Manchester Academy Moss Lane East Moss Side M14 4PX

Tel: 0161 232 1639 Fax: 0161 232 1640 Email: [email protected] Web: www.manchester-academy.org

We are very proud of our school and invite you to come in to take a look at any time. To arrange a visit, please telephone: 0161 232 1639.

United Learning comprises: UCST (Registered in No: 2780748. A company limited by guarantee. Charity No. 1016538) and ULT (Registered in England No. 4439859. An Exempt Charity). VAT number 834 8515 1200.

Designed and produced by MB Design & Marketing Ltd. Tel: 01673 842911, Email: [email protected] 2 3 Welcome to Manchester Academy

Welcome to Manchester Academy, a popular, vibrant, multi-cultural school based in an aspirational community, expecting and producing ‘The best in everyone’.

As part of United Learning we aim to instil our students with a positive approach to work and challenges which sustain success even after Academy life.

We offer our students many opportunities, supported by our excellent links with primary schools, the Lancasterian Sensory Support service (LSSS), universities and businesses in the area, nurtured through our effective curriculum links.

We excel in offering education beyond the classroom through activities such as, Duke of Edinburgh, Debate Mate, Manchester Breaking Cycles and Army Cadets.

Our student body is culturally diverse, consisting of over 70 spoken languages and British Sign language. Families choose to send their children to us from all over Manchester, as well as being a school of choice for international new arrivals. Our pupils’ achievement is reflected in some of the best value added results in the region and these are based on the levels of progress achieved by every child.

Our members of staff are ardent professionals having specialist knowledge in their subject areas and work with the curriculum to educate and inspire students in reaching their true potential.

We aim to provide the best possible learning environment for students. We invite you to take your journey through secondary education with us.

The Staff and Governors of Manchester Academy

Principal: Mr Andy Griffin

‘Through inspirational learning and teaching, we aim to maximise opportunity and realise the potential for all.’ 4 5 Why choose Manchester Academy Every student is of consequence and no student is left behind.

In 2012, we achieved another great year of exam results with 94% of students gaining 5 A* - C grades. This is coupled with a school value added score of 1039 demonstrating that our pupils make exceptional progress from their point of entry to when they leave us. We firmly believe this success is rooted in our innovative curriculum, cutting-edge facilities and a nurturing environment where every student is guided to achieve high standards through inspirational teaching and stimulating learning experiences.

We provide our students with:

• specialist teachers of the deaf • a consistently ‘Good’ education [Ofsted, 2012] • a full range of courses to suit all levels of learners • specialist teachers and sports coaches • personalised Numeracy, Literacy and ESOL provision • opportunities to work with our business partners • a rich diversity of extra curricular activities • student leadership opportunities • a Sixth Form which offers both academic and vocational courses • the stability of being part of United Learning

Our Spectacular Building Manchester Academy benefits from a wide range of state-of-the-art facilities:

• Purpose built resource base for deaf pupils (acoustically modified for use of hearing aids) • Six laboratories, utilising the very latest technology • Two multi-material workshops and the full range of technology rooms • Seven Business/ICT suites • Drama Studio and Auditorium • Lecture Theatre and Assembly Hall • A Music Suite with a Recording Studio • Sports Field and Astro Turf Pitch (flood-lit/all-weather) • A four-court Sports Hall and a separate Gymnasium • Library / Learning Resource Centre • Faith Room

Admissions to Manchester Academy Manchester Academy is free of charge and open to students of all abilities and backgrounds. The academy accepts students of all faiths and none.

The full admissions policy can be viewed on the academy website: www.manchester-academy.org. ‘Inspirational teaching and stimulating learning experiences.’ 6 7 ‘We have high expectations of ‘The best in our students.’ everyone’ Forward thinking... Forward looking

Our Aims As part of United Learning, we share the aim of bringing out ‘The best in everyone’. In order to be true to our motto we have high expectations of our students.

We want students to aspire to:

• attain the highest standards in learning that they can • achieve the best attendance, behaviour and personal development that they can • take on responsibilities to become outstanding citizens • strive to achieve as Manchester Academy will strive to help and encourage them.

Manchester Academy will aim to secure the highest possible standards of achievement.

