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| The Link Academy | |
|---|---|
 Logo of the school | |
| Location | |
 | |
Simms Lane ,, DY2 0PB England | |
| Coordinates | 52°29′34″N2°05′16″W / 52.4929°N 2.0879°W /52.4929; -2.0879 |
| Information | |
| Type | Academy |
| Established | 2018-19 |
| Local authority | Dudley |
| Trust | Dudley Academies Trust |
| Department for Education URN | 144952Tables |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Principal | Emma Edwards-Morgan |
| Gender | All |
| Age | 11 to 16 |
| Capacity | 1050 |
| Telephone | 01384 986550 |
| Website | Official website |
The Link Academy, formerly known as theHillcrest School and Community College, is a secondary school located in theNetherton area ofDudley,West Midlands,England.
The school was first opened in 1958 as one of two new secondary schools in Netherton, the other being theSaltwells Secondary School. Both schools replaced a smaller pre-fabricated school in Halesowen Road, known locally as "The Iron School". Saltwells School closed in 1986, with pupils and staff transferred to an expanded Hillcrest, though due to a lack of capacity some pupils had to attend other nearby schools.
In January 2019, Mrs Emma Edwards-Morgan was appointed the new Principal of The Link Academy by Dudley Academies Trust.[1] Previous Headteachers of The Link Academy have included: April Garratt, who took over in Easter 2007. Her predecessor,Dame Maureen Brennan, was appointed aDame Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire in December 2005, in recognition of her services to local education after turning around the formerly struggling school. However, allegations of fraud involving doctoring attendance records emerged after her departure from the school in 2007.[2]
In February 2017, plans were announced for the school to become part of a new academy sponsored byDudley College, alongsideCastle High School,Holly Hall School, andHigh Arcal School.[3] The academy opened in September 2017, with the school's name officially changing a year later.[4]