Walbottle Academy, previously 'Walbottle Campus and Walbottle Campus Technology College', is a large secondary Academy in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It is one of the largest secondary academies in Newcastle.

Walbottle Academy
Address
Map
Hexham Road

, ,
NE15 9TP

England
Coordinates54°59′48″N 1°44′27″W / 54.996566°N 1.740903°W / 54.996566; -1.740903
Information
TypeAcademy
MottoOutcomes focused, Child centred
TrustNorthern Education Trust
Department for Education URN148135 Tables
OfstedReports
Executive PrincipalsMichael Robson and Nikki Gibb
PrincipalRichard Harrison
GenderMixed-sex
Enrolment1619
Capacity1885

History

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The school first opened in 1959 as three schools on one site, a Grammar School and two Secondary Moderns. These later merged to become the single Walbottle Campus Technology College. The majority of the school's students come from feeder Primary Schools which are members of the Outer West Learning Trust, of which Walbottle Campus is an Associate Member. In 2008, Walbottle Campus received a new building as part of the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) private finance initiative scheme. Previously named Walbottle Campus Technology College, the government removed funding for the 'technology college' status and therefore the school was renamed Walbottle Campus.

Academisation

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Following Walbottle Academy’s predecessor school's Ofsted inspection in February 2019 and the Inadequate judgement,[1] Walbottle Campus began plans to convert to Academy Status.[2] In July 2019, Walbottle Campus received its academy order from former Secretary of State for Education Damian Hinds and talks began between Multi Academy Trusts and the board of governors.

Northern Education Trust, a successful academy trust based in Ryton, Gateshead, showed excessive interest [clarification needed] in working with Newcastle City Council to help transform Walbottle Campus with regards to behaviour, student grades and attainment and school management. Northern Education Trust made an arrangement with Newcastle City Council to manage the school and improve it before set decisions were made regarding the school's future.

It was confirmed in January 2020, that due to a successful trial, Northern Education Trust would become the official sponsor for Walbottle Campus, aiming to officially takeover the school in September 2020.

Walbottle Campus became an official member of the Northern Education Trust on 1 September 2020, and therefore was renamed 'Walbottle Academy'.[3]

Senior Leadership Team

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Walbottle Academy is run by Northern Education Trust, with the following staff leading the academy.

Michael Robson - Senior Executive Principal

Nikki Gibb - Executive Principal

Richard Harrison - Prinicipal

Building

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Walbottle Academy's new building opened in 2008 after being rebuilt as part of the governments Phase 1 PFI Newcastle Building Schools for the Future Programme. It opened alongside six other schools which were also rebuilt in the Phase 1 part of the programme. Four other schools later opened in 2011 as part of Phase 2 of the programme.

  • A Wing - Health and Social Care, Child Development and Care, Business studies, Sixth Form & SEN Department.
  • B Wing - Humanities and MFL
  • C Wing - English
  • D Wing - Mathematics and Art
  • E Wing - Technology
  • F Wing - Science
  • H Wing - Physical Education, Performing Arts, Music, Head of School and Main Administration
  • K Main Street - Entrance to all wing, I.C.T Classrooms, Cafe and Library

School performance and inspections

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In the Ofsted Inspection of 2016, Walbottle Campus was graded 'good' after previously receiving 'requires improvement' on previous inspections.[citation needed]

Walbottle Campus had a ‘no notice’ inspection in February 2019. The result of the inspection was that Walbottle was judged Inadequate for all aspects of the inspection and lost their ‘Good’ Judgement.[4]

As of 2023, the school's most recent inspection was in January 2023, with an outcome of Good.[5]

References

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  1. ^ Smith, Chris (2019). "Walbottle Campus". Ofsted. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  2. ^ Dickinson, Katie (9 October 2019). "Head teacher of Walbottle Campus steps down after taking early retirement, school governors say". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  3. ^ "Walbottle Academy - GOV.UK". Find and compare schools in England. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  4. ^ Smith, Chris (2019). "Walbottle Campus". Ofsted. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
  5. ^ Spurr, Katie (2023). "Inspection of Walbottle Academy". Ofsted. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
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