ALL eyes are on the future at Haxby Road PrimarySchool and Robert Wilkinson Primary Academy after both schools opted out of local authority control and formed the Ebor Academy Alliance. Executive head teacher Richard Ludlow talks to education reporter Haydn Lewis about what the decision means.

ROBERT Wilkinson in Strensall became York’s first primary academy with Haxby Road to follow close on its heels on February 1.

As The Press reported in December, the arrangement means Haxby Road is sponsored by Robert Wilkinson in Strensall as part of the Ebor Academy Alliance, meaning each becomes self-governing, with Haxby Road securing a £50,000 Government grant for immediate environmental improvements which include new playground equipment and a programme of redecoration.

Executive head Richard Ludlow says that, with about 160 pupils at Haxby Road, which was placed in special measures last year, it’s a case of raising attainment and aspirations. He said: “Initially the biggest change was changing staff and now it’s changing the provision in terms of expertise. We have a new head appointed, Zoe Lightfoot, and three assistant heads working here and a deputy head working as part of a change team who are driving things forward.

“We have a link-up with York St John University under the School’s Direct Training scheme with 13 initial teacher training students based here while they do their training. It’s a new model which the Government is very keen on. I look at it as a chance to grow your own teachers.

“One of the things we have created in school is a calm and purposeful environment in learning.

“We have changed the timetable so you never see 160 children on the playground all at once, we only have about 30 children on the playground at any one time.

“When the school went in to special measures, one of the things mentioned was behaviour and you need to decide, is it the children or the organisation, and a few changes to routine have made big differences.”

Mr Ludlow said the academy status also meant the alliance had agreed a deal with The Jorvik Group of attractions, the organisation behind the city’s Viking Centre. It means the children at both schools can take part in archaeological digs The partnership means The Jorvik Group can work with the schools closely to trial and develop educational materials including an artefacts training session with the teaching staff, who will be given access to newly created education resources on an archaeological theme.

Another change at the school is lengthening the school day until 4.30pm for the older children from Monday to Thursday so that they can experience additional activities including music, cooking, PE, IT, drama and dance – all clubs with a skill-based focus, many of the activities which also take place at Robert Wilkinson.

Haxby Road and Robert Wilkinson will also both benefit from links with schools abroad, including partnerships with schools in Spain and Singapore.