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Hard Work

Take Contents Contents Be Kind Responsibility

Contents Page Introductions from the Executive Principal and Secondary Headteacher 3 Vision and Values - Partnerships 4 Grammar Stream - Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Curriculum 5 - 6 Literacy 7 Numeracy and Extending Students’ Performance 8 Prep Work 9 Timings of the Day - Uniform and Equipment - Knowledge Organisers 10 The SA Five Code of Conduct - Behaviour Expectations - See It, Hear It, Lose It 11 Classroom Consequences - Behaviour Incidents—Rewards 12 - 13 Supporting Students - Learning Support - Guidance and Careers 14 Students with English as an Additional Language 15 Colleges - Vertical Tutoring 16 Whatever It Takes Policy - Faculty Teams - Senior Leadership Team 17 Personal Development - Wellbeing Activities - Student Leadership 18 - 19 Citizenship 20 Attendance 21 Assessment and Reporting - Catering - ParentPay Online Payment System 22 Activity Based Curriculum Week 23 Safeguarding - E-Safety 24 - 25 United College Sixth Form - STEM Grammar Stream at Sixth Form 26 Dates to Remember 27 Contacting Us 28 2

Introduction from Executive Principal, Ruth Robinson

Dear Parent / Carer

We are thrilled that you have chosen Academy as the school for your child.

Rated as Good by Ofsted in May 2017, we are also proud to be the top school in Swindon, and in the top 20% of schools nationally, for student progress. Our constant focus on progress and innovative education facilitated the achievement of these fantastic results and demonstrates how commi ed we are to our vision to inspire our young people to

flourish both academically and personally. Welcome

Swindon Academy is part of a Cluster of schools run by , along with Nova Hreod Academy. As a Cluster in a large group of schools, we have access to fantastic training opportunities for our teachers to ensure that teaching standards are always high. We pride ourselves on providing the very best teaching experiences for our pupils but we also ensure that our students have plenty of opportunities to relax, have fun and learn new skills in after school clubs.

We look forward to getting to know you and your child over the next few years and encourage you to come and speak to us should you have any questions along the way.

Mrs Ruth Robinson Executive Principal

A Message from Secondary Headteacher, Karen Wright

I’m delighted that your child will be joining and will become part of our thriving and happy school community. Swindon Academy is a hardworking and happy school. Visitors and, more importantly our students, tell us this; they feel safe and secure and as such are well placed to reach their poten al.

The structure of the school day provides our students with significantly more teaching time than other local schools, enabling them to learn in greater depth and make signi cant progress.

We are very proud to have gained the title of the best school in Swindon since 2016. We closely monitor students’ progress, which enables us to give parents meaningful feedback on learning and progress. Pupils are set lesson prep-work to complete at home and we provide an online app, which helps parents monitor prep-work and completion deadlines.

We actively encourage parents to engage with academy life and we want to hear from you. You can use the contacts on the back page or attend our weekly Parent Drop In Clinics - no appointment necessary.

In this Handbook you will learn about our successful school community. Please review the information in the Handbook with your child; you should find everything you need to help them make a successful start at Swindon Academy.

Mrs Karen Wright Secondary Headteacher and Cluster Development Lead 3

At Swindon Academy’s Secondary Phase, we are unapologetic in our unique approach to ensuring that every pupil flourishes academically and personally in an aspirational and supportive environment.

We pride ourselves on having the highest expectations of all students and staff. We are passionate about working together to drive success for our pupils.

Hard work, kindness and responsibility are our shared values.

Hard Work means that we give 100% each and every day to be the best we can be. We believe that success comes through effort and determination.

Kindness means that we are thoughtful and considered about how we treat ourselves

and others. Vision and Values and Vision

Responsibility means that we hold ourselves to account for our own personal actions, decisions and thoughts. We don’t make excuses, we accept that we all make mistakes and

we learn from them.

Marlborough College Swindon Academy has a unique educational partnership with , which is a prestigious private school based in Marlborough. This partnership plays a key role in supporting our Vision. Through activities provided by Marlborough College we seek to develop confident, resilient and independent students who are willing and able to face challenges. Students have the opportunity to participate in extension and enrichment activities, which include challenge days, sporting fixtures, music and dramatic events, curriculum-based residentials, attendance at educational lectures, outward bound activities, student exchanges, support with UCAS applications for Sixth Form … and much more.

In addition, as two schools we work together to provide professional development opportunities for both sets of teachers to benefit from best practice and ensure that teaching methods are always at the cutting edge. We encourage all students to take

advantage of the opportunities offered through Marlborough College and we know that Partnerships you will support them in taking up these unique opportunities.

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Grammar Stream

As with the mainstream curriculum, there are thirty lessons a week. At key stage 3, Grammar Stream students lessons are as follows:

Subject Lessons Subject Lessons English 4 History 2 Maths 4 Geography 2 Triple Science 6 RE 1 Spanish 2 Dance or Drama 1 Sport 2 Music 1 Design Technology 2 PSHE 1

Art 1 World of Languages 2 Curriculum

Our subject leaders continue to develop our knowledge-based curriculum for Years 7-9, which means that students acquire a deep, long-term, secure and adaptable understanding of the subject knowledge and skills required for every subject. This builds their knowledge across the three years in preparation for the examination process that takes place at the end of key stage 4. Some students will receive a tailored curriculum, providing them with the intense accelerated literacy and numeracy development they need. We know that our students thrive when we take a consistent approach across the Academy as they feel more confident and secure in lessons. We continue to strengthen the techniques that we use as teachers in the classroom. Students will notice their teachers using common language across their classes.

Student Support Our Grammar Stream Coordinator, Ms Dodsworth, is the first port of call for Grammar Stream students and parents in academic matters. We expect Grammar Stream students to demonstrate impeccable behaviour. If support and monitoring are required in this area, it will be provided by our team of College Managers, as with mainstream students.

Prep Students in the Grammar Stream should expect each evening to receive up to 1 hour of prep in key stage 3, and up to 1 hour and 30 minutes in key stage 4. This covers a range of subject areas. They receive a timetable for prep, as mainstream students do. Prep is logged on Epraise for students and parents to check deadlines. Students can work on their prep after school in prep club where they have access to ICT facilities.

