Outwood Academy Freeston Explained

Outwood Academy Freeston
Coordinates:53.6953°N -1.4124°W
Head:Lisa Allott
Head Label:Principal
Address:Favell Avenue
Country:England
Postcode:WF6 1HZ
Urn:145937
Lower Age:11
Upper Age:16
Students:1061[1]
Publication:The Freeston Academy
Motto:Students first

Outwood Academy Freeston (known locally as Freeston), formerly The Freeston Academy, is a state run, coeducational high school situated in Normanton, West Yorkshire near the city of Wakefield.[2] It is a Business and Enterprise specialist school.

The school is operated by Outwood Grange Academies Trust, and the current principal is Lisa Allott.[3]

History

The school's history dates back to the late 1500s, when Normanton Grammar School was founded and endowed by John Freeston of Altofts, a local barrister.[4] [5] The school was later moved to its current location in the 1950s, where only a chimney remains in the original location.

Along with a number of other secondary schools, Freeston changed itself to an academy status in 2011. Its school motto was "Making the Difference in the Business of Learning".

On 20 August 2015 the academy library and ICT lab caught fire and burnt down as a result of maintenance work being carried out on the roof.[6] [7]

On 8 September 2017 Wakefield City Academies Trust announced it was disbanding.[8]

On 30 January 2018 Outwood Grange Academies Trust was named as the new sponsor for The Freeston Academy.[9] The school transferred to its new sponsor on 1 June 2018, reopening as Outwood Academy Freeston.

Academics

The last Ofsted report in September 2017 concluded that Freeston provides a sound education for its students, supported by a strong governing body and providing support for students and parents alike.[10] The school has Enterprise Hub Status and works with nine West Yorkshire schools.

External links

Notes and References

  1. http://www.tes.co.uk/jobDetailsSilver_schoolInfo.aspx?ac=2734822&qry=keywords%3dFreeston&rslt=1&cur=1&UK=true TES
  2. Web site: Outwood Academy Freeston. get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. Department for Education. 1 May 2018. en.
  3. Web site: Outwood Academy Freeston. get-information-schools.service.gov.uk. 20 March 2022.
  4. Web site: Mackinnon. John. History of Normanton. www.normantontowncouncil.co.uk. 4 March 2018. en-gb.
  5. Web site: School History. Frestonian. 4 March 2018.
  6. News: Fire ravages Normanton school building. 20 August 2015. BBC News.
  7. Web site: Blaze hit school "will be open for start of term".
  8. News: Perraudin. Frances. Collapsing academy trust 'asset-stripped its schools of millions'. 30 November 2017. The Observer. 21 October 2017.
  9. News: Hazell. Will. Outwood Grange confirmed as sponsor of six schools from failed Wakefield City Academies Trust Tes News. 1 May 2018. www.tes.com. 30 January 2018. en.
  10. http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Education/Schools/Admission/Secondary/Schools/Freeston/Default.htm Freeston School Inspection Report