Ernulf Academy

Ernulf Academy is a secondary school and sixth form with academy status, located in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, England. The name of this school was originally "Ernulf Community School", but was later changed to "Ernulf Community College" and then in September 2004 the school changed its name again to St. Neots Community College when it gained Specialist school status. The school became Cambridgeshire's first 11 - 18 Specialist Performing Arts College. The college is one of two schools within St Neots, Longsands Academy being the other. The school in May 2009 was put under special measures but as of March 2011 they were classed by Ofsted as a "Satisfactory school with good and outstanding features". The school in now partnered with Longsands College as part of the SLP. Following a consultation the school became an academy from 1 September 2011 and was renamed Ernulf Academy.

About

St Neots Community College was the first 11-18 specialist performing arts college in Cambridgeshire. On 1 September 2004 the college relaunched with its new name. The specialist subjects are Drama, Media and Music. Together with Art these subjects form the performing arts team. Examination results in these areas are excellent.

However, the exam results for these are marred by the fact that only about 50% of students get 5 A*-C grades at GCSE each year, compared to 70% in most other local schools. This can be accounted for by the fact that the school takes in more disabled students (who may have learning difficulties, and either way often seem to get lower grades) than average. Unfortunately, the school tends to get poor OFSTED reports - it has previously achieved 'satisfactory' overall, with a few 'good' ratings in the Sixth Form only, and 'poor' behaviour but now the school has improved . The school has strong links with its local area special school Samuel Pepys enabling pupils to integrate with their mainstream peers during their post 16 education. Mr E Forrester became Principal of the school in September 2007 and left in 2010 with the school on special measures. However three pupils left the school in 2009 with 4 A grade A levels and went on to top universities. One student has straight A's in all his exams including GSCE exams.

Notable students

• Terry Wiles, (born 1962) thalidomide baby and the subject of the book and film On Giant's Shoulders (1979).^[1]

Special measures

In March 2009 the school was inspected by Ofsted and placed in special measures. The Principal, Mr Forester, has since resigned. The headmaster knew that the school would be put under special measures and introduced long-term plans. Ofsted are to return once a month until they come out of special measures.

Latest OFSTED reports have shown considerable improvements in key areas. SNCC has now entered into a federation with Longsands College in St Neots which will, hopefully, see more improvements in the management of the school.

In September 2010, St Neots Community College was partnered with Longsands College as part of the Longsands Learning Partnership (LLP). Robert Whatmough is now executive principal of both schools.

On 10 March 2011, St Neots Community College was officially out of Special Measures and has been described by Ofsted as a "Satisfactory school with good and outstanding features."

Aurora computer services

In December 2008, Aurora approached SNCC to take part in groundbreaking research for face recognition, into the educational sector. It is a plan to see more reliable ways of attendance & to see if the system will work with teenagers.

They have installed one clock-face unit to monitor the arrival of all 160 6th form students. The project is ongoing.

References

External links

• Ernulf Academy Official Website
• SNCC OFSTED Report