Longdean School
 | |
| Motto | Rejoice in thy Youth |
|---|---|
| Established | 1970 |
| Type | Academy |
| Headteacher | Graham Cunningham |
| Location |
Rumballs Road Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP3 8JB England Coordinates: 51°44′31″N 0°26′35″W / 51.74195°N 0.44293°W |
| DfE URN | 137110 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports Pre-academy reports |
| Students | 1,188 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Pascal, Gates, Da Vinci, Franklin |
| Colours | Blue and Silver/White |
| Precursor | Apsley Grammar School |
| Precursor | Bennetts End Secondary Modern |
| Website |
www |
Longdean School is a secondary school and sixth form with academy status, located in the southeast of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The academy specializes in Maths and Computing.
History
Grammar school
Originally called Apsley Grammar School, it began as a state grammar school in Hemel Hempstead. It was founded in 1955 as part of the development of the town after its designation as a new town and the need for expanded secondary school provision. Although named for the nearby village of Apsley the school is actually situated about one mile away, in the Bennetts End district of the town. Its first Head Teacher was Valentine (V.J.) Wrigley.
Comprehensive
The name of the school changed to Longdean School in 1970 on the amalgamation with the adjacent Bennett's End Secondary Modern School to form what was the third-largest comprehensive school in Hertfordshire at the time.
The school motto of Rejoice in Thy Youth was retained after the amalgamation.
Since September 2006 the headmaster has been Mr Rhodri Bryant, replacing the previous headmaster, Mr Nigel Matthias. The last Ofsted report classed the school as a ‘GOOD’ school with outstanding features . Mr Bryant's appointment coincided with the £30,000 redevelopment of the 6th Form common room as well as significant refurbishment throughout the school. Further development is planned.
On 30 October 2007 a new website was released sporting the new colours of the school. The school has a VLE system (virtual learning environment) on which student work can be uploaded and teachers can contact students. A cashless catering system is operated where money can be credited to cards which can be used in the school's two canteens.
Academy
During the summer term of 2011, Longdean School attained academy status.
The school works in consortium with two neighbouring schools to enhance post-16 provision. The group consists of Adeyfield School, Astley Cooper School and Longdean School. Staff development and well-being are also coordinated at consortium level.
In May 2012, Longdean was included in the Government's £2 billion Priority School Building Programme.[1] Longdean's inclusion was based upon the condition of its existing buildings that have exceeded their 25-year life expectancy. As a result a completely new school building has been constructed by Interserve/Kajima[2] on former playing fields and both the existing premises are to be demolished. The new school opened at the end of 2016.
Admissions
Longdean is a non-selective coeducational school within the state education system, accepting pupils from its catchment area of Bennetts End, Nash Mills, Leverstock Green and adjacent areas.
Notable former pupils
Apsley Grammar School
- Paul Boateng, (now Baron Boateng) - the UK's first black Cabinet minister, and British High Commissioner to South Africa from March 2005 to April 2009.
- Prof Hugh Loxdale MBE, entomologist, Professor of Ecology from 2009-10 at the Institute of Ecology, University of Jena, and President from 2004-6 of the Royal Entomological Society of London
- Prof [ Rob Pooley ] PhD, FBCS, Professor of Computer Science, Heriot Watt University from October 1998 to the present.
- Andy Powell - guitarist in the rock group Wishbone Ash
Longdean School
- Chris Eagles - Professional soccer player, enrolled in Manchester United youth academy before turning pro, now playing for Bolton.
- Jake Howells - Professional soccer player, currently playing for Luton Town, for whom he has twice won the Young Player of the Season award in 2009 and 2010.
- Max Whitlock- member of Britain's gymnastics team and bronze medalist at the London 2012 Summer Olympics and double gold medallist on floor exercise and pommel horse at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Summer Olympics.
- Ben Sansom - member of UK rock band Lower Than Atlantis who reached number 16 in the UK charts with their latest self-titled album.
Notable former staff
Apsley Grammar School
- Iris du Pré - music department
- Prof David Daniell, Professor of English from 1992–94 at University College London (sixth form master from 1958–69)
References
- ↑ "Priority School Building Programme; Schools Prioritised for the Programme" (PDF). 24 May 2012. Retrieved 15 June 2012.
- ↑ "Interserve closes £135m PF2 schools deal". 13 March 2015. Retrieved 21 November 2016.