Pupils defy doubters over race harmony

PUPILS have quashed fears that bringing together two segregated schools in a new academy would result in racial tensions.

They have told Ofsted inspectors that former Breeze Hill and Counthill pupils have merged well and generally get on well together at Waterhead Academy.

The education watchdog visited the academy, which is sponsored by Oldham College, to monitor its progress since it opened in September, 2010.

It is split over two campuses on the sites of the former schools, and will move into a new building in Waterhead next year. The majority of Breeze Hill pupils were from Pakistani backgrounds while most Counthill pupils were white.

BBC’s “Newsnight” programme followed the opening of the academy, featuring pupils who expressed fears about racial tensions.

Ofsted acknowledges that the academy replaced two schools where there was little ethnic diversity.

But it says that “working together” days are effectively bringing pupils from both sites together.”

Overall the academy has made satisfactory progress in raising standards. Attainment remains below average, but is above government minimum targets, and gaps between the attainment of different groups of pupils are smaller than those found nationally.

There has been a small improvement on the last GCSE results from the two predecessor schools and students make satisfactory progress.

Attendance is broadly average, and has improved since the academy opened, and pupils say that behaviour has improved. Teaching is also improving.