Supporter quotes

'We welcome the way in which the post-16 element is being developed in close consultation with other providers, in particular City College, reflected in the Sponsor’s invitation for City College and LSC Sussex to be represented on the Falmer Academy Partnership Board.  It will be important to continue to plan realistically for sixth form numbers at the Academy, taking into account the needs of learners and the other imaginative developments in post-16 provision being developed across the City.

'The mix of existing and planned provision on the ‘Falmer campus’, which includes the Academy, City College, the universities and the Community Stadium, provides an exciting opportunity for leading edge developments in partnership and progression.

'LSC Sussex believes that the approach that the Sponsor and the City Council have adopted towards the development of an Academy at Falmer will result in new opportunities for learners in the immediate area and beyond.  We therefore support the Council’s intention formally to close Falmer High School, to enable the establishment of an Academy.'

David Smith, Area Director, Kent, Surrey & Sussex Learning & Skills Council

'The University of Brighton gives its strong support for the development of an Academy at the Falmer School site. The vision for the Academy – with its dual emphasis on Entrepreneurship and Sport – fits well with a number of the University of Brighton’s strengths. We see many possibilities for collaborative working which will greatly benefit students.'

David House, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

'The University of Sussex is pleased to support the development ofthe FalmerAcademy.

'We will be able to offer expertise and advice in areas such as the development of the science curriculum and the area of entrepreneurship. The proposals for a sixth form at the Academy will strengthen our links around access to higher education for students.'

Professor Paul Layzell, Deputy Vice-Chancellor

'As Director of Children’s Services, I wholeheartedly support the development of an Academy on the present Falmer High School site.

'An Academy would add significantly to the diversity of choice offer for parents in the city. It will bring to the family of secondary schools within the city a new and interesting perspective. The creativity, energy, resources and facilities that the Academy will bring to this area of the city will be invaluable.

'The Academy and indeed the current Falmer High School, serve one of the most deprived areas of the city where 37.61% of the adult population have no formal qualifications and NEET figures are almost double the city average at 11.6%. The current school has improved considerably in the last few years and has good ‘Added Value’ results, however, GCSE results mean that it is part of the National Challenge Programme and, as such, the Academy offers an excellent route for significant school improvement.'

Di Smith, Director of Children’s Services

'I am pleased to offer our support and commitment to the plans for the proposed Falmer Academy. City College, Brighton is keen to work with you and to collaborate through our concordat so that we can inspire learners in this part of the City to achieve and significantly improve success rates.'

Phil Fryer, Principal and Chief Executive

'The vast majority of the 14-19 Partnership Board welcomes the proposed Academy to the learning communityof the City. The adoption of the Council’s Admissions and SEN policies and arrangements and its rejection of aptitude testing for pupils demonstrates the Academy’s commitment to work with rather than outside the community of schools.

'The resources that the Academy will bring to staff and pupils in the Falmer area of the City will have a significant beneficial impact for the community and for the pupils’ prospects.'

Janet Felkin, Chair, 14-19 Partnership Board

'The Club fully supports the Falmer Academy Post-16 Curriculum Concordat and it vision to provide appropriate and attractive progression routes for Academy students aged 16 plus which will ensure their continuing engagement. We are confident that our programmes will help to create many exciting new learning opportunities for young people.'

Martin Perry, Chief Executive, Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club

'Sussex Cricket Club is committed to working with the proposed Falmer Academy. It is a great opportunity for young people who live in the area. We believe that our partnership will enhance the sporting experience of students and that it will complement the Sports specialism.'

Tim Marks, Community Liaison Officer, Sussex County Cricket Club

'Action for Bevendean Community is a community forum whose constituted objectives include being a representative forum for the Bevendean Area.  To this end, at our recent open community meeting the residents of Bevendean were presented to by Lorraine O’Reilly on the forthcoming plans for the proposed Falmer Academy.  As a group the proposal was very well received and a formal vote was held with 15 people being in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention.

'On the whole, the Falmer Academy project is seen as a positive and exciting advancement for the young people of Bevendean.'

Robert Brown, Chair of Action for Bevendean Community

'The East Brighton NDC Partnership supports the Falmer Academy proposal. We believe that its focus of literacy and numeracy and the dual specialisms of entrepreneurship and sport will support the ongoing regeneration of local communities.'

East Brighton NDC Partnership

'As the primary schools most closely linked to Falmer High School and the proposed Falmer Academy, we can see the benefits that the Academy could bring. Pupils in our schools go, in the main, to Falmer High School and the uplift that the Academy will be able to provide will mean that children currently in our schools will gain from the new emphasis, resources and facilities. We particularly welcome the Academy’s stated desire to work closely in a shared teaching way and on Year 7 project based work. The proposal to ease transition through staged arrangements starting in June rather than July is also welcome.'

The four main feeder schools:

Dennis O’Sullivan, Headteacher at Coombe Road Primary

Joan Marshall, Acting Headteacher at Bevendean Primary

Margaret Burdsey, Headteacher at Coldean Primary

Charles Davies, Headteacher at Moulsecoomb Primary