The vision for a second City Academy in Islington takes a significant step forward this week with the launch of a public consultation.
Islington Council, the City of London and City University are working together to benefit future generations of young people through the proposed sponsorship and construction of a City Academy to replace Islington Green School.
The consultation begins on 17 May 2006 with the launch of a consultation brochure and planning leaflet that will be distributed to all relevant stakeholders, including pupils, parents, teachers, community groups and local residents.
The consultation sets out the vision for the Academy and seeks the community's input on issues such as curriculum, admissions and academy buildings.
City Academies are a new type of publicly funded independent secondary school supported by one or more sponsors. The sponsors of the proposed academy, the City of London and City University, will jointly contribute £2 million to the development of the Academy. Both sponsors have extensive experience in the provision of high quality education.
The collaboration between Islington Council, the City of London and City University will act as a catalyst to improve the performance of Islington Green School, providing the pupils with the very best chance of a successful future.
Paul Curran, Director of Children's Services at Islington Council said:
"We have an ambitious improvement agenda for education in Islington.
We want every Islington child to fulfil their potential and every Islington parent to make the borough their 'first choice' for their child's school. Our second Academy will be crucial to making the 'step change' in academic performance that we and parents want to see."
Michael Snyder, Chairman of Policy and Resources at the City of London, said:
"The City of London has a strong track record in education; operating two of the top independent schools in the country, the City of London School and the City of London School for Girls, and as sponsor of the City of London Academy in Southwark. We are committed to raising educational standards and opportunities for young people from the City and our neighbouring boroughs, and this Academy will help to ensure young people in Islington receive an excellent education and the best possible start in life."
Vice-Chancellor of The City University David Rhind comments:
"Although we have students from 170 countries we remain extremely passionate and pro-active about promoting the benefits of education to young people within our local community. Our aspirations for the Academy are that we use our resources and networks help to make it a top class school and I believe we can have the biggest impact if we are centrally involved."
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Notes to editor:
More information about the proposals and how you can have your say can be found at www.cityacademies.co.uk and on Islington Council, City of London and City University's websites.
The deadline for responses to the planning consultation leaflet is 14 June.
Comments and questions on the vision document for the Academy (entitled Aiming Higher) are due by 3 July.
The public can attend the following meetings at Islington Green School to discuss the proposals:
· Public Meeting - 24 May 2006, 7-9pm
· Drop in sessions - 5 June 2006, 7-9pm and 6 June 2006, 4-6pm
There will be an additional meeting at Richard Cloudesley School for parents and staff on 7 June at 4pm.
About Islington Council:
Islington schools have secured over £100 million from the 'Building Schools for the Future' fund. Every secondary school will be substantially refurbished and some will be completely rebuilt -- the new academies will increase the range of choices available. Information about Islington's BSF programme can be found at www.islington.gov.uk
About the City of London:
The City of London provides local government services for the Square Mile, the financial and commercial heart of Britain, and 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.
The City of London is the sole sponsor of the City of London Academy in Southwark, giving £2million towards the creation of the Academy, which specialises in business and enterprise. The Academy opened in September 2003 and is a centre of academic excellence and provides high quality education for students from the City of London and Southwark.
About City University:
The City University was founded in 1894 as the Northampton Institute and was awarded full university status in 1966. It is based in the heart of London, close to the City of London, where it contributes significantly to the capital's academic, cultural and business life. It has almost 11,500 students from more than 170 countries who benefit from the University's internationally renowned experience of more than one hundred years' of teaching and learning.
For more information, please contact:
Islington Council
Charles Dean, 020 7527 3224 / 07966 939 472
www.islington.gov.uk
City of London
Michelle Poole, 020 7332 3450 / 07795 301 502
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk
City University
Louise Scodie, 020 7040 8783
www.city.ac.uk
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008