Information Guide 2019/2020
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INFORMATION GUIDE 2019/2020 Shaping Young Lives FOREWORD Dear Parent On behalf of the Local Governing Board and sta, I would like to ocially welcome you and your son/daughter to, and congratulate you on securing a place at, Woodkirk Academy. As you are probably aware, Woodkirk Academy is a popular and A key strength of our school is our excellent Sixth Form. As the successful oversubscribed school where we have a very proud only school based sixth form locally, your son or daughter can record in academic, intellectual, social, musical, sporting and be at Woodkirk Academy for seven years. Our Sixth Form is community developments. one of the largest and most successful Level 3 providers in the area, with departing Year 13 students going on to study a wide We pride ourselves on being a caring community with a positive variety of courses in higher and further education, or securing ethos and a strong sense of purpose. We have an enviable apprenticeships and employment of their choice due to the reputation for being a happy, well-ordered community oering superb education they received here. a wide variety of educational experiences for all students. Supportive and warm relationships, underpinned by outstanding Woodkirk’s investment in life beyond the classroom through discipline, enhance the positive atmosphere within the Academy. careers, work experience, outdoor pursuits, community projects, eld trips and foreign travel is recognised as being second We are committed to developing the ‘whole’ person and this to none. The success of our musical and drama productions has been externally recognised over the years by a number of are well known, as is our reputation for exceptional sporting other bodies such as the Sportsmark Award, Advanced Healthy achievements, fair play and the sheer joy of physical activity and Schools Status, the Stephen Lawrence Award and the Leeds Music games. The school has an excellent record of achieving a balance Education Partnership Champion School Award. We believe that a between academic and non-academic activities. rst class education begins with an assurance of exemplary safety and behaviour, and we work very hard to establish this. We aim to provide an outstanding education to all our students and this remains our rst priority at all times. As part of our At the heart of our success is the high quality of classroom commitment, we have undertaken several refurbishment projects teaching. Our students are well motivated, with established, since becoming an Academy. This has given us a rst rate Sixth positive work habits. We have high expectations in all aspects of Form facility, together with improved Design Technology and their work and behaviour. Woodkirk Academy has a strong team Business Studies areas and classrooms. approach in all its endeavours, with tremendously hardworking and dedicated sta whose energies are devoted to providing the best opportunities for all students. As such, examination performance in 2018 saw Woodkirk Academy with the highest attainment gures in the south of Leeds and progress comfortably above the national average. Ofsted noted that ‘Across the school, teachers are very conscientious and highly committed. They create excellent relationships in lessons so that students enjoy their learning.’ We have suited subjects together to allow students to learn in We hope you will seek and retain maximum contact with us. specialist environments and have a spacious Learning Resources We aim to maintain harmonious and fruitful relationships Centre which provides an excellent study space for all students between students, home and school. Information Evenings, both through and beyond the school day. Our state of the art Parents’ Evenings and celebration events are all genuine ways to 3G pitch for Physical Education and refurbished Main Hall and strengthen links between home and school and to support your stage, have allowed students access to the very best facilities to son/daughter. enhance their learning. We have replaced roofs and windows to further enhance the learning environment, as well as refurbishing We hope your son/daughter will enjoy their time at Woodkirk a number of Science laboratories. Academy and that they will make gains in learning both academically and socially, and I look forward to you joining with We have a committed and supportive Local Governing Board for us to achieve these goals. Woodkirk Academy and a Board of Trustees for Leodis Academies Trust, where we work in partnership with East Ardsley, Hill Top, Westerton and Blackgates Primary Academies. A well-qualied, experienced and enthusiastic sta and an active Friends of the Yours sincerely School Association also ensure that students at Woodkirk are J Barton given every opportunity to excel. Principal Woodkirk Academy Information Guide | 3 OUR AIMS Education is concerned with all aspects of learning in all its various forms. Academies and schools have a particular responsibility to promote the intellectual, spiritual, moral, social, cultural, aesthetic and physical development of the young. At Woodkirk