Ipswich
Ipswich () is a port town and borough in Suffolk, England, of which it is the county town. The town is located in East Anglia about away from the mouth of the River Orwell and the North Sea. Ipswich is both on the Great Eastern Main Line ...
, England. It 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 philosop ...
, and caters for around 1,800 students, as well as between 340-370 students in the
sixth form
In the education systems of England, Northern Ireland, Wales, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago and some other Commonwealth countries, sixth form represents the final two years of secondary education, ages 16 to 18. Pupils typically prepare for A-l ...
which was shared with Holywells High School until 2011. A 2009 Ofsted inspection rated its overall performance as good with outstanding features. A following Ofsted inspection in 2018 awarded them with a 'good' rating.
History
The school first opened in 1939 as two separate boys' and girls'
secondary modern
A secondary modern school is a type of secondary school that existed throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland from 1944 until the 1970s under the Tripartite System. Schools of this type continue in Northern Ireland, where they are usuall ...
schools.
However soon afterwards,
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
was declared and the site was used as a hospital for the duration of the War.
2006 arson attack
A severe fire on 27 August 2006 damaged the school's gym, classrooms and staff room, which prevented many students from returning after the summer break while repairs were being carried out. In January 2007, former pupil Ashley Norman pleaded guilty at Ipswich Crown Court to starting the fire, whilst a second boy denied the charges. They were both found guilty of arson and charged with 3 and 4 years respectively in a
young offenders institution
His Majesty's Young Offender Institution (or HMYOI) is a type of prison in Great Britain, intended for offenders aged up to 18, although some prisons cater for younger offenders from ages 15 to 17, who are classed as juvenile offenders. Typically t ...
.
Two separate fires were started on site, the first in the staff block of the main building and the second in the girls' gym where a trampoline was set alight. For a time the school used an old air raid siren to signify the end of classes after the fire destroyed the old bell system.
Allegations about suspended teacher
In May 2013, Stephen Benson, a former science and PE teacher at Copleston was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of 21 offences, including nine rapes, six indecent assaults, two sex assaults and two counts of sexual activity with a child.
Another former teacher, Stephen Brenchley, was also convicted of sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl.
Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust
Copleston High School is a part of the Gippeswyk Community Educational Trust - also known as GCET (A multi-academy trust.) The trust comprises Copleston High School, Britannia Primary School and Rosehill Primary School - all in the locality of East Ipswich. Previous Principal, Shaun Common, has now assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the trust.
Enterprise
In 2007 a scheme by students to run a "juice bar" selling
smoothie
A smoothie is a beverage made by puréeing ingredients in a blender. A smoothie commonly has a liquid base, such as fruit juice or milk, yogurt, ice cream or cottage cheese. Other ingredients may be added, including fruits, vegetables, non-dai ...
s in cooperation with a local firm earned one of the students the title of East of England Student of the Year and attracted interest from other schools in the county. The juice bar subsequently closed due to the closure of the company behind the idea. A coffee bar stands in its place today.