Our Ethos Manchester Academy welcomes those of all faiths and none.

The ethos of the academy is to support each student to believe they can:

• become a balanced, articulate person with the intellectual freedom to be creative. • have the confidence to initiate and lead activities • have the courage to explore in their learning • have the resilience to cope with challenge • have the compassion to serve others • be motivated to have a lifelong love of learning.

Our Promise To ensure that each and every one of our students can succeed, we promise:

• to be a great place for students to be and for parents to have their child educated • to have a personalised curriculum to match a deeply complex learner profile • every student is of consequence and no student is left behind. 8 9 Our academic values Learning is at the heart of our school.

Students are taught by highly qualified subject specialists in every curriculum area. The academy is committed to inspiring young minds; creating a learning culture which nurtures and appreciates students’ personal interests and strengths. Many of our students have gone on to study at the very best universities in the country; such achievements are a testament to our unlimited academic aspirations for students.

Learning Support Unit It is important to recognise that children who experience education, social and/or behavioural difficulties require individual help and this department compliments our philosophy of inclusion and integration. The majority of support is provided in classes but intensive programmes provide individual support for those vulnerable students who need to address their difficulties and anxieties in order to flourish. We have been selected to develop a fully resourced ASD provision as well as having a resident hearing impaired unit.

What will you learn at Manchester Academy? The curriculum is broad and balanced so to meet the needs of our deeply complex learner profile. A host of subjects and courses with different levels and assessment methods are offered, including a personalised options process. It is through these curriculum innovations that we promote United Learning’s vision of ‘quality, value and out performance.’

The full Key Stage 3-5 Curriculum can be viewed on the academy website: www.manchester-academy.org. Broadening horizons beyond the classroom. Business and Enterprise Specialism Our Enterprise 4 Employability programme enriches our academic curriculum. From Year 7, students develop a portfolio of personal, interpersonal and business skills through our award-winning programmes. Students have the opportunity to engage with businesses and higher education institutions and sample the ‘real world’. An interactive careers programme ensures that students begin to develop a coherent, planned and supported pathway to future employability.

Art Specialism Our second specialism is in Art and we are proud to have been awarded Artsmark Silver. Students enjoy a broad range of specialist artistic clubs. Our partnerships with the and The give students opportunities to participate in activities at these venues as well as work alongside visiting artists.

Wider Opportunities Our dedicated staff and our partner organisations provide a wide range of activities through different clubs from chess and computing to debating and drama. We work with Manchester Camerata each year to produce an original musical piece with partner primary schools. The Duke of Edinburgh award scheme is very popular. Out army cadets parade weekly and we have an exhausting programme of sporting activities.

Deaf Resource Base Experienced teachers of the deaf and specialist TAs from LSSS can sup- port pupils with significant hearing needs, who communicate both orally and through BSL. LSSS staff help deaf pupils reach their potential by providing in class support and when necessary offer intensive individual or small group teaching in the resource base. 10 11 Care, guidance and support

Arriving at Manchester Academy Although the transfer from Year 6 to Year 7 is an exciting time, it can also be a daunting prospect. At Manchester Academy, we have a well established Primary to Secondary Transition programme, which gives primary children the chance to:

• Experience taster lessons • Attend our fun transition evening • Have a full ‘induction’ day in July • Take part in sports events • Attend performances • Extra induction days for pupils who have additional needs, such as deafness

All of this ensures that students enjoy a smooth transition and that any anxieties are alleviated.

Our Pastoral System To support high achievement and ensure the emotional well-being of all each year group has a Head of Year and a dedicated team of form tutors. Their tutor remains an important supporter through to the end of each year.

Our Students are leaders A system of honours exists with badges for: Form Captains, who feed into our school council; Form Sports Captains; Sports Team representation for the academy; Sporting “Blues” for representing the city, region or nation; Academy Ambassadors who represent the school in different ways. In Year 11 we are creating prefects, senior prefects and the positions of Head Boy and Head Girl to support the younger pupils and the wider work of the school.

Induction Centre The centre ensures children with little or no English, not only feel safe, but learn the basics of language so that they are quickly able to join classes in the main school.

‘The academy’s positive and reflective ethos supports its outstanding promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development.’ Ofsted 2012