The Winsford Academy

History

The Winsford Academy was established in September 2010 following the amalgamation of the two predecessor schools; Verdin High School and Woodford Lodge High School. Its history dates back to 1895, overseeing a series of name changes as well as changes to its education and buildings.

Verdin Era – 1895 to 2008

The Verdin Era spans from 1895 to 2008 and partially to 2010 - all name changes to the school retained the term 'Verdin' from its original founders; The Verdin Family. The school was initially known to residents of Winsford as the 'Tec', but later, the term 'Verdin' had been used to refer to the school, rather than the family which founded it.

Origins

During the 1890s, there was a growing demand for technical education and an attempt was made by Mr William Henry Verdin, of Darnhall Hall, Darnhall to convert Darnhall School into a Science and Technical School, but was rejected in 1893. However, the demand for a new type of education was there and to achieve this, money and individual initiative was all that was required. The money was provided by the activities of Mr (later Sir) Joseph Verdin, Bart, of The Brockhurst, Northwich.

Sir Joseph Verdin and his brothers, Robert and William ran a family salt business known as Joseph Verdin & Sons (formerly Joseph and Richard Verdin), co-founded by their father, Joseph and his brother, Richard. They owned six salt plants in various locations throughout Cheshire, employed over 1,000 people and produced approximately 353,000 tons of salt annually; it was the largest salt manufacturer in the United Kingdom by 1881. Having few descendants, they used their wealth to benefit the local community; they gave the Institute in Moulton which "provided facilities for the education of their workforce", the Victoria Infirmary (presented by Robert) and Verdin Park in Northwich. In Winsford, they provided the Albert Infirmary (formerly Highfield House, the home of The Verdin Family) which was presented by William and the first public swimming baths known as Verdin Baths; built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887 and was funded by Joseph and William.

During the 1880s, salt production was thriving, but due to the increased pumping of brine from beneath the ground led to huge problems of subsidence, particularly in Winsford and Northwich. Fields sank, roads cracked and houses slipped leading to costly repairs. People whose property was affected sought compensation, but the difficulty arose in identifying who was to blame, as pumping can affect an area several miles away.

In 1889, The Verdin Trust was established by Sir Joseph Verdin to compensate people for subsidence caused by brine pumping. However, in 1891 the Brine Pumping (Compensation for Subsidence) Act was introduced to provide compensation for owners of property, thereby rendering the Trust redundant. As a result, Sir Joseph Verdin decided to use the money in other ways which includes the construction and development of the Verdin Technical Schools in Winsford and Northwich - the one in Winsford which is known as Verdin Technical School was a prototype for a second and larger one in Northwich, that eventually opened in 1897 as Verdin Technical Schools & Gymnasium (latterly in use as Cheshire School of Art and Design, which closed in 2012).

The location for the Verdin Technical School in Winsford was determined when a site was bought adjacent to the Over Board School near the junction of High Street and Grange Lane. The design of the building was identified via a 'best design' competition that was won by Messrs Woodhouse and Willoughby, Architects, of Manchester. The construction was left to Messrs James Fowles and Sons, of Winsford and the building began with the foundation stone being laid down on 4 August 1894 by Mr William Henry Verdin, Joseph's brother. As the land was well-drained into a gully, now covered over and eventually found its way into the River Weaver. This allowed the construction of a basement and workshops to be built at ground level in the steep fall at the rear, isolating it from the general teaching rooms. On 8 August 1895, the building was officially opened by the Duke and Duchess of Westminster. The foundation stone and an inscription marking the opening ceremony can still be seen at the front of the building.

Verdin Technical School – 1895 to 1906

The Verdin Technical School opened on 9 September 1895 enrolling 43 students on the first day. It housed four separate, but overlapping institutions, consisting of a Day School, Evening Classes, Gymnasium and a Laundry. It "grew slowly at first before gaining a reputation throughout the years as one of the most enterprising in Cheshire".

Woodford Lodge – 1971 to 2008

Woodford Lodge High School (initially Woodford Lodge County Comprehensive School and Woodford Lodge County High School) was established in 1971 on a 30-acre site in the outskirts of Winsford, when it was a developing town with an increasing population. Its name remained until 2008 and partially to 2010.

Federation – 2008 to 2010

In the United Kingdom, many schools have become part of a 'Federation' which consists of a group of schools federated together. There are many benefits associated with a Federation such as being able to share resources and specialities whilst retaining their own identity, and its "strategic and financial advantages of a Federation have provided schools with different models of leadership allowing schools to run more efficiently".

