Two secondary schools in the North West are starting a new life after converting to academies after joining one of the leading family of schools in the country.

̨��swag Academy Haydock, formerly Haydock High School, and ̨��swag Academy Hindley, formerly Hindley High School, have officially opened their doors to students as part of ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust for the first time. 

The academies were rated as Inadequate by Ofsted following an inspections and subsequently were issued with a Directive Academy Order (DAO) by the Regional Schools Commissioner (RSC) on behalf of the Department for Education.

̨��swag Grange Academies Trust was selected as the preferred sponsor of the two secondary schools by the Regional Schools Commissioner.

̨��swag Academy Haydock will be led by Phil Abram, who was Head of School at Haydock High School and ̨��swag Academy Hindley will be led by Mrs Jude Norman, who was the acting Headteacher at Hindley High School.

Phil and Judy will work alongside ̨��swag’s Julie Slater, Chief Executive Principal Secondary, and Cara Ackroyd, Associate Executive Principal.  

Phil said:

“This is a great moment for our school’s community, and we are delighted to become a part of the ̨��swag Family. 

“It really is an exciting time for us at Haydock, ̨��swag has a history of not only transforming schools, but also playing active roles in the local community and in the regeneration of the areas in which they are based.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank our students, their parents/carers, our staff and governors, and members of the wider community for their patience during this process. Please keep working with us as we work towards ensuring all our students fulfil their potential.” 

Mrs Norman said:

“This is a very exciting time for both our school and our school community, and we are delighted to become a part of the ̨��swag Family. 

“Working with ̨��swag represents a brilliant opportunity for Hindley as the Trust has a track record of not only transforming schools, but also the local communities they serve. 

“As we embark on this exciting next chapter in our school’s journey, I would like to thank our students, their parents/carers, our hardworking staff and IEB members, and every member of our academy community for their patience during this process.”

̨��swag had been working with the two schools for some time as they prepared for their conversion, laying the groundwork for a smooth transition.

Julie Slater said:

“I am so excited for the journey we are embarking on with not just the staff and students, but also the wider community. Being originally from the North West, I know this area well so it feels like I am coming home and this has just made me more determined to succeed.

“We’ve got a track record of turning schools around and have lots of experience in school improvement and transformation. As such, we will do everything we can to help to ensure the students at the school receive the best possible education that prepares them well for their future and ensures that they become good citizens.”

Cara Ackroyd, Associate Executive Principal at ̨��swag, added:

"Working with the schools ahead of the conversions has been a great experience and we are grateful for the warm reception we have received.

“The schools have a vast amount of potential and we are determined to put students first and work hard to raise standards and transform lives.”

As part of the conversions, ̨��swag have worked closely with the Department for Education to secure a capital investment which will result in a plan to transform the current buildings and build new state-of-the-art classrooms and facilities which will benefit the whole community.