Leeds West Academy is a secondary school with

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 philosop ...

status in Rodley, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is well known for specialising its area of education in the Performing Arts sector.

History

Leeds West Academy was founded in September 2009, and replaced Intake High School which was on the same site and had the same head teacher. The academy moved into new buildings on the site in September 2011. In 2019, the school formally closed its Sixth Form provision.

Links with other schools

The school has a partnership with

Leeds East Academy Leeds East Academy (formerly Parklands Girls High School) is a secondary school with academy status, in the Seacroft area of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The school was previously an all-girls school, being the last single-sex school in Leed ...

and

Leeds City Academy Leeds City Academy (formerly City of Leeds School) is a mixed secondary school with academy status, located in Woodhouse, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The school building was opened to pupils in 1992, although the City of Leeds School has ...

. The schools were previously sponsored by

E-ACT E-ACT is a multi-academy trust responsible for 28 academies in England. As an academy trust, it is an exempt charity regulated by the Department for Education. E-ACT splits its 28 academies into two regional clusters called 'North' and 'South', ...

, however in 2014 the schools joined the White Rose Academies Trust with

Leeds City College Leeds City College is the largest further education establishment in the City of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England with around 26,000 students, 2,300 staff, with an annual turnover of £78 million.

as their sponsor. Leeds West Academy specialises in performing arts (following Intake High School's specialism in this area) and English.

Academic results

Its 2012 Ofsted report graded Leeds West Academy as "good"; however it found behaviour and safety of pupils only to be "adequate". Its 2019 Ofsted report graded Leeds West Academy as "good", with " outstanding features".

Appointment of new Executive Principal & CEO

In May 2016 Andrew Whitaker was appointed as the new Executive Principal of White Rose Academies, replacing the previous Executive Principal/CEO, Annette Hall, with effect from September 2016. Andrew Whitaker was formerly headteacher at Todmorden High School and steered the school from an Ofsted rating of ‘requires improvement’ (2013) to ‘good with outstanding features’ (2015). In July 2020 Andrew Whitaker was appointed CEO of White Rose Academies, leaving Christian Wilcocks as Executive Principal of the White Rose Academies Trust. Christian Wilcocks was formerly the Principal of Leeds West Academy, changing its Ofsted ratings from ‘requires improvement’ in late 2017, to "good", with "outstanding features" As of July 2020, former vice principal, Dan Whieldon has replaced Christian Wilcocks as Principal for Leeds West Academy.

Academy popularity and extension

Leeds West Academy has grown in popularity in recent years and the demand for places has led to an increase in pupil admission numbers and a new £5 million extension to the site which is due for completion in summer 2022.

Notable former pupils

* Mel B, singer *

Andrew-Lee Potts Andrew-Lee Potts (born 29 October 1979) is an English actor and director. He is best known for his role as the quirky Connor Temple on ITV's British science fiction programme '' Primeval'' and Space's Canadian spinoff '' Primeval: New World'' ...

, actor *

Chris Fountain Christopher Ryan "Chris" Fountain (born 3 September 1987) is an English actor and DJ. He is known for his roles as Damien Jones in Emmerdale, Justin Burton in ''Hollyoaks'' and as Tommy Duckworth in ''Coronation Street''. Early life Fount ...

, actor * Carolynne Poole, singer *

Angela Griffin Angela Mellissa Griffin (born 19 July 1976) is a British actress and television presenter who has been active on British television since the early 1990s. She is best known for portraying the roles of Fiona Middleton in the ITV soap opera '' ...

, actress *

Tommy Taylor Thomas Taylor (29 January 1932 – 6 February 1958) was an English footballer, who was known for his aerial ability. He was one of the eight Manchester United players who died in the Munich air disaster. Career Taylor was born in Smithies, ...

, Professional Wrestler * Jack P. Shepherd, actor *

Natalie Anderson Natalie Jane Anderson (born on 24 October 1981) is an English actress, singer and television presenter. She is known for her roles as Stella Davenport in the medical drama ''The Royal'' from 2005 to 2008 and Alicia Metcalfe in the ITV soap o ...

, actress *

Jake Thackray John Philip "Jake" Thackray (27 February 1938 – 24 December 2002) was an English singer-songwriter, poet, humourist and journalist. Best known in the late 1960s and early 1970s for his topical comedy songs performed on British television, his ...

, former teacher. English singer, songwriter and journalist * Billy George, gymnast * Laura Carter, actress and Big Brother 2016 contestant *

Darshan Singh Bhuller Darshan Singh Bhuller (born 4 March 1961) is a British dancer, teacher, artistic director, filmmaker, and choreographer. Considered "one of the brightest stars of his generation" and a "darkly powerful performer," Bhuller danced for London Contempor ...

, choreographer, director, and filmmaker

References

External links

* {{authority control Educational institutions established in 2009 2009 establishments in England Secondary schools in Leeds Academies in Leeds