The Marlborough College Partnership Our partnership with Marlborough College plays an important role in the development of the Grammar Stream. Marlborough College’s teaching staff deliver The World of Languages part of the curriculum (which is reviewed on an annual basis) and have worked collaboratively with us on other elements of the curriculum model.

Students in all year groups benefit from the partnership with Marlborough College. Throughout the Grammar Stream, students will experience world language lessons, residentials at the College, extended science investigations and individual study skills for high GCSE attainment. Staff at Marlborough College also support Grammar Stream students in developing their career plans.

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Key Stage 3 There are 30 lessons each week. Each lesson lasts for 1 hour. At key stage 3, students will study the following subjects:

Subject Lessons Subject Lessons We have developed a knowledge-based curriculum for Years 7 - 9, which means English 5 History 2 that students acquire a deep, long-term, Maths 5 Geography 2 secure and adaptable understanding of the Science 4 RE 1 subject knowledge and skills required for Spanish 3 Music 1 every subject. This builds their knowledge Dance or across the three years in preparation for Sport 2 1 Drama the examination process that takes place at the end of key stage 4. Some Year 7

Curriculum DT 2 PSHE 1 students will receive a tailored curriculum, Art 1 providing them with the intense accelerated literacy and numeracy development they need. We know that our students thrive when we take a consistent approach across the Academy as they feel more confident and secure in lessons. We continue to strengthen the techniques that we use as teachers in the classroom. Students will notice their teachers using common language across their classes. Key Stage 4

There are 30 lessons each week. At key stage 4 there are several unique features that make the Academy curriculum different; we have four pathways that students will follow as below:

All students follow the Compulsory Core Curriculum – English language and literature, maths and either combined science or triple science. Students will then follow one of these pathways: Grammar Stream, Ebacc, Progress 8 or Progress 8+.

Option Subjects Courses A broad and balanced range of vocational, academic and alternative courses are available including art, textiles, product design, photography, engineering, music, dance, drama, sport and fitness, Spanish, computer science, creative imedia and business, health and social care, history, geography, and RE. Students are selected for pathways that suit their aptitudes, talents, abilities and career aspirations.

During February 2022, Year 9 students will be invited to attend an options meeting at the Academy with their parents to discuss and select their option choices for September 2022. For most of their lessons, Grammar Stream students are taught as a discrete group. The exceptions to this are lessons in sport, PSHE and KS4 options, for which the Grammar Stream students will be taught with the rest of their year group. 6

Literacy Bedrock Vocabulary Bedrock Vocabulary is an online platform which teaches students new words through interactive games and quizzes whilst also encouraging reading. Students complete two lessons a week at home as part of their prep work. This will help them to learn the academic vocabulary they need to succeed in school.

There is a direct link between a pupil’s vocabulary size and their academic achievement. Helping students to improve and widen their academic vocabularies is essential for students to achieve their potential. You will receive further details, including parent access codes, at the

beginning of the academic year. Curriculum

Accelerated Reader and DEAR Students in Years 7-10 use a computer programme called Accelerated Reader (AR) that encourages them to develop a love of reading and helps teachers and parents to increase students’ levels of independent reading. Each student takes a reading quiz, which helps identify their reading age and level, after which they select a book from the library and read it at their own pace. When they finish their book, students take a short, electronic, multiple choice quiz. This means that they receive instant feedback on how well they have understood the text and teachers can work with them to set targets for their on-going reading practise. Students collect points for each quiz they complete. These points contribute to the College Championship and individual students win prizes based on their reading progress and attainment.

Students are expected to read for at least 20 minutes a day. To support students in developing a reading habit, there are three 20-minute Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) sessions scheduled each week and students are expected to have a reading book with them at all times.

Whole School Reading and Reading Intervention Every student in Years 7-10 will attend a reading tutor group at the end of the day for 25 minutes where their reading tutor will read aloud some of the best books ever written. This will support students to broaden their knowledge, encourage a love of reading and experience a wide range of incredible works of fiction and non-fiction. We also provide high impact interventions to ensure that students who are reading below their chronological age are able to catch up and improve their reading accuracy and fluency.

In developing all round communication skills, teachers expect students to speak and write in full sentences. Using a range of strategies, teachers ensure that students can speak and write like a professional so that, when they apply for university or employment, they have the edge on their competitors. 7

Numeracy

We use maths in every aspect of our lives at work and in practical everyday activities. A good standard of numeracy is essential when we plan a holiday, go shopping, decide on a mortgage or when carrying out home improvements. Good numeracy is also essential to parents when helping their children learn. At Swindon Academy we use: Times Tables Rockstars Pupils have daily practice depending on their Curriculum set and the teacher’s discretion.

Sparx (New from Hegarty Maths) Every student in Years 7 - 9 has a personalised learning experience that is challenging but achievable for them. Thousands of video tutorials encourage independent learning for every topic. As learning is at the right level, every student can experience success. Increased motivation and confidence in maths has a direct impact on progress and student mental health.

Sparx values the importance of a student’s written workings and answers and uses a unique Bookwork Check feature. The checks support showing workings to promote and demonstrate understanding, as well as being good preparation for written assessments.

In Year 10, students use Hegarty Maths for maths prep. We believe that this is the best way for them to learn maths in their own at home.

Every topic covered in our curriculum is explained in 10-minute video tutorials designed and delivered by Mr Hegarty, who won UK Teacher of the Year 2014 and was nominated in the top 10 teachers in the 2016 Global Teacher Prize. Your child does not have to feel stuck at home as Mr Hegarty can explain any topic to them.

Extending Students’ Performance We use a range of strategies, both in and out of class, to stretch and challenge those students who are performing at a level above age-related expectations or who have talents beyond the academic school curriculum.

• We identify these students based on their Year 6 performance in maths and English and their performance in our baseline tests across other areas of the curriculum.

• Our curriculum is designed to be pitched at a level that stretches all students to the highest possible level and our teachers use techniques to stretch these students during lessons.

