RSA Academy - Tipton
Academy Prospectus (PDF, 18 KB)
Project briefing
The RSA Academy at Tipton is a relatively new kind of school: it is state funded, but run by an Academy Trust, rather than the Local Authority. Its curriculum will be a blend of academic and vocational courses and qualifications, based on the RSA's Opening Minds competences. This flagship school, sponsored by the RSA, will open in September 2008 and we hope it will become a Centre for Excellence.
How it works
Academies provide an opportunity for businesses, individuals and other organisations to work together with a school and the Department for Children, Schools and Families, to improve education and communities.
They challenge traditional thinking on how schools are run and are encouraged to be innovative in terms of their curriculum and organisation. They aim to break away from cultures of low aspiration which afflict many communities and their schools.
The RSA has a long history of introducing innovative ideas on education. For example, we pioneered national examinations and education for girls. And in 2000, RSA Education developed the Opening Minds curriculum to give young people the skills and competences they need in a challenging world.
As this curriculum became more widely used across England, the RSA decided to sponsor an Academy. This gave us the opportunity to put into practice our principles of social justice and to introduce the Opening Minds curriculum throughout an entire school. The RSA Tipton Academy will be in north west Sandwell, replacing Willingsworth High School.
Aims of the Academy
The aim of the Academy is to encourage educational achievement and develop practical real-world skills in all students, regardless of background. Each Academy is unique, but all of them will aim to meet the needs of their communities and their circumstances. Tipton is a focus for major social and economic regeneration (much of it channelled through the Black Country Challenge) and we hope that the RSA Academy will be able to play a major role in reviving the local area.
Widespread involvement from the RSA
In developing this initiative, we have been able to call on our Fellowship and the Faculty of the Royal Designers of Industry to lend their experience and expertise. We hope that this wider involvement will continue and will add value to the curriculum at the Academy.
Chair of the Academy Trust
The RSA is delighted that Sir Mike Tomlinson, the ex-UK Chief Inspector of Schools, has agreed to chair the Academy Trust and the governing body. Sir Mike, as a member of the RSA Council and Chair of the Project Steering Group, has been extremely helpful in moving this project forward.
What we've achieved
The Academy will open in September 2008. Its curriculum will be a blend of academic and vocational courses and qualifications, based on the RSA's Opening Minds competences. The Principal, Michael Gernon, has now appointed most of his teaching team including Sally Weale as Vice Principal.
As well as providing a first class education for pupils, the RSA has many ambitions for the Academy. We would like it to become a Centre of Excellence for the Opening Minds approach to teaching and learning and we hope it will attract both national and international visitors. We also hope that by the time the new building is available in 2010, RSA Education will be able to offer training and development facilities at the Academy.
Prospectus
You can find out more about the RSA Academy in our prospectus (PDF, 18 KB)
Timeline
February 2007: Secretary of State signs the Expression of Interest and the Feasibility phase begins
February 2008: Funding Agreement is signed and the Implementation phase begins
September 2008: Academy opens in predecessor's buildings
Autumn 2008: Building work starts on site
Autumn 2010: Students and staff move into the new building
Late 2010: Demolition begins of predecessor's buildings
Our Academy
A local photographer, Phil Hitchman, led a short project with some students from Willingsworth High School. He encouraged them to think about their own aspirations and also those of the local community and then to translate these into a visual format. He then worked with the students to compile this collection of images.
