1/8/05
Step Forward For 'World Beater' Academy
Jubilant schools and education chiefs in Sandwell are welcoming a Ministerial decision to give the go ahead to further development of plans for a state-of-the-art Design and Enterprise Academy to be built on the Dartmouth High School site in Great Barr.
Schools Minister Andrew Adonis has approved a feasibility study into the multi-million pounds project.
He said: "This is a really exciting opportunity for the pupils and community and I am confident it will further improve educational standards in Sandwell.
"I am looking forward to monitoring the Academy's development as it enters into feasibility stage."
Dartmouth High head teacher Caroline Badyal said: "I am delighted at this announcement which is wonderful news for the school and the whole community.
"I look forward to working with the sponsors, staff, pupils, parents, governors and the LEA on what is a unique opportunity.
"Together we have already made tremendous improvements, and the school received an excellent Ofsted inspection this year. We want to build on this over the coming years."
The Academy -- due to open its doors at the Great Barr site in 2008 -- will attract investment of over £20 million.
The Minister's decision follows proposals from industrial sponsor, Eric Payne OBE and his wife, Grace, who were both educated in West Bromwich before moving to North Wales when the family business relocated.
The Academy, which will have a showcase centre for young designers, will develop a high profile in the creative arts.
Sponsor Mr Payne said: "I am delighted that the Government is giving us its full backing.
"Families deserve the best possible schools for their children and we have a lot of hard work to do to ensure that the students get the best deal possible and achieve high standards.
"Over the coming months I look forward to the opportunity for dialogue with parents, staff and the community as we forge ahead with building a 'world beater' Academy.
"The Design and Enterprise Academy will be a major player in the regeneration of Sandwell and we expect to take our place alongside other local partners in building a positive future for the borough."
Grace Payne said: "I want to see a happy school where every child can develop the confidence to have high aspirations and achievements."
Sandwell Council deputy leader Councillor Steve Eling said: "This is exciting news for Sandwell.
"It continues our strategy of seeking to secure the best opportunities for young people, backed up with massive investment in our education system."
Councillor Ian Jones, Cabinet member for schools and lifelong learning, said: "I look forward to working with the school and sponsors on this exciting project.
"This is part of our Building Schools for the Future programme, whereby all of our secondary schools will have high levels of investment in their buildings and infrastructure.
"Our sights are already set on having the best schools in the West Midlands.
"Today's announcement takes us a step further to our hi-tech vision of the future."
The Design and Enterprise Academy also has the backing of the University of Wolverhampton, which has agreed to become its lead education partner and work with the sponsors.
Professor Sir Geoff Hampton -- Dean of the School of Education and Director of the Midlands Leadership Centre at the university -- said: "The University operates on a worldwide basis.
"We are working with schools in China and Malaysia to develop tomorrow's generation of 'smart' schools.
"We are excited that we can bring ideas from around the world to build the school of the future in Sandwell."
Notes to Editor:
1) The new Academy is planned to provide for 900 students aged 11 to 16 with a further 200 students in the sixth form.
The school will have a Christian ethos and will be open to people of all faiths and none.
It will primarily draw its pupils from the local community and have the same admissions arrangements as other secondary schools in the borough. Current students at Dartmouth High School will automatically transfer into the Academy in 2008.
2) Sponsor Eric Payne's roots go back to the manufacture of steel electric conduit and fittings in Wednesbury.
The company later developed plastic conduit systems under the brand name "Egatube", which became a world leader. Latterly Eric Payne built up the Mita group which manufactured high-tech and innovative plastic Cable Management products.
3) Next step for the sponsor will be to gather together a group of experts to plan the operation of the school and the methods used for teaching and learning. This will enable the sponsor to give a precise brief to architects who will design the Academy building. Building work is expected to begin next autumn with the new Academy going up alongside the existing Dartmouth High School.