Highest number of new schools opening for thirty years

More than 180 new or refurbished schools are opening this term - the highest number for at least 30 years, including cutting-edge school buildings and academies.

This new generation of 21^st century schools includes all-through academies, schools with excellent sports facilities, co-location of health and community services and multi-faith centres and innovative use of IT.

Tens of thousands of pupils will be starting the new term in new buildings or new schools - including the 11-year-olds who will be the first to benefit from reforms meaning they will stay in education and training up to the age of 17.

To mark this historic milestone nine Government ministers are spending the day touring new schools in regions up and down the country and will open a total of 30 schools.

The more than 180 new schools includes 24 new or totally refurbished schools opening this year (22 in September and 2 later in the year) which have been built through Building Schools for the Future - the largest capital investment programme for 50 years.  It also includes five academies.

In all there are 51 new Academies opening - 47 in September and 4 in January - taking the national total to 134. These are in addition to the new buildings. The Government is firmly committed to establishing at least 400 academies and regards the scaling up of the programme as a national imperative.  

The majority of English universities have signed up to become Academy sponsors - meaning thousands of secondary school pupils will benefit from an injection of  “university culture” to help raise attainment and widen participation, particularly among deprived communities.

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:

“We are seeing a genuine revolution in schools in this country. This term sees the highest number of new schools opened than at any time in the last thirty years with pupils and teachers coming back to study in bright and modern environments with classrooms fit for the future.

“Of course we all know that what happens inside the classrooms is vital - the hopes and aspirations of the next generation are dependent on the leadership and teaching going on in schools up and down the country. That’s why I’m pleased so many new academies are opening this term under new leadership to truly inspire staff and pupils. And by co-locating service within the 21^st century schools and by finding new sponsors we can tackle all the barriers to learning inside and outside the schools and raise aspirations for every child in every community.

“But as every teacher, child and parent knows going to school in a brand new building which is designed for the 21^st century can make all the difference. We are now turning the corner on decades of under investment and its children and young people who are seeing the benefits.

“We have already said we want to raise standards across the board and by 2011 I believe all schools can achieve at least 30 per cent of their pupils getting 5 A*-C including English and Maths at GCSE. are already making progress and by next autumn many of these National Challenge schools will benefit from new school buildings or being converted into academies. Academies are a key element of the National Challenge, and funding is available for a total of 80 Academies to open in 2009 and 100 in 2010.”

Children’s Minister Beverley Hughes, on a visit to schools in the North West said:

“More than 180 new or refurbished schools are opening this term and today I have had the chance to see the results of some of that hard work in the North West and look at the new facilities pupils will have the opportunity to use.  Starting a new school year is always exciting and I hope these improved facilities make it even more so for the pupils I have met today.”

IMPROVED RESULTS

Both new schools constructed under the Building Schools for the Future programme and new academies have seen overall rises in exam results.

The four mainstream BSF secondary schools - in Bristol, Newcastle, Sheffield and Sunderland - which have been operational for at least a year saw an average 10 per cent rise in the number of students awarded five or more GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and maths. School leaders have acknowledged the role new and refurbished buildings have played in raising student aspiration and attainment.

At Oxclose Community School in Sunderland, 62 per cent of students were awarded five or more GCSE grades A* to C, including English and Maths, compared with 41 per cent in 2007 while at  Bristol Brunel Academy, the first new build BSF school which has been open since September 2007, saw the percentage of top grades rise from 19 per cent to 34 per cent.

The strong upward trend in academy GCSE results has continued this year.

Provisional self-reported results for 2008 show that 27 of the 36 academies with results this year and last report an increase in the proportion gaining five or more higher grade GCSE passes, including in English and maths.

Across all these 36 academies, the average reported result is an increase of 4.9 percentage points, which is likely to be more than twice the national increase.

BUILDING SCHOOLS FOR THE FUTURE

By 2020 the vast majority of BSF projects will be complete and the remaining ones will be well underway. They will provide world-class teaching and learning environments for all pupils, teachers and communities in England. Over the next 15 to 20 years, BSF will help improve the life chances of 3.3 million young people.

