Member Article

New Excelsior Academy IT centre honours former principal

A new IT facility bearing the name of Excelsior Academy’s former executive principal is now open for Excelsior College students to enjoy – providing them with instant access to the latest learning technology.

The Marshall Suite – named after recently retired executive principal Phil Marshall – boasts 30 new computers and will be staffed full-time to give Excelsior College students the best possible support to secure exam success.

Mrs Marshall cut the ribbon to officially open the new suite.

Students and Excelsior College Principal Claire Goodwill suggested naming the new facility after Mrs Marshall for the outstanding support she gave all children at the academy during her eight years leading Excelsior.

New Executive Principal Craig Taylor backed and championed the students’ desire for a new IT suite to provide up to date technology in a freshly decorated, quiet environment which encourages learning.

Mrs Marshall said: “It’s a huge honour and so nice that the children would think about doing something like this.

“But our children are extremely appreciative and it’s a pleasure to be able to provide facilities like this for them.

“I’m sure that the current college students will get a great amount out of this new suite and the youngsters currently in secondary, primary and nursery will aspire to use this facility as well in years to come.”

Head Boy Dean Martin said: “I think this is probably the best thing to happen to the college since it opened and is something that will be used effectively by all pupils.”

Claire said: “The IT equipment we had last year was dated and it took time for the computers to come on, which for students is a wasted opportunity to make effective use of study time.

“It was something that was mentioned to me by students every time they had the opportunity to express things that needed to change.

“They did a full college questionnaire and a full survey of all the students and presented it to teachers.

“It is nice to be able to give the students something back. It’s permanently staffed, it’s a quiet area, a working environment which is important.

“A lot of the students have independent study with assignments which they have to type up and the computers will also be used for targeted intervention work.

“It is a parting gesture to Mrs Marshall from all the students and quite poignant for them to name it after her.”

Mrs Marshall transformed educational achievement and life opportunities for thousands of children in Newcastle’s west end - retiring from her post at Christmas after a teaching career spanning 38 years.

Under her leadership, Excelsior has become one of the top 200 most improved state secondary schools in the UK, rated ‘good’ by OFSTED in every category in 2013 and again 12 months later.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Gordon Arnott .