The former Local Authority, Cheshire County Council undertook an extensive review of educational provision and surplus places during 2007 under the Transforming Learning Communities Programme. The outcome of the review resulted in the decision to Federate Verdin High School and Woodford Lodge High School that was officially completed in January 2008, under the name 'Winsford High School Federation'. The Federation was led and managed by a Principal and a single Governing Body of 21 Governors. Both schools had a site headteacher and senior managers were appointed to the Federation, however, most aspects of provision were managed on one site.

The Federation was established in preparation for another proposal, the establishment of an all-through school in Winsford by 2012. The proposal would bring together primary, secondary and special provision in Winsford as one educational establishment with hopes it would be supported by Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. However, due to central government uncertainties, there has been a delay in the entry of 19 local authorities into the programme, including Cheshire West and Chester Council. As a result, funding has not been available for the all-through proposal.

On 19 April 2008, it was announced that Mr Martin Howlett was appointed as Principal of the Winsford High School Federation, and the two site headteachers appointed were Mr Paul Harrington for Verdin High School and Mr John Foreman for Woodford Lodge High School.

Both Verdin High School and Woodford Lodge High School retained their names under the Winsford High School Federation when it was established in January 2008, and its uniforms remained the same. However, under the Federation, Verdin High School was known as 'Verdin Site' and Woodford Lodge High School was known as 'Woodford Site'. The Federation had its own logo as well as two identical logos with the site names underneath to represent both schools. The former websites for both schools (www.verdin.cheshire.sch.uk and www.woodford.cheshire.sch.uk) became virtual learning environments (VLEs), with a new Federation website (www.wsf.cheshire.sch.uk) that represented and provided information for both schools respectively.

Proposed Academy

On 3 March 2010, it was announced that the two Federated schools would close to make way for an Academy by as early as September 2010. There would also be a new £20 million school building that will accommodate 1,700 students (1,500 for 11–16 and 200 for post-16) and is expected to be built on a site behind the Verdin Exchange. The site was once earmarked for former Local Authority, Cheshire County Council's original plan of a £73 million all-through school, which was ruled out due to a lack of available central funding. The proposed Academy would initially run from the two existing school sites and Cheshire West and Chester Council are still hoping that "the Academy could still be the first stage of an eventual 'all-through education concept', which will include special schools and special needs pupils". A six-week public consultation programme on the proposed closure and commence this month.

On 10 March 2010, the Local Authority, Cheshire West and Chester Council issued a document as the first part of the formal public consultation process and aims to provide as much information as possible on the proposal to close the two Federated schools on 31 August 2010, and replace them with one Academy on 1 September 2010 to serve the Winsford area. It also seeks to gather views from students, parents, staff, governors, the local community and other key stakeholders who are interested in the proposal. The public consultation is designed to make sure that all those involved can see and understand why the proposal is being put forward and have the opportunity to comment on and/or object to the proposal. The consultation will last 6 weeks through March/April 2010, allowing the council to gather as much feedback as possible. During this period, the sponsors will run a separate consultation on the proposed Academy.

A key highlight in the proposal shows a decline in student numbers with over 600 empty places at the two Federated schools when combined, and there would be no additional funding to support the other options which have been considered. However, the Academy programme "provides significant capital investment for either a new building or adaptation and refurbishment". The council is supporting the proposal and have identified a sponsor who would have the appropriate skills and resources to support the Academy in the longer term. The sponsor will be responsible for running the Academy, should the proposal be approved and E-ACT are interested in being the sponsor, having also confirmed it would adopt the Local Authority's admission arrangements, meaning anyone could apply for a place.

The proposed Academy would have 1,700 places (1,500 for 11–16 and 200 post-16) and students at the two closing Federated schools would automatically transfer to the new Academy from 1 September 2010, should they wish to do so. The Academy would open utilising the two existing school sites and the Local Authority will work with the sponsor to ensure smooth transition. Pupils that are due to transfer in Year 7 to Verdin or Woodford in September 2010 would be offered a place at the new Academy. If the proposed Academy does not go ahead, the two Federated schools would continue under its Winsford High School Federation and "other proposals would have to be developed to deal with the need to improve performance".

On 21 April 2010, it was announced that the six-week public consultation is due to end today. However, concerns were raised by parents who attended a meeting held by Winsford Town Council on 19 April 2010, that 'inadequate' information was provided by Cheshire West and Chester Council. For example, Lynne Miller, who attended with her daughter - a student at Woodford Lodge, said: "We have not been provided with the information as promised. Everyone has a view but without the information how on earth can we respond?" The town council supports parents' concerns and are wanting the consultation period to be extended to December. Should the consultation not be extended, a decision will be made in a weeks' time on the proposed Academy.

