Wakeman School

The Wakeman School and Arts College
Closed 2013
Type Comprehensive
Location Abbey Foregate
Shrewsbury
Shropshire
SY2 6AA
 England
Coordinates: 52°42′27″N 2°44′49″W / 52.70763°N 2.74688°W / 52.70763; -2.74688
Local authority Shropshire
DfE URN 123563 Tables
Ofsted Reports
Gender Coeducational
Ages 11–16
Houses Quarry, Castle and Abbey
Colours Green, Black, White
              
Website www.wakeman.shropshire.sch.uk

The Wakeman School and Arts College (formerly Shrewsbury Technical School) was a co-educational comprehensive school located in Shrewsbury, the county town of Shropshire, England. The school was the only secondary school in the town centre, located just to the east of the English Bridge.

The Wakeman School viewed from across the River Severn, with the English Bridge to the right.

The school was awarded the ‘Artsmark Gold’ by Arts Council England,[1] and a new ICT facility was completed during the summer holidays of 2008.[2]

In September 2008 the school was granted Specialist School status for Visual Art with Music and Drama in recognition of its particular strengths in these areas. The extra funding available was used to enhance and upgrade facilities for these subjects including setting up a state-of-the-art’ Multimedia Studio.

In March 2011 inspection, Ofsted judged the school to be 'Good' with 'Outstanding' features. The report praised "the outstanding leadership of its headteacher" and wrote "This is a good school which has improved rapidly. All groups of students make at least good progress... Students, parents and carers repeatedly told inspectors that the school is one big, warm family." [3] In 2011 the school progressed to 61.5% of students achieving at least 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and Maths.[4]

In September 2011 as part of its cuts, Shropshire Council decided that the school should close.[5] Despite a ferocious 'Why Waste Wakeman' campaign by staff, students, parents, governors and the wider community[6][7][8][9] the school formally closed on 19 July 2013.[10]

To mark its closure and celebrate its role in Shrewsbury the school created The Wakeman 'Look Up' Art Town Trail [11][12] featuring the work of Wakeman students spanning over 30 years as a lasting legacy to the school.

Notable former pupils

Shrewsbury Technical School

References

  1. "Wakeman School & Arts College". Wakeman.shropshire.sch.uk. 2004-01-01. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  2. Ofsted Report of March 2011
  3. http://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2011/08/26/wakeman-school-hopes-gcse-success-will-save-it/:
  4. "BBC News - Shropshire Council approves Wakeman School closure". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-09-07. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  5. "Hall packed in bid to save Wakeman School in Shrewsbury « Shropshire Star". Shropshirestar.com. 2011-11-05. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  6. "Closure-threatened Wakeman School to be lit up again « Shropshire Star". Shropshirestar.com. 2011-03-23. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  7. "BBC News - Petition over Shrewsbury school closure plan". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-04-07. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  8. "BBC News - Wakeman School to close in 75th anniversary year". Bbc.co.uk. 2011-11-29. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  9. "BBC News - Wakeman School in Shrewsbury closes for final time". Bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  10. "BBC News - Shrewsbury's Wakeman School hopes to leave art legacy". Bbc.co.uk. 2012-12-19. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
  11. "Wakeman School & Arts College". Wakeman.shropshire.sch.uk. 2004-01-01. Retrieved 2013-07-20.
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