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Kent is at the forefront of local authorities developing
academies in order to increase the range and choice of schools
across the county that meet local needs. Kent was the
first local authority to act as a co-sponsor of many of its
academies.
Kent County Council (KCC) first engaged with the Academies
programme back in 2002 in the search for a range of school
improvement tools to fundamentally transform teaching and learning
in the secondary schools that were experiencing sustained
underachievement.
Since then Kent has led the way with its ground breaking
Academies programme. The nine academies now open or being developed
across the county, are supporting local communities with a massive
capital investment that has thus far generated in excess of £250m
to modernise school buildings and facilities for 21st Century
learning needs.
This investment is working to ensure that the academies
transform the school experience, increase student motivation and
performance and act as a catalyst for social and economic
regeneration in disadvantaged Kent communities. More academies are
currently being brokered with potential sponsors and discussed with
the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).
Kent Academies represent a true partnership with pupils, the
wider community, other public and charitable agencies and the
business sector.
KCC has developed partnerships with business, higher education
and the charitable sectors, churches and prestigious independent
schools to establish a number of state of the art, fit for purpose,
all-ability, all-faith, secondary academies. Partners include
Microsoft (UK) Ltd; Pfizer Pharmaceuticals; Roger de Haan
Charitable Trust; Holiday extras; Hewlett Packard; Independent
Schools including Dulwich College, Kings School Canterbury,
Tonbridge School; The Diocese of Canterbury; and University of
Kent.
Ramsgate's Marlowe Academy opened two years ago and passes in
grades A*- C at GCSE level have more than doubled when compared
with the performance in 2005 at the school it replaced. The release
of grades for the latest academic year show that 40 per cent of
pupils have achieved five grades A* - C. Just 10 years ago
equivalent figures for The Ramsgate School stood at only one per
cent, and even five years ago only four per cent.
Six academies opened in September 2007 and it is expected that
they will emulate the Marlowe's
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