On 28 April 2010, it was announced that the six-week public consultation had come to an end, which was extended by five days. A meeting will be held today by the Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive Committee in Ellesmere Port where the fate will be decided in a vote open to parents and the public. Following on from the previous concerns on the two Federated schools mentioned in the first part of the formal public consultation in March 2010, the council also reported an 'alarming drop' in applications within the town (Winsford) of its two Federated schools, losing approximately a third of its secondary schools' pupils to Northwich and Middlewich. The Sixth Form numbers have also dropped, resulting in the two Federated school's decision to not offer Year 12 study from September this year, regardless of whether the proposed Academy goes ahead or not. Should the vote result in the 'go ahead', a six-week period will follow to allow further representations from parents and other stakeholders before a final decision is made.

On 5 May 2010, it was announced that Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive Committee had voted in the 'go ahead', deciding on a 'statutory notice' for the closure of the two Federated schools. A six-week and final phase of consultation will now commence on the proposed Academy.

On 3 June 2010, it was announced that a consultation evening was held by E-ACT last week for parents of pupils at Woodford Lodge High School. Representatives from the sponsor were there to provide information on the proposed Academy and addressed concerns to those affected by the proposal. For example, "parents and councillors have criticised the way the plans have been carried out after E-ACT was prevented from providing information by regulations governing publicity about anything considered political during the General Election". Mr Martin Howlett, Principal of Winsford High School Federation said: "there were obviously concerns that were put forward in the public airing but afterwards there was a general feeling of positivity. It's important to remember that we remember people don't always like change". A second consultation evening will be held by E-ACT for parents of pupils at Verdin High School on 7 June 2010. The E-ACT consultation ends on 2 July 2010 and a consultation document is available from the two Federated schools, containing information on the proposal and an option to comment via a pre-paid response form.

On 5 July 2010, it was announced that following a meeting which was held on 2 July 2010 at Winsford Lifestyle Centre, and after hearing all-party support from Town and Borough Councillors and school Governors, members of Cheshire West and Chester Council Executive Committee have 'unanimously' agreed to the proposed plans to close the two Federated schools on 31 August 2010, subject to the Education Secretary making an agreement for a new Academy on 1 September 2010. Mrs Barbara Coldrick, Vice Chairman of the Federated Board of Governors told the meeting: "The Governors agree that the proposed Academy will offer more opportunities for our young people - both now and in the future". A preferred site for the Academy has not yet been chosen, however executive members have agreed to work together to examine the two sites in consideration; Verdin High School and Verdin Exchange and will work with local councillors to address potential problems of access and egress. The site must be agreed by 31 August 2010 to allow the Government to decide on an Academy for Winsford in time for the scheduled opening in September 2010.

On 4 August 2010, it was announced that the two Federated schools will reopen as The Winsford E-ACT Academy in September 2010, which sees the two school names and its Federation being made redundant. It will operate from the two existing school sites before the proposed plans for a new school building, that would accommodate all students, is complete. Verdin High School is the current favourite site in the bid for the new building, but has raised some concerns among residents in the surrounding areas. However, they have been reassured they 'won't be left in the dark' over plans for the new building. Councillor Charlie Parkinson, of Winsford Town Council, said: "certain issues can't be addressed until funding for a new building is secured ... The Government has agreed for certain cosmetic improvements to make the schools look more appealing for the students in September, but this won't affect the money for the new school". He addresses the council are 100 per cent behind the new building, but the location of the new build is currently unknown to anyone. He says that "until we find out exactly where this school is going to be we can't really make too much of an issue about it".

Changes to upcoming Academy

On 18 August 2010, it was announced that Mr Andrew Kilpatrick was appointed as Interim Principal of The Winsford E-ACT Academy. He addresses that some changes have been made to the two existing school sites to provide an enhanced learning environment and said "we have redesigned parts of the school to teach in half year groups, taking about 80 children in one class and splitting them up to work in smaller groups". Some of the other changes include provision for the upcoming Year 7's, along with Year 8 and 9 students who will be taught at the former Verdin High School site – newly renamed as 'Town Site'. Whereas, Year 10 and 11 students will be split across both sites, including the former Woodford Lodge High School site – newly renamed as 'West Site'. The Academy will incorporate a 'House System' and will be split into four Houses; each comprising students from all year groups and will encompass an ethos of 'healthy competition' from sports to debating societies, performance groups and music. Another change includes the development of 'inclusion zones' at both sites that will be staffed by trained teachers to manage children who misbehave.

