Grace Academy is an
Academy
An academy ( Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning (and generally also research or honorary membership). The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy ...
in
Darlaston
Darlaston is an industrial town in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in the West Midlands of England. It is located near Wednesbury and Willenhall.
Topography
Darlaston is situated between Wednesbury and Walsall in the valley of the River T ...
,
Walsall
Walsall (, or ; locally ) is a market town and administrative centre in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands County, England. Historic counties of England, Historically part of Staffordshire, it is located north-west of Birmingham, east ...
, England. It is a non-selective co-educational secondary school.
It was formerly
Darlaston Community Science College
Darlaston Community Science College was a secondary school located in Darlaston, West Midlands, England.
The school had Specialist Science College status, and since the closure of Kings Hill School during the 1980s, was the only secondary schoo ...
which had been placed into special measures by OFSTED in January 2008 and failed to raise standards in the allotted time. As a result, it was converted into an Academy on 1 September 2009 using the same buildings.
A new, purpose-built academy building was opened in September 2013,
and the previous school buildings demolished to make way for astroturf sports facilities for the new school site.
The academy was formerly operated by Grace Foundation incorporated by Lord Edmiston – entrepreneur of International Motors Ltd and founder of the evangelical charity Christian Vision, then became part of Tove Learning Trust on 1 April 2019 headed by CEO Dr Jamie Clarke.
Carl Salt was appointed Principal in April 2016 and led the academy to achieve an OFSTED rating of Good in April 2017 implementing significant improvements in teaching, progress and student achievement.
The academy is now headed by Julie Anstey, Associated Principal while Carl Salt is Director of Education over the three Grace Academy schools.
Recent results and OFSTED inspections
2017
Grace Academy Darlaston was rated as Good during its April 2017 OFSTED inspection, with Principal Carl Salt.
2018
Grace Academy Darlaston has achieved positive Progress 8 scores since the measure was formerly introduced and is currently rated fourth in the Walsall area.
2019
Grace Academy Darlaston is now led by Associate Principal Julie Anstey, Carl Salt is now Director of Education within the Grace Academy sector of Tove Learning Trust.
Notable alumni
Darlaston Comprehensive/Community Science College
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Mark Rhodes
Mark Thomas Rhodes (born 11 September 1981) is an English singer, actor and television presenter.
Career
Born in Wolverhampton, England, Rhodes finished in second place in the second series of ''Pop Idol'' in the United Kingdom, runner-up to M ...
, singer and television presenter
See also
*
Grace Academy (Solihull)
Grace Academy is a non-selective co-educational secondary school within the English Academy programme, at Chelmsley Wood, Solihull, West Midlands.
It opened in 2006 and replaced the old Whitesmore School. It is a specialist Business and Enterpr ...
*
Grace Academy (Coventry)
Grace Academy is a mixed secondary school located in Coventry, England. It has an expanding sixth form which is part of the North East Federation. It was formerly Woodway Park School and Community College, and was converted into an academy on ...
*
List of schools in Walsall
This is a list of schools in the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall, West Midlands, England.
State-funded schools Primary schools
*Abbey Primary School, Bloxwich
*All Saints National Academy, Bloxwich
*Alumwell Infant School, Walsall
*Alumwel ...
References
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Academies in Walsall
Secondary schools in Walsall