Achieving Excellence Through Mathematical Enterprise “ the ACADEMY HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN RECOGNISED AS ONE of the BEST SCHOOLS in ENGLAND for ACHIEVEMENT.”
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ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE THROUGH MatHEmatICAL ENTERPRISE “ THE ACADEMY HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN RECOGNISED AS ONE OF THE BEST SCHOOLS IN ENGLAND FOR ACHIEVEMENT.” LETTERS FROM MINISTER OF SCHOOLS 2012, 2013 AND 2014 “ THE ACADEMY IS CONSISTENLY IN THE TOP TEN IN ITS FAMILY OF 55 OTHER SCHOOLS FOR EXCELLENT ACHIEVEMENT.” DFE 2012, 2013 AND 2014 THIS PROSPECTUS GIVES ONLY A SNAPSHOT OF WHAT THIS OUTSTANDING ACADEMY HAS TO OFFER It is a privilege to be the Executive Principal here. I have a fantastic group of students, staff and Governors working with me to continue to make the Academy even better. We are a cross-site Academy for girls and boys aged 11–19 including a thriving Sixth Form. We have two excellent sites, one in South Norwood and one in Upper Norwood. We also host many visits from other schools keen to find out the secrets of our success. Both sites have the most up to date technology and resources that will inspire every student in their learning. We have a strong commitment to seeking and valuing the views of parents and carers to complement an active parent council to share in the development of the Academy. Developing the very best teaching alongside a culture of high expectations is essential for all our students. We offer a dynamic and personalised curriculum, delivered through an ethos of mathematics and enterprise. Our students are taught from the very first day that: “I am here to learn”, “I will have a positive attitude” and “I will make it happen”. These are the key attitudes that underpin a real sense of independent learning, excellent behaviour and individual success. The Academy is a caring community. Students are given excellent opportunities to gain confidence as they grow into young adults. We want every single student to fulfil their aspirations and to go on to lead happy, thriving and successful adult lives. I very much look forward to welcoming you to the Academy. Sam Hainey, Executive Principal 1 FIRST CLASS AND INSPIRING RESOURCES The Academy is an exciting and inspiring place, an ideal learning environment in which to foster ambition. With its high quality teaching and outstanding facilities, we enthuse and motivate students so that they will not simply achieve their potential, but exceed beyond everybody’s expectations. ACROSS THE TWO SITES WE HAVE EXCELLENT faCILITIES, INCLUDING: SOUTH SITE UPPER SITE • radio station, television and dance studio • state of the art Science laboratories • superb drama facilities, lecture theatres, • fully equipped Apple-Mac Suites technology and construction areas • large sports field with running track, • fully equipped Art and Design and Media football and rugby pitch studios (utilising Apple technology) 2 “ I SETTLED INTO THE ACADEMY REALLY WELL, EVERYONE LOOKS AFTER ME.” YEAR 7 STUDENT 2014 OUR ETHOS LEARNING FIRST BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT HIGH ASPIRatIONS CELEBRatING SUCCESS GROWING CONFIDENCE SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE 3 WE MAKE IT “ouTStaNDING PROGRESS awaRD.” SCHOOLS NETWORK 2013 4 As an Enterprise Academy, we have an environment of high expectations, aspirations and self-belief for all students. From age 11 through to 19, we work hard to have the highest academic and pastoral standards. We aim for our young people to be self confident citizens and entrepreneurs, who will help set future trends and not just to follow them. Our young people are taught to respect the basic principles that enable them to be effective learners which helps shape them in becoming adults we can all be proud of. Visitors who have had the privilege to work with our students, all comment as to how confident and articulate our young people are. 5 DEVELOPING THE POTENTIAL OF EVERY STUDENT Our aim is to provide the highest quality teaching in a first class learning environment. Teachers are highly trained and use tried and tested techniques as well as more innovative methods to promote the most effective learning. Learning in each subject is broken down into shorter term units lasting approximately six weeks each. Students and parents receive regular feedback on how well students are doing and what they need to do to improve their work further. The progress of each student is individually tracked and monitored. Academy staff intervene if a student needs assistance and will involve parents appropriately. We have excellent support systems for our most able students. We know who they are and we ensure teachers challenge them in lessons. We also ensure all students have activities and platforms outside of lessons such as Sports Clubs, Debating Teams, a STEM club and lateral thinking challenges. 