Fairfax Academy open evening – More than 2000 people attended a record-breaking event – queueing down the road to get a look around a Sutton Coldfield school.
And families who attended the event on Tuesday, 9th September, were treated to an interactive experience, with specially made food, staff dressed up in historic costume and even the sight of teachers setting themselves on fire in carefully planned science experiments.
Fairfax Principal Sean Castle said: “We were absolutely blown away by the response to the open evening – staff who have worked here for 15 years have never see it that busy.
“Families were queueing down Fairfax Road to get in, and the main hall was completely packed out for the three talks I gave, with people standing at the back to find out about the school.
“There’s been a buzz over the last year over the changes we’re starting the make at Fairfax and our work out in the community. But we also made the evening an interactive experience, with things going on in every department.
“So, in the German area, visitors could try some Bratwurst sausage, there were creative food workshops, art exhibitions and galleries, English and maths quizzes and our history staff dressed up as famous monarchs.
“And in the science labs, visitors could watch teachers setting fire to themselves in carefully controlled demonstrations. You could say they made the event go with a bang!”
Fairfax Academy open evening was interactive
The evening also gave visitors a chance to see refurbishment work carried out over the summer, resulting in more spacious corridors, redecorated rooms, modernised toilet facilities and a newly built Behavioural Hub.
But Mr Castle said the open evening also delivered an important message for parents considering choosing Fairfax as their children’s school.
He said: “When I spoke to the parents, I wanted to be very open and honest with them.
“First of all, I want them to know that I’m from the area, I’m part of the community, and we want our students to contribute to the community too.
“But it was also about explaining the journey that we are on at Fairfax, and explaining our new curriculum which is making such a difference here.
“We have launched the Fairfax Behaviour Curriculum – which sets out the way we do things here, and how we expect students to behave when they are here.
“So, ultimately my message was ‘this school has got to be right for you – if you don’t want disruption-free classes, if you don’t want all staff holding our expectations and teaching your child how and why we behave in this way, go to a different school, pick somewhere else, as we won’t budge on our expectations.’
“It was about honestly explaining that these are the expectations we have here, for students to be well-behaved, respectful and follow the rules we have, so that everyone can benefit from a great education.
“It’s not just about the academic side, it’s teaching students how to behave. Academic achievement will take care of itself – Fairfax, year on year, will perform In line or above national standards, but it’s also about the personal development of the children, so students leave school as good people, who are ready to contribute to society.
“The parents seemed to respond very positively to that message.”
Parents who were unable to attend the Open Evening can visit the school’s Open Mornings this week, on Tuesday (September 26) and Wednesday (September 27) from 11:30am-12:30pm – please email post@fairfax.fmat.co.uk to confirm your attendance in advance.