David Nieper Academy

David Nieper Academy (formerly Mortimer Wilson School then Alfreton Grange Arts College) is an 11−19 former comprehensive school maintained by the Derbyshire Local Authority turning into an academy in Easter 2016. Formerly Alfreton Grange Arts College specialised in creative arts and encourages their pupils to become involved with the many school productions.

As of September 2013 (when the school was called Alfreton Grange Arts College) it had 653 pupils on the school roll, of which 74 were in the sixth form.^[1]

History

The school first opened on 16 March 1939, by Alderman W. Mortimer Wilson, MA, whose name went on to be borne by the school for close on 70 years. The school opened as a non-selective establishment with two separate schools within, the boys and girls being educated separately. The first headmaster of the boys' school was Wilfred Dawes and the headmistress of the girls' school was Miss Cresswell. After the Second World War four houses were introduced named Brindley, Nightingale, Royce and Stephenson.^[2]

The school became a comprehensive in the late 1960s. Miss Cresswell then retired and Mr Dawes took full control of the school. During his time as headmaster the school was recognised as a modal for the comprehensive system. In recognition of his achievements, Wilfred Dawes was appointed O.B.E. for his services to Education. He was a strong Socialist and supporter of the comprehensive system.^[3]

On 22, July 2013 the headteacher, Gail Giles was suspended pending investigation from the governing body.^[4] Then two months later in September 2013 the school was deemed inadequate by Ofsted and the school was placed into special measures.^[5]

In April, 2016 Kathryn Hobbs was named the new Headmistress of the School following a search by the David Nieper Education Trust.^[6]

The name of the school has changed many times over the years. Originally in 1939 it was named Alfreton Central Elementary School, in 1944 it became known as Alfreton Secondary Modern School, on 1 September 2008 the school changed its name from Mortimer Wilson school to Alfreton Grange Arts College and then in 2016 it became The David Nieper Academy.

Notable pupils

The school has a number of notable pupils, most of have followed careers in the arts.^[7]

• Andrea Holmes - Professional Singer in the famous D'Oyly Carte Opera Company
• David Polkey - Make-up designer/Performer in numerous films and London's West End theatre
• Joe Bennett - Technical Editor of the Total Guitar magazine
• Sally Pepper - BBC Radio Presenter and East Midlands Today weather presenter

References