THE head of Accrington’s Moorhead Sports College has been appointed principal of the borough’s first-ever academy.

Andrew Bateman will head up the Accrington Academy when it opens in Queens Road West in September, making it the first learning institution in the borough to become independent of local authority control.

Father-of-two Mr Bateman, who has been at Moorhead since 2001, said he was very excited by the opportunity to lead the academy.

He said: “I have been closely involved with the United Learning Trust over the past year in developing this proposal and I am delighted to have the chance to take forward what we have been planning.

“We have achieved a great deal at Moorhead but there is still a long way to go and this can be accelerated by the investment, independence and support that we will receive by becoming an academy.”

Sir Ewan Harper, chief executive of sponsors the United Learning Trust, said Mr Bateman had been “critical to the progress made by the college over the past few years”.

He added: “We have had the pleasure of working with Mr Bateman over the past year in his current position. His considerable experience in education and his drive and commitment shone through in a very strong field of applicants for the post.”

The academy plans were unveiled last year.

If they are finally approved, refurbishment work would begin immediately and the new academy would open in September 2008 in the existing Moorhead building. Any new or remodelled buildings would be ready by 2011, subject to the release of capital funding.

A consultation period about the proposals has now ended and the plans are expected to be determined by Hyndburn Council’s Cabinet next month.Notes to Sub: