Wixams Academy Prospectus 2017-18

Taking applications to join Year 7 in 2018

ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE TOGETHER www.wixamsacademy.co.uk Serving the communities of: Wixams, Wilstead, Bedford and surrounding areas

Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 1

CONTENTS 3

Welcome to our new academy

5

Our vision

6 A new academy with state-of-the-art facilities 8

Inspiring curriculum

10 Life beyond the classroom 11

Shape your future here

12 Life at Wixams Academy 14 Transition to secondary school 15 Supporting your child 16 Our location 17 How to apply 18 Tours & visits

“

Quite simply, our son is so happy to go to school each day; excited about learning and becoming more confident about his future. He loves Wixams Academy.

”

2 | Tel: 01234Wixams 608950 Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk Academy Year 7 Parent

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

WELCOME TO OUR NEW ACADEMY Dear parents and carers, I am honoured to be the first Principal of Wixams Academy and welcome you to our prospectus. Our core purpose is to inspire and challenge all of our students to achieve exceptional things with us and to develop those key skills and qualities which will serve them throughout their lives.

Our doors opened for the first time in September 2017, with a culture of high aspiration and high expectation for all. Growing into a full secondary school and sixth form, we aim to deliver a world-class education through outstanding teaching and innovative approaches to the curriculum, providing a highly academic route and with unique choices in cutting-edge science and technology subjects at GCSE. Our extended school day opens up opportunities for further study and for students to follow their passions through a rich and varied range of clubs and activities.

As a father of four children, ensuring that students are supported to feel happy, secure and able to thrive is essential to me. Therefore, delivering the highest quality student experience is at the heart of everything we do: from providing inspiring teaching and learning, to personalised student support, and wider opportunities for students to develop through links with universities, employers and other partner organisations within our Trust.

I very much look forward to welcoming you to the Academy and working with you to achieve the very best possible outcomes for your children.

Paul Spyropoulos Principal Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 3

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4 | Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

OUR VISION

Our vision is to provide all of our students with a first-class academic education comparable with the very best schools nationally. We also aim to develop those skills and qualities in our students’ character which, hand-in-hand with exam qualifications, will deliver success and resilience in later life.

When our students leave us, they will be fully qualified, motivated and personally equipped to succeed in life and contribute to a rapidly changing world.

OUR VALUES •

Determination

•

Respect

•

Responsibility

•

Community

•

Honesty

•

Compassion

BEDFORD COLLEGE ACADEMIES TRUST (BCAT) We are proud to be part of Bedford College Academies Trust (BCAT).

BCAT was created to drive up local educational standards and has an impressive track record of success. The Trust believes our region deserves outstanding schools and its commitment to Bedfordshire means that all of its resources are focussed on education for the local community.

BCAT and its sponsors: • Educate 16,000 students across Bedfordshire • Run The Bedford College Group; Bedford College; Shuttleworth College; Tresham College; The Bedford Sixth Form; Wixams Tree Primary School • Was an initial sponsor for Bedford Academy and helped to create Bedford Free School As part of BCAT, we draw upon unrivalled expertise and resources from the largest educator in Bedfordshire, helping us to ensure the quality of our students’ education is first class.

Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 5

A NEW ACADEMY WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES Opened in September 2017, our vibrant, state-of-the-art new Academy provides our students with an inspirational learning environment to stimulate minds and fire the imagination.

Students enjoy the use of: • Specialist science laboratories • Large open plan learning resource centre • Music room and recording studio • Sports hall • Multi-use games areas • High-tech computing labs • Playing fields • Creative design studio • Performing arts studio …and much, much more.

6

“

The academy represents a really exciting educational opportunity for young people in Bedford Borough. At the council, we remain committed to supporting the best quality education for all students in Bedford Borough and we are therefore delighted to be working with BCAT on this project.

�

Councillor Henry Vann, Portfolio Holder for Education at Bedford Borough Council

Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 7

INSPIRING CURRICULUM Wixams Academy provides exciting opportunities for learning and delivers a high quality and balanced curriculum for all students. We concentrate on providing a rigorous and academic experience for every student with a number of unique and exciting science and technology options at GCSE. Our curriculum is designed to prepare students for higher education at top universities and careers in rapidly growing industries.

YEARS 7 & 8 Students gain a strong secondary foundation by studying the full range of National Curriculum subjects.

SUBJECTS Art

English

Music

Computing

Geography

Physical Education

Dance

History

Religious Studies

Design Technology

Maths

Science

Drama

Modern Foreign Langauges

Personal Social Health and Citizenship Education (PSHCE) In-house Skills qualification, SkillsCert Our In-house SkillCert qualification will ensure that our students are able to demonstrate the skills and community values essential to be an integral part of British Society.

8 | Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

YEARS 9, 10 & 11

Maths

Tel: 01234 608950

Science (2 GCSE’s Double Science)

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Core PE

English (2 GCSEs)

OPTION C OPTION D Sci/Tech Free (1 GCSE) OPTION A OPTION B (1 GCSE) 2 lessons, EBacc EBacc 3 lessons, GCSE (1 GCSE) (1 GCSE) Animal Care, Citizenship, 3 lessons, 3 lessons, Computer GCSE Art, GCSE French, GCSE Science, GCSE RS, GCSE Spanish, Geography, Creative GCSE GCSE German GCSE History Media, Digital Business Applications, Studies, ICT Systems, GCSE Dance, Smart Product GCSE Drama, Design, Triple GCSE Music, Science, Food GCSE PE Pathway - alternative Tech, Textiles

curriculum & Extra English/maths & targeted intervention

PSHE, Cit, SkillsCert

YEARS 9-11

Our broad and balanced curriculum at KS4 is highly academic, but also has flexibility which allows us to personalise the curriculum for each student.

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 9

LIFE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM We believe all children should have opportunities to develop beyond the classroom. Our students have many opportunities to take part in an exciting and engaging extra-curricular programme, giving them the chance to learn new skills and enhance existing ones.

Some of the activities on offer: • Art club • Breakfast club • Computing/programming • Dance club • Drama club • Gaming club • Homework club • Music technology/DJing • Public Speaking/debating club • Science club • Sports clubs and teams Our students are actively involved in their local community, and opportunities for them to develop their leadership skills and show community values are integral to the work of the Academy.

10 | Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

SHAPE YOUR FUTURE HERE ACHIEVING WITH US High expectations and outstanding teaching ensure that our students develop into inquisitive and active learners. Aspiration, inspiration and state-of-the-art facilities create an exceptional learning environment in which our students thrive.

Our outstanding teaching ensures that all students are instantly immersed in an inspiring culture of learning; one where they will develop and grow and be inspired to achieve. Our lessons are engaging, active and take full advantage of the facilities that our new build affords us. We believe that students learn best when working in a trusting and happy environment in which all staff members have the highest levels of aspiration and belief in each learner.

In addition to academic excellence we believe that students need to be well rounded individuals who can make a significant contribution to their communities. Our in-house KS3 qualification ‘SkillCert’ allows our students to demonstrate that they have a good understanding of the skills and values that they need in order to achieve success.

Tel: 01234 608950

PERSONAL, SOCIAL, HEALTH AND ECONOMIC EDUCATION (PSHE) All students will study PSHE and Citizenship, covering a range of topics including personal, social, health and relationship issues, sex education, citizenship, personal finance and British values - all tailored to students’ age groups.

These lessons will also play an important role in developing students’ skills in leadership, public speaking and debate.

CUTTING-EDGE INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) Technology is woven into our daily lives and education needs to embrace this fact to enable students to go on and succeed in modern society.

We provide students with cutting-edge computing facilities, including personal IT devices, where they have the most benefit in the curriculum. Teachers make extensive use of this technology, ensuring that it becomes an integral part of students’ learning experience.

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 11

Open from

8.15am until 5.30pm

LIFE AT WIXAMS ACADEMY THE SCHOOL DAY Wixams Academy will be open from 8.15am until 5.30pm operating an extended school day.

This timetable shows a typical day at Wixams Academy.

Wixams Academy - The Academy Day 8.15am-8.40am

Breakfast Club

8.40am-9.00am

Form time (Form tutor room) & assembley

9.05am-10.05am Period 1 10.10am-11.10am

Period 2

11.10am-11.25am

Morning break

11.30am-12.30pm Period 3 12.30pm-1.30pm

Lunch break/ Extra-curricular clubs

1.35pm-2.35pm

Period 4

2.40pm-3.40pm Period 5 Enrichment/Homework • Support • Clubs and activities • Sports Teams 3.40pm-5.30pm • Compulsory Homework ‘Prep’ from 3.45pm-4.15pm twice weekly • Revision sessions • Library and ICT facilities

12 | Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

“

I love the fact that you are giving the students so many opportunities to be individuals, through all of the after school club options.

UNIFORM

Wixams Academy Year 7 Parent

Our uniform means that students are well presented and take pride in learning at Wixams Academy.