• We use our partnership with Marlborough College and several our other partnerships to provide additional opportunities outside of class time.

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Prep Work We believe that prep increases academic achievement and progress as well as building independence and organisational skills. This helps students to gain further knowledge and understanding, therefore we expect all students to complete prep work ahead of lessons.

At the start of the academic year, students are issued with a prep book for each of their subjects and a personalised timetable, indicating when prep work will be set and collected. It is expected that all prep work is completed to the highest standards in these books and that they are looked after and not lost.

In Years 7-9, students receive compulsory prep work for English, maths, science, Spanish and humanities which should take approximately 1 hour to complete each evening. In Years 7-9, students will also receive optional projects in the creative subjects which are set as prep which we encourage students to complete to ensure Expectations their best progress in art, music, drama, food and textiles. In Years 10 and 11, students receive compulsory prep in English, maths, science as well as their option subjects, which should take a maximum of 1 hour and 30-minute to complete each evening.

Students are expected to complete prep by the deadlines set by their teachers. Students and parents can check deadlines for all prep work on Epraise.

A supervised club runs daily after school to support students with the completion of their prep, where they have access to ICT facilities. Students can expect to receive automatic Epraise points to their account for successfully completing prep work. However, if students do not complete their prep, or it is not completed to the standard expected, a 1 hour detention will be issued on the evening of the day the prep work was due. The length of each prep detention is 1 hour for each piece not submitted at the correct standard. In this detention, students will rework any prep work not completed to ensure they don’t fall behind on their progress. Students will not be detained any later than 5.00pm daily and parents will be notified via text in the event of a detention being set. Failure to attend detention will result in further sanctions. Parents and students can check all prep deadlines for all prep on Epraise and there is now an app available for download to electronic devices.

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Timings of the Day 08:20 - 08:25 Roll Call 08:25 - 08:50 Reading 08:50 - 09:45 Lesson 1 09:45 - 10:40 Lesson 2 10:40 - 11:00 Break 11:00 - 11:55 Lesson 3 11:55 - 12:50 Lesson 4 12:50 - 13:20 Lunch After School 13:20 - 14:15 Lesson 5 After school we provide an extensive range of 14:15 - 15:10 Lesson 6

Expectations wellbeing activities for all students to attend. 15:10 - 15:35 Team Coaching Uniform and Equipment Uniform requirements and equipment standards are clearly set out in the Academy Uniform and Equipment Expectations Booklet that can be found online at: https://www.swindon-academy.org/admissions

Uniform is checked every day in Roll Call. If students do not attend school in the correct uniform, an appropriate alternative will be provided (where possible) and we expect this to be worn. Failure to follow this reasonable request will result in the student being placed in the RZone. Students will remain in the RZone until the end of the day or until uniform is rectified. The final decision on uniform issues will be made by the Secondary Headteacher. Equipment checks also take place in daily Roll Call, and students found to be missing equipment will be issued with a detention.

Knowledge Organisers Every student in Years 7-11 will receive a Knowledge Organiser each term. Knowledge Organisers provide the absolute essential key knowledge in a clear format that students need to learn and retain to be successful in each subject in that term and in all future terms. Much of the prep work your child will receive will involve learning and memorising the information in the Knowledge Organiser. The most powerful way to learn this information is to use the technique of “look, cover, write, check”, where students write out the key information, then test themselves to see if they can write it again from memory with 100% accuracy with their notes covered up. One of the best habits to instil in a learner is regular self-quizzing. Our Knowledge Organisers can be used by students to self-quiz on knowledge learnt, this week, last week, last term and last year through designated quizzing pages in the Knowledge Organiser booklet. It’s this regular self- quizzing that prevents students forgetting this powerful knowledge.

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The SA Five Code of Conduct At Swindon Academy we arrive on time to school and lessons, are ready to learn, and we wear our uniform correctly.

We work hard. We are kind.

We show respect. We follow adult instruction.

Behaviour

We accept We take responsibility for all our See It, Hear It, Lose It. decisions and actions.

Behaviour Expectations At Swindon Academy, we expect all of our students to behave in a way that contributes to great learning and outstanding lessons. Our Behaviour for Learning Policy (B4L), which is available in full on our website, is a clear and robust system to ensure that all of our students have the opportunity to learn in lessons that are undisturbed, highly challenging and inspiring for all. The B4L Policy, along with the SA Five Code of Conduct, sets out our expectations very clearly so that students can learn and make progress without being disturbed by poor behaviour or low-level disruption.

See It, Hear It, Lose It Students are permi ed to bring mobile phones and electrical devices to school, but do so at their own risk. Students are only allowed to use their phones at break and lunch mes in the canteen and covered area outside. While students are in the building, we operate a See it, Hear it, Lose it policy. This also applies to lesson changeover where students may have to walk through outside areas of the school. Students are expected to turn o and put away all electrical devices and accessories. If a teacher sees or hears a device it is con scated and stored in main reception and can be collected by parents daily or by students on a Friday, at the end of the school day.

Failure to hand over a mobile phone within 10 minutes of the initial request will result in the pupil being sent home. Parents can return the pupil to the Academy and place them into the RZone, if before 11.50am on the same day. If this is not possible, they will return to the Academy the next day and will be placed into the RZone by their parent/carer, following a meeting with a College Manager. Refusal to attend the RZone will result in a 1-day exclusion.

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Classroom Consequences

The Behaviour for Learning (B4L) Policy applies to all lessons. Students that misbehave in a lesson, and break the SA Five, will receive a sanc on. st • For the 1 misbehaviour, students will receive a verbal warning (W1) from the class teacher, which will also be recorded on the whiteboard in the classroom. nd • A 2 misbehaviour results in a student receiving an R2. This means that the students will spend the rest of the day in the RZone, until 4.30pm. The student will be asked to leave the lesson by the class teacher. The student is expected to arrive at ’check in’ within 5 minutes. (Failure to do this will result in the student being sent home and expected to return with their parent for a meeting, which is

Behaviour followed by a complete day in the RZone.)

