Akeley Wood School
Encyclopedia
Akeley Wood School is a mixed independent
primary and secondary school, with an attached sixth form
near Buckingham
. It is owned by Cognita
, an independent schools company chaired by Chris Woodhead
. The school prides itself on a "very special family atmosphere",
The school accommodates pupils aged 12 months -18 years albeit not on the same site - stretching efforts across three separate schools; a junior (12 months - 11 years), Senior School - Tile House Mansion (11 years - 13 years) and Senior School - Akeley Wood (13 years - 18 years). There are approximately 900 pupils across the sites.
. Hillcrest School moved, avoiding the war
, to Wales
; and, in 1946, to Akeley Wood, where it was renamed. In 1972 the school changed from a boy's boarding
to a co-educational day school.
A junior division of the school was introduced, and in 1976 provision was also made for those pupils who wanted to remain at the school to take their Ordinary Levels (subsequently GCSEs). The school expanded in 1987 to accommodate a sixth form.
The school grew rapidly, requiring a new site, and in 1988 Wicken Park was purchased to run a junior school. In 1998 Charmandean was purchased and the lower school was taken off site.
Independent school
An independent school is a school that is independent in its finances and governance; it is not dependent upon national or local government for financing its operations, nor reliant on taxpayer contributions, and is instead funded by a combination of tuition charges, gifts, and in some cases the...
primary and secondary school, with an attached sixth form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
near Buckingham
Buckingham
Buckingham is a town situated in north Buckinghamshire, England, close to the borders of Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire. The town has a population of 11,572 ,...
. It is owned by Cognita
Cognita
Cognita is a private company which owns and operates independent schools throughout the United Kingdom. In addition, Cognita operates a number of international schools in Singapore, Spain, Thailand and Vietnam...
, an independent schools company chaired by Chris Woodhead
Chris Woodhead
Sir Christopher Anthony Woodhead was Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England from 1994 until 2000 and is one of the most controversial figures in debates on the direction of English education policy...
. The school prides itself on a "very special family atmosphere",
The school accommodates pupils aged 12 months -18 years albeit not on the same site - stretching efforts across three separate schools; a junior (12 months - 11 years), Senior School - Tile House Mansion (11 years - 13 years) and Senior School - Akeley Wood (13 years - 18 years). There are approximately 900 pupils across the sites.
History
Akeley Wood School was originally named Hillcrest School, and located in Frinton-on-SeaFrinton-on-Sea
Frinton-on-Sea is a small seaside town in the Tendring District of Essex, England. It is part of the Parish of Frinton and Walton.-History:...
. Hillcrest School moved, avoiding the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, to Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
; and, in 1946, to Akeley Wood, where it was renamed. In 1972 the school changed from a boy's boarding
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
to a co-educational day school.
A junior division of the school was introduced, and in 1976 provision was also made for those pupils who wanted to remain at the school to take their Ordinary Levels (subsequently GCSEs). The school expanded in 1987 to accommodate a sixth form.
The school grew rapidly, requiring a new site, and in 1988 Wicken Park was purchased to run a junior school. In 1998 Charmandean was purchased and the lower school was taken off site.