PUPILS at a doomed Warrington high school will have access to the very latest equipment and resources and go on more educational trips in the final three years running up to its closure.
This follows the designation of Woolston High School as a Science College.
The school is due to close in 2012, despite a long running campaign by staff, parents, pupils and local residents.
Dwindling numbers of pupils in the area have been blamed for the decision – and children from the area will in future go to Padgate High – to be renamed Lysander High School.
But the impending closure has not stopped the school from winning Science College status.
To gain specialist status the school had to prove it had at least three years of good Key Stage 3 and GCSE exam results, particularly in the specialist subjects of Science and Mathematics.
It also had to submit a detailed plan of actions designed to raise the profile of the specialist subjects.
New projects funded by Science College status will include accelerated teaching of Science and Mathematics for Gifted and Talented pupils and themed days including a “Crime Scene Investigation” and “Dragon’s Den” – where pupils can put scientific theories into practice.
The school will work with other local schools setting up “Science Zones” including wildlife habitats, weather stations and investigation trails.
Deputy head teacher Alasdair Kesson, who co-ordinated the bid for Science College status said: “This will give our pupils access to the latest equipment and resources. We will also be able to fund more educational trips and visiting speakers to bring Science and Mathematics alive.
“We are delighted that the high standards of work from staff and pupils in Science and Mathematics has been recognised in this way”
Science College status is awarded by the Department for Children Schools and Families and means an additional £123 funding per pupil.
Woolston already has excellent science facilities following a £500,000 refurbishment of the specialist laboratories and the installation of an ICT suite for science.
PUPILS at a doomed Warrington high school will have access to the very
latest equipment and resources and go on more educational trips in the
final three years running up to its closure.
School will excel to the end
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
3 Comments
It is an outrage that this school is being closed down with no adequate replacement!
It’s a shame that it will all be wasted for future generations.
At least those who are there now will benefit . It’s good to see that the Woolston Students will be helping other schools as they spread the scientific word.
Such a shame it’s being forced to close as the school is obviously excelling.
As there is no new pupil intake anymore I guess the so called ‘decision makers’ who chose to close it based on dwindling pupil numbers will never know if pupil numbers would now rise significantly given the new Science College Status of the school etc.
The closure seems ridiculous to me but then a lot of things do.
Congratulations to Woolston High and it’s head, teachers, parents and pupils for not sitting back or giving up and making sure that the school and the level of education given stays at such a high standard and what time they have left at the school is used to the very best ability and benefit of the kids.
You never know ‘they’ may see sense before it’s too late.