Star Academies has been given approval by the Department for Education (DfE) to open a new secondary school in Wolverhampton as part of the government’s free schools programme.
Star Leadership Academy, Wolverhampton will provide pupils aged 11 to 16 with a high quality education to enable them to succeed academically and fulfil their potential. The school, which is expected to open in 2024, will offer a broad and balanced academic curriculum along with a diverse leadership programme to inspire pupils to engage in charitable activity and social action.
Star Leadership Academy, Wolverhampton will be run by leading multi academy trust, Star Academies. The Trust is responsible for 29 schools nationally and was named the top performing multi academy trust (MAT) in England for the progress pupils make at its secondary schools (Progress 8).
Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive at Star Academies, said: “We are very excited to be able to offer the young people of Wolverhampton the opportunity to join a new school where they will receive an outstanding education and extensive leadership opportunities.
“Star Academies is highly experienced in running top performing schools. Our schools encourage pupils to be ambitious and to achieve their very best, not just in terms of exam results, but also in their development and growth as individuals.
“We want Star Leadership Academy, Wolverhampton to surpass the expectations of the local community. We will nurture our new pupils to aim high and achieve their very best so that they are able to seize opportunities and grow into outstanding members of society.”
Councillor Dr Michael Hardacre, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "This is really good news for children and young people in Wolverhampton.
"Star Academies is the top performing multi academy trust in the country, with over 3 quarters of its inspected schools rated outstanding. It also specialises in schools in areas of higher deprivation, such as Wolverhampton.
"We have already seen a dramatic improvement in standards in our schools over the last few years, with some 13,000 more pupils now attending Good or Outstanding rated schools than they did 6 years ago.
"Demand for primary school places in the city has also increased in recent years, and the establishment of a new secondary free school in Wolverhampton will ensure we have sufficient space to meet demand as these children grow older.
“We are therefore looking forward to working closely with Star Academies to bring this project to fruition and further improving educational opportunities in Wolverhampton.”
