31st January 2012
A FLURRY of red ribbon and a very important guest marked the official launch of Barnfield West Academy on Friday, January 20.
Lord Jonathan Hill CBE - The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Schools in the Department for Education – declared the £30 million building open in a special ceremony.
The state-of-the-art structure opened to students in March 2011 and is equipped with all the latest ICT facilities, including iPads, wireless laptops, interactive white boards and data projectors, as well as a 3G all-weather pitch and fitness suites.
Lord Hill was presented with a selection of Barnfield gifts prepared by students after cutting the ribbon in the Academy’s impressive galleried entrance hall. An engraved plaque on the wall commemorates the opening.
A time capsule, which was full of mementoes from the day including a school tie, 2011 coins, an invitation to the launch, the current Academy prospectus and newsletter and a montage of pictures, was put together to be buried close by.
Lord Hill said: “It is a pleasure to open the new Barnfield West Academy. I am a great fan of Barnfield and what it is trying to do. It has used the freedoms of academy status to improve results, and is now spreading its know-how and passion for education to help even more children.
“I am delighted to have the chance to express my gratitude to Pete Birkett and I wish the Academy and its pupils every success for the future.”
Barnfield Chief Executive and Founder of the Federation Pete Birkett said: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome Lord Hill to Barnfield West Academy. We ‘d like to thank him for his continued support and for taking the time from his heavy schedule to officially open our new building and join our celebration.
“The Academy has gone from strength to strength since it opened in 2007 as a part of the Barnfield Federation and this superb building and facilities will assist our students in reaching their career goals and full potential.”
Since being sponsored and joining the Barnfield family, Barnfield West Academy has quadrupled its GCSE results and is now judged as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted.
Last year the Academy celebrated its best ever GCSE results and became the first ever school in Luton to achieve a 100% pass rate for five A* to C grades, despite starting the academic year in the old school building. Students moved into the new building shortly before the exam period last year.
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