Langdon Academy

Langdon Academy (formerly Langdon School) is a coeducational all-through school with academy status, located on Sussex Road, in the London Borough of Newham, England.

It is situated in East Ham, close to the junction of the A1214 (Barking Road) with the North Circular Road (A406): the school playing fields border on to the A406. This is near the eastern end terminus of the A406 with the A13 in Wallend, close to the boundary of Newham and Barking and Dagenham and Barking Creek. The river Roding runs behind the school in Barking.

Admissions

Langdon Academy is a school for pupils aged 3–16, which admitted its first primary cohort in 2011. A £26 million building works programme has been completed in time for the 2013/14 academic year, in time for the appointment of Principal Chris Mallaband, who he left the Academy at the end of the spring term. Now Peter Whittle is the new Principal of the academy and looks forward to succeed with Langdon Academy.

History

In 1905 a mixed grammar school was opened on Barking Road. East Ham Grammar School for Girls was opened on Plashet Grove in 1932, and this became Plashet School, a separate school, in 1972.

The Langdon buildings were completed in 1953 on former marshland on the eastern border of East Ham with Barking, when administered by the County Borough of East Ham. They consisted of three schools: Burges Manor (girls), Thomas Lethaby (boys) and East Ham Grammar School for Boys. The two secondary modern schools, Burgess Manor and Thomas Lethaby, had been newly formed for the site in 1950/1 but the Grammar School had previously occupied a site at East Ham Town Hall and was founded in 1905. It moved from Barking Road to Langdon Crescent in 1952.

Comprehensive

In 1972 the two secondary modern schools and the boys' grammar school were amalgamated to create a large 12-form entry mixed comprehensive school. Newham created thirteen 11–18 comprehensives, later to dispose of many sixth forms in 1992 except for two faith schools. In September 1998 Langdon School was awarded sports college status by the DFES.

On 12 October 2005 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the school and met some children who had been Young Ambassadors to the Olympic vote in Singapore in July of that year. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair also visited in the same year. Visitors from around the world came to visit the School to share in the outstanding progress made there during the Headship of Ms Wiseman, (1992-2009) with the school being awarded three Outstanding grades in OFSTED Inspections, the last being in 2009. Pupils attended the Youth Debate in front of the world leaders assembled for the G8 summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. They also met the former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela at a rally in London to promote the aims of the Milleninum Goals. Langdon also received many visitors from around the world during this period.

Academy

The school converted to academy status on 1 January 2014 and was renamed Langdon Academy. The school is now sponsored by the Brampton Manor Academy Trust.

Uniform

The uniform for all secondary Langdon Academy pupils is a black blazer which is compulsory, The classic maroon jumper is still worn but is optional. Hoodies are banned.

Notable former pupils

East Ham Grammar School for Boys

• Barry Bloomfield, President from 1990-2 of the Bibliographical Society
• Sir Norman Browse, President from 1992-95 of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
• Ronnie Boyce, midfielder for West Ham
• John Buck, Ambassador to Portugal from 2004-7
• Clive Burr, drummer
• Prof William Harold Joseph Childs FRSE, physicist
• Prof Colin Curds, zoologist
• Gerry Davies OBE, Director of the Booksellers Association of the United Kingdom & Ireland from 1964–66 and 1970–81, and President from 1978–81 of the International Booksellers Federation
• Terrance Dicks, scriptwriter, especially for Doctor Who
• Richard Digance, comedian
• Ron Edgeworth, piano player, married to Judith Durham (lead vocalist of The Seekers from Australia)
• Sir Christopher France, Permanent Secretary from 1992-5 of the Ministry of Defence and from 1987–92 of the Department of Health
• Roy Hammond, Director from 1979-85 of the City of Birmingham Polytechnic (now Birmingham City University)
• Ronald Howlett OBE, Managing Director from 1978–88 of Cwmbran Development Corporation
• Peter Hucker, goalkeeper for QPR
• Derek Johnson, 800m runner who won silver at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics
• Barrie Keeffe, playwright who wrote The Long Good Friday
• Barry Knight (cricketer), played for Essex
• Wolf Mankowitz, playwright
• Sir Edward Osmotherly CB, Chairman from 1994-2001 of the Commission for Local Administration in England, and from 1998-2001 of the British and Irish Ombudsman Association, mainly known for his Osmotherly Rules
• Harry Pout CB OBE, Director from 1969–72 of the Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment
• Sir Norman Prichard, Chairman from 1964-8 of the London Boroughs Association
• Ian Rushbrook, former Managing Director from 1990-2008 of the Edinburgh-based Personal Assets Trust (PAT plc), who accurately predicted the credit crunch in July 2007
• Pete Strange, jazz trombonist
• Michael Tabor, racehorse trainer
• Leonard Tyte, former Director of the Mining Research Establishment

Langdon Secondary School

• Ayo Falola, athletics coach
• Chris Gladwin, Essex cricketer
• Michael Hector centre back for Reading F.C.
• Kane Robinson (Kano) English rapper and actor
• Aaron Sugumar Musician
• Kele Le Roc, singer
• Les Sealey, goalkeeper
• Steve Whitton, West Ham striker

Former teachers

• Dame Joan McVittie (Deputy Head Teacher from 1996-98 of Langdon School), President from 2011-12 of the Association of School and College Leaders
• Peter Sharp (science teacher from 1978-80 at Langdon School), former Chief Executive of the Centre for Workforce Intelligence

External links

• Official website
• Rebuild the clock tower (Reunion Website)
• Archives website