On 26 August 2010, it was announced that new uniforms will be provided to Academy students for free and will be ready to collect from the ‘Town Site’ between 9am to 12pm and 5pm to 7pm on 1, 2 and 3 September 2010. Students will receive a blazer, tie and two pairs of trousers for the boys and either two skirts or two pairs of trousers (or a mixture of each) for the girls. A basic PE kit will also be provided and includes a polo shirt and one pair of black shorts/skort. The four Houses will each have its own colour consisting of blue, red, green, and yellow. Students will represent their House with these colours on their tie and will also be added to their blazer trim for the two types of prefects that are also being introduced. These are: ‘Academy Prefects’ who will show them on both their cuffs and collars and ‘House Prefects’ who will show them on their cuffs.

Opening

The Winsford E-ACT Academy opened on 6 September 2010 with an Open Day at the 'Town Site', uniting students from the two Federated schools for the first time, wearing their new uniform which was provided by the Academy free of charge. Mr Andy Kilpatrick, Interim Principal said: "We've worked hard to get everything in place to start the new term, with a new look and new uniform". He also has high hopes for the Academy, which will specialise in music and mathematics and provide 1,500 places for students aged 11 to 16, with 200 spaces allocated for post-16 students. Michael Gove, Education Secretary, has signed the funding agreement giving education sponsor E-ACT responsibility for the Academy.

Change of Sponsor

On 25 February 2014, it was announced that the Academy is among ten Academies to be handed back to the Government amid concerns over the E-ACT chain's standards.

On 27 February 2014, it was confirmed that the Academy is one of ten Academies who will no longer be sponsored by E-ACT. The Department for Education (DfE) is now brokering with other Academy chains to set up the Academy with a new sponsor.

On 9 July 2014, it was confirmed that the Academy's new sponsor, with effect from 1 September 2014, will be The Fallibroome Multi-Academy Trust in Macclesfield. E-ACT will cease to be the Academy's sponsor from 31 August 2014. As a result, only minor changes were made with the removal of the word 'E-ACT' from the school name and logo.

Suspend of Sixth Form provision

On 14 January 2015, it was announced that The Winsford Academy has made the 'difficult decision' to suspend Sixth Form provision from September 2016 due to funding cuts and declining pupil numbers, and will revert to being an 11–16 school. Mr Andrew Taylor-Edwards, Principal told the Chester Chronicle that "while the proportion of students opting to stay on for Sixth Form study has remained constant, recent cuts to funding have put 'increasing pressure on the financial viability of providing our small post-16 provision'". He also said that "we have always prided ourselves in our ability to offer a small Sixth Form provision, allowing students an intimate setting where every student is known and where class sizes are small". The Academy will not be offering Year 12 study to current Year 11 students from September this year, while remaining fully committed to current Year 12 Sixth Form students who will start their second year of study.

Potential re-establishment

On 11 May 2015, Mr Peter Rubery, Executive Principal of The Fallibroome Multi-Academy Trust (Academy sponsor), announced that the Sixth Form provision will be re-established at the 'earliest opportunity' and that it is the desire of the Trust to create an 'innovative post 16 provision'. He also discussed concerns over the Academy's previous sponsor and said that it "made some poor decisions that resulted in overstaffing and budgetary difficulties. These have been addressed and the school will start the new academic year in a stable position, with resources to invest in creating exciting learning opportunities for students and staff".

On 28 January 2016, Mr Peter Rubery announced that a feasibility study will be undertaken with regard to the potential re-establishment of Sixth Form provision, and will involve consultation with students and parents as well as comparing the Academy's potential offer with the surrounding providers. The Academy are considering a range of qualifications, academic and vocational as well as work-related learning. The feasibility study is designed to fully assess the viability of a new Sixth Form at The Winsford Academy. A further update will be provided later in the summer term, once a new Principal has been appointed.

On 25 July 2016, it was announced that a feasibility study has been carried out and the Academy Governors and Sponsor have launched a consultation on the future of the Sixth Form, announcing intentions to re-establish provision in 2019. Mr Peter Rubery said: "When the Trust was invited to sponsor the Academy in 2014 it was clear to all parties that the Sixth Form was unsustainable. Students in Vale Royal have attractive choices in Sir John Deane's College and Mid Cheshire College and it's no surprise that all other schools, bar the catholic sector, do not have Sixth Forms. It was pleasing to note that Ofsted supported our decision to suspend the Sixth Form in 2014 and focus our attention on raising standards in the main school. That objective was achieved and is reflected in a terrific report. Inspectors noted the academic support given to the current Year 13 but agreed that wider provision for personal development for sixth formers was not possible with such low numbers".

