Rushey Mead Academy
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Rushey Mead Academy | |
---|---|
Address | |
Melton Road , , LE4 7AN | |
Information | |
Type | Academy |
Department for Education URN | 141916 Tables |
Ofsted | Reports |
Chair of Governors | Anthony Glover |
Executive Principal | Carolyn Robson CBE |
Principal | Rita Hindocha |
Gender | Mixed |
Age | 11 to 16 |
Enrolment | 1,395 |
Houses | Belvoir, Bosworth, Charnwood, Harborough and Melton |
Colour(s) | Royal Blue, Red, Yellow, Purple and Green |
Website | http://www.rusheymead-sec.leicester.sch.uk |
Rushey Mead Academy (formerly Rushey Mead School) is a mixed secondary school located in Leicester, Leicestershire, England for students aged 11 to 16. Its logo is three 'Rushes' on a green/black colour base. The name Rushey taken from the grass rushes which used to grow on nearby Rushey Fields. In 2011, the school was designated as a National Teaching School, among the first 100 in schools across the country.[1] The school's motto is Make a positive difference. The current Principal is Rita Hindocha.
History
Rushey Mead was originally a boys' school until the 1970s. The first headmaster was Charles Anson Smith. Under his leadership the school was often in the news, most notably for the "Spirit of Leicester", an ex city double-decker bus which initially took pupils to parts of Europe, unheard of at the time, and later around parts of the UK. Mr Burrows and Mrs B.J Eastwood succeeded him.In 1985, they were succeeded by Steve White, who remained with the school until 2002.
Previously a community school administered by Leicester City Council, Rushey Mead School converted to academy status in October 2015 and was renamed Rushey Mead Academy. However the school continues to coordinate with Leicester City Council for admissions.
Staffing and facilities
Rushey Mead has a diversity of staff and children in its community. The Academy also boasts a good example of an environmentally friendly building in their 'green' academy building (colloquially known as 'G' Block, which is now 'B' Block). Amongst the many features of this building are photovoltaic modules on the roof to power the lights.
In 2012, the school underwent major renovations. Under the Building Schools for the Future programme (BSF), it benefited from an £18 million upgrade to its buildings and site, that includes, a new 6 court Sports Hall and an Assembly Hall with retractable cinema seats. The Sports Hall is one of Leicester's best equipped sports facilities, now with professional Continental Basketball hoops that retract from the ceiling, Indoor cricket training facilities, and 6 Tennis or Badminton courts, at a cost of almost £6 million.
Divisions and charities
The Academy has five Divisions: Belvoir(green), Bosworth(blue), Charnwood(yellow), Harborough(red) and Melton(purple), which play an important part in school life, having two major aims; to increase student awareness of local, national and international charitable causes through charity work, and to promote healthy competition. Staff and students work together through the Divisions to raise awareness and money for a number of good causes. Beneficiaries over the years have included the British Red Cross, Oxfam, Teenage Cancer Trust, Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Matt Hampson Trust, Rushey Mead Foundation, Rainbows and the Leicester charity LOROS (the Leicestershire and Rutland Hospice).[2]
Academic achievement
In its November 2007 Ofsted report, the school was rated "outstanding" for overall effectiveness.[3] In 2009, Ofsted highlighted it as one of 12 outstanding schools serving disadvantaged communities.[4]
Notable former pupils
- Sara Dhada — BBC Apprentice Series Four
- Jigar Naik — Leicestershire cricketer[5][6]
- Tony Sibson — boxer[7]
- Mark Morrison — R&B singer
References
- ^ "School Awarded Teaching School Status". School website.
- ^ "Divisions & Charities". School website.
- ^ "2007 Inspection report" (PDF). Ofsted.
- ^ "Twelve outstanding secondary schools - Excelling against the odds". Ofsted. 24 February 2009.
- ^ "The Leicestershire CCC Cricketer Archive". Leicestershire County Cricket Club.
- ^ "Player Archive". The Professional Cricketers' Association.
- ^ "Our Leicestershire Sporting Greats countdown - 40 to 25". Leicester Mercury. 10 February 2011.