The Victory Academy opened its doors on Tuesday 15th July, launching its impressive new Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) and Sixth Form facilities.
The introduction of the new facilities strengthens the school’s impact across the Medway community and supports the trust’s mission to Transform Life Chances for all young people, regardless of their circumstance.
The opening event welcomed more than 40 attendees who have been part of the school’s journey and provided support throughout the process.
Attendees included The Worshipful The Mayor of Medway, Councillor Trevor Clarke, Councillor Vince Maple, Leader of Medway Council, Councillor Tracy Coombs, Portfolio Holder for Education at Medway Council, as well as key members of the Thinking Schools Academy Trust and local community partners.
Guests were greeted at the school, enjoying food prepared and served by pupils before being regaled with speeches from Michelle Smith, Regional Director, Oliver Owen, The Victory Academy Headteacher, and Richard Holdsworth, Chair of Governors at the school.
The blue ribbon was cut, marking the official opening of the buildings, commemorated by a plaque displayed in each reception area, before guests enjoyed a tour of each space.
The SRP, fondly named The Victory Harbour, was built to meet the increasing need for additional Special Educational Needs (SEN) support within the local community, providing the only dedicated provision for secondary pupils with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs in Medway.
When joining the Harbour, pupils will be fully integrated into the life and ethos of The Victory Academy, standing as a powerful example of inclusion, reflecting the values upheld across the entire school community.
Reflecting on the journey to opening the new provision, Michelle Smith, Regional Director for the South East at the Thinking School Academy Trust said: “It fills me with immense pride to see The Victory Harbour open its doors. This provision represents a promise to our community that every child, no matter their needs, deserves the opportunity to thrive. “I’ve seen first-hand the dedication and care that has gone into bringing this vision to life. The Harbour will be a place of safety, growth, and belonging for so many young people, and I’m honoured to be part of that journey.”
Reflecting on the journey to opening the new provision, Michelle Smith, Regional Director for the South East at the Thinking School Academy Trust said: “It fills me with immense pride to see The Victory Harbour open its doors. This provision represents a promise to our community that every child, no matter their needs, deserves the opportunity to thrive.
“I’ve seen first-hand the dedication and care that has gone into bringing this vision to life. The Harbour will be a place of safety, growth, and belonging for so many young people, and I’m honoured to be part of that journey.”
Laura Simperl, Assistant Headteacher for Alternative Provision and Personal Development, commented: “The Victory Harbour is a safe and supportive space where pupils with SEMH needs can truly thrive. We welcome our first cohort of Year 7 pupils in September, with all five spaces for our first year already allocated by the local authority. This number will grow year on year until we reach capacity of 25 pupils. We’re proud to offer a nurturing environment that helps every child feel valued and empowered to succeed.”
Laura Simperl, Assistant Headteacher for Alternative Provision and Personal Development, commented: “The Victory Harbour is a safe and supportive space where pupils with SEMH needs can truly thrive.
We welcome our first cohort of Year 7 pupils in September, with all five spaces for our first year already allocated by the local authority. This number will grow year on year until we reach capacity of 25 pupils.
We’re proud to offer a nurturing environment that helps every child feel valued and empowered to succeed.”
In addition to the SRP, the school extended its Sixth Form facilities, creating a mature space for its Key Stage Five pupils to learn. The new block is designed to provide the upper school pupils with a space that fosters independence and growth.
The state-of-the-art block includes a new social space with catering facilities and a large study room for pupils to collaborate or take time for independent study.
With the introduction of the new facilities, the main school building has gained additional classroom space, allowing younger pupils to benefit from improved learning environments.
Oliver Owen, Headteacher of The Victory Academy praised the new extensions, saying: “The opening of our new facilities marks a significant milestone in the evolution of The Victory Academy. These spaces reflect our commitment to inclusive education and our belief in nurturing every pupil’s potential. “The SRP will enable us to support pupils with SEMH needs in a truly integrated and meaningful way, while the Sixth Form expansion provides our older pupils with an environment that encourages independence and academic excellence. This is a proud moment for our entire school community.”
Oliver Owen, Headteacher of The Victory Academy praised the new extensions, saying: “The opening of our new facilities marks a significant milestone in the evolution of The Victory Academy. These spaces reflect our commitment to inclusive education and our belief in nurturing every pupil’s potential.
“The SRP will enable us to support pupils with SEMH needs in a truly integrated and meaningful way, while the Sixth Form expansion provides our older pupils with an environment that encourages independence and academic excellence. This is a proud moment for our entire school community.”