FRIDAY 29 JUNE, saw The Ockendon Academy in Thurrock receive final approval for the opening of Ockendon Studio School from Lord Hill and the Secretary of State for Education, The Rt. Hon. Michael Gove MP. Ockendon Studio School is one of only twelve Studio Schools throughout the country to open this year and was the first Studio School in this round to receive authorisation to open.
Tuesday 26 June, saw the Principal of Ockendon Studio School and The Ockendon Academy, Mrs Barbara King and the new Director of Ockendon Studio School, Christian Berry visit Westminster to attend a ‘Readiness to Open’ meeting in which they presented their final proposal to the Department for Education. On Friday they received final confirmation that Ockendon Studio School was to open in September 2012.
Mrs Barbara King, Principal of The Ockendon Academy and Ockendon Studio School said:: “I am elated that we have received final approval to open Ockendon Studio School. This is a new chapter in the history of South Ockendon and Thurrock and will mean that we can provide a brand new approach to education that hasn’t existed before.
“Young people will now leave Ockendon Studio School not only with industry standard qualifications but also with key employability skills to ensure that they successfully enter the employment market or go on to Higher Education.
“Our first cohort of 25 students from The Ockendon Academy began at Ockendon Studio School this week and we are looking forward to welcoming Year 10 and Year 12 students from across Thurrock and Havering from September 2013.”
Yeah, yeah, yadda, yadda! But what fun exactly, ever goes on at this ‘oustanding’ Academy? After all…school days are supposed to be the best days of your life!
We read with interest about Proms at Treetops, Sports Day at St. Cleres and world record singing attempts at Willy Eds etc. but nothing ever light hearted at the ‘Peoples Republic of Babs’!
Haven’t they heard of the old adage, ‘all work and no play…’? And here’s another, ‘Success is not the key to happiness, happiness is the key to success!