title: Outwood Academy Freeston
text: # Outwood Academy Freeston
  
  Outwood Academy Freeston (known locally as Freeston), formerly The Freeston Academy, is a state run, coeducational high school situated in Normanton, West Yorkshire near the city of Wakefield. It is a Business and Enterprise specialist school.
  
  The school is operated by Outwood Grange Academies Trust, and the current principal is Lisa Allott.
  
  ## History
  
  The school's history dates back to the late 1500s, when Normanton Grammar School was founded and endowed by John Freeston of Altofts, a local barrister. The school was later moved to its current location in the 1950s, where only a chimney remains in the original location.
  
  Along with a number of other secondary schools, Freeston changed itself to an academy status in 2011. Its school motto was "Making the Difference in the Business of Learning".
  
  On 20 August 2015 the academy library and ICT lab caught fire and burnt down as a result of maintenance work being carried out on the roof.
  
  On 8 September 2017 Wakefield City Academies Trust announced it was disbanding.
  
  On 30 January 2018 Outwood Grange Academies Trust was named as the new sponsor for The Freeston Academy. The school transferred to its new sponsor on 1 June 2018, reopening as Outwood Academy Freeston.
  
  ## Academics
  
  The last Ofsted report in September 2017 concluded that Freeston provides a sound education for its students, supported by a strong governing body and providing support for students and parents alike. The school has Enterprise Hub Status and works with nine West Yorkshire schools.
  
  