Edge, the educational foundation, today announced that it has been accepted as the sponsor for two new city academies, one in Milton Keynes and one in Nottingham. A feasibility study will now be carried out in order to determine how each academy will be established.

Edge's principal objective is to promote the status of vocational and practical learning in our educational system. This means raising educational standards through seeing how learning can be applied through practical experience and providing opportunities to excel in an environment where vocational and academic studies have equal status.

In Milton Keynes the new city academy will be based on The Sir Frank Markham Community School. The school opened in 1979 and currently has 1400 students. It serves a wide area to the south of the city centre. The academy proposal is for an eight-form entry for ages 11 to 18 academy with 240 students in each of Years 7 to 11 and a sixth form growing to 350 students; a significant increase on current numbers.

In Nottingham, the new city academy will be formed from the amalgamation of the River Leen and Henry Mellish schools. It will educate 11-18 year olds and it is anticipated that it will have around 1300 students. It will provide post-16 opportunities for about 250 students in an area that has had a relatively low number of students moving on to further and higher education.

The academies, which will both be in brand new, purpose-built accommodation, will have a broad-and-balanced approach to the National Curriculum and innovative vocational and practical-learning opportunities, such as high-quality work experience and mentoring through real businesses and organisations, which are outside of statutory educational requirements. They will focus on achievement for all students through real-world 'learning by doing'. In Milton Keynes there will be a particular focus on business enterprise, with the other specialism determined through consultation, and Nottingham will specialise in enterprise with business as a core focus.

Edge chairman, Garry Hawkes, said: "Edge is very proud to have been accepted as sponsor for city academies in Milton Keynes and Nottingham. We will work through our feasibility study to build academies that contribute significantly to progression to higher education as well as career success through vocational education.

"There is no shortage of talent in today?s young people. Our job is to help every young person discover their strengths and interests, and to ensure they have the opportunity to succeed. For some this may be an academic route through university, for others it may involve starting a career earlier, which will require quality vocational and practical learning; there are a number of paths to success.?

Councillor Sandra Clark, cabinet member for children and young people at Milton Keynes Council, said: ? This is a huge opportunity for the students who will attend the academy in the future, and for Milton Keynes as a whole. Together with Edge we will work with Sir Frank Markham Community School to build on its current strengths and ambitious vision for improvement to create an academy that we believe will acquire a national and international reputation for excellence.?

Councillor Graham Chapman, Nottingham City Council spokesman on children?s services, said: ?Today?s announcement is an educational milestone for families in Nottingham. We have massive plans to reshape and transform all of our secondary schools over the next few years through the Building Schools for the Future programme. We can now look forward to opening two city academies in Nottingham that will challenge a climate of under-attainment and offer more chances for success to pupils who do not necessarily want to take the academic route.?

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For further information, please contact:
Alexis Power on 020 7101 7312 or email edgepressoffice@catalysis.co.uk