PUPILS going to the former Heywood School after the summer holidays willl have to get used to calling it a new name – the Forest E-ACT Academy.

The name of the proposed academy was confirmed following a four week consultation period with students, staff and parents.

Sponsored by leading education social enterprise company E-ACT, Forest E-ACT Academy will remain on the same site on Causeway Road, Cinderford and continue to educate students between the ages of 11 to 16.

The academy is due to open in September and will specialise in mathematics and sport.

A spokesman for Forest E-ACT Academy says the school believes these specialised curriculum areas will make a distinctive contribution to the improvement of the whole academy and instil a strong ethos of student leadership.

Tanya Prosser, principal designate of the proposed Forest E-ACT Academy, said: "I am delighted to be part of the team moving Heywood Community School towards becoming Forest E-ACT Academy.

"The consultation process was a huge success and I would like to thank all those who were involved. This is an extremely exciting project and a fantastic opportunity for students and staff, to build on the good work to date, and work towards becoming an outstanding academy.

"I am very pleased that the proposed Forest E-ACT Academy will have mathematics as one of its specialisms. We have recently celebrated our current Year 11 early maths results, with 63 per cent  of students achieving A* - C grades.

"This percentage is expected to rise further with the August results. Our recent Ofsted subject inspection awarded mathematics 'Good'  for each of the Ofsted subject headings, including Achievement; Quality of Teaching; Quality of the Curriculum and the Effectiveness of Leadership and Management. 

"I'm very proud of my students and look forward to results improving even more as the Forest E-ACT Academy."

Sir Bruce Liddington, director general of E-ACT, said: "E-ACT is delighted the consultation went so well and would like to thank everyone involved.

"It has provided us with invaluable information to help ensure that the proposed Forest E-ACT Academy equips young people for the rest of their academic life. We want to instil good all round education and opportunities to excel."