Joy for Hewett Academy as it reaches next milestone in rebuilding programme
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Norwich-city-based secondary school, Hewett Academy, is celebrating today as it moved one step closer to providing a state of art building for both existing pupils, as well as increasing capacity for even more from the community.
This comes as a key milestone was reached, as planning permission for the refurbishment of the school at Cecil Road in the south of the city was granted by Norwich City Council today (Monday 30 September).
The news that the project, part of the Department for Education’s (DfE’s) School Rebuilding Programme, can progress has been greeted with delight by the school and its community.
Antony Little, Principal at Hewett Academy, said:
"The new build for Hewett Academy will be one that matches the ambition and aspirations of our students. This state-of-the-art school will be a fitting place to learn for local students, and builds on the history and the heritage of the school.
The iconic clocktower remains and there is a refurbishment of the Walter Roy Theatre, which will stand alongside the new buildings as a coming-together of the school’s rich history and its brilliant future.
Coming so soon after our good and outstanding Ofsted and record GCSE results, shows that Hewett is ‘the place to be’ right now.”
Simon Jones, a member of the academy committee and who has a step-son in Year 8, said:
“This investment is long overdue and is much deserved by the school. Hewett’s teachers are amazing, and this will provide them – and the students – a showcase building to be proud of.
We can’t thank Hewett and the Inspiration Trust enough for helping to make this happen.”
Hewett Academy has recently secured a record set of GCSE results, with 74% of pupils achieving grades 9-4 in both English and maths – an 11% increase on last year, and 55% secured 9-5, a 12% jump on last year’s results.
The success does not end there, however, as the Norwich-based school has had an outstanding year. Renowned for its exceptional visual arts offer, it has recently launched its art scholarship and had a staggering eight students’ work included in the Royal Academy of Arts’ Young Artists’ Summer Show 2024. Every student achieved a grade 5 or higher in GCSE photography and 93% received 5 or above in graphics.
In its Ofsted inspection last year, the academy was rated ‘Good’ for:
- quality of education
- behaviour and attitudes
- leadership and management
and ‘Outstanding’ for its personal development of pupils, receiving commendation by the inspectors for its dedication to the care and wellbeing of its students.
Gareth Stevens, chief executive of Inspiration Trust which oversees a further 16 academies in addition to Hewett Academy said:
"We're delighted that by listening to and incorporating the views of the community, our project to provide a first-class building for Hewett has received such strong local support. This has been eight years in the making, so this is a joyous day, and we'd like to thank everyone who's been part of this journey with us.
Improving our teaching and sporting facilities, so they match the exceptional education our pupils receive, not only benefits existing students but will also mean we can offer the Hewett experience to even more families."
The proposal is to redevelop the school buildings and its surroundings so it is in keeping with the local area, honours the history and culture of the school, while providing more community and green spaces.
Timeline:
2015 – Hewett joins the Inspiration Trust
July 2022 – Hewett Academy named as one of the 61 schools listed on the Department of Education’s School Rebuilding Programme
Dec 2023 – Public consultation event
Feb 2024 – Planning permission application validated
Sep 2024 – planning permission granted
Next steps
Final ministerial approval.