Big Plans For Parkwood

SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE

28 January 2008

BIG PLANS FOR PARKWOOD

Proposals to turn Parkwood High School into an Academy have been given a boost, with news about additional funding for a new building. Plans are also being developed for an innovative partnership with Sheffield Hallam University.

Parkwood High School is currently the subject of a Neighbourhood Commission led consultation, where local elected members parents and governors hold meetings and consult with the local community, to find out their views about Parkwood becoming an Academy.

This is a very early discussion which, if the outcome of the consultation is in favour of the proposal, would give Sheffield City Council and Parkwood High School a mandate to pursue the process to become an Academy. The education charity Edutrust is the proposed sponsor of an Academy, they would work with Parkwood to continue their upward trend in exam results and positive inspections.

“We're very excited that we have just heard that we would now be eligible for funding for a new building,” says Chris Mallaband, Parkwood headteacher. "In the current wave of Academy developments, funding for a building is no longer guaranteed but we and Sheffield City Council approached the Government asking if they would consider an exceptional case for funding us for a new building and they have agreed.

"This is a clear vote of confidence in Parkwood and the communities that the school serves. The range of educational and community investment in the area is already impressive with a new Children's Centre, Community Centre and Primary School all opened or about to open in the near future.

“I really do believe that Academy status would give us the impetus we need to take Parkwood to the next level. We've achieved so much already, and working with Edutrust could give us excellent professional support and help with continuing to raise standards, as well as a wonderful new building to give our students and their families a great place to learn.”

Also, Sheffield Hallam University have expressed an interest in partnering with the new Academy, should it go ahead, taking a place on the governing body and offering professional expertise to support the new school.

“Sheffield Hallam University already works closely with many schools in Sheffield and will continue to support the Council with its educational plans,” says Professor Sylvia Johnson, Dean of the Faculty of Development and Society at Sheffield Hallam University.

“We are happy to develop a particular relationship with Parkwood and with their sponsors if they become an Academy, to help raise aspirations and to ensure more students go on to higher education.”

Chris Mallaband expects closer working with Sheffield Hallam University to boost the level of aspiration among young people in the Shirecliffe and Burngreave communities:

“We know that there are many young people who don't go on to achieve their full potential because it doesn't occur to them that they should consider university or professional training. We're working very hard in school to raise aspirations, but the opportunities offered through formal links with Sheffield Hallam University could be just what we need to encourage more young people to achieve even more highly.”

MP for Brightside, the Rt Hon David Blunkett, added: "The go ahead for Parkwood High School and the community it serves, and the funding that goes with it, is a vote of confidence by the Government and the City Council and an accolade to those who have worked so hard within and beyond the school to bring about transformation.

"There is now an opportunity to use the ever increasing standard of education, motivation and aspiration of the school as a key regeneration tool to continue the good work in the whole of the area, in providing an ever increasing quality of life and a good place to be for the people of Shirecliffe and beyond.

“Taken together with the development of new community amenities, Sure Start and nursery facilities and the pending opening of the new primary school, things are really looking up for those who have been disadvantaged in the past and so patient in waiting for change to take shape.”

ENDS