What is an Academy?
The government is establishing Academies as a key feature of its policy to raise achievement. Academies are a new type of publicly funded independent school that provide free education in the local community.
Who is the Sponsor?
The Principal Sponsor is Wellington College which as a leading independent school will provide its experience and expertise to the Academy.
Why was Castledown School selected?
This school fits closely with Wellington College's heritage. Wellington College was founded by public subscription in memory of the Duke of Wellington including money from the Armed Forces. Castledown has 40% of its pupils from the AArmed FForces so the two fit well together. Throughout Wellington's almost 150 years of establishment, it has had strong links with the Armed Forces and it is particularly proud of the many hundreds of Old Wellingtonians who gave up their lives during the World Wars.
How will the Academy be funded?
As the Sponsor, Wellington College will provide £2 million as an endowment for the Academy for the benefit of its pupils through the generosity of one of Wellington College’s former pupils Tim Bunting and his wife Sarah, as well as a significant contribution of staff time and expertise.
The Department for Children Schools and Families (DCSF) will provide the capital costs for the new buildings and the running costs for the Academy at a level comparable with surrounding schools and other specialist schools in the maintained sector. The new buildings will be inspirational and provide a fantastic environment for learning and for extra-curricular activities.
Castledown Foundation School will provide the land, which will be leased from the Local Authority on a 125 year lease.
The Academy will manage its own budget and will be free to raise money to support the enhancement of education and opportunity for the benefit of all its students.
What is the current status of the plans for the new Academy?
The project is currently in implementation stage. Funding has been agreed for the new Wellington Academy of around £30m. It is scheduled to open in September 2009 in the existing school building. The new buildings will be ready for occupation early in the Academic year beginning September 2010. It is envisaged that the first boarders will start in September 2011.
What will the Academy provide for local people?
The Wellington Academy will be a centre of learning for the whole community and will build strong links with local learning organisations and businesses. It will be a school that focuses on the needs of, and rooted in, the local communities. It will provide full extended school status through a wide range of opportunities for those not attending the school as students to learn through evening classes for adults, courses held during the holidays where boarding is available, taster days for primary schools, introductory language courses for primary feeder schools, conferences and courses for local businesses, use of sports facilities etc.
What are the Academy’s Vision and Values?
The ethos of Wellington Academy is based on that of the sponsoring school Wellington College. It will ensure that all aspects of young peoples’ development are nurtured within a learning community in which they feel a sense of value, belonging and pride. Working together and supporting one another will be skills that will help our students to develop a sense of their own contribution in the context of Academy life as well as the global community.
The Academy will provide:
- A strong sense of personal aspiration, a good understanding of self and a positive esteem to achieve and attain highly within a personalised learning plan.
- A broad and balanced and relevant curriculum supported by a wide range of extra-curricular learning opportunities which will motivate learners.
- The highest level of achievement based on the nurture of the 8 aptitudes or abilities that all pupils have; the aim is to achieve the full potential of every pupil.
- Good links with the local business and the global market place and a strong emphasis on modern foreign languages, social and business enterprise.
- A good blend of the best of the old and the new to create a stable but enriching culture. This will include a House system based on that at Wellington College to promote excellent pastoral care.
- Inspiring leadership, coaching, advice, guidance and support from staff and positive partnerships and good communication with families.
- Boarding facilities are also proposed for some students and extended school activities open to family and local community members. These will include links with the Army and opportunities for adventurous and outdoor activities.
- A sixth-form with a rich and diverse curriculum that has currency in the 21st Century.
- High levels of collaboration with other local secondary and post 16 providers to ensure the broadest entitlement for all local learners.
- The next major step in improving education for learners at Castledown School, building on its significant achievements in recent years.
What will the Academy’s Specialisms be?
The Academy will have two specialisms: Business and Enterprise and Modern Foreign Languages. The blend of these two subjects will enable students to secure the best chances to participate fully in society and gain meaningful employment either locally or overseas.
What will the curriculum be like?
The Curriculum will be designed to ensure that all students no matter what their ability or background are able to achieve their full potential. It will have a rich mix of academic and practical vocational subjects and an opportunity to learn in a variety of settings, including through business and community relationships.
What will happen to the students at Castledown School?
Students who are currently studying at Castledown will become automatically enrolled at the Academy. The legal status of the school will change in 2009; Castledown School will technically close but the Academy will open at the same time.
What will happen to the staff at Castledown?
All staff at Castledown are protected by the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (commonly referred to as TUPE). As a growing school the Academy represents a huge opportunity for existing staff in terms of professional development and employment opportunities.e
Who will be the new Head Teacher?
