E21C launches its new member school The Beckenham Academy in 2016

July 16, 2015 - PRLog -- Education for the 21^st Century (E21C), the multi-academy Trust based in Kent, is today announcing the opening of its new member school, The Beckenham Academy (TBA) in September 2016. Following a bid in October 2014, the Department of Education granted E21C permission to open a brand new 11-18 Free School in Beckenham to match the demand for schooling in the borough. An opening date has now been set and the application process has begun for its 180 available places for next year.

Whilst delicate and commercially sensitive negotiations continue with The Education Funding Agency (EFA), to agree a permanent site for the school, TBA will be opening in a temporary location from September 2016, at The Ravensbourne School (TRS), Hayes Lane (another member school of the E21C Trust). The Ravensbourne School location will provide full access to all its specialist facilities such as science labs, playing fields, ICT suites and much more. The site also offers a central location to the area and fantastic transport links, making starting the new school a smooth process.

An open evening will be held for The Beckenham Academy at The Ravensbourne School on Tuesday 6^th October 2015. This will be a chance for prospective parents and students to hear from the Principle Delegate to talk about the exciting plans for the school and the opportunities it offers to the new intake of students for 2016. An open week will also take place between 19^th – 22^nd October for those parents and students that would like to see a secondary school in operation.

CEO of E21C, Paul Murphy says: “We’re really excited to let everyone know about the launch of The Beckenham Academy. The Trust has seen some great success since its launch and as CEO I’m extremely pleased we can offer a new free school to the borough of Bromley as demand increases. We’re in continued talks with the Department of Education as we develop further plans regarding the location, however, in the meantime we are offering a fantastic alternative to the students at TBA with the use of the TRS facilities. It will allow The Beckenham Academy to fully operate as a “school within a school”.

Principal of The Beckenham Academy Mrs Codling comments: “As Principal of the academy, I will be heavily involved with each step of its development and I cannot wait for the school to begin its first year. The Trust’s philosophy is ‘developing the ‘whole’ child’. It’s a very forward thinking approach to education and as an experienced teacher, I’m eager to showcase to the students how important it is to not only just think about their results but also their preparation for the future. This philosophy will be at the heart of what we will be doing at The Beckenham Academy. The teaching staff, admissions policy and uniform have all been established and whilst we wait for confirmation our permanent location, we’re keen to begin using the fantastic offering we have created at TRS and sharing this with the local students joining the school.”

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For further information about The Beckenham Academy visit the website: http://www.thebeckenhamacademy.info/index-main.html or indeed take a look at our social media pages. https://twitter.com/BeckAcademySch / (https://twitter.com/BeckAcademySch%20/)https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Beckenham-Academy/1670618236515380?fref=ts

Notes to Editors

About E21C

Education for the 21^st Century was established in 2011 as a multi-Academy Trust. All the Directors have clear and long lasting commitment to the education of young people and they are prepared to operate effectively to the benefit of the Trust’s school, their students, their staff, their parents and the wider local education community within South East London.

At the heart of the Trust’s philosophy is the importance of the ‘whole child’ rather than just their academic achievement: results are important but the Trust also focuses on the soft skills which will help each student set up for their life beyond school.

We also believe that collaboration, partnership, professional growth though professional debates are best served when the participants are geographically close and taken from a wide variety of situations. For this reason, our aim is to work within the Borough of Bromley at both Primary and Secondary level not only to maintain Bromley’s reputation but also to enhance the area even further.