Baverstock Academy, sometimes known as Baver, formerly Baverstock Foundation School and Specialist Sports College, is a mixed comprehensive on the southern edge of Birmingham on the large estate of Druids Heath. The school has 679 pupils aged 11 to 18 on roll.^[1] The schools motto is "Strive to succeed". It was formed in 1983 from a merger between three closing and under-subscribed schools. After having been a grant-maintained school for many years, Baverstock became known as Baverstock Foundation School. Due to its outstanding sports facilities, it became a specialist Sports College in September 2002. Baverstock also holds Artsmark Gold, Schools Achievement and Sportsmark awards. Currently the school’s Headteacher is Mr Thomas Marshall who replaced Mr David Green in the summer term of 2010 for the brand new September term of 2010. Baverstock's first Headteacher was Mr Roger Perks O.B.E who died in 2005. Mr Perks was a well-known person throughout the Druids Heath estate and was well loved by many of his past pupils. He turned Baverstock into one of the most outstanding schools in the country.[citation needed]

However, in the most recent Ofsted Inspection (24–25 September 2014) the school was graded as Inadequate (4) and placed into special measures.

Headteachers of Baverstock[edit]

Mr Roger Perks O.B.E[edit]

Mr Roger Perks joined Baverstock School from Naseby School, where he had previously been Head Teacher. When coming to Baverstock it known as Maypole High School. Maypole High School was one of the worst failing schools in the country and was described at the time as "having the greatest number of referrals to social services of any part of any city in Europe".[citation needed] Perks took the role of the headteacher in 1983 when the merger between Maypole High School and two other schools made the formation of Baverstock School. He had a hard task, as the school had pupils from three failing schools to cater for, and the new school's 150 places only opened up to 26 applicants. Within five years, Baverstock was regarded as one of Birmingham's most successful inner-city schools.[citation needed] For the services that he gave to the area, staff and the students he was awarded an O.B.E for services to education in the year of 1991. He retired in 2003 after 19 years of service to Baverstock School. Perks died on Christmas Day in 2005. The students of Baverstock School raised a lot of money (through a concert) for a memorial to him.^[2]

Mr David Green[edit]

Mr David Green joined the school in late 2003 and left it at the end of the Summer term 2010. He has seen many changes in the school since he took the headteacher position of Baverstock School.

Mr Thomas Marshall[edit]

Mr Thomas Marshall started the position of headteacher in the September 2010 term and seen many changes to the school. On 1 June 2013 Baverstock Foundation School and Specialist Sports College officially became, The Baverstock Academy, with Mr Thomas Marshall as head teacher.

Sixth Form[edit]

Baverstock Sixth Form is a dynamic and vibrant place where all students are given the freedom and opportunities to develop as an individual with help to make the important steps towards Higher Education or employment.

Recent success[edit]

Baverstock School’s Year 11 of 2005–2010 celebrated the greatest achievement of the school’s history by achieving the highest GCSE results in the school’s history. The results were attained by Baverstock’s Year 11 group of the year 2005-2010 who smashed every record Baverstock has ever had. The Head of Year was Mr. R .Clarke and all his team worked with all students to achieve this massive achievement with 66% of all student leaving with 5 GCSE’s A*- C.

Statistics of School[edit]

Old Measures GCSE Results[edit]

^[3]

New Measures GCSE Results[edit]

A-Level Results[edit]

Only 46 entrants For Each Year Took the Exam.

^[5]

The Baverstock Academy Uniform[edit]

Navy Blue V-Neck Jumper - With embroidered school badge, Black Trousers (Boys), Black Trousers (Girls), Black Skirt (Girls), White Polo Shirt - With embroidered school badge, Shoes - Black outdoor shoes – No boots, no high heels, no backless styles and no coloured soles or logos.

Virtual Learning[edit]

Baverstock School recently adopted the FROG Virtual Learning Environment VLE)Learning Platform

Future Plans[edit]

In 2010 plans were announced to merge Baverstock School and Kings Norton High School on the current site on KNHS to form and new 1000 pupils school. Although a Statement of Intent was signed by Michael Gove the Secretary of State for Education to begin the project, this was later withdrawn.^[6]

References[edit]

1. ^ http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/provider/files/2431489/urn/139738.pdf
2. ^ http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pupils%27+tribute+to+a+beloved+head%3B+DRUIDS+HEATH+Youngsters+raise+cash...-a0139541663
3. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/04/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/330_5400.stm
4. ^ http://www.education.gov.uk/cgi-bin/performancetables/school_10.pl?Mode=Z&No=3305400&Type=LA&Begin=s&Num=330&Phase=2&Year=10&Base=a
5. ^ http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/education/09/school_tables/secondary_schools/html/330_5400.stm
6. ^ http://councillormikeleddy.blogspot.com/2010/01/baverstock-school-kings-norton-high.html

Further reading[edit]

• Brent Davies, Lesley Anderson, "Opting for self-management: the early experiences of grant-maintained schools" (1992), paperback ISBN 0-415-07347-2.
• John E. Chubb, Terry M. Moe, "A lesson in school reform from Great Britain" (1992), paperback ISBN 0-8157-1411-4.
• John Honeybourne, Michael Hill, Helen Moors, "Advanced Physical Education and Sport for AS-level" (2001), paperback ISBN 0-7487-5303-6.

External links[edit]

• School website
• College website
• Ofsted report 2014
• Baverstock School Sports Partnership Website