IT is the end of an era at Capital City Academy as Principal Philip O’Hear retires after five years at the school.
He was asked to join the team in 2004 when it was experiencing difficulty after being turned into an Academy.
But Mr O'Hear believed he had what it took to transform the school in Doyle Gardens, Willesden, after setting up two academy programmes as Director of Education in Hillingdon.
Not only did he focus on improving the learning of students but also the learning of staff so they could become better teachers, support workers, administrators, carers and leaders.
He said: "Even the best was not good enough for our students, many of whom face barriers to success. We have had to be outstanding in order to meet the needs of one of the most diverse and often disadvantaged communities in the country. To do so we needed to tap into the strengths of those communities.
"Really, it was simple. Retain and recruit good teachers. Ask them to identify the needs of students and plan lessons to meet those needs. Ask, expect and support students to be good learners and to become leaders of the school community. Engage parents and the local community to support their children and the school – and to challenge us when we fall short."
Although this was a simple vision, it was a difficult one. Each year since 2004, Capital City has got closer to achieving its aim. In 2006, Ofsted found the academy to be a satisfactory school with many strengths.
Two and a half years later, the education watchdog inspected again and judged Capital to be a good school with 14 outstanding features.
But Mr O’Hear believes that the growing success is down to the school community as a whole.
He said: "It is students, parents and staff working together. My role has been to ensure we have the vision, focus and organisation to allow that to happen. It has been a journey and we have not reached the destination. But, together we have achieved quickly and with real impact."
There have been many significant milestones along the way. Since 2005, A-level results have shown progress and GCSE levels among the best 10% nationally.
At Key Stage Three, steady progress has been made and in 2008 pupils' results were well above average in English and around the national average in Maths and Science.
These may all be significant achievements but one of the most important things that has changed at Capital City is the ethos of the school.
Students say that they feel safe, valued and recognised. They are provided with a huge range of after school opportunities, visits, trips and programmes inside and outside the school day.
Next week 10 students from years 11 and 12 leave for an expedition to Uganda where they will spend half their time exploring the country and the other half building a secondary school.
All of them have raised £3,000 each to take part and have helped prove that living in or around Harlesden is no barrier to success.
More recently Mr O'Hear took on the role as acting head teacher at Copland Community College after its headteacher, Sir Alan Davies, was suspended over allegations of financial mismanagement.
As he approaches the end of five successful years at Capital City he says there are many people he would like to thank who include Sir Frank Lowe, a trustee, staff, and, most of all, parents and students.
He said: "Our school belongs, first and last, to our parents and students so to you I say, it is your school. Make sure it remains the school you need and deserve. And thank you for helping with the journey so far."
In September 2009, Capital City Academy will be welcoming Alex Thomas as the new Principal. Alex is looking forward to joining the Academy. He said: "I am very proud to have been appointed. The recent ‘good’ judgement by Ofsted and the warm welcome I have received from staff and students makes me confident about the ability of Capital City Academy to continue its rapid progress."
