the importance of that name to the local community.<br><br>In May a majority of the Islington School Organisation Committee supported the proposal but as its decision was not unanimous, it had to be referred to the Office of the Independent Schools Adjudicator. <br><br>A planning application has been submitted and local residents will be consulted on the proposals in the coming weeks before any decision is made.<br> <br>Dr Joy Hinson, Chair of Governors at St. Mary Magdalene Primary School, said “This has been a difficult time in some ways for the school. I hope now that all parents, whatever their views, will join together to ensure that the new school provides an even better quality of education for the primary pupils. I am proud that the name St Mary Magdalene will continue to be linked with the provision of high quality education in Islington.” <br><br>Tom Peryer, Director of Education for the London Diocesan Board for Schools, which sponsors the Academy, said, “This is good news for the Academy and for Islington. I hope that everyone will now accept the decision and allow the Academy to get on with the business of developing a quite exceptional set of educational opportunities for the young people of Islington, based on a Christian ethos and notions of service to others. We look forward to seeing and supporting the rebuilding plans for all the other Islington secondary schools”<br><br> Cllr James Kempton, Executive Member for Children, said, "The adjudicator has backed the council, CEA, the Diocese and the Governors of St Mary Magdalene over our plans for a new secondary school for the Borough. After all the consultation that has taken place over many years we know just how popular this school is going to be with parents. I am delighted that the plans can now move ahead. The new school is a key to improving secondary education in the borough and giving parents and young people more choice over where they study. It will be a fantastic addition to the Islington family of schools".<br><br>Note for Editors<br><br>Academies<br>Academies are all ability schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working with partners from the local community, sponsors and the Department for Education and Skills. Academies are located in areas of disadvantage. They either replace one or more existing schools facing challenging circumstances or are established where there is a need for additional school places. The Department expects Academies to form part of the Local Education Authority's strategic plans to increase diversity in secondary provision. 17 Academies are already open and the Government hopes to have 200 open or planned by 2010. <br><br>A majority of governors would be appointed by the sponsor (some of whom may include parents at the school) and there will be spaces for nominated, elected or co-opted representatives from the staff, parents, LEA and local community. <br><br>The St Mary Magdalene Academy is being sponsored by the Church of England through the London Diocesan Board for Schools. There are already nine Church of England primary schools in Islington.<br><br>The new school will incorporate the existing St Mary Magdalene Primary School and so will be one of any a handful of all-through schools providing education for pupils from the ages of 5-19. In addition there will also be a 30 place Early Years Centre on the site.<br><br>All Academies have a curriculum specialism and this one will specialise in Humanities and Global Citizenship.<br><br>Pupils who are part of the primary department of the new school will have the right to transfer automatically to the secondary department. That will leave around 150 places for pupils from other primary schools. Of those places 70% will be known as ‘community places’ and 30% will be ‘foundation’ places with priority going to those who attend other Church of England schools in Islington.<br><br>Total costs for the building are likely to be over £30 million of which £2million will come from the sponsors and the rest from central government.<br><br>SCHOOL ORGANISATION COMMITTEE<br><br>Each local authority has to have a School Organisation Committee in order to make local decisions about opening, closing, enlarging or changing the character or age range of schools in its area. <br><br>The Committee is made up of five or six groups representing different stakeholders within education. These include the local authority; schools; the Learning Skills Council; the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of England. Each group has one vote and for decisions to be approved all groups have to vote in favour or abstain. If a decision is not approved, it is then referred to an independent adjudicator who will have the final say.<br><br>The Office of the Schools Adjudicator exists to decide on proposals for close, open or change schools where there has not been the unanimous agreement of the local Schools Organisation Committee. Although funded by the Government it is independent of the Government’s decision-making processes.<br><br><br>CONTACT<br><br>Tom Peryer Director of Education Diocese of London 0207 932 1161 or 07801665291
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009