About the Academy

The Academy vision is to transform the ambitions and life chances of students by

• providing a personal learning route for every student that will motivate and engage them.
• supporting all children to develop their true potential and preparing students to be global citizens, capable of creative and critical thinking.
• enabling students to respond positively to the different Academy experience. This new educational experience will be of high quality and ensure individual progress.
• having very high expectations of staff, students and parents, both in terms of their engagement with learning and their standards of behaviour and commitment.
• helping all students through the Academy specialisms of Business Enterprise and Performing and Visual Arts to become well-rounded, well balanced, confident, and effective people, skilled in communicating and building and maintaining good relationships

The Academy opened in September 2007 on the site of the former Montgomery School. As an Academy, Spires is independently governed, but funded by the sponsors and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The Academy is non-selective, welcoming students of all backgrounds and abilities, and it is free to attend.

The Academy is subject, like other schools, to regular inspections, but is managed by an ‘Academy Trust’ rather than a local education authority. The Trust is a registered charity, established by the sponsors.

Students receive an all-round education studying the full range of subjects in a curriculum designed to encourage every student to achieve their full potential. To this end, the Academy follows to the national curriculum, but also holds specialist status in Business & Enterprise, and Visual, Creative & Performing Arts, chosen to make sure students get the best out of their education and are fully prepared for adult life. Through our sponsors and other local enterprises, we have forged close links with different employment sectors, to enrich the learning environment for all our students.

There are around 600 places at the Academy. We have close ties with the local Primary schools to support the transition to Year 7, and established progression routes for sixth formers aged 16-19.

Partnership with The Marlowe Academy

Spires Academy has developed a partnership with The Marlowe Academy in Ramsgate. This federation is designed to mutually benefit both Academies by formally sharing best practice and resources, and to help offer students an enhanced range of opportunities, courses and facilities.