School will help bridge educational divide, claims academy leader

THE LEADER behind a new school in Burngreave believes it will help bridge the education divide in Sheffield.

Libby Nicholas, chief executive of Astrea Academy Trust, said the through-school – which will accommodate 1,200 children aged from two to 18 – will give youngsters ‘the best education possible’.

She said youngsters in the north of Sheffield do not have access to the same standard of education as those in the south.

The school, due to open in September 2018, will be called Astrea Academy Sheffield and will incorporate the old Grade II listed Pye Bank School building.

Ms Nicholas said: “Astrea was the goddess of justice and equality and we propose to build a school that gives children the same experience in education as those in the other side of the city.

“We want to improve it and even it out. At the moment families who are ambitious for their children, and we want to encourage that, are sending their children to the other side of the city.

“There are a number of access problems such as travel and additional costs.

“We want to make sure children on this side of the city have access to the best education possible.”

Ms Nicholas said the school will become ‘a beacon’ and bring much-needed investment to the area.

“We are hugely excited about the new school and we are working closely with the council,” she said.

“It is one of the most exciting things happening in Sheffield at the moment. It is going to be a beacon school.

“It is on a site that is looking out over the city and it is going to transform that area.”