The Rodillian Academy (formerly Rodillian School) is a mixed secondary School and sixth form with academy status located in Lofthouse, West Yorkshire, England. The school has 1,556 pupils aged between 11 and 18.[1] The school also has Specialist Arts College status. The name 'Rodillian' is derived from the name that was given to former pupils of the Rothwell Grammar School.
The school was originally built in 1933 as Rothwell Grammar School to serve the needs of children in Rothwell and the surrounding areas. Edwin Robert Manley was headteacher from 1933 to 1965. He was active in local politics, and he wrote and self-published Meet the Miner.[2]
In 2008 it moved into a £93 million building.[citation needed]
The school became an academy in summer 2012.[3]
In December 2013 the Rodillian Academy was approved by the Department for Education to become an academy sponsor.[4] The Rodillian Multi Academy Trust was formed in September 2014 with the Rodillian Academy acting as the lead school in the trust that also includes The Featherstone Academy.[citation needed]
In its most recent Ofsted inspection in 2016, the school's overall effectiveness was found to be 'good'. Both the effectiveness of the school's leadership and management and the personal development, behaviour and welfare pupils were judged to be outstanding.[5]
In September 2008, Rodillian moved to a newly built school as part of the Leeds BSF Project. At the new school are a lecture theatre, a library, sporting facilities including fitness centres and gyms, dance halls and PE classrooms.[6] Part of the new build is a children's centre that allows for use of the school's sporting and educational facilities by children up to five years of age.[7]
The school's main sport was Rugby Union.[8]
The school's academic performance has improved over the last 5 years and it is now regarded[by whom?] as one of the most improved schools in the North of England. Rodillian has improved its exam results from 19% 5 A*-C including English and Maths in 2007 to 49% in 2010, 48% in 2011 and in 2012 64%
The school has also improved its percentage of pupils gaining 5 A*-C from 35% in 2007 to 87% in 2011.