The Princess Royal, as Patron of Catch22, today visited the Brunel and Burton Academies in Torbay.
Her Royal Highness unveiled plaques at both schools to mark the official opening of the new extension at the Burton Academy and the new Brookfield site at the Brunel Academy
The Brunel and Burton Academies, part of the Catch22 Multi-Academies Trust, provide alternative provision education to excluded children in the Torbay area
Her Royal Highness visited both schools, accompanied by the Lord-Lieutenant David Fursdon
The Princess Royal today visited the Brunel and Burton Academies in Torbay, part of the Catch22 Multi-Academies Trust. She met with staff, parents and pupils and officially opened the extension at the Burton Academy and the Brookfield Site at the Brunel Academy. The visit was made in her capacity as Patron of Catch22, the charity which sponsors the Catch22 Multi-Academies Trust.
Her Royal Highness met with staff from the schools and civic figures from across the county including the Lord-Lieutenant David Fursdon, Councillor Ian Doggett, Chairman of Torbay Council, and representatives from TDA, responsible for Torbay Council’s Schools Capital Programme, which oversaw the extensions and new developments at both school sites.
The Brunel and Burton Academies provide alternative provision education to pupils, aged between 11 and 16, who are permanently excluded, or at risk of permanent exclusion, from Torbay’s mainstream schools. The majority of pupils have social, emotional, mental health or behavioural needs, and many have experienced trauma at some point in their lives.
The schools aim to provide all pupils with a place of safety and nurture, as well as the qualifications – GCSEs or vocational – to go on to lead a purposeful life. Through high-quality teaching and a dynamic curriculum, the schools take a personalised approach to supporting each child, enabling them to build their confidence and overcome barriers to learning.
Her Royal Highness also met with parents, carers and local organisations who are committed to working together to improve outcomes for children and young people in Torbay. Among them were representatives from Torbay Council’s Special Educational Needs team as well as a group of dedicated school governors.
Her Royal Highness unveiled plaques at each school to officially open the new developments and extensions. She was invited to watch the pupils play the first game of football on the new pitch at the Brunel Academy, and discussed the role they play as members the School Council with students at the Burton Academy.
Matt Caunter, Headteacher at the Brunel Academy, commented:
“We are delighted that our Patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal has visited our Academy today and officially opened the new Brookfield Site Development. She has taken a keen interest in Catch22’s work over the years and we value her support in celebrating the commitment of teachers, parents and the local community to ensure our young people flourish at the school and beyond. I’m thrilled that she was able to see the students play the first game of football on the new pitch.”
Steven Hulme, Headteacher at the Burton Academy, said:
“I’m very proud to welcome The Princess Royal to the Burton Academy and I know she was impressed by the hard work of the staff who contribute to making this such a nurturing and happy place to learn.
We have high ambitions for all our students and this new development will allow us to continue to support them in a bright and spacious environment, enabling them to reach their full potential.”
Clare Talbot, Education Team Manager at TDA, said:
“We are incredibly proud of the support we can provide local schools to improve school accommodation and the learning environment. It is great to see the new facilities at Brunel Academy in use and we look forward to continuing to work with Catch22 on the new developments proposed for both Brunel and Burton Academies. These projects will really help improve the outcomes and attainment of young people in Torbay.”
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