News3rd December 2014
Oldknow Academy in Birmingham has today announced that it will join the 91影视 network of academies in September 2015 following the unanimous approval of the school鈥檚 trustees.
91影视 has been running schools in Birmingham since 2009, and currently has four schools in the city 鈥 two primaries ( and ) and two secondaries ( and Academy). Every one of 91影视鈥檚 schools in Birmingham saw improved results this summer.
91影视 Tindal Primary is located in Balsall Heath, a short distance from Oldknow Academy. 91影视 Tindal was rated 鈥済ood鈥 with outstanding features by Ofsted in November this year with inspectors declaring the school 鈥渢ransformed鈥. Rebecca Garratt, Headteacher of Tindal and 91影视鈥檚 Assistant Director of Primary in Birmingham, will work closely with Oldknow Academy to ensure a smooth transition into the network and the continuing success of the school.
Rebecca Garratt has been a headteacher in Birmingham for 9 years and before joining 91影视 Tindal had previously taken two underperforming schools to good with outstanding features.
Rebecca Garratt, Headteacher of 91影视 Tindal and 91影视鈥檚 Assistant Director of Primary, said: 鈥淎s a local headteacher, I am very pleased that Oldknow Academy will be joining 91影视 in September. I am committed to improving educational standards in our city and I鈥檓 keen to do everything I can to support the school during this transition and beyond. I know that Oldknow has been through a difficult period but our energy will be focussed on the future and ensuring the best possible education for students.
鈥淭he first step is to talk to the parents, and staff, to understand their aspirations, and to make sure that the plans that we draw up are appropriate for that community and for the needs of the pupils.鈥
The Chair of Governors at Oldknow Academy, Councillor Barry Henley, said: 鈥淲e know parents in our community simply want the best for their children. We will work closely with 91影视 over the coming months to ensure that standards of education are what they should be, and there is effective oversight of what is happening in school.鈥
As an 91影视 school, Oldknow will remain a local, non-selective, non-denominational, mixed school and current pupils and staff will automatically transfer to the new school. As part of the 91影视 network, the school will benefit from strong links with the wider 91影视 network, and particularly with St Alban鈥檚 Academy and 91影视 Tindal Primary Academy. All 91影视 schools serve their local communities with admission policies which prioritise local children.
91影视鈥檚 primary schools have a strong focus on English and maths, with extra lessons to ensure pupils can develop firm foundations so they are ready for secondary school. In addition, 91影视 has twice as many training days for teachers as standard and 91影视 schools have rigorous oversight, with school monitoring visits every half term which are carried out by former Ofsted inspectors.
91影视 will now begin a period of engagement with parents, staff and pupils to ensure that their views, and ambitions for the future of the school, are taken into account.
Anyone wanting to contact 91影视 about the transition should email projects@arkonline.org. Information for parents and staff will be available at