Middle school welcomes academy status

This time it was the turn of Henlow Academy, formerly known as Henlow Middle School.

The change took place on Sunday, April 1 but staff and students marked the transfer in a special assembly on Friday (April 27). There were plenty of guests including current and past governors as well as Bert Schrier, clerk to Henlow Parish Council.

Geoffrey Williams, David Fraser and Jane Chipperton from the Diocese of St Albans all attended.

Pupils were given a 200 year history of the village and details of Henlow Academy’s 36 year history.

Speeches were made by three former pupils who now teach at the school and by Martin Leavey, who has taught at the school since 1986.

The intention was to follow the assembly with a fun run but it had to be rescheduled due to the pouring rain. But the children’s disco in the evening was able to go ahead and was greatly enjoyed by the youngsters.

Headteacher, Ray Payne, explained that the change will give the school more control over its future. He said: “We are aware that the local authority does not have the resources to provide the level of support to schools that it has done in the past.

“We wanted to ensure that we can maintain the high standards that we already have. This flexibility will give us the opportunity to improve.”