Academies Will Provide New Vision For Local Secondary Education

The Academies Enterprise Trust, Eston Park School and Gillbrook College and Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council are extremely pleased to announce a new future direction for secondary education in the Greater Eston area.

The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Schools, Lord Hill of Oareford CBE, has agreed for both schools to become Academies at the earliest opportunity and will be sponsored by the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET). They will have a new single common governing body, appointed by AET, who will ensure their efficient functioning and will hold them both to account.

It is expected that the new governing body and the new Academies will be in place by January 2012 and that this will finally remove the uncertainty that has existed for many years. The two academies will then be united to become a single academy in a time scale to be agreed by the new governing body.

The two secondary schools, the Local Authority and the proposed Sponsor have all declared themselves to be fully behind the proposals which will see new exciting educational opportunities for all in Greater Eston.

We are delighted to have been named as the sponsor for the new Academies to serve the area. Our ambition is to ensure that all learners have every opportunity to fulfil their full potential, broaden their horizons and become active, prosperous and successful citizens in the world around them. This very positive solution will not only create stability locally but also major educational benefits which will rejuvenate and revitalise the area.

—David Triggs, Chief Executive of the Academies Enterprise Trust

I am extremely pleased that we have at last achieved a common vision for the future of education in the area. Drawing on the strengths of both schools, and our sponsor AET, we will deliver an outstanding learning environment for all in our community.

—John Anthony, Headteacher of Gillbrook College

I am looking forward to the future with renewed vigour and optimism. The school has fought for so many years on so many fronts. We now have a solution that perfectly suits both our purpose and our vision. These are indeed exciting times ahead.

—Jim Rogers, Headteacher of Eston Park School

We are delighted that a solution has been agreed, allowing for plans to be developed which will offer children in Greater Eston the best possible start in life. Throughout this process, we have remained committed to the goal of ensuring the highest possible standard of education for pupils and we are thrilled that we can move forward in a positive way.

—Councillor George Dunning, Leader of Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council

First-class education in the widest sense of the word, not just academic, has always been the number one priority for our children. I am pleased that we have found a partnership approach which will enable us to establish two academies initially, with a single governing body moving towards an integrated academy at a later date. We believe this outcome will bring real benefits to the young people and the community of Greater Eston.

—Councillor Joan Guy, Cabinet Member for Children's Services and Education