New Year, New Academies

THREE new E-ACT academies have opened across England bringing the number of academies and free schools sponsored by the education group to 17.

The academies in Walsall, Bristol and Manchester have reinforced E-ACT’s position as one of the leading academy sponsoring chains in the UK.

The three new academies joining the E-ACT group are:

• Walsall E-ACT Academy – replacing the former Willenhall School Sports College. The secondary accommodates 1500 students and specialises in science and sport.
• Ilminster Avenue E-ACT Academy – replacing the former Ilminster Avenue primary school in Knowle, Bristol. The new primary academy is the second E-ACT primary to open in Bristol.
• E-ACT Blackley Academy – replacing the former Victoria Avenue Community Primary School in Manchester. The academy will provide 315 places for children including 45 nursery places.

E-ACT Director General Sir Bruce Liddington, the former schools commissioner for England, said: “It is a real honour to welcome more than 2000 new students and staff to E-ACT. Our single most important aim as an organisation is to make sure children receive an exceptional education in each of our academies.

“We continue to experience a great deal of interest from schools and governing bodies who want to work with us and who share our philosophy. I am looking forward to welcoming more academies to the group later this year, opening in April and September.”

Willenhall E-ACT Academy Principal Vicki Till, who has been overseeing improvement work in preparation for the academy’s opening said: “We are really looking forward to the next chapter in the life of Willenhall School as an E-ACT Academy.”

Ilminster Avenue E-ACT Academy interim Principal Simon Adams, said: “I am extremely excited to be opening the latest E-ACT academy in Bristol. It is a great privilege to be working with the children, staff, parent community and governors at this brand new academy.  We have lots of plans in place which will help to raise the profile of the school and to celebrate the success which the children and staff will enjoy.”

E-ACT Blackley Academy Principal Kathy Allen said: “The academy will serve the local community of Blackley by providing a fully inclusive education of the highest quality. This will be about offering the best learning environment combined with new experiences and opportunities for all of our pupils.”.

E-ACT specialises in transforming schools into academies, focusing on improving education and pupils’ experience of learning.

• The new Academies' logos.