Wreake Valley Academy
 | |
| Established | 1971 |
|---|---|
| Type | Academy |
| Principle | Tony Pinnock |
| Location |
Parkstone Road Leicester Leicestershire LE7 1LY England Coordinates: 52°42′16″N 1°04′07″W / 52.70446°N 1.06867°W |
| DfE URN | 137983 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports Pre-academy reports |
| Students | 1337 |
| Gender | co-educational |
| Ages | 11–19 |
| Website | www.wvacademy.org |
Wreake Valley Academy (formerly Wreake Valley Community College) is a co-educational secondary school with academy status in Syston, Leicestershire, England. The school is known locally just as 'Wreake' or 'Wreake Valley', which is the name of the geographical area.
The college
WVA is an 11-19 co-educational school in Syston, Leicestershire, England. Despite its ship-like appearance, the building was actually inspired by Ziggurats and is now a listed building.[1]
The school comprises the High School, the Upper School and the Sixth Form (now officially known as Post 16). The High School is for students in years 7, 8 and 9 (11–14 years old), the Upper School is for students in years 10 and 11, where students take their GCSEs (ages 14–16), the Sixth Form is for students who are taking their A-Levels (ages 16+).
Students may join the college at any time. However it is usual for students to join in the September of their year 7 (aged 11) direct from primary school or at year 10 (aged 14) if coming from another high school in the area (e.g. The Roundhill Academy in Thurmaston). The policy for entry to the school is due to be altered as a result of the introduction of the new principle, Anthony Pinnock
The college has three floors, the largest being the ground floor where the foyer is located. The Sixth Form is also on the ground floor. However lessons may be taken anywhere around the school. On the ground floor is the school shop, as well as three canteens.
The sixth form
Students in England have the option to leave school aged 16, once completing their GCSEs. It is optional for students to 'stay-on' in further education. The college's sixth form has grown in recent years, in 2005 there were only 71 students taking their A2 exams. In September 2004 the college, in an attempt to increase Post 16 numbers such as GNVQs. Many students progress to higher education and each year a number of students gain admission to prestigious Universities e.g. Oxbridge, Imperial College London and Warwick and courses such as medicine, veterinary medicine, economics and law.
The sixth form has its own area within the college, where only adults, students, sixth formers and staff are permitted to visit. Within this area are a number of classrooms varying in size and a quiet study area. There is also a common room for sixth form students to enjoy during break and lunch times or during free/study periods.
Students in the sixth form may take part in a number of extra-curricula activities, including Young Enterprise, Community Sports Leadership Award, many sports clubs e.g. football, rugby union and basketball.
Wreake Valley Community College has its own Proscenium stage on which Wreake Valley's students have performed in a variety of shows including Les Misérables (2008), RENT (2010) and We Will Rock You (2011).
Lesson structure
Since 2001 the school has operated on a two week timetable.
Extra-Curricular Activities
The Air Training Corps (ATC) is a military based youth organisation for 13–20 year olds and the local squadron (No 1181 Syston Squadron) is based in the grounds of the Academy.