Wow. What a transformation. This is Concordia Academy.
Just imagine this site in 2006. Empty. Silent. The Oldchurch Hospital stood here then. A shadow of its former glory. It had served as a military hospital during World War One. It even joined the National Health Service in 1948. But time marches on. The hospital closed its doors in December 2006. Its functions moved to newer facilities.
Now look around you. Concordia Academy opened in September 2016. A brand-new state-of-the-art primary school. It began with 90 Reception pupils. The school’s history is entwined with the land. It occupies the site of the Oldchurch Hospital. That’s quite a story in itself. The hospital’s roots go back to 1893. It started as an infirmary to support the Romford Union Workhouse.
Concordia Academy isn’t just a school. It’s a community hub. It provides an exceptional education for Havering children. It grew quickly. It moved from a temporary site to this stunning building on Union Road. The school continues to grow. It aims to be a full primary academy by 2023 with a capacity of 630 students. The teachers aim for a high-quality education. The school delivers the National Curriculum. It also emphasizes the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This includes play-based learning. It focuses on developing social skills and a strong foundation in English and Mathematics. This is a school where children have a chance to flourish.
Concordia Academy received an Outstanding rating at its most recent Ofsted inspection. This is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the staff. The school is committed to providing an appropriate and high-quality education to all its pupils. Every child matters here. They have access to a broad and balanced curriculum.
In 2019 the school had 6 full-time teachers and 2 teaching assistants. The mean gross salary was higher than the national average. The pupil-teacher ratio is a good indication of the attention each child gets.
So next time you pass by. Remember this isn’t just a building. It’s a place of learning. It’s a community that blossomed from the ashes of a hospital. It’s Concordia Academy a testament to transformation and dedication to education.