A BRAND new school, built as part of the new housing development in the north of Rugby, will soon get the help and support of a fully established school.
Lawrence Sheriff School is celebrating the news it has been named as sponsor of the new primary school on the Rugby Gateway site – a new major multi-million pound housing development in the area towards the M6.
The Gateway school was announced as part of Warwickshire County Council’s £10million plans to build three new schools in the area to address the rising demand for places.
The role of Lawrence Sheriff will primarily be to guide the school in its first few years.
Headteacher Peter Kent said: “Taking on this role is a crucial part of the founding principles that have guided the work of our governing body for more than a century. We have always aimed to share the benefits of attending LSS with as wide a group as possible.
“Sponsorship gives us the chance to help others and to share the significant strengths of Lawrence Sheriff more widely.”
The new Gateway school will have its own headteacher and governing body, but Lawrence Sheriff say they will play a key role in appointing staff, establishing the school ethos and overseeing its future direction.
Mr Kent added: “It is important that the development of education within the town is led by schools themselves, an idea that is central to the government’s Education White Paper. Rugby is growing and we are excited to be able to play our part in responding to the success and growth of the town.”
Despite the link between the two schools, Mr Kent insisted the sponsorship will not give any favour to its students.
He said: “It will not be a designated feeder school and students who attend will have the same chance to progress on to LSS as students at every other primary have.
“We are sharing values, not a short cut to Sheriff.”
The new primary school is planned to open in September 2018.
