ContinU Trust successful in application to establish the first alternative provider Free School for Wyre Forest and Hagley Schools and Worcestershire.

The ContinU Trust is a charitable company established by the 7 Secondary Schools of the Wyre Forest and Hagley, and Kidderminster College , with partner members from the Universities of Birmingham and Wolverhampton, Barnardos and Worcestershire County Council .

This unique collaboration of high quality education providers has the shared mission of supporting all young people in the area to achieve their potential. It was in this spirit, linking in with Vestia (Community Housing), that ContinU submitted an application to the Department for Education to establish a new alternative provider Free School in the Wyre Forest. The Trust is delighted to have been notified by the Department on Friday that this application has been approved for pre opening.

Rob Chadwick, the Director of the ContinU Trust said “On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all those who have offered their support. This has ranged from the Universities, the Worcestershire LEP and the Wyre Forest MP, Mark Garnier , to the new Wyre Forest Special School and local parents.

Rob added “One should not underestimate the vision and commitment of Headteachers in our Secondary Schools, who have helped shape this example of local accountability. Giving them the responsibility to set up and oversee a new school of this kind (one of only 12 approved nationally) reflects the confidence the Department for Education has in their capability. This is further evidence that the Wyre Forest and Hagley area is truly a great place to learn”

The ContinU Plus Academy will add value to the excellence across local secondary schools, operating as what is called an “Alternative Provider” Free School, working in partnership with the Local Authority. It offers an innovative curriculum to pupils who may be at risk of exclusion, disengaged, or needing a targeted pathway to ensure they progress at 16 to a positive college course, apprenticeship or employment. Liz Quinn, headteacher at Stourport High School and key Trust link said “ContinU operates for the benefit of all its young people and this is one way of using our combined expertise to make a real difference to the lives of pupils involved”.

The school is scheduled to open in September 2013 and will have its own Headteacher and Governing Body drawing on parents and representatives from the local community. Further information will be available via the ContinU website from September.