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In July 2001, the [[Arts Council]] awarded the school the Artsmark at the Silver level. The school was one of only three in [[Leeds]] and of only thirteen in [[Yorkshire]] to be so recognised.<ref>[http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/artsmark/round1.htm Arts Council award]</ref> The Morley Academy is a [[specialist school|Specialist Technology College]].
In July 2001, the [[Arts Council]] awarded the school the Artsmark at the Silver level. The school was one of only three in [[Leeds]] and of only thirteen in [[Yorkshire]] to be so recognised.<ref>[http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/artsmark/round1.htm Arts Council award]</ref> The Morley Academy is a [[specialist school|Specialist Technology College]].


==Headteacher controversy==
==Impact of Headteacher==


The head teacher, John Townsley, has proved controversial since taking over from Dr Roland Walker. On one hand, Ofsted claimed that the school has academically improved since his inception.<ref>[http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/108/s5_108078_20060524.htm Ofsted report]{{dead link|date=January 2011}}</ref> Despite these improvements, a climate of fear and bullying has been reported within the school and also at Farnley Park High, where John Townsley is also a head teacher. In 2010, Farnley Park High took strike action over the issue.<ref>[http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Leeds-Farnley-Park-Teachers-39bullying39.6430758.jp]</ref>
John Townsley has been headteacher of Morley Academy for eight years. Prior to his appointment in 2003 he was a deputy headteacher at The King's School, Pontefract and Prince Henry's Grammar School, Otley. Before moving into senior leadership John was a teacher of English. John was also Executive Headteacher of Rodillian School for the academic year 2007/08.
John's particular areas of interest are in educational leadership, where he undertakes work within the NPQH Programme, and inraising standards of behaviour in schools.


The introduction of the fingerprint system at Morley High School has also proved controversial, with some parents and pupils claiming they were forced into a fascist system not respecting their civil liberties.<ref>[http://www.naseem.name/education/school-lies-about-seeking-consent/]</ref>


The head teacher has also been accused of improving Ofsted results by hiding the more badly behaved pupils and deliberately setting up inspectors with prepared students.<ref>[http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news?articleid=6378391]</ref>
Morley High School was classified as 'outstanding' in an Ofsted inspection in March 2009. In 2006 it became the first organisation in its region to become an Investors in People Champion, an accolade held by only four schools in the UK.
In addition to being Chair of the SSAT's National Headteacher Steering Group, he chairs the steering group for the technology specialism and the Aimhigher Implementation Group for Leeds.<ref>https://www.ssatrust.org.uk/ourstructure/steeringgroups/Pages/JohnTownsleybiography.aspx</ref>


In June 2007 John was recognised as Headteacher of the Year for the North of England in a Teaching Awards ceremony.


===Ofsted===
===Ofsted===

Revision as of 15:21, 12 July 2011

The Morley Academy
Address
Map
Fountain Street

, ,
LS27 0PD

Information
TypeCommunity & Private
MottoTo Learn, To Serve
Religious affiliation(s)Mixed
Established1907
Local authorityCity of Leeds
PrincipalMr. John Le Townsley
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Enrollment1505
HousesEinstein, Franklin, Turing and Quant
Colour(s)Red, Green, Yellow and Purple
Websitehttp://www.morley.leeds.sch.uk/

The Morley Academy is a co-educational comprehensive school for pupils ages 11–19 in West Yorkshire, England. Morley is situated 5 miles south-west of Leeds city centre with a population of about 50,000. The school has approximately 1,400 students enrolled. The head teacher is John Townsley. The school is one of only four in the United Kingdom to have been awarded the Investors in People Champions Award.

Historical background

The school was first established as Morley Secondary School on 4 July 1907, becoming Morley Grammar School in 1930. The first head teacher was John Robinson Airey (1868–1937) who was a nationally renowned mathematician.[1] It became a mixed comprehensive in 1975. The school has had six different headteachers. During the First World War, pupils at Morley Grammar school raised £5,000 to pay for the correct uniform for struggling families within the school.

On 1 January 2011, Morley High School became The Morley Academy under the government's new academy programme. It is the only one in Morley eligible to get the status, due to it being the only one judged "outstanding" by Ofsted.

Academic performance

Artsmark

In July 2001, the Arts Council awarded the school the Artsmark at the Silver level. The school was one of only three in Leeds and of only thirteen in Yorkshire to be so recognised.[2] The Morley Academy is a Specialist Technology College.

Headteacher controversy

The head teacher, John Townsley, has proved controversial since taking over from Dr Roland Walker. On one hand, Ofsted claimed that the school has academically improved since his inception.[3] Despite these improvements, a climate of fear and bullying has been reported within the school and also at Farnley Park High, where John Townsley is also a head teacher. In 2010, Farnley Park High took strike action over the issue.[4]

The introduction of the fingerprint system at Morley High School has also proved controversial, with some parents and pupils claiming they were forced into a fascist system not respecting their civil liberties.[5]

The head teacher has also been accused of improving Ofsted results by hiding the more badly behaved pupils and deliberately setting up inspectors with prepared students.[6]

Ofsted

In their 2006 inspection, Ofsted found that the school was "satisfactory and improving".[7] In its 2009 inspection, the school was granted the "Outstanding" grade by Ofsted.

School musical productions

  • 2002 - West Side Story
  • 2003 - The Little Shop of Horrors
  • 2004 - Oliver
  • 2005 - Jesus Christ Superstar
  • 2006 - Scrooge
  • 2007 - Romeo and Juliet
  • 2008 - High School Musical
  • 2009 - Sweeney Todd
  • 2010 - Return To The Forbidden Planet
  • 2011 - Les Misérables

Alumni

Morley Grammar School

References