Barr Beacon School
Barr Beacon School, formerly Barr Beacon Language College, is a mixed secondary school in Walsall, England, which acquired Academy status in 2011, when it readopted the school's original name: Barr Beacon School. It takes this name from the adjacent hill, Barr Beacon. The school was designated a specialist Language College in September 2003 and, although it does not have this designation today, it continues to value the place of modern foreign languages in the curriculum. It has over 1500 pupils, including a sixth form of approximately 200.[1]
| Barr Beacon School | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
Old Hall Lane , , WS9 0RF England | |
| Coordinates | 52.561109°N 1.914953°W |
| Information | |
| Former name | Barr Beacon Language College |
| Type | Academy |
| Motto | 'Proud to Succeed' |
| Established | 1954 |
| Local authority | Walsall |
| Specialist | School |
| Department for Education URN | 136885 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Chair | D Park |
| Headteacher | Lynsey Draycott |
| Staff | 100+ |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrolment | 1,525 |
| Houses | Malvern, Wrekin, Clent, Bredon |
| Colour(s) | Gold, blue, green and red |
| Website | www |
The school, taken over by Dame Maureen Brennan in 2007, was rated 'Outstanding' in its Ofsted inspection of January 2014.[1]
History
The school was built to serve the adjacent Pheasey Estate,[2] and opened in 1958 under the same headmastership as Aldridge Grammar School. In 1960 it had its own headmaster, Mr. Tyas, Deputy Head, Mr Brown as an 11-15 plus 1 year GCE O Level secondary modern school for 300 pupils before converting to a 13-18 comprehensive in September 1972 under the reorganisation of schools in Aldridge-Brownhills, there urban district that was absorbed into the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in 1974. However, it reorganised into an 11-18 school in September 1986, and has retained that age range ever since.
Subjects
Subjects studied at Barr Beacon: English Literature, English Language, mathematics, German, French, Spanish, biology, physics, chemistry, computer science, history, geography, psychology, dance, drama, art, textiles, child development, physical education, health and social care, media studies
Construction
The building was initially planned and constructed by Ian Woodley Associates with surveying and mapping of the area completed by P. O'conner and sons. Actual construction beginning on March 1951. Actual construction was completed by an amalgamation of Ian Woodley Associates, Gaz Baldwin plastering limited and Whalley Forklift rentals. The first building (currently A block) was completed before schedule in late 1952 and the final block originally planned (currently D block) being completed on time in 1958 ready for teaching in the same year. Once the first canteen (located in A block) was built the kitchen was furnished by N. Burnett & Co. catering suppliers to provide food for staff and students at the school.
References
- "Barr Beacon School Inspection report" (pdf). Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
- Hammond, Joyce (1994). I Remember Pheasey. Walsall: Walsall Local History Centre. ISBN 978-0-946652-33-4.
