Mary Linwood Comprehensive School the former Mary Linwood Secondary School. The principal sponsor of this Academy is the Church of England. The Council transferred the site of the former secondary school (Mary Linwood) to the sponsors. Samworth, Leicester's first City Academy, was built on the site of the old Mary Linwood school and completed in September, 2007. The children of author Sue Townsend attended the school during the late 1970s and early 1980s; their experiences influenced her highly successful Adrian Mole books. "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole" was reputedly based on Sue Townsend's son's experiences at the school. Several of the teachers who
Ken Howard (composer) "The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole" (Wyndham's Theatre, 1984–1986), and two BBC TV musicals "Orion" (1977) and" Ain't Many Angels" (1978). They also wrote music and lyrics for the 1990 UK tour of Roald Dahl's "Matilda". As a British film maker Howard has worked extensively in drama, music and documentary films. These have included (for the BBC) "A Penny for Your Dreams", "John Lennon - A Journey in the Life", "The Miracle of Intervale Avenue", "Open Mind", "Mr Abbott’s Broadway" and "Sunny Stories"; (for ITV) "South Bank Show" profiles of the New World Symphony Orchestra, Danny Kaye, Frank Sinatra, Hakan