HALESOWEN’S historic Earls High School has launched a new initiative to reconnect with the local community it has served since 1652.

Vice Principal Richard Jacobs has outlined the school’s plans to become ‘a major institution within the life of the local community and an agent of community cohesion’.

A new building renovation is part of the initiative with the school’s entrance being overhauled, a new reception block being built and parking provision being improved.

In front of an audience of invited guests and at the Earls High’s annual presentation evening, Mr Jacobs said: “Since 1652 The Earls High School has played a major part in the life of Halesowen.

“We were the first school here and we pride ourselves in still being the school that best represents what the parents of Halesowen want for their children – high academic attainment achieved within a caring but disciplined environment.”

Community Ties will see the school paying more attention is being made of local people’s opinions with an recent online survey helping collate new ideas for improving school life.

And to demonstrate the school’s commitment to community cohesion the Guests of Honour at the presentation evening was Inspector Harvi Khatkar, lead officer in community policing from the Halesowen Police Station and her successor Inspector Gary Malpass.

Mr Jacobs added: “For centuries The Earls and the local church formed the core of Halesowen town.

“Many of us here at The Earls live in Halesowen – it’s our home as well as our history. And because of that The Earls has always cared passionately about the local community.

“With this new initiative ‘Community Ties’ we will show the people of Halesowen how much we do care.”

The Earls High School is now a Specialist College in the Performing Arts and Languages and achieved it’s second best ever examination results in the summer of 2009.

For more information about the school and its community projects visit www.earlshighschool.org.