WOODSIDE Primary School in Grangewood Avenue, which celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this year, is the latest Thurrock school to become an Academy, converting on 1st December.
As an Ofsted recognized good school with outstanding features Woodside has had the option of becoming an academy for some time and governors gave the proposal careful consideration and consulted widely before making the final decision this summer.
Headteacher Edward Caines said “These are exciting times in education. We have become used to failed secondary schools being reopened with a massive cash injection and a face lift but now good primary schools which are already successful are becoming independent academies with the freedom to continue their improvement we are going to see something really special.”
As an independent academy rather than a member of a chain or a subjugate of a local secondary school Woodside really will have some freedom, especially over the curriculum, and plans to develop a really exciting and relevant alternative to the rather tired national curriculum local authority schools are obliged to follow.
The school will now be known as “Woodside Academy” but there is no expectation on parents to buy new uniform.
Woodside is very proud of its 60 successful years and definitely not rebranding. Being an academy is just the next stage, and a way of building on the past and ensuring a positive future.
