Mission Statement To provide a stimulating learning environment, with a technological orientation across the whole curriculum, which maximises individual potential and ensures students of all ability levels are well equipped to meet the challenges of education, work and life. We are determined to ensure that a handful of years spent at Brooke Weston Academy will open the door to a lifetime of opportunity… This will be achieved by:
designing a curriculum to promote a full range of learning, thinking and life skills; providing a broad, balanced and relevant curriculum with emphasis on science, mathematics and technology and learning the importance of doing and understanding; devising flexible and responsive learning styles, particularly those which take into account the impact of technology on learning itself; equipping students with the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to succeed as individuals and as responsible and valued members of society, in a world coping with the ever increasing pace of change; developing a close partnership with the whole community, particularly parents and local employers; ensuring that the quality of the service offered to our students, their parents and to our employees through their training will be of the highest order in the belief that quality service produces quality responses.
Welcome I am immensely proud of Brooke
the only goal we strive to achieve.
Weston, its students, the staff and
We also focus on developing the
the many achievements since we
whole person and
opened in 1991. I hope that in
seek to offer many
reading our prospectus you will
experiences both
begin to discover what makes us
in and beyond the
special.
classroom. These opportunities help
Brooke Weston is an exceptional
us to instil in our
place to study and work. We have
students qualities
a proud history of educating young
of confidence,
people from Corby and Kettering
respect, compassion,
and the ideas and ethos pioneered
determination, teamwork and pride;
here have been recognised at a
all of which are essential in life and
national level. Our examination
will stand them in good stead for
results demonstrate our unswerving
the years ahead.
commitment to providing the best quality education that we possibly
To equip a young person with such
can.
skills is no mean feat. However, it is a challenge that we have risen to
Academic achievement is obviously
thousands of times over the past
very important, however, it is not
two decades.
Trish Stringer - Principal
Being the best Basically we expect the best from
support all the way through the
both our students and staff. Our
process. From revision sessions
Year 7 and new Year 12 students
to study skills tips and careers
are given very clear guidance on
interviews with our own on-site
what is expected of them in terms
adviser, we are here to support
of behaviour and attitude. We
your child in working out what
are here to work, to co-operate,
options, career path and university
to respect our school and to
courses are best suited to them.
form a strong, active and healthy community that we can all be
We recognise the achievements of
proud of. It is a simple expectation,
our students at our annual Prize
but it is one that we strive for
Giving and invite special guests to
and achieve, and one which pays
inspire and motivate our students.
dividends when it comes to the
Speakers have included Olympians
academic results that we see just a
Sally Gunnell and Amy Williams,
few years later.
broadcaster Bill Turnbull and Arctic adventurer Ben Saunders,
Although it may seem a long way off as your child is about to enter Year 7, or if you are joining us in Year 12, rest assured that we offer
all of
whom have given gripping
presenting hundreds of awards
nominated and it is an evening of
accounts of their achievements,
to our students. Those who have
celebration for students, staff and
before
worked exceptionally hard in all year groups are
parents alike.
Relevant study Relevance and understanding is
to the level they are working at,
key to learning. We offer a full
and their results are tracked and
curriculum to students in Year 7
reported.
and 8, providing tuition in core subjects such as English, maths and
Whatever level the student is
science, PE and a modern foreign
working at, we always encourage
language (either Spanish, French or
them to try that little bit harder;
German). Students choose which options to
often they surprise themselves at what they can achieve.
focus on in Year 9 when they
Students learn by ‘doing’ and
start their GCSE
we broaden the curriculum by
studies and
inviting professionals in to talk
they undertake
about their specialism. Our latest
consultation
visitors have included actors,
with their tutors
authors and performance poets, as
and subject teachers to determine
well as mechanics and engineers
the best path for them.
who oversee some of our Design Technology projects. These visits
Students can choose to work at
give our students an insight into
one of four levels (basic, standard,
the world beyond Brooke Weston.
extended or advanced) in each lesson according to their ability.
We have a dedicated team of staff
Students will be expected to
(and Sixth Form students who have
complete differing tasks according
trained as “Reader Leaders”). They
Advanced Extended Standard Basic
all work closely with students who may need a little more one-toone tuition in order to build their confidence in literacy or numeracy. These sessions prove invaluable and are a helpful and nonthreatening way of boosting younger students’ understanding. We also cater for our gifted and talented students by running trips to university campuses to give them a chance to see higher education in action. Other events have included trips to destinations such as Bletchley Park, writing workshops with visiting authors and whole days of experiments.