6 “ NO STONE IS LEFT UNTURNED IN FINDING wayS OF MAKING THIS ACADEMY EVEN BETTER.” PHIL SAUNDERS, CHAIR OF GOVERNORS HOMEWORK Regular homework is vital in securing the very best results for our students. It consolidates work done in lessons, extends focused learning beyond the Academy day, encourages self discipline and the skills of independent study. We use an on-line package whereby all teachers set homework electronically. Every student and parent can access homework. Through the use of an “app”, parents can choose to receive push notifications advising of when homework has been set. 7 A JOURNEY FROM YEAR 7 TO YEAR 13 We are part of the Harris Federation Sixth Form. Our We also have links with top London universities including Sixth Formers are role models for our younger students. King’s, Imperial and Goldsmiths, enabling our students to attend university lectures and conferences. The Sixth Form offers everything our students love about their Harris education in an environment where The Harris Federation Sixth Form has progression they are treated as young adults. It involves a step agreements with several good universities in London change and a new relationship with teachers: our Sixth and the South East and is continuing all the time to Formers wear suits not uniform and plan for a working expand this list. This means that, if our students can day that fits in with a new type of learning. make the grades, they are guaranteed an offer of a place at these universities. Our students look at Sixth Form largely as the step before University education. 95% of our students apply to The Sixth Form regularly sends students to top University and increasingly to Russell Group Universities. Russell Group Universities, specialist Arts, Drama and This period of their education is filled with opportunities Stage Schools and direct into training for the careers to develop their experience and to work with leading of their choice. 8 practitioners in the field they are interested in. EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR AND CONSISTENT UNIFORM StaNdaRDS – WE GET THE baSICS RIGHT “ WHEN THE BELL RINGS The Academy is a place of calm and orderly learning where FOR BREAK, THE CHILDREN students feel safe and are able to learn without distraction. waLK QUIETLY DOWN THE As an outstanding Academy, our students are taught CORRIDORS, CHattING the importance of looking and acting “outstanding”. Our students are the flag bearers of our reputation and AND LAUGHING.” we are only as outstanding as they are! GUARDIAN ARTICLE, May 2012 We expect the highest standards from our students and encourage them to be self-disciplined at all times. Students will respect other people, their property and the environment in which they work and learn. We work with parents/carers to support us in helping to achieve this. 9 In order to develop a close sense of belonging, students MORE THAN will belong to one of five learning hubs. These hubs will provide a focus for rewards, competitions JUST and celebrations and students will stay in their learning hub as they move through the Academy from Year 7 to LESSONS Year 11. All our staff, teaching and non-teaching, build effective relationships with our students. We know our students by their first names, we see them as individuals and our students have the support they need to make the transition from primary to secondary school and to continue with the 10 next phase of their education. “ MY SON HAS MADE EXCELLENT TUTORING PROGRESS at THE ACADEMY, THat THE TEACHING IS VERY GOOD AND makES A HE FEELS REALLY SETTLED.” DIFFERENCE PaRENtaL SURVEY COMMENT Our students are in smaller vertical tutor groups. This means we have mixture of older and younger students in a tutor group. Through discussion topics, group activities and citizenship tasks, students of differing ages learn to work together and to support each other. Thus relationships on corridors, in the canteen and in the playground are very good as students mix well with students in the other year groups. We provide an environment where bullying is seen by all to be totally unacceptable. There is a very active and successful Student Council which is encouraged to discuss and feedback on bullying. This provides a forum for students to contribute to the running of the Academy. 11 HARRIS FEDERatION Our Academy is sponsored by the Harris Federation, a not-for-profit charity with almost 25 years of experience in running schools. The Federation runs a family of Primary and Secondary Academies in and around London. The Harris Federation has an exceptional track record, with academic progress outpacing the national average by 3 or 4 times each year and more than three quarters of its Secondary Academies so far judged as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted – this is unmatched by any other education body. The work of the Federation is made possible through the generous financial support of Lord Harris of Peckham and his family, and is brought to life by a team of excellent teachers Each year for Sports Day, the Harris Federation hires the and leaders. Crystal Palace Sports Stadium. With well over 10,000 student and staff spectators in attendance, Academies compete in team You can follow the Harris Federation on and individual sports.