Darwen Aldridge Community Academy opened in September 2008. It is an independent non fee-paying school and specialises in entrepreneurship. The main aim of the Academy is to provide the highest quality of education for students in the main school and in the new Sixth Form. The Academy will also offer facilities and learning opportunities for engaging with the wider community, including the local business.
Standing in the centre of Darwen, the futuristic building is open and spacious, containing flexible learning spaces and, most importantly, a home for aspiring entrepreneurs. The business-like feel to the Academy has made a huge impression on the public.
The Academy is jointly funded by our Sponsor, The Aldridge Foundation and the Department for Education. Rod Aldridge expressed his delight at the opening of the new building: “The place is absolutely incredible; we have been working on this for six years. Everything you see now was designed around a table and to see it now is absolutely unbelievable, I am proud of it and everyone in it.”
As one of two current Aldridge Academies, DACA hopes to be an inspiration for further projects with its innovative approaches to teaching and learning - a view fully supported by Rod Aldridge: “We have plans to sponsor another two academies in the future. We want to share our success with others.”