Stratton Upper School is a mixed British upper school and sixth form located in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. It is an academy school, governed by the Stratton Education Trust. The school has previously proven to be a success, with Ofsted regarding the school as 'good with outstanding features' in 2015. In conjunction with the Central Bedfordshire Local Authority, the school has undergone considerable expansion in order to accommodate the growing population of Biggleswade. The centrepiece of the expansion was a state-of-the-art new science department. In the summer of 2018, Ofsted reported that the school 'requires improvement' across a wide range of areas. The sixth form, however, was singled out for praise.
Profile
The main body of the school educates both male and female students aged between 13 and 16, mainly from the town of Biggleswade and some surrounding villages. In addition, the school offers further education facilities for students up to the age of 19 through its Sixth Form department. Stratton Upper School has been designated as a Training School. As a training school the school offers a postgraduate programme as well as a Graduate Teacher Programme, and an Access to Education Scheme. The School has a state of the art high performing science centre containing 12, 21st century labs, as well as an extensive playing field. The school operates football, rugby and athletics teams, as well as a house system. The school features a cafeteria, a state-of-the-art music block, a drama studio, a sports hall and a large assembly hall with stage which is often used to host various exhibitions and events.
History
The school was originally constructed during the late 1940s, being built in such a fashion that it could be used as a hospital in the event of another major conflict akin to the Second World War. The school first opened its doors to students in 1950 as "Stratton Grammar Technical School," though much of the facility remained unfinished at this time and construction would continue over the following years, with the site not finally completed until 1956. In 1976 the facility was one of many grammar schools in Britain during the period to become a comprehensive. The transition from a selective-admissions school into one which catered for the whole breadth of the community was difficult, and for some years Stratton suffered a beleaguered and “rough” reputation. This culminated in a transformative period during the mid-2000s, with the school consistently rated highly by Ofsted and achieving successful results. Stratton was subsequently the first school in the Biggleswade area to apply for and gain academy status in 2011. The Stratton Education Trust was formed a year later, and between 2012 and 2017 was also responsible for governing Gamlingay Village College. In April 2013, a fire in the Humanities Department of the school caused an estimated £30,000 worth of damage and resulted in temporary closure. Another minor incident occurred at the school in January 2017, when on-site building workers accidentally cut through an ancillary gas pipe. Some parts of the site were temporarily closed to students as a result, but lessons were largely unaffected. An extensive expansion of the site was completed in 2018, with the opening of a new science block and the remodelling of the school’s facade. In April 2019, the Stratton Education Trust announced controversial plans to close the 64-year-old school farm, which attracted considerable opposition amongst the local community. Over the Past 3 years and group of students formed an organisation Called the “Tech Team” these students planned, designed and created the Sound and lighting for various Shows, Events and Ceremonies. Along with Stage Management, the team Keep things safe and up to date. include- School of Rock, Sister act, Music Nights, Stratfest and end of year assemblies.
Headteachers
Mr H. Blayney Mr G. Suggitt Mr B. Farman Mr N. Bramwell Mr R. Watson Ms R. Hodges
