Investing in learning: The Vodafone UK Foundation supports education in Oxfordshire
14 Sep 2007
This month, the new North Oxfordshire Academy on Drayton Road, Banbury opens its doors for the first time. It replaces Drayton School and aims to raise educational achievement in the area. The Vodafone UK Foundation provides financial support to the academy and is sponsored by the United Learning Trust.
The Academy is an all-ability, inclusive school that is free of charge to all students. It will, however, also receive a significant level of funding and expertise from its non-government sponsors. This will enable the Academy to provide the highest standards of education for all.
Students will benefit from a multi-million pound programme of building and refurbishment which will provide some of the best school facilities in the country. In addition to core curriculum subjects, the Academy will provide specialised teaching of media, communications, business and enterprise.
North Oxfordshire Academy Principal, Ruth Robinson said:
“Everyone at the Academy is really excited. All students are capable of achieving success – the key is to unlock the potential of every individual.
“Our Academy is a vibrant learning community, enriched by an ethos of care, tolerance, discipline and hard work where every student is expected to aim high and outperform their previous best.
“Our vision is to bring out the ‘best in everyone’. The Academy will be a beacon for the local community; raising aspirations, inspiring a love of learning for life and creating new opportunities for generations of local children.
“As well as new buildings and facilities, the next twelve months will also see the setting up of our new Sixth Form which will offer 250 places for 16-18 year olds.
“I feel really very privileged to open the doors at the new Academy.”
Sarah Shillito the Head of The Vodafone UK Foundation and Social Investment said:
“The Vodafone UK Foundation is committed to creating sustainable change and, as part of its work, supports local communities in areas where Vodafone has a significant physical presence. Vodafone has been one of Banbury’s biggest employers for some years, and we see the support of the academy as a further development of our commitment to our employees and the local community.
“We are proud to be giving funding to the Academy in Banbury and hope that it will benefit local young people, and the wider community, for years to come.”
For more information on the Vodafone UK Foundation please visit www.vodafoneukfoundation.org.
For more information on United Learning Trust, please visit www.ult.org.uk or for media enquiries about ULT please call Maggie O’Boyle on 0207 611 5274.