In the Rzone, students will complete set work. Pupils will work independently and in silence at all times. A reconciliation discussion will take place between the pupil and the member ofstaff whose lesson they disrupted, facilitated by a College Manager. The SA Five applies at all times when in the RZone. Failure to follow the SA Five in the RZone will result in the student having a second attempt at completing their day. If they fail a second time they will receive a fixed term exclusion of 1 day.

1 Day Fixed Term Exclusion Protocol If a student is a placed onto a one-day fixed term exclusion (FTE), parents / carers will need to bring their child into school for a reintegration meeting the day after the FTE finishes. This meeting will be with a College Manager and/or member of the Senior Leadership Team. The student will be placed into the RZone to complete their day. Behaviour Incidents

Serious incidents and other incidents of poor behaviour around the Academy are dealt with on a case-by case basis. They are reviewed and investigated by a College Manager or member of the Senior Leadership Team. All incidents are reported via the Behaviour for Learning website by any member of staff. After review incidents are categorised as either, Category A, Category B or Category C. The sanctions for each category are listed below.

Category A Category B Category C 1 day fixed term exclusion Referral to RZone Informing parents 2 day fixed term exclusion Restorative Justice Discussion with the pupil 3 day fixed term exclusion Parental meeting Verbal /written apology 4 day fixed term exclusion Community Service Replacing property 5 day fixed term exclusion Extended detention 30-minute detention Permanent exclusion Exam re-sit

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Rewards We love to reward students, therefore we have a robust system in place to recognise their achievements. Epraise Points are worth 4p each. Every pupil Praise Postcards has an Epraise account – they can spend their Staff can award postcards to students who points in the Academy shop, which can be found ‘live’ and display our core values of hard on Epraise. work, kindness and responsibility. All students who receive a postcard will be Weekly Rewards entered into a termly College prize draw Teachers and Teaching Assistants have 25 for a voucher worth £10. Behaviour E-praise points to award pupils who ‘live’ and display our values. In addition, students will be Pupil Charter awarded weekly points automatically for Students receive accolades for participating in handing in all of their prep on time, wearing activities against one of the eleven pledges of the their uniform correctly, having the correct Pupil Charter. Accolades will be shown on students’ equipment, exhibiting perfect behaviour, having Epraise certificates. Students will be rewarded with 100% attendance and for 100% punctuality. the following for obtaining certain milestones.

Milestones 11 Accolades = Bronze Award certificate 22 Accolades = Silver Award certificate Milestones are given for every 100 points 33 Accolades = Gold Award certificate and pin badge earned. This will be recognised on Epraise and 44 Accolades = Platinum Award and Silver Shield students will receive a certificate.

Termly Rewards Reward Events and Trips Students have 2 opportunities a year to qualify for 1 point is automatically awarded for every the Reward Event / Trip. The first qualifying period outstanding grade on progress checks for runs from September to December and those who meeting expectations, attitude to learning, qualify will get to participate in a Reward Event. The homework and behaviour. Students who are in second qualifying period runs from January to April the Top 10 Rank Order for progress or and students who qualify will be invited on a Reward attainment will receive 10 Epraise points. Trip. In order to qualify for a Reward Trip, students Accolades must meet the specified criteria within the published Students who have demonstrated outstanding dates. Dates are published in tutor time, assemblies, contribution will be awarded accolades termly and advertised throughout the Academy. via curriculum and College areas. These are worth 100 Epraise points.

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Supporting Our Students At Swindon Academy, additional support is provided for any student who has temporary, or more long standing social, emotional or wellbeing need. Each College has a dedicated College Manager who works with students in a variety of ways in order to support and improve a student’s behaviour and attitude to learning so that there is a greater engagement with learning. Support is offered through a graduated support system that responds proactively and effectively to the student’s level of need. College Managers will ensure that support strategies and interventions are put in place through school-based

Support provision and the support of external agencies. Parents will be able to attend weekly drop-in clinics to meet with a member of the Student Support Team to discuss information face-to-face. Dates will be published in the Academy newsletter. Learning Support

Students identified as requiring additional provision will be offered a variety of support. A key method is the use of small teaching sets across all year groups, for pupils whose academic attainment is well below age-related expectations. This is so that high quality, individual learning can be offered to support students. Teaching Assistants are also deployed to aid attainment and progress where learning will be enhanced by additional support. In Years 7 and 8, some students will follow a modified curriculum to accelerate their academic progress. In addition, literacy and numeracy interventions are delivered through small group intensive teaching to maximise progress. Daily prep is set for both literacy and numeracy to support the curriculum. Prep support is offered every day before and after school. Guidance and Careers

Your child’s education and future are important to us, therefore we aim to develop their skills and confidence to prepare them for life and a career in the 21st century. We work closely with career guidance specialists, Study Higher and Swindon and Local Enterprise Partnership, both partners are on hand to offer further 1:1 support for your child. There are three steps that we follow to help your child take their first steps on their chosen pathway:

Reflecting Thinking about what makes them tick. Their interests and skills. What they enjoy doing and why. Things they are less good at or don’t enjoy. Exploring Finding out about the different courses, training schemes and jobs that they could move on to. Planning Sorting the different options open to them into priority order. Deciding what steps they need to take to get more information about their favourite subjects, to improve their chances of success and to apply for higher education, volunteer work and employment.

Careers Education takes place throughout a students’ life at Swindon Academy in a variety of forms that includes curriculum time, assemblies, guest speakers, work experience, economic awareness through PSHE, industry visits, college and university taster sessions, 1:1 meetings, academic mentoring, CV writing and application support and interview practise. 14

Students with English as an Additional Language

We are proud that there are more than twenty-five languages spoken at Swindon Academy and recent migration trends from across Europe, Asia and South America continue to increase the diversity of our student population.

All pupils need to feel safe, accepted and valued in order to learn. We ensure that all students, regardless of social, ethnic and cultural background, have access to the curriculum and participate in all aspects of school life. All languages and cultures are

valued equally; we recognise and value students’ home languages and backgrounds, Support Support and promote bilingualism. We take a whole school approach, including ethos, curriculum, and education against racism and promoting language awareness.

Regular training and support is given to all staff to share strategies of best practise for promoting the learning and attainment of all learners in the classroom.

