Churchill Academy Prospectus 2016-17

www.churchill-academy.org

CARE

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INSPIRE

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CHALLENGE

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ACHIEVE

CARE

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INSPIRE

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CHALLENGE

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ACHIEVE

WELCOME TO CHURCHILL ACADEMY & SIXTH FORM

Welcome to Churchill Academy & Sixth Form, and thank you for your interest in our outstanding school.

Choosing the right secondary school is one of the most important decisions a family can make. It is our mission every day to ensure that families who choose Churchill know that they have made the right choice.

You will want to be sure that your child is safe and happy at school. We know that we perform at our best when we feel safe, secure and valued. We aim to provide that environment for every member of the Academy through our exceptional pastoral care and the absolute commitment to wellbeing which makes Churchill such a happy, thriving school.

You will want to be sure that your child will be inspired to develop a lifelong love of learning.

We are excited by learning at Churchill. We know that learning helps us to understand the world and its people, and that excitement can be seen in our dedicated and passionate staff and our committed, hardworking students. Every day we learn something new, and it enriches and improves us all.

You will want to be sure that your child will be stretched and challenged, so that they make exceptional progress and achieve the best possible results. We have a long track record of academic success, but here at Churchill we believe that success at school goes far beyond exam results. We set ourselves challenging goals to achieve every day, and we aim to celebrate and recognise achievement in all its forms through our

rich curriculum and diverse range of extracurricular activities.

We know that our success is built on a strong and mutually supportive partnership between families and the Academy. It is a privilege to work with young people as they grow from children crammed with potential into young adults with a world of opportunity ahead of them. We never take this privilege for granted.

I hope that this prospectus will answer some of your questions and give you a sense of the truly outstanding experience that an education at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form can provide. What it cannot do is give you a real sense of the thriving and positive atmosphere of the place. The only way to experience that is to come and visit us. We look forward to welcoming you to our school.

Chris Hildrew Headteacher

THE AIMS OF CHURCHILL ACADEMY & SIXTH FORM

Our aims are connected to our four core values: Care, Inspire, Challenge, Achieve.

We aim to: • Care: provide outstanding care to safeguard all members of the Academy and secure their wellbeing • Inspire: provide outstanding teaching and opportunities for development for all members of the Academy • Challenge: set ambitious goals for achievement, progress and behaviour for all members of the Academy • Achieve: secure outstanding academic results and celebrate the wider achievements of all members of the Academy We will: • Provide all members of the Academy with a range of knowledge, skills and opportunities • Encourage all members of the Academy to adopt a growth mindset in all their endeavours so that they can be successful and resourceful members of our unique community, and enthusiastic and enterprising citizens in their life beyond Churchill Academy & Sixth Form

We also believe it is important for us to support our students as young people and we will help to prepare them for life beyond school by encouraging them to: • Express themselves confidently • Respect and tolerate the views of others • Give of their best in all activities • Be tolerant, self-disciplined, sensitive and caring towards others • Accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions “This is an outstanding school.”

Ofsted 2015

CARE

TRANSITION Moving up to secondary school can seem like a daunting prospect, which is why we work closely with all our local primary schools, within and beyond our catchment area, to ensure that transition is smooth and effective. Senior staff support the children as they prepare for the next step, and all Year 6 children attend a taster day and are invited to attend a drama day in the summer term. Families are invited to a parents’ evening following these days to meet key staff and begin the partnership which enables a successful transfer and future at the Academy. Tutors, pastoral staff and our existing students help our new starters adjust to their new routines, organise themselves, and find their way around. It’s a tried and tested system, and its success is there for all to see.

“Relationships between the academy and parents are highly positive.”

Ofsted 2015

THE HOUSE SYSTEM Here at Churchill, we have four Houses: Hanover, Stuart, Tudor and Windsor. The Houses help to break up our big school into smaller parts, making it easier to understand each child as an individual. Students are placed into a tutor group within their House with students from other year groups. This system creates a strong House identity and allows the students to develop as role models, coaches and mentors to one another.

The Tutor is the key point of contact between the Academy, students and families. Tutors are supported by their Head of House and are led by our Director of Student Welfare, Mrs Lorraine McKay. Each House also has a full time non-teaching House Mentor to help those students who may require extra support.

“The house system is valued by students… it helps to promote highly positive relationships, based on mutual respect, between all members of the academy community.”

Ofsted 2015

ADVICE AND GUIDANCE We know that education doesn’t stop when students leave us. We ensure each student is supported for their future pathway and next steps in life through excellent links with local employers and businesses. These links enable students to understand the workings of industry, business, commerce and voluntary services. Our partners provide support for our Year 10 and Post-16 Careers Conventions and offer valuable work experience opportunities.

Students have an outstanding, top performing Sixth Form at Churchill as an option to continue their education, and we expect the ma jority of students to stay with us for their Sixth Form studies. Almost all students progress from Churchill onto degree courses at universities, including top Russell Group institutions.

COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILIES We know that regular and helpful communication is essential to enable the partnership between the Academy and families to thrive. We share a common goal of wanting the best for our young people, and we ensure you are kept up-to-date with their progress. Each year parents receive an annual report for their child, and are invited to discuss progress with the teachers. Parents of Year 7 students are invited to meet Tutors before Christmas to discuss how they have settled and their initial progress. Further progress checks are sent home as well.

record which includes rewards and any concerns. We have a weekly e-newsletter to keep you up-to-date with events at Churchill, and we celebrate success on our website and via our social media feeds on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

All this information is available to parents via our own portal on the School website: SMILE. parents can also see their child’s behaviour

“The information, guidance and careers advice provided for students are exceptional.”

Ofsted 2015

“Students’ behaviour in lessons and around the academy is exemplary. Students are keen to learn and their pride in the academy is evident in the quality of their work and in their high regard for members of staff.”

Ofsted 2015

THE BEST TEACHING AND LEARNING One of Churchill’s greatest strengths is the quality of our teachers, their expertise, and their passion for their subjects. Working alongside our skilled support staff, they provide challenge and variety, help and encouragement and that rarest of jewels – inspiration. We create a positive atmosphere in which students and staff learn effectively together. Students are expected to demonstrate a hunger for learning and take pride in their work using the mantra “if it’s not excellent, it’s not finished.”

“Teaching is outstanding. Teachers use their very strong subject knowledge to plan lessons that engage students in learning and motivate them to achieve their best.”

Ofsted 2015

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT We expect all students to get involved in the life of the Academy and to enjoy working with others. We encourage them to express themselves and be creative. We treat every student as an individual, showing them respect and giving them the responsibility to encourage their growing maturity.

“The promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is exceptionally strong.”

Ofsted 2015

INSPIRE

CELEBRATING SUCCESS We are proud of every student’s successes.

Praise, celebration and recognition of achievement, effort, progress and perseverance are embedded into our way of life at Churchill.

We know the importance of acknowledging children’s triumphs, so outstanding individual achievements feature in our weekly newsletter. Annual events such as our Presentation Evening and our Celebration of Success Evenings give further opportunities to reflect on the achievements of individuals and groups, and our regular Rewards Assemblies ensure that this is a continual process of positive reinforcement.

SUPPORT Because every child is an individual, their needs are unique. We provide tailored support packages to those who need extra help to make the exceptional progress we expect. These include bespoke provision for students with special educational needs, English as an additional language, and emotional and behavioural needs. Our work with students entitled to the Pupil Premium has been recognised as a national model of excellence and has been recommended by Ofsted as an example of best practice.

“Disadvantaged students receive expert care and guidance which help them to achieve at least as well as others in the academy. The gap in attainment between this group and the others has closed.”

Ofsted 2015

CHALLENGE

A GROWTH MINDSET In a growth mindset, we believe that whilst we all have specialisms and abilities, it is effort that ignites those abilities and turns them into accomplishments. Effort and careful, focused deliberate practice can improve and develop our abilities and our intelligence. Learners with a growth mindset embrace challenges and persist in the face of setbacks. This is the approach that we value at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form: it is a mindset which prioritises learning and which seeks personal growth at every opportunity.

AIMING HIGH: ASSESSMENT AND PROGRESS Our staff have the highest expectations of the students at Churchill, and we expect students to set themselves ambitious goals, taking responsibility for their own progress.

We carefully monitor this progress and provide detailed feedback so that our students know how well they are doing and, crucially, how to improve.

“The academy’s robust systems for tracking and monitoring students’ progress ensure that all groups of students achieve very well.”

Ofsted 2015 HOMEWORK At Churchill, homework is an integral part of the learning experience. We set high standards and expect students to hand in homework they are proud of on time, every time. Students can access the school systems in the evenings and at weekends so that learning can continue outside the classroom.

ENRICHMENT Churchill has an outstanding reputation for offering its students a wide choice of extracurricular activities. Lunchtimes are packed with choices, as are after school sessions, all run by our staff who constantly strive to offer the best opportunities for all students.

A list of our offer is sent home early in the academic year to encourage participation.

SPORT There is a rich tradition of extra-curricular sport, and we have good relations with local clubs. Sports on offer include rugby, soccer, swimming, tennis, rounders, hockey, netball, athletics, cricket, basketball, badminton, golf, and more!

TRIPS, TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE Travel is an important component of every child’s growing up, giving a chance to develop a greater sense of independence.

From curriculum enrichment day trips to ma jor expeditions, from our summer activities week to the well-established Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, there are a great many opportunities for students to enrich their learning and broaden their horizons.

“Activities help students develop their social, teamwork and leadership skills very well.”

