The Thomas AlleyneAcademy is an Academy in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, England. It was founded in 2013, but can trace its roots back to 1558, when the original school was set up from the will of Thomas Alleyne. It is situated at the northern end of Stevenage High Street, in Stevenage Old Town, adjacent to the roundabout of the A1072 and the A602, and more than 200 metres to the east of the East Coast Main Line. It is also adjacent to The Barclay School.
History
died in 1558, having made provisions in his will for the founding of the school. It was originally known as Master Allen's School. By 1869 it was known as Alleyne's Grammar School, a boys' grammar school. Francis Cammaerts, French Resistance leader and witness in the Lady Chatterley's Lover Trial, was headmaster from 1952 to 1961. In 1969 it became a comprehensive, Alleyne's School. In 1989 it merged with Stevenage Girls' School and changed to its current name. During the summer of 2012, Thomas Alleyne's was chosen to choose a torchbearer to run with the torch for the 2012 Summer Olympics; the Physical Education Department decided to pick Luca Wells because of his sportsmanship and stamina. The current principal at the Thomas Alleyne Academy is Ms Julia Flanagan, she worked at the school for many years becoming its first vice principal and later the principal of the academy. Mark Lewis is now running the Davinci Studio Schools in Stevenage and Letchworth as well as the Academy. On Sunday 1 September 2013, Alleynes became a Sponsored Academy, sponsored by North Hertfordshire College. Being an Academy means that Alleynes has more control over finances and their curriculum, which they wouldn't have if they had stayed as a 'School'. This means that the Academy is now funded directly by central government.
Academy Status
In March 2013, the School requested to turn into an Academy, this basically means that they have more control over their finances and how much their teachers are paid. Alleynes went into a partnership with North Herts College. Thomas Alleyne was one of the first schools to give; Staff, Students and Parents a direct involvement in the process. They held regular meetings with the Student Parliament throughout 2013.
