A new £750,000 centre at The Halley Academy has opened which will develop the school’s specialism in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The centre is being paid for at the Corelli Road secondary by its partners, the Tallow Chandlers livery company, one of three schools across the capital they are sponsoring.
The STEM centre provides an industry-standard engineering department enabling students to achieve the new T-levels or apprenticeship qualifications. It marks a further step in The Halley Academy’s renaissance over the last four years since being taken over by the Leigh Academies Trust under Principal, John Dixon
About the new Centre, Mr Dixon said, “I would like to say how grateful we are to the Tallow Chandlers for their support in enabling us to realise our dream of his state-of-the-art facility”.
The remarkable turnaround of the school is reflected in the key performance indicators of the highest standards of pupil behaviour, commitment to learning and excellent staff recruitment and retention. There have been vast improvements in every aspect of school life.
Mr Dixon added, “Our ambitious world-class curriculum delivers an education of excellence for all, through consistent highly effective teaching and a culture of relentless high expectations for our students.” Students and parents alike are proud of their school community.
The Academy has embraced the diversity of the local community with more than half of the student population having English as an additional language and, remarkably, more than 60 different mother tongues.
The Halley Academy has been an International Baccalaureate World School since September 2019 and follows the International Baccalaureate careers related programme in the sixth form.
Mr Dixon explained, “We believe in the mastery of the core within a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum that develops the whole child holistically.”
“The school has experienced unprecedented investment and refurbishment as part of joining the Leigh Academies Trust. All students are issued with a personal Chromebook which they use every day in lessons and at home to support their learning.”
“Students come here every day wanting to learn and be respected in a warm and positive school environment’ continued Mr Dixon, “and the staff, from top to bottom, is focused on delivering those goals.”
Another recent milestone on the journey is achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools. It is very clear that The Halley Academy is now a school of choice.
Oliver Kirby-Johnson, Master of the Tallow Chandlers on a visit to open the new wing, said: “I’m delighted that the Company has been able to fund this new facility, thanks to the generosity of many of our members. We’re pleased to see such major progress the school has been making and we hope the investment will help students to achieve their potential in gaining skills in science and engineering, giving the opportunity for successful career paths.”
