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 but does not have this designation today. It has over 1500 pupils, including a sixth form of approximately 200.[3]

Barr Beacon School
Address
Old Hall Lane

Walsall
,
West Midlands
,
WS9 0RF

England
Coordinates52.561109°N 1.914953°W / 52.561109; -1.914953
Information
Former nameBarr Beacon Language College
TypeAcademy
Motto'Proud to Succeed'
Established1954
Local authorityWalsall
SpecialistSchool
Department for Education URN136885 Tables
OfstedReports
ChairD Park
HeadteacherJames Stanley[1][2]
Staff100+
GenderCoeducational
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1,556
HousesMalvern, Wrekin, Clent, Bredon
Colour(s)    
Gold, blue, green and red
Websitewww.barrbeaconschool.co.uk

History

The school was built to serve the adjacent Pheasey Estate,[4] 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, the urban district that was absorbed into the Metropolitan Borough of Walsall in 1974. However, it was 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[5] with surveying and mapping of the area completed by P. O'Connor and sons. Actual construction beginning in March 1951. Actual construction was completed by an amalgamation of Ian Woodley Associates, Gaz Baldwyn-Jolly 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.

School performance

The school was judged Outstanding in its Ofsted inspection of 2014.[3] As of 2023, its most recent inspection was in November 2022, with an outcome of Good.[6]

References
  1. "Barr Beacon School". Get Information about Schools. Gov.UK. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  2. Hibbs, K. "Welcome to Barr Beacon School". Barr Beacon School. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
  3. "Barr Beacon School Inspection report" (pdf). Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2014.
  4. Hammond, Joyce (1994). I Remember Pheasey. Walsall: Walsall Local History Centre. ISBN 978-0-946652-33-4.
  5. "Measured building surveys and topographical surveys at a competitive rate | Woodley Associates | Birmingham | Nationwide". www.woodleyassociates.co.uk. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
  6. Stevens, Christopher (2023). "Inspection of Barr Beacon School". Ofsted. Retrieved 2 March 2023.


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