Phoenix Academy, Shepherd's Bush

Phoenix Academy is a coeducational secondary school and sixth form located in White City area of Shepherd's Bush, London, England.

Phoenix Academy
Address
The Curve Shepherd's Bush London , W12 0RQ England
Coordinates	51.5127°N 0.2379°W
Information
Type	Academy
Established	1995
Local authority	Hammersmith and Fulham
Trust	Future Academies
Department for Education URN	143129 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Principal	Mr Tony Macdowall
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 19
Enrolment	442
Website	www.phoenixacademy.org.uk

History

Prior to 1982 there were two schools on the current site of Phoenix High School: Christopher Wren Boys' School and Hammersmith County Girls' School.

In 1982, these two single-sex schools were merged into one co-educational comprehensive school on a single campus. This school was named Hammersmith School, with the two major wings named Wren Wing and County Wing to denote the previous school buildings. At the time of merging, the combined pupil population was 2,200.[1]

By the early 1990s, both the pupil population and educational standards at Hammersmith School had fallen and it was judged by OFSTED to be a failing school. A relaunching and rebranding of the school to The Hammersmith School failed to improve standards, and in 1992 a major fire started by pupils in Wren Wing building caused extensive damage.

In 1994 the school had been placed in special measures and was listed as one of the eight most challenging schools in England and the school population had fallen to 500 pupils. 'Superhead' William Atkinson was appointed as headteacher to attempt to turn around the school's fortunes, and it was relaunched as Phoenix High School.

In 2003 it had 759 students, of whom 429 were boys.[2]

In 2007 it was reported by The Guardian to be the "most improved school" in the United Kingdom, judged by "league tables" of results.[3] Headmaster Atkinson was knighted in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours for "services to education and community relations".[4]

Following Sir William's departure, the school once again declined into special measures, in May 2016. Following this, Michael Taylor took over the leadership of the school. the school became an academy in September 2016 and was renamed Phoenix Academy. Michael Taylor left at the end of the 2017 academic year, making way for a new leadership team for 2017/18.[5]

Description

This is a small academy that is managed by Future Academies Trust, who strongly believe in a knowledge centred curriculum, and one that is focused on the classics normally only taught in private schools. As such all Key Stage 3 pupils are taught Latin, though this is not offered in Key Stage 4. In the sixth form students can study Ancient History and Latin. [6]

The cohort of student contains a higher than average number from disadvantaged backgrounds and a higher than average number who speak English as a second language, while the number of students wirh Special Education Needs is broadly the same as in other English schools. [5]

Notable former pupils

• Wes Foderingham (b. 1991), professional footballer
• Chris Moore (footballer, born 1980)

Christopher Wren Boys' School

• Vigen Boyadjian (b. 1949), founder of the information technology company Viglen
• Jeff Chandler (b. 1959), professional footballer
• Paul Cook (b. 1956), pop music drummer[7][8]
• Les Ferdinand (b.1966-), former professional footballer, director at Queens Park Rangers, F.C.[9]
• Tony Goodgame (b. 1946), professional footballer
• Steve Jones (b.1955–), pop music guitarist[8]
• Jeffery Kissoon (b. 1947), actor[10]
• George Lawrence (b. 1962) former professional footballer
• Wally Nightingale (1956–1996), founder of the band that went on to become The Sex Pistols[8]
• Steve Parsons (b 1957), former professional footballer
• Don Shanks (b 1952), professional footballer
• Alex Stewart (1964–2016), professional boxer
• Very Rev Victor Stock (b. 1944), clergyman
• Stray, pop music band
• Mike Trim (b. 1945), artist
• John Weider (b. 1947), pop musician[11]
• Kevin McGrath DL OBE (b.1963) High Sheriff of Greater London 2014/15
• Dennis Wise (b. 1966), professional footballer[12]

Hammersmith County Girls' School

• Mo Abudu (b. 1964), television presenter[13]
• Sheyla Bonnick, singer
• Heather Small (b. 1965) singer

References

1. The school that rose again from the ashes – The Independent, 3 June 1998
2. Ofsted report 2003
3. High flyers – Education Guardian, 11 January 2007
4. "Phoenix head given a knighthood". BBC. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 16 June 2008.
5. "Ofsted Report 2019". ofsted.gov.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
6. "Our Curriculum". www.phoenixacademy.org.uk. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
7. "Anarchy in the EU: the Sex Pistols' drummer on why Brexit isn't punk – The Spectator". The Spectator. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
8. Jon Savage (2009). The England's Dreaming Tapes. U of Minnesota Press. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8166-7291-2. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
9. Wise, Dennis (2000). Dennis Wise: The Autobiography. London: Boxtree. ISBN 0752217194.
10. Afridiziak.com. "Jeffery Kissoon, Waiting for Godot – afridiziak.com/theatrenews". Afridiziak Theatre News. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
11. Barrett, Adrian. "Pirates members: John Weider". adiebarrett.co.uk. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
12. "Hammersmith and Fulham – Team of the Month". Rugby World. April 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2012.
13. "Mo Abudu: One Woman, Taking On The World". cp-africa.com. 25 November 2014. Retrieved 2 April 2018.