Welcome to Alexandra A message from the Executive Principal

I am delighted to introduce you to Our school will have an inclusive our school. This is such an exciting admissions policy that welcomes, time – as we bring William Parker without preference, students of all and Helenswood together to create faiths and none. Ark Alexandra Academy. Students have been educated on the William Our vision, ethos and curriculum Parker site since 1619. 2019 marks will support each student to achieve the 400th anniversary for the school the highest academic results, – and a new chapter in the history develop essential personal qualities, of the two schools as they come become highly employable, and together to serve both boys and serve their communities well – girls from our community. and so raise standards and aspiration for all. Ark Alexandra will preserve and build on the legacy of William I look forward to welcoming you Parker and Helenswood – using our to Ark Alexandra Academy. existing strengths and expertise to create a co-educational school that will specialise in the creative arts and sport.

Ark Alexandra Academy will be a Church of school with strong universal Christian values of Yvonne Powell Faith, Excellence and Kindness that Executive Principal inform our ethos and culture. Students from Welcome to Helenswood and William Parker chose a new name Ark Alexandra that reflects the local area. Academy

A fresh start A new name

Ark Alexandra Academy will open in Our students have chosen our new school September 2019, bringing together name. The students wanted a name which William Parker and Helenswood to create was reflective of Helenswood and William a co-educational school that will specialise Parker and which represents the local in the creative arts and sport. community and history of the area. At Ark Alexandra Academy we will provide Alexandra Park was opened in 1882 and an excellent education that will enable all two lime trees were planted in the park our young people to: to represent a new beginning and local growth. The students felt that this is • achieve the highest academic results symbolic of the fresh start for the school. • develop the attributes and skills to be both highly employable and to be Our students were keen to honour the legacy positive contributors to their community of the current school names and therefore the lower school (years 7 and 8) will be • be creative, emotionally intelligent and known as the Helenswood site and the physically active young adults in order upper school (years 9 – 11 and sixth form) that they can lead a happy and healthy will be known as the William Parker site. lifestyle. Our The Upper School The Upper School (years 9, 10 and 11) will extend and build upon the experiences from the lower school. Students will transition to the William Parker site where they will begin Curriculum their subject options. Choices will be informed by their long-term aspirational goals, as well as their personal strengths and interests. Their progress at the upper school will secure excellent outcomes by:

• continuing to build on mastery in • participating in and following a The Lower School English, mathematics and science programme for careers education, whilst securing strong progress and individual advice and guidance that is The Lower School (years 7 and attainment in their chosen option refined for each individual and provides 8) will deliver a new curriculum subjects meaningful work-based experiences that builds on the strengths of our • being relentless in building subject • learning what success looks like and excellent primary schools to embed knowledge, skills and cultural how to be resilient and patient when high expectations and standards; references through excellent teaching faced with challenges. curriculum rigour and challenge; and wider experiences knowing every child; and enhancing • instilling communication skills so that leadership skills. students are able to present confidently The curriculum for years 7 and 8 will: in any situation and write at length with stamina for a variety of different • be academically rigorous purposes and audiences • create articulate, aspirational • developing emotional intelligence and confident students enriched that will enable our students to: by exposure to a range of know how to modify their behaviour cultural experiences according to the context; develop • embed excellent rituals, routines strong interpersonal skills; listen and disciplined study habits and understand another’s point • inspire students to have ambitious of view; be able to positively challenge goals and develop the courage and and debate that view confidently resilience to achieve them. and knowledgeably • preparing our students to be positive contributors to their communities through a character programme

Ark Alexandra Academy 6th Form

Our small, effective and highly successful 6th form will offer specialist and high quality teaching and support for each one of our students. It will provide a seamless transition from GCSE into Post 16 qualifications in an environment where Our every student is known as an individual. We are ambitious for all of our students to achieve the best outcomes and progress to a top university or into Values a career of their choice. To achieve this, we will have: Our values will underpin our ethos, • relentless expectations of our students’ culture and behaviour. Our students The House system attendance, hard work and study habits and staff will develop and model these universal Christian values: Ark Alexandra’s House system will build upon • expert teaching in vocational and academic the legacy of Helenswood and William Parker. subjects from teachers who have a proven It will promote and encourage successful record of success and who have strong working Faith – with belief and conviction in our behaviour and build a culture of aspiration, relationships with their students purpose, we will be confident in our ability competition and achievement, providing • high quality 1:1 career advice and guidance that to achieve, persevere when faced with students with opportunities to: supports all students to make informed choices adversity and be reflective in all that we do. • work alongside children of different regarding their future and prepares them well ages and with other interests through for their application to university and the world Excellence – with drive and competition, cultural experiences, visits and of work determination we will achieve excellence trips, community events in everything we do, every day, every • wider curriculum experiences that include • contribute to the wider community through lesson – never settling for less. volunteering opportunities within and beyond the charity and voluntary work in partnership school such as certificated coaching qualifications with local and national charities. and outdoor and adventurous activities Kindness – we will be friendly, • a character programme that continues to support generous, compassionate and considerate Our House names will be chosen by the joint the development of their social, moral, spiritual to each other and our community. Student Council of Helenswood and William and cultural understanding Parker and represent people associated with and who have been influential • the opportunity to apply for a bursary to support Our academy will enable students and staff and highly regarded locally, nationally their academic studies whilst in the 6th form and to flourish and achieve their potential. and internationally. for university. Culture, ethos and behaviour – the pastoral system The Ridge Lower school Ark Alexandra Academy will have a (years 7-8) strong sense of family. We will have dedicated pastoral teams so that we know each student as an individual, Conquest Hospital recognising their strengths and talents and understanding the support they need Creativity and to fulfil their potential. The school will The school sites operate a year group system, led by a sporting excellence Head of Year. This will support excellent attendance, exemplary behaviour, strong The school will be split across two Creativity and sporting excellence have progress and attainment, and personal sites: the ‘lower school’ for years long been at the heart of the Hastings development through careers education 7-8 will be at the Helenswood community, and Ark Alexandra Academy and character lessons. Lower site, and the ‘upper school’ will offer our students the very best Parkstone Road and sixth form (years 9-13) will opportunities to engage in sports Building partnerships with parents is a be at the William Parker site. and the creative arts. In addition to priority – ensuring that communication newly refurbished sports facilities, Ark is effective and timely. We will provide: Upper school Before opening, there will be a Alexandra Academy will also be offering curriculum information evenings to (years 9-13) large programme of works across scholarships in the arts and sports to explain what your child will learn and the two sites, including: continue the proud legacy of Helenswood how; termly communication informing and William Parker students. you about your child’s progress and development; direct contact with teachers St Helen’s Road • Dining hall expansions at both Some of the additional extra-curricular through subject parent evenings and sites activities we will offer include: opportunities to engage with the school’s • Additional toilets and • the Duke of Edinburgh award (bronze, progress and development by becoming coeducational changing facilities a member of the Parent Working Group. silver and gold) • Dance studio refurbishment at • Combined Cadet Forces – Army Strand William Parker • Community support through the church Alexandra Park • Significant redecoration, and local charities repurposing and refurbishment • extra-curricular clubs that are directly of classrooms linked to external clubs, for example Hastings Athletics club, ACROMAX • Electrical upgrades girls’ gymnastic and acrobatic club and • Roofing and window replacement other local sporting clubs. Ark Alexandra Academy Parkstone Road, Hastings TN34 2NT Tel: 01424 439888 Fax: 01424 448292 Email: [email protected] www.arkalexandra.org