| 1958 |
A brand new school for Netherton |
Hillcrest School is opened on the current site to replace the old prefabricated school in Halesowen Road. |
| 1986 |
Hillcrest expands |
Saltwells School closes and its pupils come to Hillcrest. |
| July 2017 |
Launch of Dudley Academies Trust |
Four Dudley secondary schools are brought together under the sponsorship of Dudley College of Technology to form a new Multi Academy Trust. Hillcrest School and Community College becomes an academy. |
| September 2017 |
Our new mission and vision: |
Working together we will develop inspirational schools which instil ambition and desire in young learners, open their minds, widen their horizons and equip them to succeed in a challenging world. |
| November 2017 |
Jo Higgins appointed Chief Executive of Trust |
Jo Higgins joins from Penistone Grammar School with the aim of transforming the performance and estates of the four schools. |
| March 2018 |
Launch of Strategic Plan 2018-20 |
The Trust explains what it is going to achieve over the next three years and how it will achieve its ambitious targets. |
| March 2018 |
Introducing the Trust values |
Following a student leadership day, learners come up with the Trust values.
- Dreaming big
- Rewarding effort
- Leading together
- Respecting each other and our world
- Learning that inspires.
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| April 2018 |
SMART curriculum introduced to The Link |
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| August 2018 |
Developing our estate |
Work starts on major improvements to our main block |
| August 2018 |
A new identity |
Hillcrest Academy changes it’s name to The Link Academy, a name suggested by students. |
| September 2018 |
All change! |
Learners start the term with new uniforms (free blazers and ties), a new school day and new teaching methods centred around Collaborative Learning. |
| September 2018 |
Introducing Values Driven Expectations |
A new system of rewards and behaviour management brings a different culture to the schools and a boost to teaching and learning in the classrooms. |
| November 2018 |
Upgrade initiative |
The Academy day is extended for all Year 11s to help them prepare for GCSEs. |
| Winter 2018/19 |
Investment in IT |
Major improvements are made to cabling and wireless networks. |
| December 2018 |
Pandas encourage attendance |
Perfect Attendance – No Days Absent attendance strategy is launched across the Trust. |
| January 2019 |
Emma Edwards-Morgan appointed as Principal at The Link Academy |
As an ex-pupil, Emma becomes a news story when she finds some of her schoolgirl artwork still on display. |
| March 2019 |
Learning with Artificial Intelligence |
Century AI software is introduced to accelerate learners’ progress in English, Mathematics and Science. Year 11 learners get to grips with it during a second extra period at the end of the school day. |