We worked with Sussex Downs College to establish The Eastbourne Academy to replace Eastbourne Technology College (ETC). The University of Brighton is an education partner.
The Eastbourne Academy:
- is on the old ETC site and continues to admit up to 180 students each year as an 11 to 16 school
- works in close partnership with local primary, secondary and special schools
- will have a new building with state-of-the art facilities
- opened in September 2010 in the existing buildings, with a planned move into the new building in 2013 (the timescale is an estimate at this stage).
Students who were due to start at ETC in September 2010, or were already attending, automatically became part of the new academy – parents and students did not need to do anything.
Background
We jointly submitted our initial proposals to Government in September 2009 in a document called an 'Expression of Interest'. This detailed 30-page document was approved by the County Council's Cabinet on 23 September 2009:
The Governors of ETC supported the proposal that was submitted to Government, and stated their belief that the academy would allow us to build on the recent improvements at the school, enhance the community and provide better opportunities for existing and future students.
In Autumn 2009 we consulted with students, staff, parents and the community about the proposal. You can download a summary of the proposals and some Frequently Asked Questions at the foot of this page. At the same time, Sussex Downs College and the Council consulted on the new academy proposal, and more information is available at their website:
On 12 January 2010 the Lead Member for Learning and School Effectiveness considered the responses to the Council consultation – 94 responses were received, and 63 of these (67%) were in favour of the proposal to close ETC to make way for an academy. Further information is available in the Lead Member report:
The Statutory Notice for the closure of ETC, subject to the establishment of The Eastbourne Academy, was available for comment between 20 January and 3 March 2010. No responses were received.
On 16 March 2010 the Lead Member approved the closure of ETC as long as The Eastbourne Academy is established by the Secretary of State. Further information is available in the Lead Member report:
At the end of March the Secretary of State approved the establishment of The Eastbourne Academy on 1 September 2010 to replace Eastbourne Technology College.
Enquiries
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to contact us:
Rachael Turner, Administration Assistant (Academies)
Phone: 01273 335669
Email: rachael.turner@eastsussex.gov.uk
East Sussex County Council