Academies and Trusts FAQ’s
We are proud to be sponsors of the two academies in the Tees Valley. We believe this is an exciting opportunity to change lives, aspirations and prospects of the young people in our community.
We also want to ensure the academies not only benefit the students but also the wider community.
- What is an Academy?
An Academy is an independent school publicly funded through central government. An academy is a school that is supported by a number of ‘sponsors’ and not the Local Authority. These sponsors contribute funds (if private sector) and expertise to the academy and support the development of a distinctive curriculum for the school. They are all ability schools that are inclusive of pupils from all faiths, economic backgrounds and ethnicities.
- How does becoming an Academy help to raise standards of the school?
Academies are an integral part of the Government’s strategy for raising standards in the most disadvantaged and challenging areas. They will raise standards by innovative approaches to leadership, governance, teaching and learning, and the curriculum. The involvement of sponsors allows them to bring new skills and expertise to each Academy.
- Who are the other sponsors of Freebrough Academy?
There are three sponsors of Freebrough. They are Teesside University (lead sponsor), Prior Pursglove College, Redcar and Cleveland Local Authority and Redcar and Cleveland College are acting as an educational partner to the group.
- Who are the sponsors of Thornaby Academy?
The sponsors of the proposed Thornaby Academy are Teesside University Stockton Borough Council Local Authority and Stockton Sixth Form College and Stockton Riverside College as a consortium.
- Why would Teesside University choose to be a lead sponsor of an Academy?
As the university is dedicated to providing the very best in teaching and learning, being part of an Academy enables us to share our expertise particularly in the Academy specialisms of Engineering and Enterprise. Teesside University has the opportunity to develop the educational provisions for young people in our region at a secondary level, raising achievement and aspiration.
- When will the two Academies open?
Freebrough Academy and Thornaby Academy are due to open in September 2010.
- How were the Academy specialisms chosen?
The existing Freebrough College has a very successful track record in delivering its current specialism of Engineering and has links locally and nationally with engineering companies and organisations. To develop this further and to tie in the strengths of the co sponsors, Enterprise was added to the specialism in order to develop the business skills of the students and give them ‘real workplace’ learning scenarios and projects and foster a ‘can do’ attitude to their future learning and career. Thornaby Academy will also have the specialisms of Business and Enterprise alongside a focus on Digital Media, linking to the internationally recognised expertise of Teesside University.
- How will Teesside University continue to support the Academies?
The University will support aspects of teaching and learning and share expertise and training with all Freebrough and Thornaby staff and pupils.
We will also be focussing on primary links and raising aspiration, through a focussed version of our METEOR programme.
Our role in governance will be significant as it is the Teesside University Governing Body, through the Vice Chancellor, who will be nominating membership of the Trust Board and through this, the Chairs of the Academies’ Governing Bodies.
It will help to make decisions in regards to the direction and development of the Freebrough and Thornaby Academy curricula and how the schools interact with their local communities.
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