Why sponsoring an academy is just the beginning
John Lever, headmaster of Canford School, explains that sponsoring an academy, as Canford has done, means more than just loaning the odd teacher or playing field; it encompasses governance and leadership.
A
ccording to The Guardian, out of 319 sponsored academies which opened under Labour and the coalition, just 17 have private schools or private school foundations as the lead sponsor. Yet Lord Adonis argued that every successful private
school should sponsor an academy. “And by sponsoring academies I don’t just mean advice and assistance, the loan of playing fields and the odd teacher; I mean the private school taking complete responsibility for the governance and leadership of an academy or academies.” One school in the South West which has successfully achieved this is
Canford, among the top co-educational boarding schools in the country. In December 2007, Canford was approached by the Department for Education to consider the possibility of sponsoring an academy. After an assessment of three different schools, it was agreed in the autumn of 2008 that Canford, together with Bournemouth and Poole College, would sponsor King’s High School in Hadow Road, Bournemouth. As a sponsor, Canford would offer time, expertise and support without financial input. Renamed The Bourne Academy, the school opened its doors to pupils in September 2010. Under the inspirational leadership of principal Jackie Steel, in just two years it has achieved success far beyond all expectations. A key part of the vision for the new academy was that it would be at the
heart of the community of East Howe, offering local families an excellent education, new opportunities and facilities available to all. Raising pupils’ expectations, building their self-confidence and teaching them skills to build a successful career and contribute to society are central aims.
The sponsors’ belief that good education depends on the relationships
between staff, pupils, parents and the other stakeholders was another core part of the vision. Mutual support, pride, ambition, trust and high expectations combine to allow impressive academic achievements against a background of respect. The academy’s vision is articulated through the mnemonic, ASPIRE, to develop citizens who are ambitious, self-confident, physically literate, independent learners, reflective and emotionally literate. Central to the academy community is the house system. The eight
houses are named after lighthouses along the south coast – symbols of a haven, a caring environment providing ‘illumination’ and a safe harbour. Heads of houses lead the pastoral care. Houses are made up of pupils from all year groups and teaching staff are assigned to each house. There are house competitions and house points awarded for successful projects. As part of its sponsorship commitment, Canford provides support
both practically in terms of facilities and also in curriculum teaching and social interaction. Part of the ethos of Canford is to educate pupils in the broadest sense of the word so they leave as well-rounded individuals, keen to contribute positively to society. The link with The Bourne Academy is one of the many ways in which this can now be realised. Examples include selected pupils from both schools coming together regularly for a book group, and another group meeting every week to build a Formula 24 racing car. Two former academy pupils are already in the Canford Sixth Form and two more will join them in September. Exam results have improved dramatically in the two years since the
academy opened. Forty-six per cent of pupils gained at least five or more GCSEs at grade C and above, including English and Maths, last year and further improvements are expected this summer. A £10 million investment programme is underway and by September 2013 the building work should be complete, including a new maths and English block and music and drama studios. This will coincide with the opening of a new Sixth Form, enabling The Bourne Academy to offer a quality education for boys and girls aged 11-18 years.
• The Bourne Academy, Hadow Road, West Howe, Bournemouth, BH10 5HS,
www.thebourneacademy.com
• Canford School, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3AD,
www.canford.com.
Top: An architect’s drawing of the academy’s entrance; Far left: Bourne Academy and Canford Book Club; Left: Academy pupils rock climb
26 WILTSHIRE LIFE Schools Supplement October 2012
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