Initial Assessment On entry to Swindon Academy, we assess all EAL learners to ensure they are able to access the right level of support. We have a designated EAL Coordinator who carries out initial assessments and monitors progress of EAL learners during their time at the Academy. The initial assessment will include a conversation with parents and will be based on previous schooling and an Entrance Test, which assesses fluency of English.

EAL Intervention Sessions Where appropriate, some EAL students will undertake further literacy testing and will be provided with access to a range of EAL interventions, depending on their language proficiency. Some students will receive intense EAL interventions and will be withdrawn from some of their mainstream lessons to enable this to take place. Once students reach a higher level of proficiency they return back to all of their lessons. During these intervention sessions, EAL learners are exposed to a wide range of English grammar and vocabulary through a planned programme of support. These students also get support with settling into the Academy and building relationships with their peers.

Wider Life of the School We encourage all students to engage with our Well-Being Activity Programme and through this offer a supervised Prep Support Club for EAL students. This can be accessed daily between 3:35-4:05pm in Inclusion. Further to this, we have introduced a new leadership opportunity for bilingual students. Following an application and interview process, we select two ‘Global Ambassadors’ across Years 7 - 12 from September. Successful students will be those who are a role model to other students, willing to support new EAL students settle into school, and support with translation at open events and during Progress Review Day.

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Colleges Students and staff are part of a College. When new students join us they are placed in a College (siblings will be in the same College). The sense of identity and belonging created through the College System allows all students and staff to play their part in making us an exceptional and unique learning environment.

Throughout the academic year there are a range of competitions which are designed to promote healthy rivalry and help to establish a sense of belonging and community.

These competitions range from traditional sporting activities to our very own versions of Support game shows.

Each College has a College Champion who is supported by a College Manager and a team of Student Champions. The College Champion is responsible for the promotion of, and participation in, College Competitions. At all times, and during competitions, our students and staff are asked to uphold our core values of Hard Work, Kindness and Responsibility.

At the end of each academic year the winners of the College Championship are put on

the roll of honour and have a celebration event in recognition their achievements.

CollegeChampion Ms Laity CollegeChampion Higgins Miss

Mr Thomas Mr CollegeChampion

CollegeChampion Miss Lewis SnrCollege Champion Oke Mr

-

Khan

Bath Cambridge Imperial Warwick

CollegeManager Roberts Mrs CollegeManager Oakley Miss SnrCollege Manager Aplin Mrs

CollegeManager Yeardley Mr CollegeManager Harding Mrs

Vertical Tutoring We believe that vertical tutoring promotes individual responsibility, enhances students’ confidence and encourages an environment of collaboration and teamwork. Mixed age tutor groups, for Years 7 - 10, are led by a College Leader with a team of tutors who work with parents and carers. Year 11 have College-based tutor groups with a bespoke tutor programme.

The school day starts at 8.20am with Roll Call, which is important to ensure students have the right equipment for their learning and high standards of uniform. It also gives students time together as a school community and opportunities to hear key messages. Team coaching incudes champion coaching, reading, assemblies, time to talk, and personal development. 16

Whatever It Takes Policy Our ‘Whatever it Takes’ manifesto underpins all facets of the Academy. It is our belief that all students will achieve their academic and personal potential. The

manifesto places a Support commitment on all members of the academy community to take whatever action is required for an academy student to be successful. Students are expected to work hard in all aspects of academy life. At Swindon Academy we are committed to going above and beyond to support this at individual, classroom and whole-academy level.

Faculty Teams Academy teaching and support staff are organised into Curriculum Teams with each team led by a Curriculum Leader. Each team is located in a designated suite of classrooms and all faculties enjoy superb classroom environments that facilitate learning. Department Curriculum Leader Department Curriculum Leader English Mrs D Carryl & Miss E Design Technology & Mrs G Foster Cole Art Maths / Business & IT Mr L Roche Sport Mrs D Boucher Science Dr L Rowe Music Miss H Welsby Languages Mr A Martin Performing Arts Ms Woolven Humanities Ms H Green Inclusion Ms L Fletcher

Senior Leadership Team

Name Job Title Name Job Title Mrs K Wright Secondary Headteacher and Mrs E Drinkwater Senior Assistant Principal - Cluster Development Lead Student Support & Development Mrs A Lawrence Senior Vice Principal Mrs Z Thompson Senior Assistant Principal - Curriculum Development Mrs L Jordan Vice Principal - Teaching and Mrs K Hendra Assistant Principal - Literacy & Learning Yr11 Raising Standards Mr N Warren Assistant Principal - Pastoral Mr D Harris Assistant Principal - Curriculum Support Mrs S Morgan Assistant Principal - Teacher Development 17

Personal Development We are passionate about providing our students with a well-rounded curriculum that incorporates the hidden skills and knowledge that will help our students nurture their own personal development. Our students learn how to be safe and healthy, and how to manage their academic, personal and social lives in a positive way.

Some aspects of our PSHEC/RSE/SMSC programme Students of study incorporate challenging topics, these are delivered to all our students in a safe learning environment. This is so students can ask questions, learn about common misconceptions and prejudices, and be able to make their own informed decisions and choices, after being presented with the full facts. SMSC, PSHEC/RSE content is delivered though tutor time, assemblies, curriculum time and national and cultural days.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development is part of personal development curriculum and is across all aspects of the Academy curriculum.

Wellbeing Activities (WBA) We have an exciting extra-curricular activity programme which is updated on a termly basis. Staff at Swindon Academy are committed to offering a varied and inspiring selection of activities which they very much hope students will learn to love as much as they do!

All our activities encourage students to participate in the Five Ways to Wellbeing: Connect, Be Active, Give, Take Notice and Keep Learning. We offer a variety of clubs and activities in sport, the arts, hobbies, experiences, service, interventions, leadership, extended learning, homework study and support.

In our Pupil Charter, we commit to delivering an ‘extensive range of opportunities to enable students to develop character, compassion and service.” In accordance with the Pupil Charter, we encourage all students to sign up for at least two clubs during each term. In addition to their lessons, students are encouraged to

We offer a range of school visits, school trips and residential trips to support learning, enhance life skills and develop independence.

