PLANS to overhaul Portland’s school system are set to become a reality with a £15million go ahead from central Government.

Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove has approved funding for The Isle of Portland Aldridge Community Academy to open in September this year.

The majority of Portland’s headteachers, school governors, academy patron Professor Stephen Heppell and sponsors the Aldridge Foundation and Dorset County Council have welcomed the announcement.

One island school, St George’s Primary School, has elected not to be part of the Portland Academy launch but will be working closely with the academy, which its pupils can apply to enter at Year 7. Sir Rod Aldridge, chairman of the Aldridge Foundation educational charity behind the plans, said: “The new academy is the culmination of four years’ work by heads and governing bodies from The Grove, Brackenbury and Underhill, Southwell and Royal Manor schools, as well as the sponsors.

“It will transform education for Portland’s young people.”

He added: “We are delighted that our shared vision has persuaded Central Government to invest £15million capital in the future of Portland.

“The substantial additional capital recently secured from the Department for Education means that the academy trust will purchase its new campus, rather than leasing it.”

The academy will open in the existing schools’ buildings this September, with pupils and staff moving into new buildings at Osprey Quay and Southwell Business Park by September 2013.

On completion the campus will include a 200-seat theatre, swimming pool, sports, art, drama and music facilities and professional kitchens.

The new academy will cater for four- to 19-year-old students, giving over 16s the option to continue their education on Portland for the first time.

Speaking on behalf of the schools involved, David Louch, chairman of governors at Southwell Community Primary School, said: “We are proud to have been part of such ambitious and visionary plans to transform education and support the wider community.

“We know how capable our students are – with the academy up and running, there are no limits to what they can achieve.”

Coun Toni Coombs said: “Dorset County Council has an outstanding track record in education.

“We have invested substantially in the programme through the building of the Osprey Quay site and our involvement will give parents, staff and governors confidence that the new academy will still belong to the partnership of Dorset schools.” Jane Fooks, the Aldridge Foundation’s academy director for Portland, said: “With funding now in place we can accelerate the process of recruiting an exceptional principal to lead the Academy, and put in place detailed arrangements, from admissions to uniforms.

“Dorset County Council is already leading discussions with staff, and parents will be updated regularly through their existing schools.”

Find out more at ipaca.org.uk.

'Stage not age' approach to learning

THE new academy school will have a ‘stage not age’ approach, which aims to ensure that learners progress at the best possible pace for them with a personalised learning plan.

The approach will be age appropriate – for example four year olds will, of course, not be taught alongside 16- or 18-year- olds in the same classroom.

This approach has been shaped with existing headteachers on Portland and is being used successfully in schools on the island already.

The Aldridge Foundation, Dorset County Council, headteachers, student representatives and governing bodies will work together over the next few weeks to identify an exceptional candidate to become principal of the Academy.

It is likely that an experienced executive head will be recruited immediately for a fixed period to ensure that the Academy project progresses while the principal is appointed.