Hello, I'd like to introduce you to Westfield Academy, and to myself, Tim Boddy, and I'm the head teacher.
Westfield Academy, in my opinion, is a truly unique place. We are one of the few non-selective schools in this area,
and I think that's an important thing. We see ourselves as a school for this local community,
a school that offers every opportunity to every child in this area, and not one that selects its students.
Now, that has a significant impact on what we then offer. We offer opportunities for every child who comes through our doors,
whether it is GCSE Latin, Hair and Beauty, Porticulture, Science, English Maths.
My name is Miss McGordy, and I'm the lead practitioner of teaching learning, and I'm also an English teacher at Westfield Academy.
Westfield Academy is a really important school in terms of growth of students and teachers.
Staff talk about teaching, they monitor, observe each other teaching, and most importantly, staff learn from each other about teaching
and how we can make ourselves the best school in Hertfordshire.
I'm Nadia, I'm in year eight. My favourite thing about Westfield is how we can do different clubs,
and there's not just sports clubs or just drama clubs, there's like every single club that you could think of.
It's a great school if you begin very nice teachers, very confident.
Day by day, they help you to fix your behaviour and do all they can to encourage you to get good grades,
and I've always seen this, because I started off with very, very low grades, and right now I've got a nice style.
My form for Mr Buck is really nice, but he actually listens to what we're saying and doesn't just tell us.
I really like to love this school because they always help you out with your problems and they don't just leave you alone,
and there's also a concerns box where you can put any concerns or worries in.
My favourite thing about the school is probably just coming in and being in a nice environment,
and where all the teachers are loving and supporting them, all the students with all their behaviours.
The thing I love about this school is that students get to say and listen to in school through student council,
and we meet every month with the head teacher, and we get to say what other students have said to us or anything they don't like.
In sports day, you get to choose what you want to do, as well as the teachers push you to do stuff that you don't normally do,
but you still do it, so you enjoy it as well.
I like how the teachers push you so that you can do your best, so that when you grow older, you can get a good job and succeed.
The thing I love about Westfield is that I can feel safe in the environment, and the teachers are very supportive and understanding we're having problems.
In the next year, we'll be moving into the new building and we'll be implementing all of our new ideas and stuff,
and yes, grades at Westfield are also improving, and I've enjoyed my time here.
Our main focus is that all children make expected progress and that they really succeed in school and in the future.
In November this year, we will be moving everyone into a new purpose-built building, which is over £20 million.
I think that's really important because it shows the local community the value that is placed on education in this area.
It's really important, and for me it will set the tone for the future of this school.