Our origins Our original mission statement
Garry Weston was chairman of
when we opened in 1991 was “to
Associated British Foods. He
provide a stimulating learning
died in February 2002 and is
environment which maximises
remembered for his unfailing
individual potential�. This is still
support for Brooke Weston,
relevant and one of our core values
of which he was always very
to this day.
proud. His generosity extended beyond the initial sponsorship; he
Hugh de Capell Brooke is a local
supported the initial construction
landowner who donated the
of the astro-turf, the mathematics
site and substantial
and ICT block and the Newman
cash underwriting to
library. The Weston family
ensure the building
continues to be strong supporters
began. He has, with
of all that we do.
his family, committed more land to complete the environmental developments around the site, including the Newman library. A strong supporter of Brooke Hugh de Capell Brooke
Weston, Hugh and his family continue to take a very active interest in the achievements of all our students.
Garry Weston
The Brooke Weston Trust was established in 2007
also many primary schools now in the Brooke Weston
and Brooke Weston Academy provides the model
Trust which is headed up by Dr Andrew Campbell.
and ethos for the other Trust schools, the secondary cohort of which comprises Corby Business Academy,
There is professional collaboration between all of the
Corby Technical School, Kettering Science Academy,
schools in the Trust.
and Thomas Clarkson Academy in Wisbech. There are
Brooke Weston is passionate
Brooke Weston was also granted
from Northamptonshire,
about attaining and maintaining
Teaching School Status that
Leicestershire, Cambridgeshire
the best working standards for
has enabled it to develop and
and Rutland.
both students and staff. We hold
deliver courses for teachers at
the Investors in People Gold
every stage of their profession.
Award, the Healthy Schools
This is a growing sector and so
Award and the Every Child
far we have delivered courses
Matters Gold Award.
to hundreds of teachers
Our working day Our term structure and working
a business-like atmosphere. No
day is unusual, but very simple.
playtimes mean an uninterrupted
Brooke Weston has five terms per
school day, greater concentration
academic year. Each lasts for eight
and fewer opportunities for
weeks, followed by a two-week
problems, such as behavioural
break, with the exception of the
issues or bullying to arise.
summer holiday, which lasts for four weeks. As we do not shut for
Students are allowed on-site to use
training days our students have 40
the facilities from 7.00 am daily
weeks of uninterrupted study each
until 6.00 pm Monday to Thursday
year.
and 4.15 pm on a Friday. This extra time enables them to take part in
Each day consists of five lessons.
the numerous clubs and activities
The school day starts at 08.35 am
that operate beyond the formal
and runs until 04.05 pm. There is
taught day. It also means that
a 15-minute break for breakfast
students can stay and continue
and a 30-minute lunch break plus
with their own private study, taking
an assembly and tutor time. Our
full advantage of the facilities
students do not have ‘playtimes’
available.
as the emphasis is on creating
Our longer school day means that, over the course of five years, our students have the equivalent of a whole extra year of tuition, compared with the timetables of other schools. That makes a massive difference to their educational outcomes.
The Academy day
Period
Time
Description
Period 1
08:35 - 10:05
Includes 15 minute breakfast
Tutor 1
10:05 - 10:20
Tutor time / Lower school assembly
Period 2
10:20 - 11:35
Tutor 2
11:35 - 11:50
Tutor time / Upper school assembly
Period 3
11:50 - 13:35
Includes 30 minute lunch
Period 4
13:35 - 14:50
Period 5
14:50 - 16:05
Post 16:05
16:05 - 18:00
Private study time / Extra curricular activities
Kit and equipment Key to creating a corporate
own trainers. More information
atmosphere is appropriate uniform
on uniform and its cost will be
and behaviour.
available on the ‘uniform and new intake’ evenings, which are held in
We expect that every student
the spring. At other times, uniform
will come to Brooke Weston
order forms can be obtained from
appropriately dressed and
the Finance and General OďŹƒce.
equipped with basic black
Uniform is compulsory for students
trousers/skirts and shoes, teamed
in Years 7 to 11. In Years 12 and 13
with plain white shirts, Brooke
students are required to dress in
Weston ties and jumpers.
formal business-like attire.
Each student should wear Brooke
All students are expected
Weston sports kit and provide their
to maintain a neat and tidy
appearance with no extreme
Students will be issued with a
piercings, tattoos or hairstyles.
multi-functional ‘smart card’
Hair dye, if used, should be of a
which will include an information
natural tone.
chip and their photograph. This is required to register attendance
Students will need to supply their
and it also acts as a bus pass, a
own stationery. Each student will
payment card for the restaurant
be allocated their own locker and
and a library card. Payment can
they will have to supply their
be loaded onto the card either via
own padlock for security. No
standing order, through the on-line
valuables should be brought to
“WisePay” facility or by cheque
Brooke Weston as we can take no
or cash presented at our Finance
responsibility if they are mislaid.
