As parents or carers of students who may attend the Academies, we want to work with you and your children to ensure they get the best education and make the most of their abilities, so that they have the skills and confidence needed to pursue their work and life goals. The sponsors believe the Academies will be an important part in making Hastings and St Leonards a great place to live, learn, and work. To do this, the Academies will:

• Build on the achievements and attainments of Hillcrest, The Grove and Filsham Valley schools
• Work closely with feeder primary schools to ensure your children’s transition to secondary education is a positive experience
• Encourage you to be involved with and support your children’s learning and keep you informed about their progress
• Offer your children innovative teaching from committed, well-trained staff
• Offer state-of-the art facilities and technology that inspire your children to excel
• Provide a broad range of courses and subjects, including specialisms in ICT, English and Mathematics, that are relevant your children’s future training and employment
• Offer them a safe, healthy and nurturing learning environment
• Expect high standards of attendance and respectful, responsible behaviour from your children which we expect you to support
• Through our sponsors, the University of Brighton, and links with local businesses and educational establishments, such as Sussex Coast College, offer them wider training opportunities and provide links to further and higher education, training and employment
• Ensure you, your children and your community benefit from the Academies’ facilities and lifelong learning opportunities.

Questions from Parents

In March we held a session at Filsham Valley School for parents in the local community to come along and ask questions about the new Academies. We have put together a document which outlines the questions asked and the responses given. Please download the document by clicking on the link below.

Questions from Parents

If you have more questions please contact the project team (contact details below); talk to the new Principals Designate - Jenny Jones and Theresa Phillips; or come along to one of the Academy Open Days at the start of the autumn term - 5 Oct 2010 for The Hastings Academies; and 28 Sep 2010 for The St Leonards Academy.

The sponsors also meet with the Governors of the existing schools, so the parent-elected governors can represent your views too.

Admission arrangements for the proposed new Academies

Students at Filsham Valley, The Grove and Hillcrest schools will have the right to transfer to the relevant Academy. Both Academies will be non-selective, all-ability schools.

For students not already at Filsham Valley, The Grove or Hillcrest, then the County Council's admission criteria would be used for deciding which children will attend the Academies if there are more applicants than places available.

The sponsors are currently discussing with the predecessor schools and other groups where the Year 7 pupils will be taught at The St Leonards Academy until its new single site building is available.