There has been lots of discussion and queries about the proposed Academy. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.

Overview

Q What is proposed?
A It is proposal is to open a new Academy to replace the existing Falmer High School in September 2010. New state of the art premises will be provided for the Academy which will open in part when the Academy opens and will be fully occupied in 2011.

Q What is an Academy?
A Academies are free, government-funded local schools that provide a first class education. They are all-ability schools established by sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups working with partners from the local community. Academies provide a teaching and learning environment that is in line with the best in the maintained sector and offer a broad and balanced curriculum to pupils of all abilities, focusing on one or more subject specialisms.

Q Who is sponsoring the Falmer Academy? Why? And what is their role?
A The sponsor is local entrepreneur and businessman Rod Aldridge OBE, through The Aldridge Foundation. Click here to find out more about him and his motivation to support the proposed Academy.

Q Who are Academies responsible to?
A Academies are established as charitable trusts which have a governing body which will include staff, parent and student governors as well as a representative from the local authority and sponsor appointed Governors.

Q. If the school is already doing well, why make it an Academy?
A While Falmer High School is currently an improving school, with the benefit of Academy status it will undergo a complete review of the curriculum and approach to teaching and learning. It will have the additional investment in ICT as well as first class new buildings so that local young people get the chance to step up to the next level of educational excellence.

Q What are the benefits of an Academy?
A Academies offer a fresh approach to learning, flexible curriculum, up-to-date ICT and state-of-the art facilities to help raise standards of achievement among all students whatever their abilities.

Q What is the vision for the Academy?
A The Academy aims provide exceptional opportunities for personal and academic success for all its students and the community as a whole. It aims to be an outstanding place of learning, organised for every students’ success and happiness. It will introduce an innovative design for secondary education, aimed at transforming the students’ learning experience and driving up achievement levels. The curriculum design and delivery, both academic and vocational, will be founded on recognised research. It will prepare students for a rapidly changing world and meet the expectations required for 21st Century learning, enabling a step change in both learning and personal development.

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Timings

Q What has happened to date?
A This is the series of events so far:
May 2008 - the proposal for the Falmer Academy was approved by the Department for Children, Schools and Families
May - October 2008 – Informal and formal consultation period with the local community
October 2008 – B&H City Council approve school closure to open the Academy

November 2008 – Funding Agreement signed by Secretary of State

November 2008 – Outline Business Case approved for building project

April 2009 – Appointment of Principal Designate

April 2009 – Appointment of Kier as preferred construction company

July 2009 – Enabling works begin

September 2009 – Principal Designate takes up post preparing for the Academy opening

Q What are the next steps?
A November 2009 – Main building work commences

September 2010 – Academy opens

September 2011 – Building fully operational

Q When will the new Academy open?
A The Academy will open in September 2010. The Academy will open mainly in existing buildings with the complete new Academy building fully operational in September 2011.

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The Site

Q Where is the proposed Academy to be located?
A The Academy building will be located on the site of the existing Falmer High School. It will be built “behind” the existing North Building.

Q Will my child have to go to a different school during the building phase?
A No, students will stay in the existing High School buildings during the construction phase.

Q My child attends the Swan Centre, what will happen to it?
A The Swan Centre will be housed in new purpose-built facilities in the new Academy building. The Swan Centre will continue to be run by the Council and all students attending the Swan Centre will automatically transfer to the new facilities if their parents wish.

Q. Is the Community Stadium linked to the proposed Academy development?
A No. The Academy is a distinct and independent project.

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Costs

Q How will the new Academy be funded?
A The Government is directly funding the new build project with approximately £26 million of capital investment. Day to day running costs of an Academy are provided directly from the Government rather than via the local authority. An Academy does receive additional grants to enable it to meet set-up costs however on-going funding in on a similar basis to the maintained schools in Brighton & Hove. The sponsor, Rod Aldridge, via the Aldridge Foundation, is providing £2 million to place in an endowment fund. Interest on this fund will be directed by the Trustees to fund activities that are additional to those normally available to maintained schools.

Q Will my council tax rise because of the Academy
A No your council tax will not go up because of the Academy.

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Academy organisation

Q Who will run the new Academy?
A It will be led by a Principal working with a governing body.

Q Will the proposed Academy have any religious status?
A No. It is not a faith school. It will welcome students from all faiths and none.

Q Why specialise in Entrepreneurship and Sport?
A In this constantly changing world, it is important that students develop the skills to solve problems as they arise. Entrepreneurship and Sport integrated into the curriculum will enable students to build self-confidence, learn teamwork and develop a determination to succeed – skills they will need in the world of work or higher/further education.

Q. Will the curriculum focus just on Entrepreneurship and Sport?
A Falmer Academy will offer a broad curriculum and like all secondary schools will teach the core skills of English, Maths, Science and ICT. Entrepreneurship and Sports will be the Academy’s specialisms and there will be an additional focus on Science across the curriculum.

Q How many students will attend the proposed Academy?
A It will offer 900 places for students aged 11-16 as well as 250 sixth-form places.

Q How will places be allocated?
A All students who attend Falmer High School can transfer to the Academy if their parents wish. The Academy admissions arrangements will be the same as those for all secondary schools within Brighton and Hove. Informations on admissions can be obtained from the Schools Admissions Team at Brighton & Hove Council – telephone 01273 293653, email schooladmissions@brighton-hove.gov.uk or visit the Council’s web site www.brighton-hove.gov.uk and type school admission into the search box. Remamber the deadline for admissions for September 2010 is 23 October 2009.

Q What will the proposed Academy mean for the local community?
A The Academy will encourage local people and community groups to use the new facilities and spaces outside of school hours. It will also encourage its students to be actively involved in local community groups and organisations.

Q What will happen to the existing teachers and staff at Falmer High School?
A All school staff have rights under TUPE legislation which protects their terms and conditions of employment on transfer. There will be discussions with school staff and unions to finalise transfer arrangements before the Academy’s opening. In line with national requirements the Principal's position was advertised and was subject to open competition.

Q Where can I get more information on the proposed Academy?
A This website will be updated regularly so you can visit it to find out more, you can send a comment or question to the Project Team. Alternatively you can ring the Falmer Academy Project Office on 01273 296766.

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