History of the South Middlesbroug City Academy Project

A Brief History of the South Middlesbrough City Academy Project

When the consultation process was opened to Parents in late 2001, the deal with the Vardy Foundation was essentially in place.

The Proposed Academy was to be set up in response to falling rolls at Brackenhoe School, and was to replace both Brackenhoe and Coulby School.

Emmanuel City Technology College in Gateshead, also run by the Vardy Foundation, was repeatedly given as a model of what to expect.

As far as we are aware, no information about the people behind the Vardy Foundation (apart from Sir Peter himself) was volunteered to the Parents. In January 02 we were made aware of John Burn's involvement as a spokesman for the foundation, but not of his other position as Chairman of the Christian Institute. We were however given the opportunity to contact the Vardy Foundation for information. At this stage, it is unlikely anyone had concerns. A few of those in the know, including teaching union representatives, expressed reservations, but, regrettably, few of us took notice.

The "broadly based Christian ethos" does not appear to have been brought to Parents' attention until the meetings of Jan 02. And even then, it was not defined. Why should it be? We all thought we understood what it meant, and for the most part, welcomed it. The school was not defined as a "faith school" as it was described as "non-denominational"

The definitions given by the LEA, of what a City Academy actually is, failed to draw parents' attention to the facts that the school would be effectively owned and run by the "Sponsor", that LEA influence would largely be bypassed, as would that of parents themselves. For a 20% investment the "sponsor" would have pretty close to 100% control.

Following the "Creationism Row" at Emmanuel College, given national news coverage in March 02, some of us became concerned and began to investigate the influence of the Christian Institute. We wondered what we might be able to do as parents if such a situation arose at the New Academy. The answer appeared to be almost nothing.

In the meeting of 14th May 02 Mr Burn and Dr Comiskey were forced to confirm the make up of the Academy's Governing body: 5 out of 7 seats would be given to nominees of Sir Peter Vardy, one would be for the LEA and one for Parents.

Extracts from Middlesbrough LEA's Document "The Provision of Secondary Education in South Middlesbrough" Distributed to parents in January 2002

"Background

Analysis carried out in preparing Middlesbrough's draft School Organisation Plan for 2001 -2006 confirmed the need for a review of secondary school provision at Brackenhoe School. The criteria used within the School Organisation Plan indicated key areas for concern relating to:

The LEA has broadened the review to include Coulby Newham School as a review of provision at Brackenhoe has significant implications for pupils from across the south and southern central parts of the LEA'S area. A broader based review also enables the LEA to address the issues behind secondary pupil drift out of Middlesbrough as identified in the 1999-2004 School Organisation Plan.

City Academies are publicly funded independent schools, built and managed by partnerships involving Government, business and voluntary sector sponsors, Designed to support the raising achievement agenda in urban areas. City Academies offer scope for radical innovation to raise standards of educational achievement. The Academies involve partner organisations with schools to help raise standards by developing better management and governance and supporting teaching and the curriculum. Each City Academy will specialise in one curriculum area.

Phase I of Middlesbrough's review of secondary school provision focused on east Middlesbrough and specifically Langbaurgh and Keldhome secondary schools and the adjacent St. Anthony's R.C. School. The LEA'S proposals were developed in close consultation with the Roman Catholic diocese of Middlesbrough and have embraced the Government's City Academies initiative.

The LEA is currently well advanced in supporting the development of the new Unity City Academy in east Middlesbrough which will have a strong information and communications technology focus due to open in September 2002.

This proposal relates to the future provision for the pupils of Brackenhoe and Coulby Newham schools. The options for these schools were to:

The proposal is to close two existing schools in south Middlesbrough, Brackenhoe and Coulby Newham and the development of a City Academy on the Coulby Newham site, which was agreed by Middlesbrough Council Cabinet at its meeting on 20 November 2001.

At the meetings further details will be given regarding the proposals. Dr Barbara Comiskey, Corporate Director, Education and John Burn of the Vardy Foundation will be in attendance. Parents will have the opportunity to ask questions regarding the proposed City Academy. Plans of the new City Academy will also be displayed at the meeting. "