A Brighton secondary school has more students than at any time since it first opened, the chair of governors has announced.
The Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) said that it has 886 students on its books for the 2017-18 academic year.
Jim May, who recently took over as chair of governors, said: “When Dylan Davies was appointed principal in January 2014 our roll was 557 students.
“Building on our ‘good’ Ofsted rating last year, this degree of growth in student numbers in this period is testimony to the leadership at BACA and the hard work of our staff.
“Importantly this is a great vote of confidence by students and the parents in Brighton in the progress and direction of travel at BACA.
“In addition to more students joining us at secondary level, our sixth form is continuing to grow.
“Unique partnerships with local organisations from new media to construction to sport are giving our students a real advantage as they move on to higher education or employment.”
Earlier this month BACA held an open evening which drew a record number of more than 640 people interested in seeing the opportunities offered to secondary students at its Falmer campus.
Comments on Facebook after the event included one from a prospective parent, Justine Stephens, which said: “Fantastic building, amazing facilities (on a par with private schools) and they are all really excited about what they are trying to achieve there. Really genuinely inspiring.”
And another prospective parent, Emma Davies, said: “We just attended BACA open evening. Impressed with facilities, students and teachers alike. This school deserves consideration. It seemed warm, supportive, safe and a provider of a well-rounded education with some amazing opportunities.”
The principal Dylan Davies said: “Our mission is to ensure BACA students are the first choice recruits for universities and employers.
“At BACA we believe in each other, ourselves and what we can achieve – we live by our motto ‘believe you can’.
“Through our creative and innovative approach to education, students develop entrepreneurial skills and set ambitious goals that enable them to confidently follow their passions into a successful future.
“It is very pleasing that more and more young people are choosing BACA as their preferred school.”
BACA said to find out more about the academy, contact Jennifer Nicholas on 01273 691191 to arrange a visit.
There is an open evening for the sixth form, BACA College, on Thursday 30 November.
