Portslade Aldridge Community Academy
Portslade Aldridge Community Academy opened in September 2011.
As a former pupil of the school, Sir Rod Aldridge was delighted that Aldridge Education was chosen as the academy’s lead sponsor, alongside Brighton and Hove City Council as the then co-sponsor, and the University of Sussex as Education Partner.
Since conversion to academy status the school buildings have undergone a £12.7m investment programme, a new science centre with separate dedicated physics, chemistry and biology labs, a new theatre, new ICT facilities, a new community library and Adult Learning Centre at the Chalky Road campus.
PACA’s vision is to support its students to develop the skills, knowledge, qualifications, character and ambition to create amazing opportunities and to be successful.
Students are encouraged to become leaders within the school and wider community. They take on a variety of roles such as mentors, prefects, peer support and charity ambassadors. It is seen as important that students develop a strong sense of social responsibility and make a positive contribution to the local and global community.
Ofsted inspectors visited the academy in November 2021. The inspection found PACA to be a 'Good school' in all aspects of what it does.
Message from Mark Poston, Principal:
I am pleased to announce, we received the Ofsted report of the school inspection which occurred on the 16th and 17th November 2021. It confirms that the school retains its “good” grading and it commends the school on a range of achievements. The Inspectors noted that, while PACA has grown, the school sense of community is strong and “everyone at PACA is known to each other”. The report stated “Pupils are positive about the good friendships they have made”; and that “there is strong respect for diversity”; they found a school where staff “want the very best for the pupils” and that this is reflected in the calm and purposeful lessons. The report also made note of the roles that students play in leading the school noting pupils are “proud of their roles as prefects, members of the school council, librarians, and mental health champions"
