New Church of England Secondary Academy

Over the last three years, the Church of England Birmingham’s Education Department and the Birmingham Diocesan Multi-Academy Trust have been leading on the development of ‘Christ Church, Church of England Secondary Academy,’ a brand new Church of England Secondary Academy serving the community of Yardley Wood. The keys to the new school building, which had been under construction since December 2019, were handed over on 1 July 2021.

The three-storey school building includes facilities to accommodate 900 secondary level pupils, plus a further 250 students in the sixth form. The building is equipped with amazing teaching spaces, as well as state-of-the-art sports facilities which include a sports hall, two full-size football pitches and an FA-standard 3G pitch. The school’s mission statement is, ‘Through valuing every individual, as made in God’s image, we will learn, flourish, and celebrate truth.’ The school opens its doors to pupils on Monday 6 September.

Diocesan Director of Education Sarah Smith said, ‘The Church of England has a vision for offering excellent education for everyone everywhere, and so we are delighted to be able to open a brand new secondary school in this part of Birmingham for local children and their families. We believe that under the leadership of the newly appointed headteacher Mark Bowman Dalton, the school will have every success.’

Mark Bowman Dalton has over fourteen years of senior leadership experience in Church of England schools and schools within the Ark network. Most recently he has led Ark St Alban’s Academy for three years as Principal. He believes, resolutely, that every child deserves world-class education. He is committed to ensuring that those in his care receive this gift every day. Mark studied Natural Sciences, Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and the Chartered College of Teaching. Mark says, ‘The establishment of Christ Church Secondary Academy is an opportunity to create a truly exceptional school where young people will fulfil their potential and live life in all its fullness.’

Further information about Christ Church Secondary Academy can be found on its website HERE, its Facebook page HERE and its Twitter feed HERE.