Greendown Community School, Swindon

Year 9 Options Information

Click here for the booklet and here for the information letter.

Welcome to our school

Lydiard Park Academy opens its doors to new pupils for the first time in September 2012. The Academy will be the successor school to Greendown Community School, occupying an enviable site on the edge of West Swindon bordering Lydiard House and Park.

A new beginning

The granting of Academy status in August 2011 was testimony to how successful Greendown had become. However, the view of staff and governors was that this opportunity should be used to trigger a new phase of growth – one in which the school would become a nationally known centre of excellence. From this ambition came the idea of a new school, built on the successes of the recent past but with a distinctive identity and unique approach. We are developing a new website that will grow during the course of this year www.lydiardparkacademy.org.uk and further information can be found by clicking here.

Our goal

We aim to be the school of choice for parents who want their children to be the very best that they can be. Our two new academy programmes are central to fulfilling this goal. They will be unique to Swindon and, in the case of the Sports Academy, unique within UK schools. Our view is based on practice seen at firsthand in the best schools internationally. Giving pupils a platform to excel in their areas of talent ensures others also aspire to do well, raising expectations and standards throughout the school.

FAQs about the forthcoming changes

Lydiard Park Academy admission arrangements

Swindon Borough Council is consulting the proposed admission arrangements for the 2013-14 academic year, on behalf of Lydiard Park Academy.

A copy of the proposed admission arrangements can be found by clicking on the link below:

The consultation period runs from 4th January 2012 until 28th February and we welcome any comments that you may have on the arrangements before they are ratified by the Secretary of State for Education in April 2012. You can comment on the proposed arrangements by writing to The Lydiard Park Academy at Grange Park Way, Grange Park, Swindon SN5 6HN.

These admission arrangements will form the policy under which applications to Lydiard Park Academy will be considered for the 2013-14 academic year and comply with the legal requirements of the School Admissions and Appeals Code.

Upcoming Key Dates

Tuesday 7th February - Year 10 Subject Consultation Evening (4:30pm - 8:30pm)
Friday 10th February - End of Term 3 (3:30pm)
Monday 20th February - Start of Term 4 (08:40am)

Skip site news

AN ACADEMY has struck gold after being selected to be the torchbearers for local schools in the build-up to the Olympic Games.

Lydiard Park Academy, formerly Greendown School, has been awarded a £7,000 grant to lead a Swindon-wide school project to prepare for the London 2012 Olympics.

The project is inviting all primary schools in the town and surrounding areas to identify two Olympic Ambassadors, who will come together to plan school-based projects and celebrate the Games.

Once schools have identified their ambassadors, they will all come together for a conference on February 3 at the Academy to plan projects.

Among their challenges will be to encourage other pupils to get involved with sport, support their school to enter the Swindon School Games on July 12 and establish a 2012 Olympics display.

Chris Dobbs, assistant principal and head of PE at the academy, said: “It is an honour to be selected by the 2012 Olympics to lead this project in Swindon.

“We are delighted to be supporting so many local schools to ensure they maximise the impact of the London Games.

“At Lydiard Park Academy we work hard to provide excellent opportunities for our pupils to enjoy sport and we look forward to sharing this with other schools.”

The school, which specialises in physical education, is a member of the Get Set network and is one of 125 to have been awarded a grant, selected from more than 600 schools who applied.

Headteacher Clive Zimmer-man said: “PE and sport is a important aspect of school life at Lydiard Park Academy. We are looking forward to supporting pupils across Swindon and increasing the number enjoying sport.”

Student James Lewis, a Lydiard Park sports ambassador, added: “I am looking forward to working with our local primary school ambassadors and sharing the work we do at Lydiard Park with them.”

To put forward ambassadors contact Andy Steckbeck, the school’s sport co-ordinator, on 01793 874224.