Freeston Academy

Freeston Academy
Motto Learn to be free
Established 1592
Type State school
Headteacher Gillian Metcalf
Location Favell Avenue
Normanton
West Yorkshire
WF6 1HZ
England Coordinates: 53°36′29″N 1°47′02″W / 53.608°N 1.784°W
Local authority City of Wakefield
Ages 11–16
Publication Freeston Academy
Website www.thefreestonacademy.com

The Freeston Academy (known locally as just Freeston), formerly the Freeston Business and Enterprise College, is a state run, coeducational high school situated in Normanton, West Yorkshire near the city of Wakefield. It is a Business and Enterprise specialist school.

History

The academy was founded in 1592 by John Freeston of Altofts and built as a local grammar school, which was later moved to its current location in the 1950s, where only a chimney remains in the original location. The school has experienced much success over recent years with results improving consistently. In 2006, the school provided the highest number of pupils gaining five A-C GCSE grades in its history with 50% of students reaching five A-Cs, an improvement from 33% in 2004. The school has witnessed a recent injection of investment, becoming a Business and Enterprise College in 2003.

Since the start of 2003, most classrooms were given electronic whiteboards with touchscreens (as opposed to the earlier use of overhead projectors), personal laptops for teachers, a new science block and a sports centre.

The school was previously undergoing plans of demolishing, re-designing and re-building Freeston within the grounds, with a school expected to be built around 2011. Unfortunately, due to cutbacks by the Conservative/Liberal Democrat coalition government, most school-redesign projects were called off.

The school has recently been noticed by the British public after Head of Business Ed Vickerman won 'The SSAT Award for Outstanding New Teacher of the Year' at the Teaching awards 2009.

Along with a number of other secondary schools, Freeston changed itself to an academy status following cutbacks by the Conservative/LibDem coalition to the Education sector.

Academics

The last Ofsted report in September 2007 concluded that Freeston provides a sound education for its students, supported by a strong governing body and providing support for students and parents alike.[1] The school has Enterprise Hub Status and works successfully with nine West Yorkshire schools.

Notable features

References

  1. ↑ http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Education/Schools/Admission/Secondary/Schools/Freeston/Default.htm Freeston School Inspection Report

External links