This school continues to be good.” Ofsted 2017 02 WELCOME TO THE ST LEONARDS ACADEMY We hope that our school will become ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE TOGETHER your school. The St Leonards Academy is part of the CONTENTS At The St Leonards Academy our mission is to University of Brighton Academies Trust’s encourage pupils to: network of 15 infant, primary and secondary academies, located across Sussex. 03 Flagship school for teaching and learning We believe that education transforms lives. Enriched by the University of Brighton’s 05 Investing in each and every education expertise and our experience working We share the vision that education transforms with academy schools for almost 10 years, we student lives. This vision is underpinned by our PRIDE want to ensure that our 7,500 pupils are inspired values of: to meet their potential and develop a passion for 07 The curriculum: building on lifelong learning. firm foundations Potential Respect It is important to us that our academies have a 09 Inclusion and motivation Integrity positive impact on their local communities and that parents and carers are actively engaged Governance and our Determination 11 with their child’s learning. We look forward sponsor Excellence to welcoming your family to The St Leonards Academy as we support each other – and your At the Academy, your child will experience child – to excel. 12 The next steps excellent teaching and exceptional pastoral care. They will also have the opportunity to take advantage of exciting enrichment activities that will broaden their life skills, as well as instil an enthusiasm for learning. Dr John Smith Chief Executive We look forward to welcoming University of Brighton Academies Trust you to the Academy. Neil Moir Principal www.thestleonardsacademy.org.uk 01 The minute I walked into The St Leonards Academy, I just knew it was a really special place.” Parent 02 FLAGSHIP SCHOOL FOR TEACHING AND LEARNING Our building, facilities and resources have been designed to ensure our students and their teachers benefit from working in an exceptional learning environment. The St Leonards Academy is relentlessly focussed on delivering excellent teaching and learning. To help drive forward whole school improvement we have built our teaching and learning culture on the holistic Teacher Effectiveness Enhancement Programme (TEEP). This is a framework that is proven to improve teaching and school outcomes. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust has acknowledged the work that the Academy has put into embedding TEEP and our continuing aspirations for the future, by awarding the Academy with TEEP Ambassador status, just one of 20 schools nationally. We have now joined a prestigious network of other Ambassador Schools across the country that will work collaboratively to enrich the learning of our students. The SSAT was impressed by the innovative and consistent approach evident in our planning and the way we engage our students in learning. Our consistent approach ensures that all of our students can take pride in their success. www.thestleonardsacademy.org.uk 03 The Academy is “highly ambitious for every pupil and wants each pupil to succeed.” Ofsted 2017 04 INVESTING IN EACH AND EVERY STUDENT We want to ensure that every child’s There is a specific programme of extension Furthermore our sponsor, the University of success is inevitable. Underpinning activities for more able students and the Brighton is committed to supporting us in a all of our work within the Academy Academy participates in The Villiers Park variety of ways to ensure that our students have is the principle of high expectations. Scholars Programme which helps academically the opportunity to progress to university. able students gain entry to top universities. We strive to maximise the potential SAFETY AND SECURITY of every child and help them to take The Academy works closely with The Hastings advantage of every opportunity. Academy sharing best practice, expertise and a The safety and security of our students is of wide breadth of experience. We also work very paramount importance. The Academy has closely with our family of primary schools to help clear policies on anti-bullying, health and safety, A CHAMPION FOR EVERY CHILD ensure children make the smoothest possible security and safeguarding students. transition when they join us. We ensure that every child has a champion in their learning mentor, who focuses with the In addition we are committed to working closely students on personal education plans, target with East Sussex College Hastings to ensure setting and improving attainment. Together, that, at 16, students move on to courses that learning mentors and the student wellbeing will enable them to fulfil their ambitions. team work closely with parents and carers in a variety of ways throughout the academic year to support every child in their journey at The St Leonards Academy. STRETCH AND CHALLENGE We have high expectations of all our students and all our teachers are committed to setting challenges in their teaching and learning. The teachers at the Academy go