Brooke Weston Partnership
Corby Business Academy
Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Corby Business Academy Head Boy Jordan Joseph, and MP for Corby Phil Hope, at the opening of Corby Business Academy February 13, 2009.
The CBA is officially opened by Prime Minister Gordon Brown
25 February, 2009
Prime Minister, Gordon Brown officially opened Corby Business Academy in a high-profile ceremony attended by politicians, sponsors, education chiefs and civic dignitaries.
Gordon Brown said it 'is a great day for Corby, it's a great day for education and it's a great day for our country… it's a facility that shows that everybody here is concerned about the future of our young people and the future of education.'
The Prime Minister was given a tour of the £30m building, designed by Fosters and Partners by the Academy's Head Boy and Head Girl, and accompanied by Principal, Dr Andrew Campbell.
The opening marks the fruition of a five-year project by Brooke Weston, the Weston Foundation, the de Capell Brooke family and Bee Bee Developments to sponsor and build a new school in the town. Brooke Weston was itself sponsored by Hugh de Capell Brooke and the Weston Foundation, so they have given nearly two decades of unswerving support to education and young people in Corby.
Dr Campbell, Peter Simpson, Executive Principal of the Brooke Weston Partnership, Mr George Weston and Mr Phil Hope, MP for Corby, all spoke at the event, which was also attended by Mr Alf Buller from Bee Bee Developments and Kerry James, Chair of Governors at the Academy.
Mr Weston, Chair of Trustees, commended Mr Simpson and Dr Campbell for their 'energy, tenacity and thoroughness' throughout the development of the Academy. He thanked the Prime Minister for the Government funding and told the students and staff at the Academy to 'be very proud of it, look after it and make the most of what it has to offer.'
Mr Simpson thanked all of those involved, particularly the sponsors for their contribution: He said George Weston and the Weston Foundation's support was 'an act of faith in what we could achieve' and that Hugh de Capell Brooke, who was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony, had an 'interest and commitment' that was undaunted. Alf Buller from Bee Bee Developments was 'a terrific supporter… and it's a great pleasure that we see a developer putting education at the forefront of their initiatives'.
Mr Phil Hope, described as 'an absolute stalwart supporter' of the Academy said:' One of the great things about what is happening in education in Corby is that every school has worked together to support every other school. It's a great aspiration that schools work together in partnership to make sure that we give the best possible futures to our children.'
After marking the occasion by unveiling a commemorative plaque, Mr Brown spoke of the continuing investment and regeneration of Corby and summed up by saying: 'The facilities are amazing, but the most important thing that I've seen this morning is the morale and the determination and the commitment. The feeling that everybody has here; that we are all part of a great project where everyone pulls together. Corby works best when Corby works together just as Britain works best when Britain works together. You should be incredibly proud of what you are achieving. This is not only a monument to people's belief in education, this will ensure that thousands of young people get better chances than they have ever had before. It will mean that you will be skilled and will have a highly educated workforce in the years to come, but it will mean most of all that young people can realise their dreams.'
Afterwards Mr Simpson said: 'The day went very well, it was a great pleasure for us to have the Prime Minister with us and an honour to the school. The whole community was pleased to see him and we are delighted with the way the day has gone. He was an excellent communicator with the young people. It was a great day for Corby, a great day for the regeneration of the town and a great day for the school.'