Tim Byles, CEO of Partnerships for Schools, the delivery agency for the Building Schools for the Future and Academies programmes said:

"The start of the new term is a very important milestone for thousands of young people and teachers up and down the country as they go back to brand new learning environments and 21st century facilities that will help them achieve their very best.

"BSF is not just about providing new buildings. It is about providing safe, welcoming and inspirational spaces where all learners are encouraged to reach their full potential.

"This new breed of school - of which over 20 are opening this month alone - provides every young person with a fresh start and new opportunities. A new school of itself is not a panacea, but when seen as a key ingredient alongside strong leadership, an energised teaching staff and engaged parents, the results can be outstanding.  BSF schools that have been open for a year or more are already showing an impressive step-change in attainment, attendance and aspiration and I look forward to these success stories being replicated for every young person up and down the country."

This year more than 50 BSF schools are due to open in 14 local authority areas. There are some truly innovative and inspirational centres of learning amongst the news schools opening this year. Examples include:

·        The ‘school within a school’ approach at Brislington Enterprise College in Bristol;

·        an all-through school at Burnley Campus in Lancashire – with nursery, primary, SEN and secondary provision - which also includes community facilities in the shape of a new library; and

·        a purpose-built multi-faith centre which will be used by all members of the community at Allerton High in Leeds.

Many schools include top-class sporting facilities to encourage activity and participation by students and members of the local community. Examples include:

·        A running track, four court sports hall, gymnastics room with climbing wall, fitness suite and multi-gym at Titus Salt School in Bradford;

·        hydro-pool; medical therapy rooms; and a climbing wall, an all-weather pitch, and a drama and performance spaces at Pendle Vale in Lancashire.

Since last year all new schools built under BSF are reviewed by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment to ensure they meet the highest design standards possible.

ACADEMIES

Every part of the country will benefit from the Academy programme this September: with 8 opening in London; 7 in the North West; 7 in the West Midlands; 7 in the East Midlands; 5 in the South West; 5 in the South East; 4 in the East of England; 2 in the North East and 2 in Yorkshire & Humberside.

Five Academies will open in brand new or almost new buildings, with many more due to benefit from their new buildings in the next few years.

The shape of the Academies programme has evolved since the first three opened in 2002. Exciting developments include:

• The expansion of Academy ‘chains’ where proven sponsors take on a cluster of schools, to create a strong brand of educational achievement. The major chains are ULT with a total of 14 open this September; Oasis with 9 open this September; The Harris Federation of South London Schools Trust with 7 open this September; and Absolute Return for Kids (ARK) with 6 open this September.

• Five new ‘all-through’ Academies will open this year with another existing academy adding a primary stage, bringing the total to 14 with a further 5 in development. This groundbreaking model sees Academies providing a seamless education for children from Primary to Secondary education. This means there is no disruption to the pupils’ social or educational experience. The Finnish use of all-through schools is often cited as one of the secrets of their success in international league tables.

• Related to the all-through Academy, the ‘matrix’ model – the first of which we recently announced in Northumberland (Hirst Academy) – has multiple feeder primary schools connected to one large secondary, providing the benefits of the all-through experience to a greater number of pupils over a wider area.

• More and more educational institutions are coming on board as Academy sponsors, since we removed the financial requirement from this kind of sponsorship. Warwick, Durham and Kings College are among 48 universities now involved, as are 21 independent schools like Dulwich and Wellington. We want to use their experience, expertise and resources – their ‘educational DNA’ – to bring top quality education to historically deprived areas.

• Two new Academies will target boarding places at local Armed Forces families. Families at RAF Waddington will be able to apply for boarding places at the new Priory Academy LSST in Lincoln, while Army families stationed near Salisbury Plain will be able to apply for boarding at the Wellington Academy. Boarding places are an important resource for families in the armed forces – who often travel around and otherwise might not be able to provide a settled education for their children.