The Rodillian Academy
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Rodillian_School_-_geograph.org.uk_-_901603.jpg/220px-Rodillian_School_-_geograph.org.uk_-_901603.jpg)
The school was originally built in 1933 as Rothwell Grammar School to serve the needs of children in Rothwell and the surrounding areas. Edwin Robert Manley was headteacher from 1933 to 1965. He was active in local politics, and he wrote and self-published Meet the Miner.
In 2008 it moved into a £93 million building.
The school became an academy in summer 2012.
Rodillian Multi Academy Trust
In December 2013 the Rodillian Academy was approved by the Department for Education to become an academy sponsor. The Rodillian Multi Academy Trust was formed in September 2014 with the Rodillian Academy acting as the lead school in the trust that also includes The Featherstone Academy.
Inspections
In the Ofsted inspection in 2016, the school's overall effectiveness was found to be 'good'. Both the effectiveness of the school's leadership and management and the personal development, behaviour and welfare pupils were judged to be outstanding.
As of 2024, the school's most recent inspection was in 2019, with an outcome of Good.
Buildings
In September 2008, Rodillian moved to a newly built school as part of the Leeds BSF Project. At the new school are a lecture theatre, a library, sporting facilities including fitness centres and gyms, dance halls and PE classrooms. Part of the new build is a children's centre that allows for use of the school's sporting and educational facilities by children up to five years of age.
Rugby
The school's main sport was Rugby Union.
Academic performance
In 2023, the school's Progress 8 benchmark was average. 77% of children were entered for the English Baccalaureate, compared to 42% in the local authority area and 39% nationally. 40% of children achieved grades 5 or higher in English and mathematics GCSEs.
Notable alumni
![]() | This article's list of alumni may not follow Wikipedia's verifiability policy. (November 2013) |
Rothwell Grammar School
- Jack Birkenshaw MBE, cricketer
- Richard Newby, Baron Newby OBE, politician, Liberal Democrat peer
- Ian McNaught-Davis, mountaineer and broadcaster
- Jean Denton, Baroness Denton of Wakefield, racing driver, businesswoman, Conservative government minister
- Sir Hugh Fish CBE, chemist responsible for the clean-up of the River Thames
Notable teaching staff
- Harry Gration – journalist & broadcaster, former head of history
References
- ^ "School Details".
- ^ "Rothwell Grammar School", Woodlesford the Story of a Station, UK individual web site
- ^ "Rodillian Academy". UK Government.
- ^ "Welcome to the Rodillian Multi Academy Trust", school trust web site
- ^ "Rodillian Academy". Ofsted. 5 November 2010. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ Kirtley, Malcolm (2019). "Inspection of a good school: Rodillian Academy". Ofsted. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Our Journey – the Rodillian Academy".
- ^ "Daisy Chain Childcare - Lofthouse Nursery".
- ^ "Rodillian Academy". The Schools' Rugby Website. Schools Sports. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
- ^ "Rodillian Academy". Compare school and college performance in England. Gov.UK. Retrieved 7 July 2024.
- ^ "Jack Birkenshaw".
- ^ "Dick Newby". 23 January 2014.
- ^ Douglas, Ed (18 February 2014). "Ian McNaught-Davis obituary". The Guardian.
- ^ "Lady Denton of Wakefield", The Daily Telegraph, 7 February 2001. Retrieved 7 February 2015
- ^ "Obituaries: Sir Hugh Fish". Independent.co.uk. 11 June 1999.