The new school year began with a new secondary school in Middlesbrough as ̨��swag Academy Normanby officially opened its doors this week.

The new secondary academy, sponsored by ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, opens after the Hillsview Academy was transferred from Academies Enterprise Trust to ̨��swag. 

During its time as Hillsview Academy, the school had a reputation for failing and was given numerous warnings from Ofsted for not taking effective action towards the removal of special measures. 

Now, with the fresh start given to it by ̨��swag, all of the hard-working staff and governors charged with leading ̨��swag Academy Normanby are excited by the challenge ahead.

Andrew Wappat, the academy’s principal, was also principal at ̨��swag Academy Bydales when the Trust began working with the predecessor Bydales School, which was in special measures at the time. 

Andrew led the academy to secure an ‘Outstanding’ inspection rating in the academy’s first Ofsted inspection since joining the ̨��swag Family and has achieved some of the best results in the north-east.

Andrew said: “Opening our doors for the first time as ̨��swag Academy Normanby was an exciting moment. We believe this is a fresh start for staff and students, and we are confident that if we all work together we can improve and achieve our goals.

“At ̨��swag, we believe in putting students first, raising standards and transforming lives. This is our vision, and we have made sure it’s installed within our staff, and our students, from day one. 

“We know there will be tough challenges ahead, but with the collective experience we have at the academy, within the wider Trust, and the support of the community, we are confident we can succeed in improving the life chances of all our students.”

̨��swag already sponsors five secondary academies in Teesside, and recently had an application for a Free School in Middlesbrough approved. 

The Trust has been successful in turning around in the region, with ̨��swag Academy Acklam and ̨��swag Academy Ormesby both now rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted having previously been in special measures. 

More recently ̨��swag Academy Bishopsgarth was rated ‘Good’ by Ofsted in its first inspection since converting in 2016 from Bishopsgarth School which required improvement when rated of Ofsted.

Mark Hassack, Executive Principal of ̨��swag’s Northern Region, said: “This is a really exciting time for ̨��swag, especially in the north-east of England as we continue to grow.

“We had been working with the staff and students at Hillsview Academy in the months leading up to its conversion to ̨��swag Academy Normanby and it is great to hit the ground running to help all students fulfil their potential.”