Woodham Academy is preparing for record intake of students and a new head this summer.
To prepare for the additional numbers, Woodham Academy is investing the money that the Department for Education has set aside for ‘little extras’ in the updating of the final science lab that is need of renovation as well as increasing the capacity of the dining halls by providing a self-contained sandwich bar.
September marks exciting times at Woodham Academy as Andrew Bell will be taking over as head teacher from Christine Forsyth who retires at the end of this academic year.
“There are challenges coming up to how do you make sure that standards are maintained with more students,” Mr Bell told Aycliffe Today earlier this year.
“But it’s an exciting challenge because more students, more influence and kind of, more opportunity.
“I think, ultimately, we have done a really good job with calling it, as a product, Woodham Academy. Parents are trusting us to educate their boys and girls.”
Mrs Forsyth leaves Woodham after seven years in the hot-seat.
Mr Bell added: “I think it would be natural to have concern, but I think the only thing I can say is to reassure parents is that, as I said previously, this school is in a very, very good position.
“I’ve seen what Christine did to make sure it’s there. There are not a lot of things that I have got to fix. There are things we will look at just to try and make a little bit better, every day.
“If you stand still, you’ll go backwards. So we’re going to look at everything, everything can be improved and I think that’s the best way to slowly, slowly approaches the best way to do things.”
Mr Bell has already written to all students who are due to start year 7 in September welcoming them to the school, and in addition transition events are planned on June 26 and 27, to help the integration of year 6 students into Woodham Academy.
There are also open mornings planned on June 11, 14 and 21, 9.30–11am, for parents of year 5 students who are interested are considering a secondary school for their child and are interested in seeing the academy operating as it would on a normal day.
There is also an open evening on Tuesday June 11, 6–7pm ,where members of the Leadership Group will be available to speak to parents.
Any year parent who is interested in attending can secure a place by contacting the school reception on 01325 300328.
