THERE’S a brave new world being created in education at Ridgeway Academy – although those with a long memory might recall that it’s more of a case of back to the future.
For Ridgeway, originally built as a secondary school but now a middle school, has opted to develop back into a secondary, adopting the two-tier system of education in the process.
To say the introduction of the two-tier system in Redditch has caused a degree of upheaval for parents and schools would be an understatement – why change from a three-tier approach of infants, middle and secondary which has delivered enviable results for Redditch students for years?
However Ridgeway had little choice; with Tudor Grange Academy driving for two-tier it would have left the Astwood Bank school as little more than a two form centre of learning.
“When we were told that Tudor Grange was going secondary we had a feasability study done and came up with four options – convert to a primary, convert to a secondary, convert to juniors or become an all through school from four to 16,” said headteacher Mike Bennett.
“We had to make sure we had the best fit solution, something that would work well within the community, and we knew from talking to parents that they liked what the school offers.”
Talks were held with Ridgeway’s feeder schools with the consensus being that they would convert to primaries, with Ridgeway catering for Year Fives through to 16 while the feeder schools converted.
The infrastructure for the move is already in place – the school has the capacity to take 600 pupils and with an intake of 120 a year, will need no new buildings.
And Mr Bennett, who has spent his teaching career in secondary schools before coming to Ridgeway is adamant that his staff can not only rise to the challenge of GCSEs but are in fact already there.
“There’s a bit of a misconception out there that we can’t do big stuff, but we’re fortunate here to have some very bright youngsters and talented teachers. We’ve been doing GCSEs here since 2012 and we’ve delivered A* results,” he said.
But while a revolution has been happening at Ridgeway other schools in their own feeder pyramids have been quick to reinforce their links and confirm their commitment to the three-tier system.
“We are well aware of what other schools are saying and doing. What we are focusing on is what’s happening in this school.” said Mr Bennett.
“There is a perception of unchartered waters but we are saying come and talk to us, come and see the school in operation and what we are trying to achieve, and then you can make an informed decision,” he added.