Ofsted 2015

PERFORMING ARTS Churchill has been a specialist centre for the Performing Arts since 2002, and the Performing Arts play a very important part in the lives of everyone at the Academy. In Music, our own talented staff work closely with North Somerset’s Music Service. Even with our very high standards, we do not lose sight of the joy of music making. We have choirs – including our internationally renowned senior Gospel Choir – orchestras, ensembles and groups covering a wide range of genres from classical, jazz and folk to contemporary electronic, rock and pop.

There is also a strong tradition at Churchill for first rate Drama, especially our ma jor productions staged at The Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare. Students studying Performing Arts perform their work in front of invited audiences and there are plenty of opportunities for students to be on stage, behind the scenes or working in the technical aspects of theatre.

One of the most exciting aspects of our Performing Arts status has been the development of Dance. Each year there are shows involving students from Year 7 to the Sixth Form and in recent years Churchill has had great success in national competitions.

“It is wonderful that the children leaving Wrington Primary have such superb creative opportunities in their secondary education – thank you.”

Sarah Joskey, Headteacher at Wrington Primary School

ACHIEVE

PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC OUTCOMES Churchill’s success is based on the fact that we believe that education is about achieving outstanding academic outcomes whilst, at the same time, developing the character, resilience and employability skills which prepare young people for a fast-moving modern world. It’s not a choice between one or the other; at Churchill, we believe in both.

“The achievement of pupils is outstanding.”

Ofsted 2015 THE CURRICULUM The curriculum on offer at Churchill Academy & Sixth Form is broad, balanced and relevant, and it affords appropriate progression according to the students’ needs. One of our principles is that subjects will be taught by specialists in specialist accommodation.

Groups usually contain the full range of attainment, although some setting does occur. We also ensure that appropriate support is available to those who need it, when they need it. The programmes of study are sensitive to prior attainment and ongoing assessments and are carefully differentiated to challenge all students to succeed.

We have a two year Key Stage 3 curriculum, enabling students to maintain the momentum of their primary years and spend more time on their GCSE courses. As students move into our Key Stage 4 in Years 9, 10 and 11 there are a range of options and alternatives available; we also offer some work related provision for students if this is more appropriate.

“The curriculum has been expertly designed to include subjects which motivate and inspire students to achieve their best.”

Ofsted 2015

SIXTH FORM

When you choose Churchill Academy & Sixth Form, you choose an 11-18 school with a Sixth Form built in. Our specialist Sixth Form centre on site operates independently, offering students their own space and the ability to move up from the main school, whilst benefiting from established relationships with teachers who they know and who know them.

Our Sixth Formers are treated as young adults. We expect them to take responsibility, showing commitment to their studies and to the Academy community by acting as role models to the younger students. We provide them with challenge from specialist teachers, and with careful guidance and support. And we make sure we have plenty of fun along the way!

Churchill Sixth Form offers an outstanding post-16 experience for students, consistently producing top results. Each year, most students move on to their first choice university course, speaking volumes for the excellent levels of achievement and the outstanding support and guidance we offer.

“Teaching in the sixth form is outstanding.

Teachers have expert subject knowledge, which they use to challenge students and to support them to reach the very high targets set for their academic achievement.�

Ofsted 2015

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE We offer great flexibility for students in the Sixth Form so they can put together the combination of A Level courses they need, with over 30 subjects on offer. We have a track record of examination success with very high pass rates and high percentages of top grades at A Level. We have dedicated Sixth Form facilities with a Common Room, ICT facilities, catering and specialist Sixth Form teaching rooms.

OUTSTANDING SIXTH FORM PASTORAL SUPPORT Our highly successful and skilled pastoral team set targets for the students, monitor their progress and give regular updates to parents. There is a development programme for independent learning skills and preparation for life after Sixth Form and a well organised UCAS application programme, including visits to Higher Education fairs.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES Students in the Sixth Form continue to benefit from the wide range of extra-curricular provision at the Academy, with access to a broad range of leadership opportunities and trips aimed specifically at our post-16 students. We are also a licensed organisation to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and we have sucessful Gold Award winners every year. “Sixth form students are excellent role models for younger students because of their exemplary behaviour and the way in which they are integrated into academy events.�

Ofsted 2015

THE FUTURE There has never been a better time to join Churchill Academy & Sixth Form. We are redeveloping our site with a new £1.3 million ICT and Business Studies Centre opening in March 2017, and plans for a new £5 million Science facility. The exceptional care that we offer, in our beautiful rural location, contributes to our young people’s outstanding achievements here.

To find out more, please visit our website or come to see us in person. We look forward to meeting you!

CARE

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INSPIRE

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CHALLENGE

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ACHIEVE

Churchill Academy & Sixth Form Churchill Green, Churchill, North Somerset, BS25 5QN Telephone: 01934 852771 Email: churchill@churchill-academy.org www.churchill-academy.org