Blog: Two new schools join the RSA Family of Academies

On 1 January 2016, two new schools, Abbeywood First School and Church Hill Middle School, both based in Redditch, joined the RSA Family of Academies, expanding the Family to seven schools.

We are delighted to welcome two new schools to the RSA Family of Academies – Abbeywood First School and Church Hill Middle School in Redditch.

Abbeywood serves pupils from Reception to Year 4 (4-9 year olds) and Church Hill serves pupils from Year 5 to Year 9 (9-14 year olds).

The growth with Abbeywood and Church Hill strengthens our relationships in Redditch as the schools also join the Redditch RSA Academies Trust and will have much closer working with Ipsley CE RSA Academy and Arrow Vale RSA Academy in terms of a joined up curriculum offer - and a unique offer in Redditch. Church Hill along with Ipsley is also a feeder school for Arrow Vale. This growth also means for the first time there will be an 3-18 education by RSA academies.

Di Smith, Executive Headteacher of Abbeywood First School and Church Hill Middle School said,

I’m very proud to be Executive Headteacher of these two schools and be part of the RSA Family of Academies. This is an exciting time for the children and for staff of all the RSA Academies. Students in Redditch will benefit from collaboration, sharing outstanding practice, and seamless transition from ages 3 – 19. Children will have access to a wide range of resources as well as collaboration of teaching and learning. The children and their families will also benefit from the easy transition from Abbeywood First school all the way through to Arrow Vale. This is truly unique within Redditch.

We look forward to working closely with all our Redditch schools and developing creative and innovative projects together – we are already working on a pupil-led sculpture project with two RDIs, Peter Clegg and Andrew Grant to mark this point in the schools’ history for pupils, parents, teachers and raise the profile of the schools to their local community.

Guy Shears, Principal of RSA Academy Arrow Vale said

It is particularly good news for our community in Redditch as both of the middle schools in the  Arrow Vale Pyramid and our first school are now part of the same family, enjoying the benefits of being so closely attached to the RSA. Children joining Abbeywood aged 3 will be able to move through the RSA academies to Arrow Vale up to 19; and consistent excellence will be achieved.

We are delighted to welcome Abbeywood First School and Church Hill Middle School to the RSA Family of Academies.