The Hewett Academy

The Hewett Academy
Address
Cecil Road Norwich , Norfolk , NR1 2PL
Coordinates	52.61387°N 1.28865°E / 52.61387; 1.28865
Information
Type	Academy
Established	1958
Local authority	Norfolk
Trust	Inspiration Trust
Department for Education URN	142059 Tables
Ofsted	Reports
Gender	Coeducational
Age	11 to 18
Houses	Jewson, Colman and Gurney
Website	http://www.hewett.org.uk

The Hewett Academy (formerly the Hewett School) is a coeducational secondary school located in the south of the English city of Norwich.

History

The school used to comprise three schools. Lakenham Boys' and Lakenham Girls' Secondary modern schools (East and West Site) were built in the 1950s. In 1958, the Hewett Grammar School was built next to Hall Road (now the South Site) following its move from former Junior Technical School based at Norwich City College.^[1][2] In 1970 all three schools were combined to form a comprehensive school, under headteacher Walter Roy.^[3]

Former school logo

In March 2015 the Department for Education issued an Academy Order which forced the Hewett School to convert to academy status. The order was issued after the school was deemed "inadequate" by an Ofsted inspection and was placed in special measures. However, 1,300 people signed a petition against the order.^[4] However, the school became an academy in September 2015 and is now sponsored by the Inspiration Trust.^[5]

On 26 November 2015, the school, along with the Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, was evacuated due to a suspected bomb threat.^[6][7]

In April 2018 the school was rated "good" by Ofsted.^[8]

In November 2018, centenarian former test cricketer Eileen Ash opened a sports hall named in her honour at the school.^[9]

Notable former pupils

• Saraya Bevis, professional wrestler^[10]
• Alan Brind, violinist
• Dominic Hubbard, 6th Baron Addington
• Jake Humphrey, television presenter
• Poppy Miller, actor^[11]
• Beth Orton, singer-songwriter
• Timothy Softley, chemist^[12]
• Ben Stephenson, BBC controller of drama
• Tim Westwood, BBC Radio 1 DJ

References

1. Golden memories for the Hewett class of ‘62, Norwich Evening News, 14 June 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
2. The first Hewett boys return to school in Norwich, Norwich Evening News, 1 August 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
3. Former Hewett School headteacher Walter Roy dies – share your memories, Norwich Evening News, 6 July 2012. Retrieved 2013-02-07.
4. "Hewett School in Norwich forced to become academy". BBC News.
5. George Ryan. "Anger as Government confirms Hewett School will become an Inspiration Trust academy next term". Eastern Daily Press.
6. "Norwich schools evacuation 'forced' by bomb hoax". BBC. 26 November 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
7. "Bomb hoax closes Hewett Academy and Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich - News - East Anglian Daily Times". Archived from the original on 27 November 2015. Retrieved 26 November 2015.
8. Cope, Lauren. "Norwich high school told it has overcome 'legacy of underachievement' in first report since becoming an academy". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
9. Betts, Marc (9 October 2020). "World's oldest living cricketer opens £2m sports hall". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
10. Long, Jessica (17 August 2016). "Norwich wrestler Paige suspended by WWE". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
11. Knights, Emma (2 June 2016). "Norwich actress cast in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 29 January 2021.
12. Anon (2019). "Softley, Prof. Timothy Peter". Who's Who (online Oxford University Press ed.). Oxford: A & C Black. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)