Office. Students cannot use each
Mobile phones are not allowed to
other’s cards and, if the card is lost,
be used inside the school and, if
any balance can be reloaded onto
brought, should be switched off
a replacement card (which can be
and placed in lockers until the end
purchased at a current cost of £5).
of the school day.
Enriched learning Every student learns best when
update our website with stories
they are fully engaged and on
of sporting success. There are
task. We enrich their learning by
weekly sports clubs that take place
providing a range of opportunities,
after school. Details of these can
including lectures from visiting
be found on the screens around
professionals, educational
Brooke Weston. In addition to our
challenges, projects and
normal timetabled lessons, we
residentials.
have also run taster events where students can try sports including
Brooke Weston students are
goalball, judo, archery and
encouraged to take an active
volleyball.
part in community life. Whether performing at dance or musical
Our students have visited the
events, visiting residential homes,
home grounds of Northampton
assisting at animal shelters or
Saints, Tigers Rugby Football Club
helping local primary children with
and Leicester Football Club as part
sports activities, our students act
of their Sixth Form studies.
as ambassadors for Brooke Weston. Sports Day takes place during the We also give to charity with mufti-
summer term and it is a fun-packed
day collections being donated to
day where tutor groups compete
good causes. Charity speakers are
for trophies and glory.
often invited in and tutor groups and individuals raise further funds.
From the moment they join us, we
Over the years we have donated
offer schemes of work to develop
many thousands of pounds to local
our students’ entrepreneurial
and national causes.
skills. Lower School students take part in Young Enterprise projects
We love sports of all sorts, and
that boost teamwork skills and
celebrate the achievements of our
get them thinking about business
students and staff, whether they
issues in an easy to understand
take part individually, as a tutor
format.
group or school team. We regularly
In Year 8 they take part in an election where they have to come up with a manifesto and canvass support from their peers. Business and enterprise continues in the Sixth Form where students can join the Engineering Education scheme, coming up with solutions to authentic engineering problems or take part in a more advanced Young Enterprise scheme to form and run their own companies under the guidance of a business mentor. Each year, talented students have many opportunities to perform in concerts and dance shows organised by our Performing Arts department. These give our students the opportunity to perform in front of an audience. Our Parents in Partnership organisation also stages the fiercely contested BW Factor talent show.
Welcoming new students We know that it is a big step
helps to allay children’s fears and
starting a new school, especially in
gets them used to the building and
Year 7. Students will be assigned
school day.
to a tutor group of around 20 – 24 students, and they will quickly
Our tutor group system is also
develop friendships and form a
designed to allow students to
close-knit team.
make friends and get to know their tutors. Tutors meet with their
The transition to
tutees daily. This is an opportunity
Brooke Weston has
to get to know each other, talk
been designed to
about issues, set targets and
be as smooth as
discuss progress.
possible. If your child is allocated
Tutors often arrange trips and
a place here, he or
outings to theme parks, the cinema
she (and you) will
or restaurants, it is a chance for
be invited to a new intake evening,
the students to enjoy each other’s
where they will take part in a fun
company in a relaxed environment.
activity while you learn more about the school and can order the
The tutor system works well and
uniform. In addition there will be
your child’s tutor will be your first
the normal ‘transfer’ day in June/
point of contact if you have any
July when our incoming students
concerns.
visit for a whole day. We find that by visiting a couple of times before starting full time, it
Exceptional facilities Environment is all important and
The same goes for our Design
Brooke Weston is set in acres of
Technology department which
well-maintained grounds that are
is equipped with an electronics
invaluable for both sports and
studio, wood and metal workshops,
nature study. However, it is when
a dedicated textiles area plus
you are within the building that
computer suite.
you realise how exceptional it really is.
Our Performing Arts block which was built about five years ago
Brooke Weston is built in a
with a dedicated dance and drama
pentagon around a central
studio, music technology suite and
courtyard. Each two-storey section
practice rooms. There is also a food
is connected by a glass link block.
technology section that has proved
Departments each contain a study
very popular.
area with computers and soft seating. Our science department
The Newman Library is well
is housed over two floors and
stocked with the latest books,
has been recently refurbished.
DVDs, and audio recordings. It is
equipped with a bank of computers that are used both for lessons and for self study, either during free periods (for students in the Sixth Form) or after school. Our indoors sports hall has all the usual facilities and equipment that you would expect and we also have a 300-seater theatre, smaller lecture theatre, boardroom and restaurant. The emphasis is on maintaining a very clean school and visitors are often amazed that most of the building is more than 20 years old as it is kept so spotless.
Supportive staff Supportive and dedicated staff are
who each have a passion for their
central to the running of Brooke
subject and the entire teaching
Weston. Under the leadership of
staff is underpinned by the support
the Principal, the members of the
staff who provide administrative,
Senior Management Team have
financial, logistical and practical
individual responsibilities for
help at all levels of the operation.
key areas such as pastoral care, the Sixth Form or data handling.
