Academies - a new type of school

What are Academies?
Academies are publicly funded independent schools that provide a first class free education to local pupils of all abilities. Sponsors from business, faith or voluntary groups, working with partners from the local community, establish them. Academies provide a teaching and learning environment that is in line with the best in the maintained sector and offer a broad and balanced curriculum to pupils of all abilities, focusing especially on one of more subject areas (specialisms). As well as providing the best opportunities for the most able pupils and those needing additional support, Academies play key part in the regeneration of communities, raising standards through innovative approaches to management, governance, teaching and the curriculum.

How will an Academy here be different from other schools?
Academies raise standards by innovative approaches to management, governance, teaching and the curriculum, with facilities in line with the very best in the maintained sector.
They have a special emphasis on one or more areas of the curriculum. In the case of the proposed Academy for Cheltenham, the joint specialism will be Science and Sport. The Academy will also have the flexibility to be creative with timetabling and organisation, for example in the length of the school day and school terms.