The Wellington Academy will be run by the newly appointed Principal Designate. Andy Schofield has been appointed by the Sponsor with the support of Wiltshire County Council and the DCSF. He will begin his work on behalf of The Wellington Academy in September 2008...
How will the Academy be managed?
The Academy will be run by the Academy Trust, a charitable company. The trust members will include the Sponsor, the DCSF and the Chair of the Board of Governors. There will also be a board of Governors who will be responsible for the strategic direction of the Academy including the curriculum, appointment of staff, the budget, admissions, reporting to parents and raising achievement.
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What are the plans for the Sixth Form?
When fully subscribed the sixth form will take up to 250 students and they will be provided with a rich menu of learning opportunities including 'A' levels; Specialised Diplomas; Vocational Qualifications and International Baccalaureate according to demand. In September 2009, when the Academy opens in the exising buildings, we will be offering approximately 35 sixth form places.
The Wellington Academy is having detailed discussions with Wiltshire LSC to explore how it will deliver the detail of the sixth form offer which will strongly reflect:
Students' learning needs and interests;
- The Academy specialisms of Business and Enterprise and Foreign Languages;
- Filling gaps in current local provision and
- Providing opportunities to link other pst 16 roviders in the local area.We will up-date this page regularly as we progress with out discussions.
We will up-date this page regularly as we progress with our discussions.
What will the Academy’s Admissions Policy be?
The Wellington Academy will admit girls and boys of all backgrounds, abilities and faiths. There will be up to 1150 places including a newly established sixth form. An important feature of the Academy is that it is proposed that it will provide boarding facilities for 100 pupils, which will be open to all students but which may be particularly suited to some students who are ‘Looked After’ by the Local Authority and students from Forces families posted overseas.
The Governing Body will be responsible for admissions and it will draw up an Admissions Policy consistent with the DCSF Code of Practice. The Policy will ensure that students of all abilities are catered for and welcomed into the school.
The detailed Admissions Policy will be published in the Academy prospectus, published a year before it legally opens as well as the Wiltshire Secondary Schools Prospectus, following final approval by the Secretary of State.
What will the relationship be between The Wellington Academy and Wellington College?
Links will be developed between Wellington Academy and Wellington College at every level and in all areas of the life of the academy. There will be excellent opportunities for the sharing of good practice, for sharing resources, for learning from each other and for student and teacher exchange.
What happens to students and staff during the transition to an Academy?
Every effort will be made to ensure a smooth transition between the existing school, Castledown, and the start of The Wellington Academy. This will be done to ensure the continuity of curriculum for those pupils already at the school. Staff that want to move across to The Wellington Academy will do so under statutory arrangements but the Academy will be larger than the existing school and so additional staff will be appointed to meet the needs of the new curriculum. A Transition Working Group has been established including representatives from the Sponsor, DCSF, Wiltshire CC, the Project Management Company and Castledown School to ensure smooth transition is achieved.ns
Who can get a place at the Wellington Academy?
The Academy will provide education for students with a wide range of abilities and will prioritise the needs of looked after and vulnerable children.
How do I apply for a place at Wellington Academy?
If you are already a student at Castledown School, you don’t have to apply to become a student of the Academy; transfer from the roll at Castledown to the Academy would be automatic for all those who want to transfer. New students will have the opportunity to apply for a place starting in September 2009 in the normal way as they would from any other school in line with Wiltshire County Council's Admission Policy. To apply for a place in Year 7 for September 2009 register online at Wiltshire County Council's admissions page.
Who will the 100 boarding places be provided for?
Boarding places are open to all. For more information on boarding click here. For
Will the school uniform change?
The uniform is likely to change but no decisions have been made yet about this. Key stakeholder groups (particularly parents and students) will be consulted but your views on this issue would be appreciated.
Will membership of the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) be compulsory?
This decision has not yet been made and although it is in Year 10 at Wellington College, this does not mean that the same decision will be taken for the Academy. We are currently developing this aspect and would welcome your comments. A decision needs to be taken early in 2008.
Do I really have a say? / How can I have my say?
There will be a Stakeholder Working Group that will meet quarterly including representatives of the following:
Wellington College
Wiltshire CC
Diocesan Liaison Committee
Primary Feeder Schools
Local Secondary Schools
General Community
Tidworth and District Chamber of Commerce
Kennet Economic Partnership
Local Army garrison
Learning and Skills Council
Sparsholt (Andover) College
Parents of students of Castledown School
Students of Castledown School
Governors of Castledown School
Staff of Castledown School
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How can I learn more / become involved?
The website at www.thewellingtonacademy.org.uk will be kept updated with developments as the project progresses so you can keep learning more over time by visiting this resource. In addition you can find out more about the sponsor at www.wellingtoncollege.org.uk.FG Generic information on Academies can be obtained from the DCSF website by clicking here.
