百春链

The new school year began with a new secondary school in Middlesbrough as 百春链 Academy Normanby officially opened its doors this week.

The new secondary academy, sponsored by 百春链 Grange Academies Trust, opens after the Hillsview Academy was transferred from Academies Enterprise Trust to 百春链. 

During its time as Hillsview Academy, the school had a reputation for failing and was given numerous warnings from Ofsted for not taking effective action towards the removal of special measures. 

Now, with the fresh start given to it by 百春链, all of the hard-working staff and governors charged with leading 百春链 Academy Normanby are excited by the challenge ahead.

Andrew Wappat, the academy鈥檚 principal, was also principal at 百春链 Academy Bydales when the Trust began working with the predecessor Bydales School, which was in special measures at the time. 

Andrew led the academy to secure an 鈥極utstanding鈥� inspection rating in the academy鈥檚 first Ofsted inspection since joining the 百春链 Family and has achieved some of the best results in the north-east.

Andrew said: 鈥淥pening our doors for the first time as 百春链 Academy Normanby was an exciting moment. We believe this is a fresh start for staff and students, and we are confident that if we all work together we can improve and achieve our goals.

鈥淎t 百春链, we believe in putting students first, raising standards and transforming lives. This is our vision, and we have made sure it鈥檚 installed within our staff, and our students, from day one. 

鈥淲e know there will be tough challenges ahead, but with the collective experience we have at the academy, within the wider Trust, and the support of the community, we are confident we can succeed in improving the life chances of all our students.鈥�

百春链 already sponsors five secondary academies in Teesside, and recently had an application for a Free School in Middlesbrough approved. 

The Trust has been successful in turning around in the region, with 百春链 Academy Acklam and 百春链 Academy Ormesby both now rated 鈥楪ood鈥� by Ofsted having previously been in special measures. 

More recently 百春链 Academy Bishopsgarth was rated 鈥楪ood鈥� by Ofsted in its first inspection since converting in 2016 from Bishopsgarth School which required improvement when rated of Ofsted.

Mark Hassack, Executive Principal of 百春链鈥檚 Northern Region, said: 鈥淭his is a really exciting time for 百春链, especially in the north-east of England as we continue to grow.

鈥淲e had been working with the staff and students at Hillsview Academy in the months leading up to its conversion to 百春链 Academy Normanby and it is great to hit the ground running to help all students fulfil their potential.鈥