Paul is 'buzzing' about academy

16/04/2008

A passion to help children achieve – that is what the leader of Sunderland's first academy is planning to bring to the city.

During his career, Paul Prest has helped turn around several struggling schools and is now taking on his latest challenge of chief executive at the new Pennywell academy with enthusiasm.

Wearsiders have the chance to meet Paul, 50, next week when an open night is held at Pennywell School.

The name of the new £25million facility is being kept under wraps until the launch next week, as are the images of the new uniform.

Pennywell academy, sponsored by housing group gentoo and Sunderland City Council, along with a personal contribution from former Black Cats chairman Bob Murray, will be the first state school in the region which will house pupils aged four to 16.

Formed from the existing Pennywell and Quarry View schools, it will open in the existing buildings in September this year, with the new premises scheduled for completion in 2009.

Paul, who left his third headship job at a primary school in Doncaster to take on this huge Sunderland challenge, says this is a really exciting time for everyone involved.

He said: "I'm buzzing about the academy – it is going to be fantastic. I have looked at schools across the world and all the ideas we will be putting in place are things that have been tried and researched to show they work."

Paul has worked in several schools where huge changes were needed and has succeeded in turning around their ailing fortunes.

He said: "I just get in there and motivate everyone. I have worked in schools in some challenging areas, because I have a passion for the children and believe all children can achieve."

He said the academy will not just be about teaching the children, but also catering for all their personal needs and the Every Child Matters initiative will be at the centre of everything they do.

Paul added: "We will also be reaching out there into the community and the school will be accessible to everyone."

Plans for the academy include a theatre, recording studio, a life skills centre, sports hall and gym, arts centre, cybercafé and innovation centre.The academy is part of the first phase of Sunderland's £120million Building Schools for Future programme.

After work on the Pennywell academy gets under way, Castle View Secondary School and Hylton Red House School will close a year later in August 2009 and reopen as two separate academies, sponsored by Northumbrian Water and Leighton Group respectively.

An open night will be held at Pennywell School next Wednesday from 4pm to 7pm and everyone in the community is invited along to find out more about the new academy.

The full article contains 461 words and appears in n/a newspaper. Last Updated: 16 April 2008 2:08 PM.

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