New Line Learning

New Line Learning are learning concept schools used in south Maidstone, Kent, England. It consists of two secondary schools (Cornwallis Academy and New Line Learning Academy) in South Maidstone who are governed under one body to improve standards for children and create greater consistency in the quality of provision through a collective approach to education.

The system of education in England is mainly provided through individual self-managing schools within the context of the National Curriculum, influence from Local Authorities and national regulation through OFSTED. Despite this regulation, education standards vary markedly according to the success or otherwise of individual schools and even departments within schools.

The schools have re-branded themselves as ‘New Line Learning’ to reflect a novel approach to secondary educationcharacterised by a set of values that are founded in the new Academies programme and research evidence about how children learn and what sets appropriate conditions for learning. As a start, the schools' new logo has been designed in consultation with the students and reflects the new direction in their education. Replacing the old logo with the new one is a first sign of change. Other changes will be the GCSE results.

The purpose of the UK Government's Academies programme is to raise standards in education in England and it is not confined to schools with low attainment although many new Academies have been in that category. Successful schools are expected to innovate and provide leadership through the Academies programme because they are often in the best position to do so. The majority of CTCs have become Academies. because they are expected to innovate particularly in the fields of ICT, enterprise and work related learning. In 2014 the Cornwallis Academy achieved 47% in the 5 A*-C performance indicator including English and maths GCSEs which is below both Kent and National figures, and in 2013 only 3% of students achieved the English baccalaureate. Its performance including maths and English is at about the Kent and national averages and similar to performance in previous years before it became an Academy. The New Line Learning initiative is therefore in keeping with its Academy status but it is too early to tell whether the new approach will further raise standards or enable the success to continue at the New Line Learning Schools. The purpose of the Academies programme is at least in part to try new things to see what works.

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