Principal

About Portslade Aldridge Community Academy

Welcome to Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA), a thriving 11-16 school rated Good by Ofsted (2016). Our results have been consistently improving for over three years and our Progress 8 score (0.3) is now the second highest in the city. Recognised as Brighton’s Most Improved School in the local media in 2017, our KS3 student intake grew over 80% year on year in 2017, and is set for further significant growth in 2018.

PACA has developed a strong learning culture of “Expert Learner” with students actively engaged in their own progress. High standards are maintained throughout the school with strong outcomes, particularly in the fundamentals of English and maths. We also have excellent outcomes in art and a focus on STEM. The current post-16 offer, a mixture of academic and vocational, is a key development priority through partnership work with local employers, leading organisations and our sister school in the city. Our digital media academy, an exciting collaboration between the two schools and over 40 local companies, is a great example of how these partnerships can deliver for our students.

In common with all Aldridge schools we also have a strong focus on developing the enterprise skills, attributes and confidence that help our students navigate through higher education and the many employment opportunities that will be available to them in the future.

PACA is so much more than a school. We work closely with, and offer our facilities to, the wider community as well as partnering with local primary schools and employers. Those facilities, which have benefitted from an £13m investment since we became an academy, include a STEM centre, Mac suite, specialist dance and art studios, and a community library. Our positive contribution to the community in which we live and work was recognised in winning the Brighton Community School of 2016 Award and the Most Improved School in Brighton & Hove Award 2017.

Aldridge Education

PACA is a member of the Aldridge Education multi-academy trust. We work in different regions across England where the opportunities and prospects for young people are often most limited, and where the introduction of our entrepreneurial approach to education can have most benefit. 

We are a values-driven organisation with a commitment to non-selective, inclusive schools, providing children and young people with an exceptional educational experience. Our goal is that, by the age of 25, all Aldridge graduates will have experienced an outstanding and enjoyable education and be able to sustain the life of their choice.