Phoenix Academy, Shepherd's Bush
| Phoenix Academy | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
The Curve , , W12 0RQ England | |
| Coordinates | 51°30′46″N 0°14′16″W / 51.5127°N 0.2379°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Established | 1995 |
| Local authority | Hammersmith and Fulham |
| Department for Education URN | 100359 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Executive Headteacher | Oliver Knight |
| Gender | Mixed |
| Enrollment | 950 |
| Colour(s) | |
| Website | http://www.phoenixacademy.org.uk/ |
Phoenix Academy (formerly Phoenix High School and Hammersmith School, which had been formed from the merger of Christopher Wren School and Hammersmith County School) is a secondary school near White City, London, England. In 2003 it had 759 students, of whom 429 were boys.[1]
History
Prior to 1982 there were two schools on the current site of Phoenix High School: Christopher Wren Boys' School and Hammersmith County Girls' School.
In 1982, these two single-sex schools were merged into one co-educational comprehensive school on a single campus. This school was named Hammersmith School, with the two major wings named Wren Wing and County Wing to denote the previous school buildings. At the time of merging, the combined pupil population was 2,200.[2]
By the early 1990s, both the pupil population and educational standards at Hammersmith School had fallen and it was judged by OFSTED to be a failing school. It was featured in a Mail On Sunday article under the headline "Is this the worst school in Britain?". A relaunching and rebranding of the school to The Hammersmith School failed to improve standards, and in 1992 a major fire started by pupils in County Wing building caused extensive damage.
In 1994 the school had been placed in special measures and was listed as one of the eight most challenging schools in England and the school population had fallen to 500 pupils. 'Superhead' William Atkinson was appointed as headteacher to attempt to turn around the school's fortunes, and it was relaunched as Phoenix High School.
In 2007 it was reported by The Guardian to be the "most improved school" in the United Kingdom, judged by "league tables" of results.[3] Headmaster Atkinson was knighted in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours for "services to education and community relations".[4]
Following Sir William's departure, the school once again declined into special measures, in May 2016. Following this, Michael Taylor took over the leadership of the school and it became an academy in September 2016. Michael Taylor left at the end of the 2017 academic year, making way for a new leadership team for 2017/18.
Notable former pupils
- Wes Foderingham (b. 1991), professional footballer[citation needed]
- Chris Moore (footballer, born 1980)[citation needed]
Christopher Wren Boys' School
- Vigen Boyadjian (b. 1949), founder of the information technology company Viglen[citation needed]
- Jeff Chandler (b. 1959), professional footballer[citation needed]
- Paul Cook (b. 1956), pop music drummer[5][6]
- Les Ferdinand (b.1966-), former professional footballer, director at Queens Park Rangers, F.C.[7]
- Tony Goodgame (b. 1946), professional footballer[citation needed]
- Steve Jones (b.1955-), pop music guitarist[6]
- Jeffery Kissoon (b. 1947), actor[8]
- George Lawrence (b. 1962) former professional footballer[citation needed]
- Wally Nightingale (1956-1996), founder of the band that went on to become The Sex Pistols[6]
- Steve Parsons (b 1957), former professional footballer
- Don Shanks (b 1952), professional footballer[citation needed]
- Alex Stewart (1964-2016), professional boxer[citation needed]
- Very Rev Victor Stock (b. 1944), clergyman[citation needed]
- Stray, pop music band[citation needed]
- Mike Trim (b. 1945), artist
- John Weider (b. 1947), pop musician[9]
- Dennis Wise (b. 1966), professional footballer[10]
Hammersmith County Girls' School
- Mo Abudu (b. 1964), television presenter[11]
- Sheyla Bonnick, singer[citation needed]
- Heather Small (b. 1965) singer[citation needed]
References
- ^ Ofsted report 2003
- ^ [1] The school that rose again from the ashes - The Independent, June 3, 1998
- ^ [2] High flyers - Education Guardian, January 11, 2007
- ^ "Phoenix head given a knighthood". BBC Online. June 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "Anarchy in the EU: the Sex Pistols' drummer on why Brexit isn't punk - The Spectator". spectator.co.uk. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ a b c Jon Savage (2009). The England's Dreaming Tapes. U of Minnesota Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8166-7291-2. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ Wise, Dennis (2000). Dennis Wise: The Autobiography. London: Boxtree. ISBN 0752217194.
- ^ Afridiziak.com. "Jeffery Kissoon, Waiting for Godot - afridiziak.com/theatrenews". Afridiziak Theatre News. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ Barrett, Adrian. "Pirates members: John Weider". www.adiebarrett.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Hammersmith and Fulham – Team of the Month". Rugby World. April 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
- ^ "Mo Abudu: One Woman, Taking On The World". cp-africa.com. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2018.