”

HOMEWORK Homework is a normal part of learning at Wixams Academy. A variety of tasks will be set by subject teachers on a regular basis and weekly supported ‘Prep’ sessions help students to establish strong independent learning habits.

PTA AND PARENT VOICE We welcome and encourage parental involvement in the Academy, both through our active PTA and by seeking the ideas and views of our families.

We welcome new members, so if you would like to join us, please email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 13

TRANSITION TO SECONDARY SCHOOL At Wixams Academy, we want all of our students to feel welcome and confident about moving to secondary school.

Working closely with our middle and primary school partners, we gain a detailed understanding of the needs of all who join us, to ensure a smooth transition.

Our comprehensive transition programme helps students joining us in year 7 to quickly settle into their new school.

Transition events include: • ‘ The Wixams Challenge’ where Year 6 students complete a variety of interactive tasks to give them a flavour of life at Wixams Academy • O pen Evenings and Open mornings to see the Academy in action • Transfer Days in July • E xtended transfer periods for students requiring more familiarisation with the Academy

14

SUPPORTING YOUR CHILD Whilst starting at Wixams Academy will be very exciting, we do recognise that moving to any new school can be daunting for students. This is why our strong pastoral support will be in place from day one.

PERSONALISED TUTORING

BEHAVIOUR AND DISCIPLINE

Our experienced team of personal tutors are on hand for students and families, supporting and assisting in all personal and educational matters.

The high expectations set at Wixams Academy extend to the behaviour of our students. Our goal is for students to graduate from the school as active and mindful members of society, with high levels of self-awareness and control.

LEARNING SUPPORT TEAM AND SENCO We are committed to ensuring that every child achieves extraordinary things. We carefully monitor the progress of every student providing extra support to all those who need it. Our experienced Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) and team work closely with families to ensure all specific needs are met in the best possible way.

Tel: 01234 608950

Students will feel safe and happy in our calm and supportive environment and behave responsibly given an inspirational learning experience and within a culture of strong relationships, rewards and clear boundaries.

In rare instances where this is not the case, individual children will be skilfully and carefully supported, whilst maintaining the calm learning environment for others.

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 15

OUR LOCATION Our new Academy is positioned in the heart of the growing and vibrant Wixams community. Sitting within large grounds, close to what will be the centre of the town, we offer an excellent secondary education to children from Wixams, Wilstead, Bedford and the surrounding areas.

A428

BEDFORD

TRANSPORT

A421

Wixams is situated on the A6 with easy road access to Bedford and the surrounding areas.

We encourage our students to walk or ride bicycles to the Academy with wide walkways and cycle paths leading up to the school and plenty of safe cycle storage.

Kempston

Shortstown

Wixams

A421

Marston Moretaine

ACADEMY BUS SERVICE We provide two heavily subsidised and dedicated Academy bus services covering the following areas: Route 1: Marston Moretaine > Houghton Conquest > Kempston > Great Denham > Queen’s Park

Houghton Conquest

Ampthill

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

A1

Clophill

Flitwick

Barton-Le-Clay Letchworth Garden City

To keep up-to-date with the latest transport information for Wixams Academy please visit: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

16 | Tel: 01234 608950

A6

M1

Route 2: Bedford Town Centre > London Road Bedford > Shortstown > Elstow > Cotton End > Wilstead

Green Lane, Wixams, Bedfordshire MK42 6BA

Biggleswade Wilstead

A6

DUNSTABLE

LUTON

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

HOW TO APPLY Wixams Academy welcomes applications from students living in Wixams, Wilstead, Bedford and the surrounding areas. We admit a new Year 7 group each September.

Please apply by the 31st October 2017 via the Bedford Borough Schools Admission site: www.bedford.gov.uk/onlineadmissions For further information and to view our full Admissions Policy, including details of our oversubscription criteria in the event that the Academy receives more applications than we can accept, as well as our appeals procedure, please visit our website: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 17

TOURS & VISITS We welcome visitors, so if you would like a tour at any point during the year to view the Academy in action, please contact us at info@wixamsacademy.co.uk and we would be happy to arrange one for you.

18 | Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk

“

Wixams Academy has provided a nurturing environment for my grandson. He is so pleased to be part of Wixams Academy and wears his ‘Founders’ Badge’ with pride.

Wixams Academy Year 7 Grandparent

Tel: 01234 608950

Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk

”

Web: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk | 19

Tel: 01234 608950 Email: info@wixamsacademy.co.uk Website: www.wixamsacademy.co.uk Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest Wixams Academy information wixamsacademy wixamsacademy

Green Lane, Wixams, Bedfordshire MK42 6BA