ULT to sponsor Academy in Bognor Regis
The Regis School is set to become an Academy under the sponsorship of the country’s largest academy sponsor United Learning Trust (ULT).
Governors have spent six months investigating the merits of academy status and have concluded that such a move is in the best interests of the school, not least given the changing educational landscape both nationally and locally. The change is likely to occur in January 2012.
Both Bognor Regis MP Nick Gibb and the West Sussex County Council Cabinet Member for Schools, Peter Griffiths have expressed their support for the move.
Chair of Governors, Diane Willson, said: “This change will allow us to build on the firm foundations put in place over the last few years. We welcome the links to ULT - an established, national sponsor - and the capacity to accelerate our progress.”
Headteacher, David Jones, praised the huge amount of work undertaken by the Governors and Senior Leadership Team in moving to this position:
“As an academy, the school will welcome the increased autonomy, the shared values, the greater control of resources, and the enhanced partnerships. This is the right move for The Regis School at this time: it builds on a positive, recent Ofsted report and our five-year Strategic Plan.”
Sir Ewan Harper, Chief Executive of United Learning Trust said: "We are delighted that the Governors of The Regis School have decided to become an academy and have chosen to join our family of independent schools and academies. Since the governors first contacted us, we have enjoyed a very productive relationship and look forward to working with everyone involved as the academy takes shape.
"Last year, three out of the top four most improved academies in the country were sponsored by ULT and we believe that The Regis School has the potential for similar improvement.
"We already have two academies open in West Sussex and the opening of a third will give us the opportunity to extend partnerships that we have already developed in Shoreham and Midhurst across all three academies.”
The school will be hosting consultations with staff, parents and the wider community on Monday 23 May 2011. Written comments are also welcomed via the school reception, addressed to The Chair of Governors.
