Academy sites to be revealed

15th September 2000, 1:00am

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Academy sites to be revealed

https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/academy-sites-be-revealed
LONDON and the North-west have been chosen to host the first city academies, the Education Secretary David Blunkett is expected to announce today.

Speaking at a Sheffield conference on inner-city regeneration, Mr Blunkett will reveal the identity of three “pathfinders” for the initiative. Two of the academies will be in the capital, with the third in the North-west.

Mr Blunkett is also expected to say that more are planned, and give details of sponsors - up to one-fifth of start-up costs will come in cash or kind from the private, voluntary or religious sector, who will also take a role in runnng the schools.

Interest so far is thought to have come mainly from entrepreneurs such as Peter Vardy, owner of Reg Vardy Cars in the North-east, but churches are also understood to be involved in some proposals.

Academies will replace failing secondaries or provide new places in areas with a shortage.

Modelled on the city technology colleges created by the Conservatives, they will be state-maintained but independent of local authority control - although ministers have softened their stance on local authority involvement and councils are connected with each of today’s proposals.


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