School is reborn after ‘Trojan Horse’ scandal
ASCHOOL which was in ‘turmoil’ and branded as ‘failing’ amid the legacy of the Trojan Horse affair has celebrated outstanding GCSE results – marking what its chief called “the end of the beginning”.
Adrian Packer, chief executive of the trust that oversees Rockwood Academy in Alum Rock, said the school had been on ‘an incredible journey’ since opening in 2015 in the midst of the damaging controversy.
He said: “The young people we have seen this week collecting their GCSE results are those who arrived here as Year 7 students on day one of the new academy, at what was a difficult time that was challenging for them and their families. To see the
happiness, and to see them get results they have worked so hard for – this is all about their smiles, it’s lovely to see. They had a difficult time and have shown incredible determination and resilience.
“This is the end for this school.”
The school sits on the site of the former Park View School, which was at the heart of a probe into discredited allegations of a plot to oust some Birmingham head teachers and make their schools adhere to more conservative Islamic principles.
Dubbed ‘Trojan Horse’, the allegations resulted in five inquiries and a series of disciplinary hearings against teachers. The school was one of five that were put in special measures as a result. Rockwood Academy is now rated ‘good’ by Ofsted.
Mr Packer said: “The media inter
of the beginning views I gave when we first opened as Rockwood Academy were quite defensive about what was going on at the school.
“There was a lot of concern about the quality of education the pupils were getting. My job was to look forward to days like this really.
“If there is a secret to our success it is about being optimistic and to strive for improved outcomes for the children, with an incredible head teacher and hard working dedicated workforce. That doesn’t just mean GCSE results – this is amazing but what’s more amazing is to stand here and reflect on the kind of education these children get every day.
“We have really broadened the curriculum and given them far more opportunities outside of the day to day curriculum.
“For example, we are now a UCL Beacon School and we lead on Holocaust education – that could not have happened five years ago because we were just not ready for it, the school was in turmoil.
“In those years we have focused on providing a fantastic experience every day.
“That sounds easy but there have been challenges along the way – there have been tears and tantrums, but it’s absolutely worth it for days like today. We are truly proud of our students.”
The school has adopted a key focus on science, technology, engineering and maths – the STEM subjects – with pupils performing exceptionally well.
Some 15 students secured the top grade 9 in a range of topics – the highest grade which is only achieved by the top 3 per cent in the country.