The RSA Tipton Academy

RSA Academy News:

Vacancies

The RSA Tipton Academy will be situated in the north west of Sandwell, replacing Willingsworth High School. Tipton is a seriously disadvantaged area in the West Midlands and is a focus for major regeneration. The Academy is due to open in September 2008 and will be running an innovative curriculum based on the RSA Opening Minds competence framework. The new Academy will blend academic and vocational courses as well as providing adult education courses to enable local people to engage in the area's regeneration.

This is just one of the 200 academies the government intends to open by 2010. They are a new type of school; created to make a difference to young people's lives and regenerate communities. The Academy programme was set up to bring leadership and a 'can-do' approach to failing and under-performing schools in areas of deprivation or regeneration. They are all-ability schools and provide free education for all students.

Academies are also an opportunity for businesses, individuals and organisations to work together with a school and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) to improve education and communities. The sponsor contributes £2million. The government matches this with around £25m to build and establish the school and then funds it in perpetuity. Running costs are met in full by the DfES.

It is hoped that this Academy will become a Centre of Excellence for Teacher Development. This will help recruit and retain first-class teaching and support staff which will be vital if the Academy is to achieve its ambitious goals.

RSA Academy Ambassadors

Chair of the RSA Academy Steering Group, Sir Mike Tomlinson, Chair of the Learning Trust and former HM Inspector of Schools.

RSA Ambassadors to the Tipton Academy
Chairman: Sir Digby Jones
Gerry Acher, Sir Adrian Cadbury, James Leek, Peter McHugh, Andrew Pearson, Derek Zissman, Nyla Naseer (Chair of the RSA West Midlands Region).