THREE new academies will open their doors to students in Bournemouth and Poole on Monday despite fears they will not receive funding for much-needed building work.
St Aldhelm’s Academy is replacing Rossmore Community College in Poole, the Bourne Academy is taking over from Kings High in Bournemouth and Bishop of Winchester in Bournemouth will also formally take on academy status.
But all three will have to wait at least a month to discover whether they will receive millions of pounds for building work originally promised under the now – abandoned Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project.
Only Ashdown College of Technology in Poole has been assured proposed work will take place and head teacher Liz Jones said: “The BSF programme offers a once-in-a lifetime opportunity for Ashdown to transform learning and raise attainment for all our students.”
But the three new academies now have more control over their finances and curriculum, issues previously dictated by local authorities.
The joint Bournemouth and Poole BSF team plan to continue to work together on the Ashdown project and to do all they can to secure cash for the remaining schools.
The BSF programme has already cost the two councils an estimated £3.5 million.
The money was spent on consultants and other experts with the aim of replacing school buildings described as “unsuitable”, “poor” and “not fit for purpose.”
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