under the mTerm 6 Newsletter 2011 Issuecroscope Nine 03-07 Primary Phase • 08 Goodbye Message • 09-24 Secondary Phase BUSY END TO Executive Principal Knighted For Services KSA’s Second Year To Education Kettering Science Academy has shown just how New roles of responsibility have been created A busy and productive year was topped off far it has come in its second year with a busy in each House, with each student encouraged with the news that the Executive Principal of and productive final term. to play a part in shaping life at the Academy. the Brooke Weston Partnership was awarded a From ICU days and House celebration Other highlights this term include awards for knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List. assemblies, to a creative arts exhibition and our anti-bullying initiatives and for our active Sir Peter Simpson, whose career in education an awards ceremony for students on our involvement in Aim Higher, a programme that spans 40 years, oversees Corby Business Alternative Curriculum, the drive to create an promotes higher education to young people. Academy, Brooke Weston Academy and inclusive Academy where everyone can thrive Next year is the final year in the current Kettering Science Academy. has continued in earnest. Sir Peter said: “I have been very fortunate with Students have once again proved to be the building and with so much achieved already, the people I have worked with in the 40 years driving force behind much of what has been KSA is determined to keep the momentum I have been doing this job, from my first head achieved, including coming up with their own going ahead of the move into the new of department when I was a new teacher, right enterprising charity ideas and designing new building – the next step in a bright future for through to a succession of teachers from whom the Academy. products for the restaurant. I learnt a lot. “You look back on your career and realise that these people help you to become what you are. “I’m very determined to provide the best quality service for the young people in our schools and to extend that high-quality offer to as many young people as I can. “Brooke Weston and now the other partnership schools are an example of just how good state- funded education can be.” Read more about the ICU day on pages 14 and 15 and see pictures from the art exhibition on page 17. There is also a touch of glitz and glam to this edition, with prom pictures on pages 13 and 22. 1 CONTENTS Letters from the Principals 2 LETTERS FROM Primary Information 3 THE PRINCIPALS Nursery and Reception 4 Lower School News 5 Dear Families Upper School News 6 This year has been a year of seismic change in the college. This collaboration Secondary News 9 secondary phase of Kettering Science Academy. We with other education have introduced ICU days and these have been incredibly providers is beginning to House page 11 successful across all years - we will continue to build on filter down to years 10 the programme for next year. We have also introduced and 11, with 24 students The New Build 12 a very innovative curriculum where students now have taking Level 2 courses at choice of what they study in years 9, 10 and 11. The new Corby Training Centre in Core 16 curriculum really does allow for success across a number electrical installation and of subjects and areas. Students are not restricted to plumbing. This perhaps Creative, Expressive and making a choice in a vocational, creative or traditional more than anything 17 route but can choose a mixture of different pathways to shows KSA as a provider of achievement in many different Physical Studies ensure success. areas. Humanities and Business 18 We have also introduced, which was perhaps the most A year of incredible change but this would not have been profound change, a vertical tutoring system. This possible if it were not for the dedication and hard work Year 11 Prom has made us look closely at every aspect of reporting of the staff here at the KSA. Indeed, it is testament to the 22 to parents, tracking student progress, pastoral care talented staff that so much has been achieved in such a systems and procedures to see if they really are fit for short time. purpose. The vertical tutoring system is at the core of the It is also testament to the excellent student body who Academy and it contributes to helping build the ethos of have embraced the changes. Indeed, so much so that in ‘achievement, collaboration and leadership’. It has been a recent governors’ questionnaire, 82% said they thought a huge success and students are now beginning to be Kettering Science Academy was a ‘good Academy’. Consultation on proud of being part of a house system. Indeed, the house system has helped build links between the primary and It is an incredibly exciting time to be at KSA and this Proposals for a secondary phases with twinning assemblies and some time next year the secondary phase will be moving into lessons happening across both phases. the new build. This will present challenges but I am Five-Term Year absolutely convinced that the staff and students here will These changes have contributed to making this an rise to these and will ensure that we are ready to teach Families were asked for their thoughts on a extremely successful year and this is nowhere more and learn in September 2012 in a magnificent state of the proposal to introduce a five-term year to both evident than in applications to the Sixth Form. We have art 21st century learning environment. phases of Kettering Science Academy. had a record number of students wanting to stay on and A five-term model would consist of five eight- complete the next stage of the learning journey. Indeed, I wish you a safe summer and hope to see you at some of the events put on for families in the new academic year. week terms in a year. Each holiday is normally the Academy is now taking applicants from across the two weeks, with the summer holiday usually region and the collaboration with Tresham means that four weeks long. some students studying at KSA will be enrolled at the Martin Campbell – Principal – Secondary Phase THE ADVANTAGES ARE: • The regular nature of the terms allows for a regular pattern of learning • Eight weeks provides enough time for a topic The end of the academic Academy to take up his headship in Milton Keynes. to be studied in depth, but is short enough year is always an Mr Talbot has given and learned (!) a tremendous amount for a brisk rate of progress. appropriate time to during his three and a half years in Kettering. We will express my thanks and all miss him but we wish him every success in this new • For students, the two week holidays provide a appreciation to various chapter of his career. real break from school, long enough for once groups and individuals I am pleased to advise you that Mrs Harley will join the homework or coursework is completed. who have supported your • For parents each two week break provides staff in September, teaching Year 6, while Mrs Green is children in their work and on maternity leave. Mrs Green’s baby is due in September. an opportunity for a family holiday. Those in play: the site staff, mid March and May fall outside the peak holiday day supervisors, admin I hope you enjoyed reading your children’s reports periods allowing considerable savings in price team, teaching assistants, recently; I always find them fascinating as each one without interrupting the student’s education. teaching staff and governors. On behalf of all at Kettering tells me your child’s academic story for the year. Please Science Academy, I say thank you for your commitment remember to complete and return the back page for our THE DISADVANTAGES ARE: and dedication to every pupil who walks through the door records. • Many parents will have children at other at the start of each new day. The children have told us Next year, we need to work on improving attendance schools with a traditional holiday pattern, how they feel safe, welcomed and challenged; well done, and punctuality rates: we have very strong evidence that particularly primary schools, therefore co- thank you and enjoy the well earned break. link achievement with attendance. It stands to reason: if ordinating holidays and childcare is less easy. Congratulations to your children on their application to your child comes to school every day, standards go up. • Some teachers and other staff will have learning, their determination and the contributions they If applicable I urge you to make a new (academic) year’s partners or children working in, or attending, have made to the Primary Phase. Pupils’ reading skills resolution: to ensure your child adopts a positive routine schools with a traditional holiday pattern. continue to improve although we need to work even from day one and to attend school daily. This can cause difficulties with childcare and harder now on writing and some areas of calculation. Many congratulations to those pupils who achieved 100% in co-ordinating holidays. Please make sure your children continue to practise their success rate. • Teachers with partners or children working reading, writing and numeracy during the holidays. I hope you and your children have a wonderful summer in, or attending, schools with a traditional We say farewell to Mrs Ansell, one of our teaching holiday, relax and enjoy each other’s company.