Schools Commissioner Impressed by Improvements at The Marsh Academy
Tuesday 8 November 2011
The Schools Commissioner for England, Dr Elizabeth Sidwell, visited The Marsh Academy on Thursday 3rd November to see the improvements that have contributed to the Academy’s success. The visit was extremely positive, with Dr Sidwell commenting, “It was so encouraging to see your success and meet the students. They are a credit to your vision and commitment.”
Dr Sidwell’s role as Schools Commissioner is to ensure that year-on-year progress is made across the state education sector. Her visit to The Marsh Academy enabled her to see for herself the measures put in place by the Academy that have resulted in a faster rate of improvement than in many similar schools.
During her visit, Dr Sidwell met with Executive Principal Tracy Luke, Chair of Governors, Robert Alston, and Tim Haynes, Headmaster of the Tonbridge School, one of the Academy’s sponsors. Mrs Luke outlined the ethos and ambitions of the Academy, emphasising the ways in which the Academy drives improvement in student attainment through catering for students’ individual needs.
Dr Sidwell was also given a tour of the Academy by Head of School Marion Emptage, spending time in the new learning areas and speaking with students. The learning areas are IT-rich zones, using state-of-the-art IT and media equipment to facilitate excellent teaching and learning. The Academy’s new building, due to open in early 2012, will feature more of these impressive learning areas.
Executive Principal Tracy Luke said: “We were delighted to be able to discuss in detail with the Schools Commissioner the success of The Marsh Academy, and to demonstrate the reasons for that success in action. The last four years have seen constant improvement at the Academy, and we are working extremely hard to continue this upward trend and to retain our place as the most successful non-selective school in the area.”
Dr Sidwell was hugely impressed with the behaviour, dress and commitment to learning of students at the Academy and thoroughly enjoyed her visit.