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Academy for children of all ages at 2012 stadium
Tim Ross, Evening Standard26 Aug 2008
Ministers are planning at least four new "all through" academies in London for children aged three to 18 - including one at the 2012 Olympic stadium.
The academies are modelled on the education system in Finland where there is no division between primary and secondary school.
Pupils would be able to take nursery classes as toddlers and do their A-levels 15 years later in the same buildings.
One of the new schools could be built into the Olympic stadium itself, teaching 1,800 pupils as part of the education legacy for the 2012 Games.
The plans are intended to address concerns over stalling standards in primary education. One in five 11-year-olds leaves primary school unable to read, write and add up properly despite billions spent on improving English and maths.
Schools Minister Lord Adonis - a former adviser to Tony Blair - is promoting the drive to expand the number of privately-backed academies, including the "all through" schools.
The £35million Stratford Academy, currently at the feasibility study stage, would be sponsored by Lend Lease, the firm building the Olympic village.
It would have places for 1,832 pupils aged three to 18 and would specialise in business and enterprise and sports and recreation.
A spokesman for the Department for Children said: "The 2012 Olympics will leave an outstanding legacy for generations to come.
"The Stratford City Academy project aims to give young people sporting and educational opportunities they have never had before - in the most fantastic and inspiring environment in the country."
The department has also backed plans for three more all-through academies in London. These are:
• Haberdashers' Crayford Academy in Bexley. The academy will specialise in technology and be sponsored by two education groups - the Haberdashers' Federation and Temple Grove Trust.
• Wembley Park Academy in Brent will be run by leading academy sponsor Absolute Return for Kids, and will specialise in maths and citizenship.
• The Globe Academy, Southwark, also sponsored by ARK, will specialise in performing arts and maths.
Two all-through academies are already open in Westminster and Islington.
Last month, the Standard revealed government plans to double the number of academies in London to 70 by 2011.
In exchange for up to £2million, private sponsors including business figures and church groups take control of a new academy. The Government funds the running costs and most of the construction of new buildings.
Mr Blair launched the programme in 2002 in an attempt to transform failing schools in poor areas.
Exam results have been mixed and teaching unions have condemned academies as representing the "part privatisation" of state schools.
But ministers insist the scheme is raising standards and want to open at least 400 academies across England. There are 83 academies open with another 51 due to be launched next month.
