Weydon School


Weydon School is a secondary academy school located in Weydon Lane, Wrecclesham, Farnham, Surrey, England. It is the lead school of the Weydon Multi Academy Trust.

History

Opened as Weydon County Secondary School on 16 September 1957. The first headmaster was Mr A H Surman, who was succeeded by Mr Chambers. By that time there were some 500 students in 5 academic years, years 1 to 4 divided into four streams based on perceived ability/achievement, year 5 divided into 2 streams, students from the lower 2 streams having left at age 15.
Weydon School was granted Specialist Science Status in 2003. As of 2014 there are over 1,249 pupils at the school.

Site

Currently the school caters for children from 11 to 16. Its main feeder schools are Highfield South Farnham, Potters Gate CE Primary School, Rowledge CE Primary School, St Peter's, South Farnham School and Waverley Abbey School. The majority of the students go on from Weydon to The Sixth Form College, Farnborough, Farnham College, Alton College or Godalming College.
Weydon School underwent expansion in 2008 as part of the Faraday project funded by the Government and aimed to increase attainment levels in science. Weydon was selected as one of only a few schools throughout the country to receive this grant. The money was spent on a new high tech science computer room, 'rainforest room' and state of the art labs were built over a summer. Work started in June and overran by five months.
A further expansion project was announced in 2013, with work starting in 2014. It expanded the cafeteria, built new changing rooms and rebuilt the arts and humanities departments. The new 'Medici' art block was opened on 4 March 2016 containing a state-of-the-art theatre, art rooms and additional facilities. Multiple performances have been displayed within the Medici theatre alongside art displays throughout the year. The 'Globe' block was opened in 2017, it predominantly houses History, English and Geography, but also contains classrooms dedicated to Film and Media Studies as well as Religious Studies. The building contains the LRC, consisting of a extensive library and computer suite.

Organisation

The school is split into two 'colleges' - River and Castle. These aim to create a small-school feeling as the school grows in enrolment numbers.
Within the two colleges, students are organised into a tutor group of 28-30 students. The tutor groups are named after famous British rivers or castles. The Castle tutor groups are: Arundel, Newark, Pendragon, Ravensworth, Sterling, Windsor; The River tutor groups are: Avon, Clyde, Eden, Mersey, Severn, Tyne.

Inspection

The Ofsted inspection of the school in 2009 found the school to be "Exceptionally and consistently high" under all but one of the inspection areas. The school was graded "Generally above average" for the "How well does the school contribute to community cohesion?" criterion.

Weydon Multi Academy Trust

The Weydon Multi Academy Trust is made up of five local schools: Weydon School, Farnham Heath End School, The Ridgeway Community School, Woolmer Hill School and The Abbey School. It aims to "share good practice... raise standards and performance across all of the schools". It is headed by John Winter acting as the CEO of the Trust.

Notable alumni