Parrs Wood Technology College
Encyclopedia
Parrs Wood High School is a specialist technology state comprehensive secondary school
and higher education college
situated in East Didsbury, Manchester
, England
, specifically, behind Parrs Wood Entertainment Complex off of Wilmslow Road (one of Europe's busiest bus routes). It educates young people through the ages of 11 to 18 years; A-Levels are taught at the Parrs Wood Sixth Form Centre
, although this is directly integrated with the main school. It was awarded specialist status in technology by the Specialist Schools Trust. Parrs Wood is the 4th largest school in the UK, for pupils aged 11–18, with 2,030 students and 450 in the sixth form centre.
The school had a hand in developing the IRIS (It Really Is Simple) behaviour management software during the early 2000s, which is currently used by many schools.
The original school building, built in 1967, was demolished in 2000 and was rebuilt from scratch on a site behind the original school; a new entertainment complex was constructed on the previous site as part of the re-building project.
and a designated flood plain) there is an astro-turfed rectangular sports court (enclosed with a fence) as well as various playing fields including a newly constructed softball
field on the far side of the river from the school.
The School's Music Faculty is located in Parrs Wood House
, which is a grade II* listed building dating back to the early Nineteenth Century, when it was owned by the Parrs Family of Didsbury. However from September 2011, Parrs Wood House
along with the recently closed CLC building will be home of the Sixth Form Centre, whilst the music department will move elsewhere.
Parrs wood teaches valuable life skills that will help pupils later in life.
inspection showed the School to be lacking in several areas, particularly in KS3 SAT results, and critisied the School management for failure to act to remedy the situation.
Ofsted's report reflected that this situation was unacceptable, The school was replaced under special measures, which involved Tarun Kapur (an Executive Head Teacher of two other Greater Manchester schools) becoming the Executive Headteacher of Parrs Wood.In February 2010, OFSTED judged the school to be satisfactory and as such no longer required special measures.
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
and higher education college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
situated in East Didsbury, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, specifically, behind Parrs Wood Entertainment Complex off of Wilmslow Road (one of Europe's busiest bus routes). It educates young people through the ages of 11 to 18 years; A-Levels are taught at the Parrs Wood Sixth Form Centre
Parrs Wood Sixth Form Centre
Parrs Wood Sixth Form Centre is a sixth-form college which is part of the Parrs Wood Technology College school campus and is located in Didsbury, Manchester. Parrs Wood Sixth Form opened in 2000 after the rebuild of the entire school because of the damage the old school had...
, although this is directly integrated with the main school. It was awarded specialist status in technology by the Specialist Schools Trust. Parrs Wood is the 4th largest school in the UK, for pupils aged 11–18, with 2,030 students and 450 in the sixth form centre.
The school had a hand in developing the IRIS (It Really Is Simple) behaviour management software during the early 2000s, which is currently used by many schools.
The original school building, built in 1967, was demolished in 2000 and was rebuilt from scratch on a site behind the original school; a new entertainment complex was constructed on the previous site as part of the re-building project.
Facilities
The School possesses many high-quality facilities including a fully lit auditorium, in the sports center complex, which is used for assemblies held each morning, as well as being the venue for the annual school play run by the Performing Arts Department. On top of this the hall is used for the Staff Christmas Variety Show and various other events throughout the academic year. The hall is also used as a dining room for students and a common room during morning break (10:40-11:00). The sports complex also has tennis, badminton, basketball, netball and volleyball capabilities, and is also used for examinations. On the large field (on both sides of the River MerseyRiver Mersey
The River Mersey is a river in North West England. It is around long, stretching from Stockport, Greater Manchester, and ending at Liverpool Bay, Merseyside. For centuries, it formed part of the ancient county divide between Lancashire and Cheshire....
and a designated flood plain) there is an astro-turfed rectangular sports court (enclosed with a fence) as well as various playing fields including a newly constructed softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
field on the far side of the river from the school.
The School's Music Faculty is located in Parrs Wood House
Parrs Wood House
Parrs Wood House in Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester, England, is an 18th-century Georgian villa described by Pevsner as "a poorer man's Heaton Hall." It was designated a Grade II* listed building on 25 February 1952....
