Academy opens new £15m home (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Southampton academy opens its new £15m home
3:00pm Thursday 23rd February 2012 in Education
By Jon Reeve, Education Reporter
Ryan Downie and Jake Tinney at the new academy.
SOUTHAMPTON’S newest school building has officially opened for use – and created an instant buzz of excitement.
Staff and pupils at Oasis Academy Mayfield have moved into their new state-ofthe- art £15m home.
It is the latest step in the transformation of education in the east of the city, following the mergers of Grove Park and Woolston secondary schools in 2008.
It comes on the back of a huge improvement in its GCSE figures last year, which school leaders predict will continue this year.
The proportion of Year 11 pupils leaving with five or more A* to C grades almost doubled last year to 78 per cent, while more high passes in English and maths saw almost half achieve the benchmark of five good grades including the core subjects.
Visitors to yesterday’s official unveiling were met by the grand sight of the huge open space that now dominates the academy and provides its thriving focus.
Elsewhere, large windows open classrooms on to corridors, while open-plan spaces allow teachers to take lessons outside of traditional formal settings.
It is hoped the new facilities will provide a boost to the community, beyond the jobs provided through 60 per cent of the construction workforce being employed locally.
Principal John Toland said: “It’s a new home and it’s a new future.
“It does make a difference – where we work, where we live, where we study affects us.”
Comments(7)
Kerryp
says...
3:47pm Thu 23 Feb 12
Goldenwight
says...
3:48pm Thu 23 Feb 12
Stupideditor wrote:Haven't they moved the goalposts back on GCSE grades for next year? I thought it was back to a fixed percentage of As, Bs, etc.
It comes on the back of a huge improvement in its GCSE figures last year, which school leaders predict will continue this year. Thats mainly due to the academy selling off a majority of it's under performing students to an outsourced organisation. This group absorbed a majority of poor performing students thus boosting the schools over all performance. This school has no real interest in developing students abilities if they are not doing well as they have this buffer in the back ground. The only good thing about this school is it's technological advances with green energy.
Mind, that just shows relative intelligence rather than absolute.
housewife
says...
4:49pm Thu 23 Feb 12
The Watcher
says...
5:44pm Thu 23 Feb 12
Stupideditor wrote:What a ridiculous comment.
It comes on the back of a huge improvement in its GCSE figures last year, which school leaders predict will continue this year.
Thats mainly due to the academy selling off a majority of it's under performing students to an outsourced organisation. This group absorbed a majority of poor performing students thus boosting the schools over all performance. This school has no real interest in developing students abilities if they are not doing well as they have this buffer in the back ground.
The only good thing about this school is it's technological advances with green energy.
.
Selling off a majority of under performing students?
.
What a ridiculous accusation.
Stupideditor
says...
8:37pm Thu 23 Feb 12
The Watcher wrote:If only it was an accusation. Sorry Watcher but I know it to be factual.
Stupideditor wrote:What a ridiculous comment.
It comes on the back of a huge improvement in its GCSE figures last year, which school leaders predict will continue this year.
Thats mainly due to the academy selling off a majority of it's under performing students to an outsourced organisation. This group absorbed a majority of poor performing students thus boosting the schools over all performance. This school has no real interest in developing students abilities if they are not doing well as they have this buffer in the back ground.
The only good thing about this school is it's technological advances with green energy.
.
Selling off a majority of under performing students?
.
What a ridiculous accusation.
sotongirlie
says...
7:24pm Fri 24 Feb 12
Stupideditor wrote:How is it fact? You can't say that without justification.
The Watcher wrote:If only it was an accusation. Sorry Watcher but I know it to be factual.
Stupideditor wrote:What a ridiculous comment.
It comes on the back of a huge improvement in its GCSE figures last year, which school leaders predict will continue this year.
Thats mainly due to the academy selling off a majority of it's under performing students to an outsourced organisation. This group absorbed a majority of poor performing students thus boosting the schools over all performance. This school has no real interest in developing students abilities if they are not doing well as they have this buffer in the back ground.
The only good thing about this school is it's technological advances with green energy.
.
Selling off a majority of under performing students?
.
What a ridiculous accusation.
Stupideditor says...
3:44pm Thu 23 Feb 12
Thats mainly due to the academy selling off a majority of it's under performing students to an outsourced organisation. This group absorbed a majority of poor performing students thus boosting the schools over all performance. This school has no real interest in developing students abilities if they are not doing well as they have this buffer in the back ground.
The only good thing about this school is it's technological advances with green energy.