All staff are responsible for the
Together they form a strong
health, safety and well-being of
leadership team that directs
our students and it is a role that
the focus of Brooke
is taken exceptionally seriously.
Weston.
We are a community of individuals with a common goal; to operate
Other managers
and maintain the very best school
consist of Senior
we can, to give students the best
Assistant Principals,
life chances possible and to foster
Assistant Principals
an atmosphere of mutual co-
and Heads of
operation and respect.
Departments. Again these have separate specialisms
Our productive and calm
and there is a constant dialogue
atmosphere is a tangible feature
between departments to ensure
of our day-to-day life and is often
that the school operates as a
remarked upon by visitors.
cohesive unit. Each department is made up of well-qualified subject teachers
Travel Trips and visits are a regular
will experience in Year 7 at
feature of life at Brooke Weston.
Brooke Weston will be a four-day
Some, like those to museums
trip to Fairthorne Manor near
such as Duxford and the Galleries
Southampton where challenges
of Justice, bring the curriculum
comprise kayaking, canoeing,
to life and underpin work in the
abseiling and camping.
classroom. Students have visited universities, sporting venues, the
Other residentials have included
Houses of Parliament and language
trips to Berlin, Madrid, New
schools or work experience abroad.
York, Paris and Prague as well as
There are always opportunities
adventure experiences in France
to extend learning beyond the
and Spain. Residential Week
traditional classroom setting.
normally takes place during Week 6 of Term 5.
Outings to theatre and dance productions are a highlight for our Performing Arts students. The first residential your child
Angel Falls, Venezuela
World Challenge
Older students have also taken part in month-long expeditions to far-flung destinations including Botswana, Peru and Venezuela.
Costa Brava
Paris
Berlin World Challenge
Ofsted report Ofsted Inspectors judged Brooke
of 31 categories. Their main
Weston as ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted
findings included: ‘Students are
in their report in February 2011.
exceptionally well behaved and
They praised every aspect of the
highly motivated. Classrooms
Academy including its leadership,
are stimulating places to learn;
teaching and ‘can-do’ culture.
lessons have a buzz of activity
Their report said: ‘Brooke Weston
that reflects students’ excellent
Academy provides students
attitudes and teachers’ high level
with an outstanding education.
of commitment.’
This is because the outstanding leadership of the academy knows
Inspectors praised the ‘outstanding
precisely what needs to be done
curriculum’ and noted the
to ensure students get the best
teachers’ ‘excellent subject
possible start.’
knowledge and their very good relationships with students.’
The report, compiled after a two-day inspection, awarded
Students ‘rise to the challenge of
outstanding grades in 30 out
high expectations. They behave
exceptionally well and work very hard … The academy is a harmonious community where students from all backgrounds get on very well together and feel completely safe … students immensely enjoy attending the academy and this is reflected in their outstanding attendance.’ In the Sixth Form it was noted that ‘students make outstanding progress’. The ‘vast majority of parents were overwhelmingly supportive of the academy’s work, praising the care,
Students are exceptionally well behaved and highly motivated. Classrooms are stimulating places to learn; lessons have a buzz of activity that reflects students’ excellent attitudes and teachers’ high level of commitment.
guidance and support offered to them and their children.’
You can read the full report on our website: www.brookeweston.org/Info/Ofsted
- Ofsted Report 2011
Now over to you Now’s the chance for some of our students to have their say on what makes Brooke Weston special.
Tareeq Manji: ‘I like the food, there is a good variety, it is very nice and not too expensive.’
Connor Morrice: ‘I like the support you get from teachers, you get challenged to do work.’
Ryan Perkins: ‘I think the facilities here are really good and my favourite subjects are DT and PE.’
Sam Bristow: ‘I like the fact that you can choose triple science as an option. It is friendly here and because you are in a tutor group it is quite easy to make friends. My favourite subject is photography.’
Jack Crane: ‘I like the relationship you have with the staff. I think they challenge you and push you to work hard and get the best out of you.
Emily Stubbins: ‘I like the structure of the day. As we have to be here I actually get work done.’
Emily King: ‘I like the support you get from the teachers so you can stay on and they will help you if you need extra help with coursework.’
Megan McClymont: ‘I feel safe here and I like to spend time with my friends and get on with my work as well.’
Harry Underwood: ‘I like Brooke Weston because it has got a lot of big opportunities and it will help me get further in my career when I am older.’
Nathan ParekhDownes: ‘I like the teachers, they are quite kind and supportive.’
Sasha Thompson: ‘I like spending time with my friends and doing work. It is more fun than I used to have in primary.’
How to find us
Brooke Weston Academy Coomb Road Corby Northants NN18 8LA tel: 01536 396366
/ A1
