Link sees schools make history

Buy photos » Students from RSA Ipsley Academy make history as they join forces with RSA Academy Arrow Vale. Picture by Marcus Mingins 0213017MMR.

TWO Redditch schools have made history after becoming the first middle and high school in the borough to be formally linked.

Previously known as Ipsley Middle School, the newly formed Ipsley CE RSA academy has joined forces with RSA Arrow Vale.

Although both schools will operate as one campus, they will still remain on separate sites and have separate funding, but will aim to maximise their finances through sharing resources.

The middle school, which was recently refurbished inside and out, will work as a feeder school to Arrow Vale, encouraging students to continue through to the high school once they have completed Year 8.

And as RSA (Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) academies, students hope to benefit from access to experts in a wide range of fields from commerce to the arts.

Arrow Vale pupils have already been involved in a number of projects and learning opportunities, including workshops with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

With a change in status, Ipsley has also said goodbye to former headteacher Richard Sturdey and recruited Patricia Hammond as its new principal.

Mrs Hammond, who was senior vice principal of Whitley RSA Academy in Coventry for the past six years, said she was delighted to take up the post.

"Ipsley is a school with massive potential, and we are delighted to join Arrow Vale as an RSA Academy in Redditch," she said.

"I am already working closely with Guy Shears, principal at Arrow Vale, to ensure the children get a consistent and very high quality education from when they enter Ipsley until they leave Arrow Vale for high quality higher education or employment.’

She added the highlight so far was seeing the pride in the faces of the children as they arrived in their new uniforms for the new term.

Parents should contact Ipsley CE RSA Academy on 01527 525725 or RSA Arrow Vale Academy on 01527 526800 to arrange a visit.

Regional news »