The Diocese of Southwark, CfBT Education Trust and TocH are pleased to announce the opening of St Mark's Church of England Academy. The Academy, which opened to returning pupils on Monday, and whose new Year 7 pupils arrived last Friday, will specialise in science, enterprise and technology.

Barbara Lane, Director of Education for Southwark Diocese says, 'The opening of the new St Mark's Church of England Academy is a great achievement and we are very encouraged by the enthusiasm and support we have already received and as we begin to work to improve and extend education opportunity for the young people of Merton.

'The spirit of partnership has been at the centre of our approach in establishing St Mark's and recognises the hope and determination we have to create an outstanding learning community founded on Anglican values'.

The new Principal, Louise Fox, who was until recently the Headmistress at Archbishop Tenison's School, and who brings with her a wealth of education experience, comments, 'I am hugely looking forward to the work at the new Academy. It will be a joy to welcome the pupils and I feel privileged to be asked to lead the Academy forward at this very exciting point in its development'.

The Venerable Christopher Skilton, Chair of the St Mark's Church of England Academy Trust said he was 'delighted that all the hard work which has gone into establishing this Academy has come to fruition. The opportunity for creating a new Academy in Merton is one which the Board of Education, CfBT Education Trust and TocH have been pleased to take and we look forward to working together in this way. We feel sure that St Mark's will succeed in its aim to inspire all students to succeed and to enable the community to flourish.'

Ends.

Note to Editors:

The Southwark Diocesan Board of Education (SDBE) supports 106 (92 primary and 14 secondary) Church of England schools across south London educating approximately 31,000 children and young people. The SDBE supports the provision and development of all Church of England schools within the Diocese of Southwark and seeks to promote the Christian ethos and distinctiveness of church schools

CfBT Education Trust is a leading education consultancy and service organisation. Its object is to provide education for public benefit both in the UK and internationally. Established 40 years ago CfBT Education Trust now has an annual turnover exceeding £100 million and employs more than 2,000 staff worldwide who support educational reform, teach, advise, research and train.

As a not-for-profit organisation CfBT re-invests around £1million of its surpluses every year for practice-based educational research. Visit www.cfbt.com for more information

TocH is a charitable organisation, committed to building a fairer and more just society by working with communities to promote friendship and reconciliation. Visit www.toch.org.uk for more information.