Spires Academy

The Spires Academy is a secondary school for students aged 11–16 in Canterbury, Kent.^[1] There is no sixth form. The school has dual specialist status in business and enterprise, and in visual, creative and performing arts. Spires is independently governed, but funded by the sponsors and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Academy is non-selective, welcoming students of all backgrounds and abilities, and it is free to attend. The Academy is subject, like other schools, to regular inspections, but is managed by an ‘Academy Trust’ rather than a local education authority.

The school has developed strong links with Simon Langton Girls' Grammar School.

History

The school was formerly known as 'Sturry Secondary Modern School' and later 'Frank Montgomery School', is the only secondary school in Sturry.^[2]

The academy moved into the old Montgomery building near Westbere in 2007. In March 2011, building started work on a new replacement building, this was carried out by Carillion ^[3] and completed in July 2012. Ready for the new school year in September 2012, the new £13.2m building with state of the art academic facilities with associated sports buildings and facilities. The predominantly naturally-ventilated design also uses biomass boilers as part of its heat source. The building achieved a BREEAM ‘Very Good’ rating.^[4]

Electronic learning

In 2012, Spires Academy spent £125,000 on iPads for all its pupils, they were given to 450 youngsters, but the staff insisted it will not be the end of the traditional pen and paper being used in the classroom. But the gadgets will revolutionise teaching and boost grades and were bought using the school's IT budget and a government grant. But most parents have contributed £60 towards the cost and will have the option later, to buy the iPad 2s at a discounted rate when their children leave. The Kent school is only the second to provide iPads to pupils, following Longfield Academy, near Dartford.^[5]

References

External links