The last Year 13 students have now left and the Academy Governors are consulting on a formal proposal to close the Sixth Form, and are already planning on what needs to be done to re-establish Sixth Form provision. The feasibility study report points out that according to Department for Education guidelines, the Academy would need to reapply to open a Sixth Form and would need to meet the criteria for an application. This will involve the Academy proving it can recruit 200 students from the area and sustain the number, offer at least 20 academic A Level subjects and remain financially viable. The report also outlines the financial costs of re-establishing Sixth Form provision totalling around £300,000, which includes approximately £250,000 towards staffing costs.

Motto

The Winsford Academy's motto is 'Succeed, Aspire, Learn Together' and its acronym makes the word 'SALT', which is based upon the towns mining heritage and The Verdin Family who founded the Verdin Technical School in 1895 that developed into the present Academy. They owned six salt plants in various locations throughout Cheshire and was the largest salt manufacturer in the United Kingdom by 1881.

Curriculum

The Winsford Academy's subjects include syllabuses for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4:

Leadership

A comprehensive restructure and rightsizing of the teaching and support staff was completed in August 2015 and a new organisation model was introduced to simplify the school structure and increase accountability for subject leadership. The leadership group comprises a Principal; two Vice Principals (Curriculum & Standards and Care, Support & Guidance) and seven Assistant Principals (Science & Technology, English, Maths, Achievement & Intervention, Sixth Form, Enrichment & Engagement, Humanities & SMSC). There are 60 teaching staff, including the leadership team.

Pastoral System

The Winsford Academy has a Pastoral System which consists of five Year Heads and four Progress Managers. Through the Heads of Year team, students are provided with pastoral care and support with services such as child welfare, attendance support, mentoring and counselling all being available throughout the Academy day. Students also have access to their Coach, Head of Year and Progress Manager. The Progress Managers are responsible for progress tracking, engagement and enrichment, and competition of the House System.

House System

The Winsford Academy has a House System consisting of four 'Houses', which, as a specialism of Performing Arts and a Specialist Music School, are named after English composers; Britten (Benjamin Britten), Purcell (Henry Purcell), Elgar (Edward Elgar) and Sullivan (Arthur Sullivan). Depending on what House each student is in determines the colour of their tie and blazer trim for prefects. Britten are recognised in blue; Purcell red; Elgar green; and Sullivan yellow.

Each House is structured vertically to include coaching groups from all Years 7 to 13. Within each coaching group all pupils belong to the same House. Coaches are placed in the same House as their coaching group. Teachers without coaching responsibilities will also belong to a House team.

Specialist School

The specialist schools programme helps schools, in partnership with private sector sponsors, and supported by additional government funding, to establish distinctive identities through their chosen specialisations, and achieve their targets to raise standards.

Specialist schools have a focus on those subjects relating to their chosen specialisations, but must also meet the National Curriculum requirements, and deliver a broad and balanced education to all students.

Performing Arts is the main specialism of The Winsford Academy, in addition to being a Specialist Music School. The two predecessor schools; Verdin High School had a specialism in Technology that was attained via sponsorship by The Ogden Trust, and Woodford Lodge High School had no specialism.

Sponsor

The Winsford Academy is sponsored by The Fallibroome Multi-Academy Trust in Macclesfield.

Governing Body

The Winsford Academy has a Governing Body and its Committees meet at least three times per half-term and convene as ad hoc Committees dealing with a wide range of Academy business, and are a regular presence in the Academy.

Facilities

The Winsford Academy moved into a new, £20 million purpose-built school in September 2013. From the very outset of designing the new build, the Academy are committed to creating a space which serves the whole community, before and after the traditional school day and during the weekends. The Academy's new build features facilities which may be of interest to a range of community groups such as sporting groups, keep-fit enthusiasts, drama groups, dance troupes, adult educators, film enthusiasts, art & craft groups, reading circles, community forums and rehearsing musicians.

The interior of the build features a monochrome design with vivid, industrial splashes of colour throughout and comprises a large and spacious central corridor area with glass-fronted classrooms on either side. Open spaces, balconies and a 'café-culture' canteen also feature. The Academy's approach to outdoor learning sees a garden, orchard, allotment and natural habitat zones.

The Facilities include:

Awards

The Winsford Academy has achieved a range of awards. These are:

Partnerships

The Winsford Academy has established a range of partnerships. These are:

Notable alumni

Verdin Technical School

Verdin County Grammar School

Verdin County Comprehensive School

Verdin High School

Woodford Lodge High School

The Winsford Academy