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Student Leadership At Swindon Academy, students play an important role in the direction of the Academy and its development. To ensure students have every opportunity to share their voice and opinions on all matters that affect them, we have a Student Leadership structure in place

that allows students to impact upon the Students Students areas they care about most. All students across the Academy have the opportunity to become involved in any of the leadership groups.

Student Council Students are elected to join the Student Council. The Council meet three times a year to discuss matters from across the Academy. A representative from each College will be a part of the Student Council. The Student Council is chaired by an elected chairperson from Key Stage 4 and is also attended by members of the Senior Leadership Team.

Champion Committee Ambassadors are selected by College Champions and should be confident in engaging with other students and adults. They work with staff to ensure that students feel safe and supported at all times during their time at the Academy. This will involve working to support issues such as stress, anxiety, bullying, workload and ensuring our state-of-the-art site continues to look amazing. They are encouraged to develop ideas that will further enhance our environment and make it as welcoming as possible for our community.

Leadership Roles Students with leadership roles will be selected based upon their support, passion and pride for their College. They will be expected to support events and help to build enthusiasm across their College and the Academy. Roles include: Prefect, College Captain, Peer Champion, and roles within subject areas.

Ambassadors Ambassadors are selected by College Champions and are those students that best represent the Academy values and those of the role. They will work alongside staff and students to ensure they feel safe and supported at all times during their time at the Academy. Ambassadors should be welcoming and friendly, and willing to do their best to help their peers.

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Citizenship Academy The Citizenship Academy provides students with opportunities that help build skills for learning, work and life, while taking on new challenges, learning new skills, meeting new friends and having a positive impact on the community. Students can participate in the Citizenship Academy by signing up for the Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Bronze (Year 9), Silver (Year 10) and Gold (Year 12) levels, the Swindon Academy Cadet Detachment (Years 8 - 13) and can apply to be Wellbeing Ambassadors (Year 7 - 13). Students who sign up to these programmes receive training and certification, which colleges, universities and employers love to see on CVs and applications.

Students Army Cadet Force (ACF) We are extremely proud to be a school that has its own Army Cadet detachment that parades every Wednesday from 6:45pm - 8pm. Students between the ages of 12 and 18 can become an Army Cadet and enjoy heaps of benefits; the most obvious being that they get to take part in exciting and challenging activities such as fieldcraft, adventure training, first aid, music, sports and shooting, to name but a few. When they join as a cadet, they will make lots of new friends and have the opportunity to go on annual camp where they will meet cadets from other detachments around the county. They may even get to go on expeditions to amazing places in the UK and sometimes even abroad.

The Army Proficiency Certificate (APC) training syllabus teaches students leadership skills, discipline and gives them self-confidence they never thought possible. They will learn a wide range of transferable skills such as: the ability to command tasks; make decisions under pressure; plan and organise tasks and work as an effective team player as well as independently. These skills will equip them for life and add an extra string to their bow at times when competition for college places and employment is fierce.

Through cadet training, students can also gain valuable qualifications such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and a BTEC First Diploma in Public Services or Music. For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected]

Duke of Edinburgh Swindon Academy fully embraces the Duke of Edinburgh award and has a vibrant cohort of students completing the award. The Duke of Edinburgh Award comprises three stages — Bronze, Silver, and Gold — and involves participating in activities such as skills, physical activities, volunteering, and an expedition. Completion of the Award will help give you the skills, confidence, and a view on life that everyone is looking for, from employers to colleges and universities.

The Award recognises commitment, endeavour, and a capacity for teamwork, whether that be in newly discovered activities ahead or things you already do. In completing the award, you’ll make a difference to other people’s lives and your community, be fitter and healthier, make new friends, and have memories to last a lifetime.

We strongly encourage students to get involved and take up this challenge. For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected] 20

Attendance At Swindon Academy, we expect all students to attend school regularly to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. Regular school attendance and educational attainment are inextricably linked. We recognise that regular attendance at school is essential for good learning and continual progress and ensures that students get the best possible outcomes from their compulsory education. All school staff work with students and their families to ensure each student attends school regularly and punctually.

We expect all of our students to aspire to achieve 100% attendance and appreciate the Students full support of parents and carers in encouraging this. The minimum level of attendance for this school is 97% and we will keep you updated regularly about progress to this level. The school has targets to improve attendance and your child has an important part to play in meeting these targets.

Ensuring your child’s regular attendance at school is your legal responsibility and allowing your child to be absent from school without a good reason creates an offence in law and may result in prosecution. Failing to attend this school on a regular basis will be considered as a safeguarding matter. Only the school, within the context of the law, can approve absence. Parents cannot approve absence.

At Swindon Academy we use 6 categories to monitor each student’s attendance. These are:

Holidays in Term Time Parents do not have the right to take their child out of school during term time for holidays, and the Academy does not have to authorise such absences. Taking holidays in term time will affect your child’s schooling as much as any other absence and we expect parents to help us by not taking children away in school time. There is no automatic entitlement in law to time off in school time for holidays.

Any period of leave taken without the agreement of the school, or in excess of that agreed, will be classified as unauthorised and will attract sanctions such as a Penalty Notice.

Penalty Notices Penalty Notices for unauthorised absence will be considered in the following circumstances:

Cumulative attendance for the academic year is less than 93% and there are at least 6 unauthorised absences during the previous term. OR unauthorised holidays during term time.

A full copy of our Attendance Policy can be found on our website at www.swindon-academy.org

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Assessment and Reporting Students have their progress regularly assessed in all subjects. The majority of subjects will be assessed with written examinations during termly assessment weeks. Students receive comprehensive revision materials prior to their assessments to support them in preparing for their exams.

