Belfairs Academy

Belfairs Academy (formerly Belfairs High School) is a non-selective secondary school with academy status in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, England. The current head teacher of the school is Greg Rodolfo.^[1] The school was inspected by Ofsted in November 2016 following concerns that progress had stagnated, particularly in key subjects. It is expected that the school will retain the "Good" grading but that progress will have slowed or stopped.^[2]

According to a 2010 Ofsted report, Belfairs High School is an "inclusive school community and provides good levels of care, guidance and support for students, whatever their background or heritage".^[3]

History

On Friday 18 March 1955 the UK Minister of Education David Eccles joined local dignitaries at Belfairs High School to open eight schools in the County Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

The opening of these eight schools in the Southend-on-Sea borough would "represent an addition of 3,520 school places." During this period, demand upon the council to increase school locations was driven by a number of factors.

During the war, the County Borough suffered relatively little damage to the school buildings. Only two schools were severely bombed, and the post-war urgent need for new school places was therefore only caused in a small part by war damage. The greatest need has been to provide schools for the increased numbers of children of school age, due to an increased total population, the higher birth rate, and the raising of the school leaving age from 14 to 15 in 1947.

With an increase in total school places across the borough, a large proportion of these places were created in the development of Belfairs High School. Belfairs was originally conceived as a comprehensive school for 1,600 boys but due to the 'changes in national economy and the need for more school places' the site was developed into two 'Modern Secondary Schools,' Belfairs High School for boys and Belfairs High School for girls.

The two schools were created to serve the area of Leigh-on-Sea, with a zone extending from the western boundary of the County Borough to Southbourne Grove and Crowstone Road. They replaced the former West Leigh High School, which was part of an "all-age" school built before the First World War.

So that the council met the demands for school places, they had already predicted the increase in numbers. The estimated number of students registered was expected to increase over the first five years from 800 to over 1,400 students. In later years, the school adopted a coeducational approach and extended the age range of students to 11-18.

In July 2009, the school was given permission for a £24 million rebuild. Belfairs High School will be the only school in Southend to be completely rebuilt under the previous government's 'Building School's for the Future' scheme.^[4]

In September 2011, the newly built school building was opened.

In March 2012, Belfairs was granted Academy Status coinciding along with a newly appointed head, taking responsibility from Headteacher John Duprey, Beverly Williams. In June 2013, Belfairs Academy was rated 'Good' in the latest Ofsted Inspection. In April 2014, it was announced that the Principal Beverly Williams would step down and depart and a search would begin for a new Principal. In May 2014, it was announced by the Academy Governors that Beverly Williams no longer planned on departing the Academy stating that: She wishes to develop the Academy into an outstanding school.

In January 2015, it was announced that Belfairs Academy and Cecil Jones College would be combined to form an academy trust with Beverly Williams as Executive Headteacher, headquartered at Belfairs Academy Site. Following the move to the Legra, Trust Mr. Greg Rodolfo was appointed Principal, and Mrs. Beverly Williams is largely focusing on the other schools in the trust, particularly Cecil Jones Academy. Some parents are concerned that this has resulted in a slowing down of improvements at Belfairs Academy.

The Parent View results undertaken as part of the Ofsted Inspection showed a considerable deterioration with over 40% of parents not recommending the school.

Former students

• The Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford
• Actor, Robert Daws

Parent view

All results are based on the November 2016 survey and from 142 parents.

77% of parents reported their child was happy or very happy at the school. 53% of parents reported their child made good progress 47% of parents reported that the school was well led 58% of parents would recommend this school to another parent.

Academic standards

Students' achievement is good with 69% of students achieving 5 A*-C GCSE grades (including English and Maths) in 2013 against a national average of 59%.^[5] Historically, the number of students who achieve five A* to C GCSE passes, including English and mathematics, has been lower. However, in the past few years, concerted efforts by the Academy staff and leadership team has seen very big improvements.

As of the June 2010 Ofsted inspection the school was rated Good.

In June 2013, Belfairs was once again rated 'Good'.

Ofsted report

The Academy was last inspected^[6] in June 2013 and judged to be Good.

Highlights of the report were:

"Significant progress has been made since the appointment of the new headteacher. She offers clear and visionary leadership and is successfully leading the Academy through a period of considerable change".

"Teaching and learning are good in most lessons; In some they are outstanding".

"Behaviour is good. Students attend regularly, are polite and feel safe and valued in a harmonious setting".

References

External links

• www.belfairs.southend.sch.uk Official site
• Ofsted Official site