Hall Garth Community Arts College
The students of the school came from areas with higher than average levels of socio-economic deprivation. The number of students from minority ethnic groups, and those with learning difficulties and disabilities, were well above average.
In 2000, it became a performing arts school and, in 2007, was renamed to Hall Garth Community Arts College from Hall Garth School.
Fatal stabbing incident
Hall Garth was the scene of a fatal stabbing, on 28 March 1994, when Stephen Wilkinson burst into a maths classroom and stabbed several children including 12-year-old Nikki Conroy who died from her injuries. In October 2003 a permanent police presence was established on site. Wilkinson was subsequently convicted of manslaughter and was sentenced to indefinite detention at a psychiatric hospital. A school memorial garden was opened for Nikki, in March 2004.
Anti-bullying initiatives
The school established several initiatives in order to tackle bullying. The students made a video of an anti-bullying theatre performance in December 2004. Then in May 2005 the school hired an anti-bullying co-ordinator and set up a peer support group of older pupils.
Closure
Hall Garth Community Arts College and King's Manor School formally closed in 2010 and were replaced with Oakfields Community College.
References
- ^ "Hall Garth Community Arts College". Ofsted. 14 March 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2008.
- ^ "Hall Garth school launches hall of fame". Gazette News. 5 October 2007. Archived from the original on 26 July 2009.
- ^ "School Violence 1993-1994". www.columbine-angels.com. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
- ^ "Police officer on patrol to keep school safe". The Northern Echo. 7 October 2003. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2008.
- ^ "Family will remember schoolgirl". BBC News. 26 March 2004. Retrieved 12 March 2008.
- ^ "Tough role at play time". Evening Gazette. 4 December 2004. Retrieved 12 March 2008.
- ^ "The bully busters". Evening Gazette. 12 May 2005. Retrieved 12 March 2008.