, which is a grade II* listed building dating back to the early Nineteenth Century, when it was owned by the Parrs Family of Didsbury. However from September 2011, Parrs Wood House
Parrs Wood House
Parrs Wood House in Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, Manchester, England, is an 18th-century Georgian villa described by Pevsner as "a poorer man's Heaton Hall." It was designated a Grade II* listed building on 25 February 1952....
along with the recently closed CLC building will be home of the Sixth Form Centre, whilst the music department will move elsewhere.
Parrs wood teaches valuable life skills that will help pupils later in life.
Ofsted
In Spring 2007, an OfstedOfsted
The Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills is the non-ministerial government department of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools In England ....
inspection showed the School to be lacking in several areas, particularly in KS3 SAT results, and critisied the School management for failure to act to remedy the situation.
Ofsted's report reflected that this situation was unacceptable, The school was replaced under special measures, which involved Tarun Kapur (an Executive Head Teacher of two other Greater Manchester schools) becoming the Executive Headteacher of Parrs Wood.In February 2010, OFSTED judged the school to be satisfactory and as such no longer required special measures.
Gas prank
- On 10 May 2007, a canister of CS gasCS gas2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile is the defining component of a "tear gas" commonly referred to as CS gas, which is used as a riot control agent...
was discharged in the science area of Parrs Wood, which resulted in 58 students and staff being taken to hospital (although no-one was seriously injured). The incident was described by Greater Manchester PoliceGreater Manchester PoliceGreater Manchester Police is the police force responsible for law enforcement within the metropolitan county of Greater Manchester in North West England...
as an "idiotic prank".
Federation
In July 2010, it was announced that, following complaints from parents, a 'federation' with the West Trafford Learning Partnership would no longer be taking place. This decision caused Tarun Kapur, then Executive Head, to pass on leadership of the school to Andrew Shakos; Mr Kapur retains a position as 'National Leader of Education'.Leadership
The school was originally put into Special Measure partially as a result of the leadership. Rachel Jones and David Ashley (the joint head teachers) were suspended on full pay and Tarun Kapur, a local 'superhead' was put in charge. Mr Kapur's leadership of the school was often criticised by parents as not being in the interest of the school and after a failed attempt to form a federation (see above) Tarun Kapur left. Andrew Shakos was appointed as Acting Head and has been in the role since September 2010. An original attempt at appointing a head teacher was left in disarray after criticism of the process and in recent months the governing body have appointed 'Navigate', a firm of recruitment consultants, in charge of finding a new head.Alumni
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Television appearances
Parrs Wood Technology College and Sixth Form Centre is regularly used for filming. Some of the filming that goes on in the school includes:- Videos for the Qualifications and Curriculum AuthorityQualifications and Curriculum AuthorityThe Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency is an exempt charity, and an executive non-departmental public body of the Department for Children, Schools and Families...
(QCA) - Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
— High School Prom - Channel 4Channel 4Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
— Singing/acting auditions - BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
— The Street - BBCBBCThe British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
— Waterloo RoadWaterloo Road (TV series)Waterloo Road is an award-winning British television drama series, first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 9 March 2006. Set in a troubled comprehensive school in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, the series focuses on the lives of the school's teacher and students, and confronts social...
— actors and actresses are found at Parrs Wood to appear in the drama. - Teachers TVTeachers TVTeachers TV was a website and former free-to-air Distance education television channel which provided video and support materials for those who work in education in the UK, including teachers, school leaders, governors, teacher trainers, student teachers and support staff.Its aims included raising...
Awards
- 2003 School Achievement Award
- Specialist Status in Technology
- Technology CollegeTechnology CollegeTechnology College is a term used in the United Kingdom for a secondary specialist school that focuses on design and technology, mathematics and science. These were the first type of specialist schools, beginning in 1994. In 2008 there were 598 Technology Colleges in England, of which 12 also...
- High Tech Accolade
- Leading Edge Partnership
- ICT Register
- Investors In People
- Basic Skills Quality Mark
- National Association for Gifted ChildrenNational Association for Gifted ChildrenThe National Association for Gifted Children is an association in the United Kingdom for gifted and talented children, and their parents. It is a registered charity under English law.-Function:...
(NAGC) - Sport EnglandSport EnglandSport England is the brand name for the English Sports Council and is a non-departmental public body under the Department for Culture, Media and Sport...
- Manchester Healthy School Partnership
- International School Award 2005–2009
- Football Charter Award
- DfES Designated Leading Edge School