Academy we shape young lives and aim to: FROM THE CHAIR OF GOVERNORS • promote a secure and happy environment, in which each The Governors and sta at Woodkirk Academy are committed student can achieve - physically, mentally, socially and spiritually; to these aims and their achievement through a well-balanced educational programme, which includes both the formal and • encourage students to develop a wide range of skills and informal aspects of Woodkirk Academy life. knowledge and to strive for the fullment of their potential both intellectually and creatively; All students are entitled to a rich and full educational experience which is achieved within a safe, happy, secure and thoughtful • develop students’ ability to form relationships at all levels environment. By working closely with parents through school and equip them to live a full and rewarding life in the wider work, homework, extra-curricular activities and social contact, the community; Academy realises these educational aims. • foster condence, self-esteem and self-discipline; Although nationally specialism has ended, Woodkirk Academy has retained many of the positive aspects of its former Science • provide a secure and stable working environment by consistently specialism to enhance learning opportunities and employment seeking to improve the safety of Woodkirk Academy procedures prospects for students. Since becoming an Academy, Woodkirk and site, by the ecient use of resources and by employing a Academy has been able to oer an extensive variety of resources well-trained and motivated workforce; to provide the very best for students in the classroom, after school and through a variety of educational visits. • provide an environment which promotes concern and respect for others and emphasises the importance of good citizenship; On behalf of the Governing Board, I hope you will enjoy being associated with Woodkirk Academy over the coming years and • enable each student to follow a curriculum which is relevant, that your son/daughter will become fully involved in all aspects broad, balanced and stimulating and which is appropriate to of school life. It is important that they take full advantage of all each student’s understanding and skills; and the successful courses, fantastic activities and quality facilities available to them at this excellent school. • provide partnerships with parents, other academies, schools, colleges and the wider community. Steve Alleston Chair of Governors 4 | Woodkirk Academy Information Guide CHILD PROTECTION DESIGNATED STAFF Here at Woodkirk Academy, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of students. We expect all sta, volunteers and visitors to share this commitment. It is everyone’s responsibility to safeguard children. Everyone who comes into contact with children and families has a role to play. CHILD PROTECTION COORDINATORS The Child Protection Co-ordinators (the Designated Sta) are: Mr N Cook Mr D Currie Mr J Lowe Mrs L Roberts Vice Principal Vice Principal Vice Principal Leodis Support Head of Years 7, 8 & 9 Head of Years Quality of Education Services Manager 10 & 11 CP Lead Key Stage 3 Miss N Power Mrs A Scott Leodis Family Learning Mentor Support Worker You may contact them anytime during the Woodkirk Academy day. SOCIAL CARE: During Oce hours: 0113 222 4403 Social Care Emergency Duty Team (out of hours): 0113 240 9536 URGENT ACTION: Dial 999 Woodkirk Academy Information Guide | 5 CURRICULUM YEARS 7 AND 8 YEARS 9, 10 AND 11 In Years 7 and 8 we follow the National Curriculum. This means all Key Stage 4 Pathways | students have a timetable that includes the core subjects: English, At Woodkirk Academy, we believe that students have the right Mathematics, Science, ICT and Computing, Physical Education and to be as successful as possible in many ways. It is true that Religious Education, alongside others termed foundation subjects. qualications are important for life chances but it is equally Each subject has objectives known as ‘attainment targets’ and important to make sure that our students develop into condent ‘programmes of study’ which will help students to achieve their and responsible people who possess skills and qualities that targets. extend beyond examinations. In Years 9, 10 and 11 we are committed to providing a learning experience that all students All lower school students take a two-year basic course in: can enjoy, be motivated by and demonstrate excellent progress in • English their development. • Mathematics • Science THE CURRICULUM • Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Computing The vast majority of the curriculum will be in the form of statutory • Careers Education subjects. By law, this currently means that all students will study: • Religious Education/PSHRE • Geography English (Language and Literature), Mathematics, Science, ICT and • History Computing, PE, PSHE, Careers and RE. • Modern Languages (French, German or Spanish) • Design Technology • Music/Performing Arts • Art • Physical Education (PE) 6 | Woodkirk Academy Information Guide OPTIONS The remaining four periods of teaching time each week are made • Art and Design up of other subjects.