In 1971, the school reduced its age range to 12-18, as the area became a three-tier area, with provision for children in middle schools up until the age of twelve. This situation was reversed in 2004, with the school once again taking pupils aged eleven, at the beginning of Year 7. In preparation for this latter change, the school had considerable work done to buildings. It had been thought that the school would form part of the localPrivate Finance Initiative which re-built other local schools, but this was not to be the case.
Academy status
At the start of August, 2011, Hazelwick School became an Academy School in line with new laws passed by the Coalition Government. Academy status was sought due to the school governing body and parental community wanting to have independent control over the school, believing that in the long run the school itself is best placed to make decisions about its future development.
Students
The school caters for around 2000 pupils who are separated into 7 different years within the school. Years 7 to 9 study at Key Stage 3 which acts as the foundation knowledge of their educational career. Years 10 to 11 study at Key Stage 4 where pupils study to obtain a variety of qualifications such as; GCSEs, BTECs, NVQs and some pupils can even take A Levels. At Hazelwick's Sixth Form, approximately 400 students are taught at Key Stage 5 which provides several different qualifications for students to obtain, with the main being A Levels. A range of other higher level awards such as BTEC and NVQ are also offered by the school.
Curriculum
The school is a specialist technology college having specialisms in Humanities and Technology. It was awarded the Naacemark for schools, recognising the school's success in developing and implementing a strategic approach to ICT. Although specialised the school offers a vast range of subjects within the curriculum, from core subjects such as Maths, Science and English to subjects as varied as Drama, Electronics, Art, Music, ICT and more.
Sister School
Hazelwick School is twinned with Aggrey School in Ghana. This twinning was, until Ann Fearon's appointment as Head Teacher of the school, celebrated with alternating annual trips being made by sixth formers and teachers. During the visit by Aggrey to Hazelwick a week of events to do with the cultural aspects of Ghana take place throughout the school to further ties between the two schools.
