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| *Elliot Birtwhistle, Professional gambler, biology student | |||
| == Television appearances == | == Television appearances == | ||
Revision as of 07:41, 26 November 2013
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| Parrs Wood High School | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| East Didsbury, Greater Manchester England | |
| Information | |
| Type | Comprehensive |
| Motto | "Believe Achieve Succeed" |
| Established | 1967 |
| Local authority | Manchester |
| Specialist | Technology |
| Department for Education URN | 105556 Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Headteacher | A Shakos |
| Staff | 250 |
| Gender | co-educational |
| Age | 11 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 2030 |
| Colour(s) | Jade green and black (inverted colours for KS4 students) |
| Website | http://www.parrswood.manchester.sch.uk |
Parrs Wood High School is a specialist technology state comprehensive secondary school and higher education college situated in East Didsbury, Manchester, England, specifically, behind Parrs Wood Entertainment Complex off of Wilmslow Road. It educates young people through the ages of 11 to 18 years; A-Levels are taught at the Parrs Wood Sixth Form Centre, although this is directly integrated with the main school. It was awarded specialist status in technology by the Specialist Schools Trust. Parrs Wood is the 4th largest school in the UK, for pupils aged 11–18, with 2,030 students and 450 in the sixth form centre.
The school had a hand in developing the IRIS (It Really Is Simple) behaviour management software during the early 2000s, which is currently used by many schools.
The original school building, built in 1967, was demolished in 2000 and was rebuilt from scratch on a site behind the original school; a new entertainment complex was constructed on the previous site as part of the re-building project.
Facilities
The school's facilities include a fully lit auditorium in the sports center complex, which is used for assemblies held each morning, as well as being the venue for the annual school play run by the Performing Arts Department and for the Staff Christmas Variety Show and various other events throughout the academic year. The hall is also used as a dining room for students and a common room. The sports complex also has tennis, badminton, basketball, netball and volleyball capabilities, and is also used for examinations. On the large field (on both sides of the River Mersey and a designated flood plain) there is an astro-turfed rectangular sports court as well as various playing fields including a newly constructed softball field on the far side of the river from the school.
The School's Music Faculty is located in Parrs Wood House, a grade II* listed building dating back to the early Nineteenth century, when it was owned by the Parrs Family of Didsbury. However from September 2011, Parrs Wood House along with the recently closed CLC building will be home of the Sixth Form Centre, whilst the music department will move elsewhere.
Ofsted
In Spring 2007, an Ofsted inspection showed the School to be lacking in several areas, particularly in KS3 SAT results, and criticised the School management for failure to act to remedy the situation. The report reflected that this situation was unacceptable and the school was placed in special measures. In February 2010, OFSTED judged the school to be satisfactory and as such no longer required special measures.
In its most recent inspection, the school was graded as Grade 3 - Satisfactory.
Controversy
Gas prank
In May 2007, a canister of CS gas was discharged in the science area of Parrs Wood, which resulted in 58 students and staff being taken to hospital. The incident was described by Greater Manchester Police as an "idiotic prank".
Judicial Review
In 2012, Judge Peeling QC, found against the governing body of the school in a Judicial Review of a decision to suspend one of the governors.
Casino
The school is directly opposite a branch of Grosvenor G Casinos in the Parrs Wood entertainment centre complex. Members of Manchester council’s planning committee originally rejected the plans to build the casino after Didsbury residents objected due to a possible negative effect on the livelihood of pupils at the school: students would have to walk past the casino on a daily basis in order to attend. Despite the original rejection, Grosvenor G Casinos were granted planning permission in March 2011. The Parrs Wood branch has been open as of June 2012.
Notable former pupils
- Qasim Akhtar, actor, Shameless and Mischief Night
- Max Beesley, actor and musician
- Suranga Chandratillake, internet entrepreneur and founder-CEO of blinkx
- Robbie Conway, actor, Shameless
- Martin Galway, video game music composer
- Holliday Grainger, film and television actress
- Jon Ingold, interactive fiction game writer
- Graeme Morrice, Labour MP
- Lucy Powell, Labour MP
- Chris Roberts, game developer, creator of the Wing Commander (franchise)
- Danny Webber, professional footballer
Television appearances
Parrs Wood Technology College and Sixth Form Centre is regularly used for filming. Some of the filming that goes on in the school includes:
- Videos for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA)
- Channel 4 — High School Prom
- Channel 4 — Singing/acting auditions
- BBC — The Street
- BBC — Waterloo Road — actors and actresses are found at Parrs Wood to appear in the drama.
- Teachers TV
Awards
- 2003 School Achievement Award
- Specialist Status in Technology
- Technology College
- High Tech Accolade
- Leading Edge Partnership
- ICT Register
- Investors In People
- Basic Skills Quality Mark
- National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC)
- Sport England
- Manchester Healthy School Partnership
- International School Award 2005–2009
- Football Charter Award
- DfES Designated Leading Edge School
Pictures
-
School's main sports hall
-
Part of the open plan school.
-
A birdseye view of Parrs Wood school campus.
-
Parrs Wood House - A Grade II* listed Victorian building once belonging to the Parrs family will be home of the Sixth Form Centre.
References
- Towle, Nick (28 July 2008). "The school with two heads". The South Manchester Reporter. MEN Media. Retrieved 20 January 2012.
- "Parrs Wood High School". Ofsted. Retrieved 12 October 2011.
- "Parrs Wood High School". Ofsted. Retrieved 23 September 2013.
- "School gas leak 'idiotic prank'". BBC News. 11 May 2007.
- Lexis report on Judicial Review
- Council throws out plans for 24-hour Parrs Wood casino
- Grovesnor Casino due to open
External links
53°24′30″N 2°13′01″W / 53.40833°N 2.21694°W / 53.40833; -2.21694
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