above and beyond to give you what you need to be successful.” Student www.thestleonardsacademy.org.uk 05 Parents, pupils and staff refer to the school’s strong sense of community. Pupils told us they feel very well supported by their teachers.” Ofsted 2017 06 THE CURRICULUM: BUILDING ON FIRM FOUNDATIONS We believe in providing a solid OPTIONS SPORT foundation in the core subjects of English, mathematics and science We guide students to select a range of subjects We offer a wide range of individual and team which are vital to being successful in to study to exam level at Key Stage 4 (Years sports to encourage every child to take part 9–11). This complements their core provision and we participate widely in local, regional and the modern world. and enables them to be best equipped for the national competitions. The PE department next stage in their learning. We offer French works hard to develop students’ physical In addition our students benefit from outstanding and Spanish, history, sociology, geography, capabilities in both lessons and extracurricular learning opportunities in humanities, languages, sociology, business, philosophy and ethics, art, activities. We have exceptional internal and arts subjects and design technology at Key photography and many more subjects. external sports facilities at the Academy. Stage 3 (Years 7–8). Every lesson is designed to be stimulating, engaging and innovative: debate, participation and passion for enquiry are fundamental to our way of working. In dedicated personal development lessons, students will develop the skills that underpin successful learning, helping students with study skills, thinking, independent study and collaborative problem-solving skills. These are the transferable, flexible skills relevant to higher education and the modern world of work which we provide as part of a broad and balanced curriculum that allows a high degree of flexibility. www.thestleonardsacademy.org.uk 07 I have been asked about the Academy by a lot of parents and I always recommend it.” Student 08 INCLUSION AND MOTIVATION PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT REWARDS We strongly believe in the importance of every At The St Leonards Academy we reward and “Pupils are taught how year of learning at The St Leonards Academy. celebrate student success at every opportunity. Students are set challenging academic targets to stay safe and they at the beginning of every year and together we We have a personalised reward system which feel safe in school. monitor and review their progress. Through our underpins our values and that allows students innovative personal development programme to access a range of enrichment experiences Parents agree their students will also demonstrate and reflect including trips to the theatre and national upon their independence, resilience, how they sporting events, as well as smaller regular children are well cared have positively contributed to the Academy rewards that positively reinforce our high for and are safe at the community and promoted our PRIDE values in expectations. their behaviour and learning. school. There is a strong We will regularly contact parents via email and INCLUSION through our rewards app, updating them of their safeguarding culture.” child’s rewards and inviting them to join us in The Academy is committed to developing praising them for achieving ‘Pride Pounds’. Ofsted 2017 the best possible provision for students with additional learning needs in a mainstream setting. Working on the principle that every student is supported and challenged to achieve their very best, our vision is to create the opportunity for every student to excel and have a sense of achievement. We provide for children with a wide range of additional needs. Our dedicated wellbeing team supports all students and can offer specific and specialised support and guidance through our Educational Training Centre (ETC) and links with external agencies. www.thestleonardsacademy.org.uk 09 As a parent at The St Leonards Academy, I feel valued and that my opinion and experience of the school is important.” Parent 10 GOVERNANCE AND OUR SPONSOR Our governance arrangements are The Board of Trustees includes representatives Its School of Education has an ‘Outstanding’ set by the University of Brighton from the Trust’s sponsor and local people with a rating from Ofsted for all of its early years, Academies Trust. wide range of expertise. primary and secondary teacher training and it is ranked in the top ten universities for education ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF courses in England in The Times and Sunday LOCAL BOARD BRIGHTON ACADEMIES TRUST Times Good University Guide 2019 and in the top 20 in the Guardian University League Tables We have a Local Board that contributes to The University of Brighton Academies Trust 2020. our Academy’s vision and future strategy. It is a network of 15 academies in Sussex, all is responsible for ensuring that our Academy supporting each other – and their pupils – to Partnership working is central to the University’s maintains strong community links and effective excel.