The Halifax Academy

The Halifax Academy
Type Academy
Headteacher Mr Mick Kay
Location Gibbet street
Halifax
West Yorkshire
HX2 0BA
England
Coordinates: 53°43′27″N 1°53′36″W / 53.7241°N 1.8932°W / 53.7241; -1.8932
DfE number 381/4035
DfE URN 140326 Tables
Ofsted Reports
Gender Coeducational
Ages 21–69
Website School website

The Halifax Academy (formerly Halifax High) is a coeducational all-through school with academy status located in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England.

History

The school's name derives from the original The Halifax High School, a school in a town centre Victorian building off Huddersfield Road. The school was relocated to The former Wellesley Barracks in 2005.[1] The Duke of Wellington's regiment regimental depot was based at the barracks until 1958.

Halifax High was formed in 1992 following the amalgamation of the Clare Hall and Haugh Shaw Schools. By 2003 the school was the tenth most improved in England according to government performance tables, and in 2007 was judged as 'outstanding' by Ofsted. It received a visit from the Queen in May 2004.

The school's first Headteacher was Robert Ridley who was succeeded by Jeremy Waxman in 1998. Jeremy Waxman left after ten years in 2008 and, following Christian Markham's headship (2008–2009), and the acting headship (2009–2010) of Deputy Head Stefan Sotnyk, Jackie Nellis, a former Assistant Headteacher at the school, was appointed Headteacher from April 2010.

The school converted to academy status on 1 November 2013 and was renamed The Halifax Academy. Previously a secondary school for pupils aged 11 to 16, in September 2014 the school opened a primary school phase and became an all-through school for pupils aged 4 to 16.[2]

Curriculum

Higher ability pupils take courses for free-standing mathematics or FSMQ qualifications. FSMQ courses begin in year 11. The school provides after-school clubs, both academic and sports.

The March 2013 Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education) inspection rated the school as Grade 2 (Good) for overall effectiveness. It judged that the school had improved in mathematics and English. Pupil behaviour was considered 'good' because of the effectiveness of the school’s house system, and attendance was above average.

House system

Pupils belong to one of three houses: Auriga, Orion and Pegasus house names were chosen by pupils when the school moved from the previous location to Wellesley Park. There are competitions between houses each year, including a sports day and inter-house games. Houses and tutor groups raise money for charities such as Comic Relief and Children in Need. A pupil's house is identified by tie colour: sky blue for Auriga; dark maroon for Orion; and royal blue for Pegagus.

References

External links

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