Harris Lowe Academy Willesden is a specialist sports and arts Academy in Willesden, North West London, in the London Borough of Brent. Prior to 2023 it was known as Capital City Academy.[1]

Harris Lowe Academy Willesden
Address
Map
Doyle Gardens

, ,
NW10 3ST

England
Information
TypeAcademy
Established2003
Local authorityBrent
TrustHarris Federation
Department for Education URN134226 Tables
OfstedReports
PrincipalJoshua Deery
GenderMixed
Age11 to 18
Enrolment1112
Websitehttps://www.harrislowewillesden.org.uk/

Design

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Inside the Building

The School was designed by architect Sir Norman Foster and engineers Buro Happold, and is sponsored by Sir Frank Lowe. Capital City Academy was built to replace its predecessor Willesden High School. Its buildings on the high school's playing fields were first used in 2003 and officially opened on 12 June 2003.

Location

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It is situated near Willesden Sports Stadium and King Edward VII Sports Ground. Although near Willesden Green, the school is in the parish of All Souls Archived 21 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine, Willesden. The school is located not far from Roundwood Park.

History

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The school began as Willesden County School, on Uffington Road (off Doyle Gardens) in 1924 and the buildings were extended in 1932. In September 1940, a bomb destroyed four classrooms; a V-1 flying bomb landed nearby in 1944 at the junction of Doyle Gardens and All Souls Avenue. Following the Education Act 1944, it became Willesden County Grammar School in 1947;[2] one of five grammar schools run by the Willesden Education Committee. one of five grammar schools run by the Willesden Education Committee. For one year in 1966 it became Willesden Grammar-Technical School when it amalgamated with Willesden School of Engineering in Goodson Road earlier known as Leopold Road Comprehensive. In September 1967, it joined with Pound Lane School on Pound Lane to become a comprehensive school known as Willesden High School. In 2003, it became one of the first three academies in England, with the aim of attempting to overcome educational underachievement in deprived areas. At the time, Willesden High School had some of the worst GCSE results in the UK.[3]

Notable visits

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Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair opened the Academy.[4] Frank McCourt the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Angela's Ashes visited and signed copies of his books for the Gifted education group of students, reviewing the Carnegie Medal and Kate Greenaway Medal nominations of the year.[5]

HLAW in the Media

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The Children

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The Children was a TV Mini Series aired on ITV in September 2008. The main character was a headteacher played by Inspector Morse actor, Kevin Whately. The scenes set at his school were filmed in the academy, with actual students, as extras.

Teachers TV

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The Academy has been filmed for Teachers TV a number of times most notably in its first two years.[6] where it goes into depth about the school on the original site of the Academy, Willesden High School.

Sports Hall

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The Academy's main sports hall is home to the PAWS London Capital basketball team, one of the leading clubs based in the capital city. Having recently featured in the British Basketball League for three years, the Caps currently compete in Division 1 of the English Basketball League.

Alumni

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Capital City Academy

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Wilesden High School

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Willesden County Grammar School

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Former teachers

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  • Max Morris, headteacher from 1966-78 of Willesden High School and President of the NUT from 1973–74

References

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  1. ^ "Our Specialisms - Capital City Academy". harrislowewillesden.org.uk. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Brief School History".
  3. ^ "BBC News - EDUCATION - 'City academies' to tackle school failure". news.bbc.co.uk.
  4. ^ "PM Opens Capital City Academy". Foster + Partners. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  5. ^ Smithers, Rebecca (30 May 2005). "'I can't think of anything else I would rather have done'". the Guardian. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  6. ^ "School Matters - the Academy | Teachers TV". Archived from the original on 6 January 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
  7. ^ Wembley Observer Thursday 2 March 1995, page 69
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