Exams are held as follows:

Term 1: Year 11: 1 week, commencing 30th September 2021

Term 2: Years 7 - 11: 2 weeks commencing 24th November 2021

th

Students Term 3: Years 7 - 9: 6 - 7 January 2021 Year 11: 1 week, commencing 31st January 2022

Term 4: Year 11: 2 weeks, commencing 14th March 2022 End of Year: Years 7 - 10: 1.5 weeks commencing 27th June 2022

Following each formal exam, students’ progress is reviewed and group changes are made to maximise their learning potential. Parents also receive a report through the post, as well as the opportunity to discuss their child’s progress at our two Progress Review Days (PRD), which are held in January and July, the dates of these days can be found on page 27. Catering We have a fully equipped kitchen offering a wide range of food for students, where we encourage students to eat healthily. We are proud of the high quality of service offered.

The restaurant is open for breakfast where we offer a range of items, including cereals and hot cooked food. At break time we offer snacks and drinks and lunch service is fully comprehensive with a rotational menu, offering a wide choice of hot main courses. We do not accept cash for purchases, however, loading money onto your child’s account is quick and easy. You can do this via our ParentPay online payment system (see below), or your child can use the cash loaders in school to add money onto their account.

If your child is eligible for free school meals this is completely confidential as the cashless catering system makes no differentiation between students on free school meals or those paying. We encourage students to have a full meal, but we will allow them to use their allowance on drinks and snack items, so please ensure you sign up for free school meals if you are eligible - our staff will be happy to assist. ParentPay Online Payment System Parents receive an activation letter with a reference to setup their ParentPay account. Where families have more than one child at the Academy, accounts can be merged. Using ParentPay enables parents to pay for all school activities online or at local pay points, offers a highly secure payment site, provides a history of all payments made, eliminates the need to write cheques or have cash, enables you to make payments for larger trips in instalments, is quick and easy to learn and allows for quick and easy refunds to be made back to the payment card. If you have lost your activation code, or need more help with ParentPay, please email Julie Greenwood at [email protected] who will endeavour to assist. 22

Activity Based Curriculum Week (ABC Week)

ABC Week takes place during July and is for students in Years 7-10. Normal timetabled lessons are suspended for one week and students take part in a variety of theme-based opportunities that are designed to enhance their cultural and social capital during their time at the Academy.

During ABC Week students experience a bespoke and

multi-faceted alternative curriculum that is designed Students Students and led by staff. The Academy is also extremely fortunate to be supported by a number of local, national and international companies. This support gives students a meaningful and memorable experience.

Year 7 Pay it Forward: A community-based activity week, which focuses students on the community they are from, the importance of its past, present and future and what it means to be able to contribute in a positive way to their community.

Year 8 Camping at Ashburnham Place: An action packed week spent camping within the grounds of the stunning Ashburnham Place on the South East coast of England. Students participate in a range of outward bound activities and visits to places of local interest and natural beauty.

Year 9 Health and Wellbeing: As students prepare for their GCSEs they are encouraged to explore the benefits of a balanced and positive lifestyle. They are challenged to try activities that take them out of their comfort zone and work with different friendship groups through the week, thereby developing an appreciation of activities and lifestyle choices that will help them to develop a well-balanced future for themselves.

Year 10 Work Inspiration: As students embark on the final year of secondary education, they are challenged to think about their futures and how to make themselves marketable to future employers. Students visit a range of local businesses to experience first-hand what life in employment is like and the attributes employers are looking for in new employees, as well as essential qualifications.

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Safeguarding Swindon Academy takes seriously its responsibility to protect and safeguard the welfare of the children and young people in its care. The welfare of the child is paramount and comes first in all of our

Safety work. As part of the school ethos, staff and governors are committed to safeguarding children and young people by:

• ensuring all members of staff, including volunteers, are aware of signs and symptoms of abuse, know the correct procedure for referring and reporting concerns and receive appropriate training to enable them to carry out these requirements; • exercising their duty to work in partnership with other agencies and to share information with them; • encouraging and supporting parents/carers, working in partnership with them; • establishing and maintaining an environment where children feel secure, are encouraged to talk, feel they will be listened to and will receive appropriate support; • including opportunities in the curriculum that equip children with the skills they need to stay safe from harm and to know to whom they should turn for help; • raising awareness amongst staff of safeguarding issues and ensuring they recognise their responsibilities and are equipped to deal with concerns that arise; • establishing and maintaining an environment where school staff and volunteers feel safe, are encouraged to talk and are listened to when they have concerns about the safety and wellbeing of a child; • ensuring that the school has a senior member of staff who is designated to take on lead responsibility for safeguarding issues; • ensuring robust procedures for recognition and referral where there are welfare or child protection concerns and that these procedures are clear and known to all staff and volunteers; • promoting effective working relationships with other agencies involved in safeguarding children and young people; • monitoring and supporting students who are known or thought to be at risk of harm and contributing to assessments of need and support plans for those students; • ensuring safer recruitment practices in checking the suitability of staff and volunteers to work with children.

Procedures for Referral Any member of staff or visitor to the Academy who receives a disclosure of abuse or suspects that abuse may have occurred must report it immediately to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL).

Role Name Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) Alice Lawrence Safeguarding Officer Dean Ramshaw

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E-Safety

The Academy expects all users to use the Internet responsibly and strictly according to the following conditions:

Users shall not visit Internet sites, make, post, download, upload or pass on material, remarks, proposals or comments that contain or relate to: Safety  pornography (including child pornography);  promoting discrimination of any kind;  promoting racial or religious hatred;  promoting illegal acts;  any other information which may be offensive to other users any comment that may be deemed as bullying to any person.

Incidents which appear to involve deliberate access to websites, newsgroups and online groups that contain the following material will be reported to the Police: • images of child abuse (images of children, apparently under 18 years old); • involved in sexual activity or posed to be sexually provocative; • adult material that potentially breaches the Obscene Publications Act in the UK; • criminally racist material in the UK.

Mobile Phones Student usage of mobile phones and smartphones for voice, Internet and SMS messaging is covered by the Academy’s Technology Policy.

Any use of associated mobile phone technology (still and video cameras, sound recording devices) to capture non-consensual material and to distribute it to the detriment of students, staff of Swindon Academy or any of the Academy’s community is forbidden.

Memory Devices The use of USB memory pens/portable media players/external hard disks is not permitted in the Academy. Pupils can access OneDrive, where their information is accessible from school or from home.

