The school was established as "The Mansfield Secondary Technical School", which opened in 1945. It was housed in Nissen huts left over by a U.S. Army Hospital after the end of World War II on the outskirts of Mansfield, occupying the same site used by the current King's Mill Hospital.[3]
The school moved to new premises on the opposite side of Mansfield in 1957, becoming known as "Sherwood Hall Secondary School".[4]
In 1958 "The Sherwood Hall School for Girls" was opened, later known as Sherwood Hall Technical School for Girls.[5]Sherwood Hall Technical Grammar School For Boys moved to the site in 1961.
Comprehensive school
The two technical-grammar schools merged in 1976 to become Sherwood Hall Upper School, a coeducational comprehensive school. In 2001 it became Sherwood Hall School and Sixth Form College.
Recent history
Previously a community school administered by Nottinghamshire County Council, Sherwood Hall School converted to academy status on 1 September 2008 and was renamed The Samworth Church Academy. The academy's first year results were promising, showing a 25% increase in 'A' level and GCSE achievements.[6]
Shortly after converting from a school to academy, in December 2008 planning consent was obtained to erect a new, high, large building upon open space on the opposite side of the site close to the boundary and overlooking rear gardens of nearby residential streets which angered the owners.[8][9][10] The new construction was funded by central government.[11]
A Founders Day was held in April 2011.[12] Also in early April 2011, the older school buildings, which were empty, were consumed by fire, the second at the site following arson by teenagers in March.[13]
The new school was officially opened on 18 April 2011 by the Princess Royal.
Samworth Church Academy offers GCSEs, BTECs and OCR Nationals as programmes of study for pupils,[15] while students in the sixth form have the option to study from a range of A Levels and further BTECs.[16]
Notable former pupils
Sherwood Hall Technical School for Girls
Corinne Hollingworth, TV producer, Executive Producer from 1994-96 of EastEnders, Controller of Drama from 1996-2003 at Channel 5, and Head of Continuing Series from 2004-08 at ITV
^[1] 'Our Mansfield and Area' website administered by Mansfield District Council Museum ANNALS OF MANSFIELD - 'Timeline' "1945 - A Secondary Technical School opened in the Nissen huts" and "1948 - The Mansfield Secondary Technical School, Sutton Road, was officially opened" Retrieved 12 February 2014
^[2] 'Our Mansfield and Area' website administered by Mansfield District Council Museum ANNALS OF MANSFIELD - 'Timeline' "1957 - The Secondary Technical School moved...to Sherwood Hall." Retrieved 12 February 2014
^[3] 'Our Mansfield and Area' website administered by Mansfield District Council Museum ANNALS OF MANSFIELD - 'Timeline' "1958, 17 September - The Sherwood Hall Girls Secondary School was officially opened.." Retrieved 12 February 2014
^"Samworth has a long-term vision". Chad, 9 September 2009, p.34. Accessed 17 April 2024
^"Digging in at the Church Academy. Sponsor David Samworth...digging the first turf for Mansfield's new Samworth Church Academy building. The ceremony marked the star of work on the new building, which will replace the school's oudated facilities from 2010". Chad, 21 January 2009, p.21. Accessed 20 April 2024
^"Samworth Church Academy's new building will be complete in May 2010". Chad, 9 September 2009, p.33. Accessed 17 April 2024