Phoenix High School, Shepherds Bush

Phoenix Academy (formerly Phoenix High School and Hammersmith School, which had been formed from the merger of Christopher Wren School and Hammersmith County School) is a secondary school near White City, London, England. In 2003 it had 759 students, of whom 429 were boys.^[1]

History

Prior to 1982 there were two schools on the current site of Phoenix High School: Christopher Wren Boys' School and Hammersmith County Girls' School.

In 1982, these two single-sex schools were merged into one co-educational comprehensive school on a single campus. This school was named Hammersmith School, with the two major wings named Wren Wing and County Wing to denote the previous school buildings. At the time of merging, the combined pupil population was 2,200.^[2]

By the early 1990s, both the pupil population and educational standards at Hammersmith School had fallen and it was judged by OFSTED to be a failing school. It was featured in a Mail On Sunday article under the headline "Is this the worst school in Britain?". A relaunching and rebranding of the school to The Hammersmith School failed to improve standards, and in 1992 a major fire started by pupils in County Wing building caused extensive damage.

In 1994 the school had been placed in special measures and was listed as one of the eight most challenging schools in England and the school population had fallen to 500 pupils. William Atkinson was appointed as headteacher to attempt to turn around the school's fortunes, and it was relaunched as Phoenix High School.

In 2007 it was reported by The Guardian to be the "most improved school" in the United Kingdom, judged by "league tables" of results.^[3] Headmaster Atkinson was knighted in the 2008 Queen's Birthday Honours for "services to education and community relations".^[4]

Following Sir William's departure, the school once again declined into special measures, in May 2016. Following this, "superhead" Michael Taylor took over the leadership of the school and it became an academy in September 2016.

Notable former pupils

• Wes Foderingham (1991-), current professional footballer for Rangers F.C.

Christopher Wren Boys' School

Famous 1970s album cover, illustrated by Mike Trim

• Vigen Boyadjian, who founded Viglen computers in 1975
• Jeff Chandler (1959-) former professional footballer
• Paul Cook (1956-), English drummer, formerly of The Sex Pistols
• Les Ferdinand (1966-), former England international footballer and current Director at Queens Park Rangers.^[5]
• Tony Goodgame, left back
• Steve Jones (1955-), English guitarist, formerly of The Sex Pistols
• Jeffery Kissoon, actor
• George Lawrence (1962-) former professional footballer
• Wally Nightingale, musician, early member of the Sex Pistols
• Steve Parsons (1957-) former professional midfielder
• Don Shanks (footballer), full back
• Alex Stewart (boxer)
• Very Rev Victor Stock, Dean of Guildford from 2002-12
• Stray (band)
• Mike Trim, artist who illustrated the distinctive album cover for the 1978 epic, Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds
• John Weider, guitarist from 1966-68 with The Animals
• Dennis Wise (1966-), former England international midfielder.^[6]

Heather Small on her 2006 solo album Close to a Miracle

Hammersmith County Girls' School

• Mo Abudu, television presenter
• Sheyla Bonnick, singer with an early line-up of Boney M.
• Barbara Day, former coach of British Gymnastics
• Heather Small, distinctive soul singer with the highly-successful 1990s band M People

References

1. ↑ Ofsted report 2003
2. ↑ The school that rose again from the ashes - The Independent, June 3, 1998
3. ↑ High flyers - Education Guardian, January 11, 2007
4. ↑ "Phoenix head given a knighthood". BBC Online. June 13, 2008. Retrieved 2008-06-16. 
5. ↑ Wise, Dennis (2000). Dennis Wise: The Autobiography. London: Boxtree. ISBN 0752217194. 
6. ↑ "Hammersmith and Fulham – Team of the Month". Rugby World. April 2011. Retrieved 24 December 2012.