Laptops and Tablets (including iPads) • Laptops and tablets supplied by the academy are treated as part of the Academy network and are bound by the same security and e-safety rules as outlined throughout the Technology Policy; • Personal laptops and tablets may not be connected to the academy network without permission from SLT and the Network Manager; • The Academy reserves the right to confiscate and investigate the content and usage of any un-notified laptop, tablet, smartphone or any other electronic device found on the site.

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United College Sixth Form

16 When your son or daughter joins the Academy in Year 7, the

- Sixth Form may seem a long way off. We know though that this time will go quickly and we want everyone to be proud of the Sixth Form and to aspire to be a part of it. We want the choice to be part of United College Sixth Form to be an active one. A choice made because the Sixth Form offers the best

opportunities to pursue qualifications, develop skills and be Post involved in life-changing experiences that provide a vital stepping-stone for our students’ transition into adulthood.

At Swindon Academy, we set out to be inclusive in our approach with a Sixth Form pathway to suit the aspirational learning needs of all students. We treat all students as individuals and ensure that all advice and guidance is in line with students’ qualifications, interests, career aspirations, skills and talents. As a guidance our entry criteria is five grade 5’s or above on average to secure a place. However, certain subjects require a higher grade at GCSE and we will consider students who have particular strengths and talents for creative subjects. An offer is dependent on meeting applicants, discussing their unique requirements and determining if our Sixth Form is the right place for them and the subjects they wish to pursue. We support students in Years 10 and 11 through individual meetings as they select progression routes and subjects for Sixth Form study. We also support them as they make their choices about careers or university places.

When the time comes, all students are encouraged to grasp the amazing opportunities that United College Sixth Form offers. We have a unique support team made up of an Academic and Pastoral Director of Sixth Form, two Study Managers and a designated team of Tutors, all there to ensure that students’ learning experience is positive. Should you require any further information please contact Mr Lewis at [email protected]

STEM Grammar Stream at Sixth Form As part of our partnership with Marlborough College we are pleased to offer a STEM pathway for high achieving individuals who wish to study at least two subjects from biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, engineering, maths and further maths at A-level. This pathway offers a focus on the STEM subjects, a dedicated tutor group, access to a tailored mentoring programme and a bespoke programme of support from business representatives, universities and Marlborough College. Students will have aspirations to attend a Russell Group University or take up a high-level apprenticeship.

When the time comes, all students are encouraged to grasp the amazing opportunities that United College Sixth Form offers. We have a unique support team made up of an Academic and Pastoral Director of Sixth Form, a Learning Manager, a group of Tutors and a dedicated Study Supervisor, all there to ensure that students’ learning experience is positive. Should you require any further information please contact Laura Dodsworth on 01793 426935 or refer to the Sixth Form Handbook. 26

Term Dates Below is a list of some key dates for the academic year. Term 1 Due to current circumstances we will confirm event dates Friday 3rd September* - closer to the time. th Friday 15 October 2021 Term 1

rd Term 2 Thurs 3 Sept First day of term for Years 7, 11 and 13 th Monday 1st November - Mon 7 Sept First day of term for Years 10 and 12 th Friday 17th December 2021 Tues 8 Sept First day of term for Years 8 and 9 Mon 13th Sept School Photographs Week Term 3 Tues 14th Sept Academy Awards Evening (TBC) Thursday 6th January - Tues 28th Sept Year 8 ABC Camp Evening Friday 18th February 2022 Term 2 Term 4 Mon 1st Nov First day of term 2 th Monday 28 February - Tues 2nd Nov Yr 11 & 13 Parents’ Evening th Thursday 7 April 2022 Weds 10th Nov Sixth Form Information Evening

Term 5 Tues 14th Dec Yr 4-7 Marlborough College Carol Service Monday 25th April - Term 3 Friday 27th May 2022 Thurs 13th Jan Progress Review Day 1 th th Term 6 16 - 17 Feb School Show Monday 6th June - Term 4 st Monday 25th July 2022 Tues 1 March Year 11 and 13 Parents’ Evening th *Return for Years 7, 11 & 13 only Mon 7 March Year 9 Options Process Week

See dates in the table for other Term 5 Dates to Remember to Dates year groups. TBC

School Closed for Training Term 6 th Weds 6 July UCSF Taster Day - only Y10 in school Full Days Mon 11th July ABC Week st Wed 1 September 2021 Weds 20th July Progress Review Day 2 Thurs 2nd September 2021 Mon 18th- Weds 20th For details of assessment weeks, please see page 22. October 2021 Tues 4th - Weds 5th January 2022 Friday 8th April 2022 Friday 1st July 2022

P.M. - from 1.20pm Mon 4th October 2021 Tues 9th November 2021 Weds 26th January 2022 Fri 18th February 2022 Thurs 24th March 2022 Tues 21st June 2022

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All general communication should be made through Epraise message to Mrs Wright, the Secondary Headteacher, who will forward it to the correct member of staff or respond directly. You can message her on Epraise at Mrs K Wright. However, there are a few message types that can be sent directly, as below.

Parents can message staff directly using Epraise. If parents do not receive a response within 48 hours (Mon—Fri), please send the message to Mrs K Wright.

Please refer to the Epraise Booklet for instructions on how the platform works and how you can access it to contact us. This is available on our website at: https:// www.swindon-academy.org/admissions/year-6-into-7

For emergency calls during the school day, please contact us on the main switchboard Contacting Us Contacting number, 01793 426900 or call Ms Spence on 01793 426908.

Epraise Contacts

Attendance Miss S Goddard Mrs D Gough Epraise Shop Mr C Oke

Trips / Visits / ParentPay Mrs J Greenwood

Bedrock Mrs K Hendra

Sparx Mr L Roche

Safeguarding Mr D Ramshaw Chromebooks Mr N Warren Bath College Manager Mrs C Roberts

Cambridge College Manager Miss S Oakley

Imperial College Manager Mr S Yeardley

Warwick College Manager Ms R Harding

Swindon Academy, Beech Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1JR Tel: 01793 426900 Web: www.swindon-academy.org Email: [email protected] Twitter: @SwindonAcademy1 28