Royal first for new Wiltshire academy

1:20pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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A SECONDARY school which was fighting for survival just five year ago is set to become the first academy in Britain with royal links.

Castledown School, between Ludgershall and Tidworth, will become Wellington Academy in September next year and is to have the Queen's second son, HRH Prince Andrew, as its president.

News of the royal link was revealed to Wiltshire councillors on Tuesday by the Master of Wellington College Dr Anthony Seldon who said the royal role will mirror the link that the Queen and The Duke of Kent have have with the college, one of Britain's most prestigious public schools.

"He will be the first royal to be the president of an academy," said Dr Seldon.

"It is superb news."

The outspoken educationalist told councillors that he had been intent on building an academy in Brighton in his previous post but had been thwarted by left-wing ideologists on the local council there.

He said the job of his school was to transfer its DNA to the academy, develop its academic excellence, and work with the community.

"We are very proud to be in this part of Wiltshire and there is so much potential in the community," he said.

"You have the pledge from Wellington College to maintain its profound interest in this.

"There are no selfish interests in this and we are not doing it to make money - Wellington College is doing it because it believes this is a good thing to do and schools are about doing good.

"Judge us on what we do."

The new buildings on the site will open in 2010 and Dr Seldon said they would be designed around the eight aptitudes and be in harmony with the local environment and look outstanding.

"It is going to be a very exciting building to be inside," he added.

The academy's first principal will be Andy Schofield, who is currently headteacher at Varndean School in Brighton.