|
Capital City Academy
Harris Lowe Academy Willesden is a specialist sports and arts Academy in Willesden, North West London, in the London Borough of Brent. Prior to 2023 it was known as Capital City Academy.[1] Design.jpg) The school was designed by architect Sir Norman Foster and engineers Buro Happold, and is sponsored by Sir Frank Lowe. Capital City Academy was built to replace its predecessor Willesden High School. Its buildings on the high school's playing fields were first used in 2003 and officially opened on 12 June 2003. LocationIt is situated near Willesden Sports Stadium and King Edward VII Sports Ground. Although near Willesden Green, the school is in the parish of All Souls Archived 21 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Willesden. The school is located not far from Roundwood Park. HistoryThe school began as Willesden County School, on Uffington Road (off Doyle Gardens) in 1924 and the buildings were extended in 1932. In September 1940, a bomb destroyed four classrooms; a V-1 flying bomb landed nearby in 1944 at the junction of Doyle Gardens and All Souls Avenue. Following the Education Act 1944, it became Willesden County Grammar School in 1947;[2] one of five grammar schools run by the Willesden Education Committee. one of five grammar schools run by the Willesden Education Committee. For one year in 1966 it became Willesden Grammar-Technical School when it amalgamated with Willesden School of Engineering in Goodson Road earlier known as Leopold Road Comprehensive. In September 1967, it joined with Pound Lane School on Pound Lane to become a comprehensive school known as Willesden High School. In 2003, it became one of the first three academies in England, with the aim of attempting to overcome educational underachievement in deprived areas. At the time, Willesden High School had some of the worst GCSE results in the UK.[3] Notable visitsFormer UK prime minister Tony Blair opened the Academy.[4] Frank McCourt the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes visited and signed copies of his books for the Gifted education group of students, reviewing the Carnegie Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal nominations of the year.[5] HLAW in the MediaThe ChildrenThe Children was a TV Mini Series aired on ITV in September 2008. The main character was a headteacher played by Inspector Morse actor, Kevin Whately. The scenes set at his school were filmed in the academy, with actual students, as extras. Teachers TVThe Academy has been filmed for Teachers TV a number of times most notably in its first two years.[6] where it goes into depth about the school on the original site of the Academy, Willesden High School. Sports HallThe Academy's main sports hall is home to the PAWS London Capital basketball team, one of the leading clubs based in the capital city. Having recently featured in the British Basketball League for three years, the Caps currently compete in Division 1 of the English Basketball League. AlumniCapital City Academy
Wilesden High School
Willesden County Grammar School
Former teachers
References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Capital City Academy. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
