Academy Prospectus, 2014/15

A National Support School & National Teaching School

Arrive with a dream – Leave with a future

Our Academy Vision At Clapton Girls’ Academy, achievement is our priority.

Students are encouraged to appreciate learning as a route to achieving their life aspirations. These aspirations are extended and enriched by the outstanding teaching, high quality relationships and extensive opportunities offered by the academy.

The commitment to learning at our academy is demonstrated by students who are eager to attend, who make significant progress and who play a dynamic role in their learning and academy life.

Our core values of compassion, ambition, integrity and resilience support our students to become positive role models and leaders of the future.

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Welcome from the Headteacher Clapton Girls’ Academy has a proud history of providing high quality education for young women in Hackney for more than 100 years.

Our aim has always been the same: to provide an inspiring environment where students are safe, valued and accepted; developing the skills and strategies they need to shape their future and flourish as independent people in whatever areas they choose.

The academy endeavours to be first for learning because we truly believe learning improves lives. Our students become ever more knowledgeable and enterprising, with the ability to apply their aptitudes in a range of contexts.

They develop personal qualities in order to become respectful, caring and responsible citizens.

Courteous behaviour is a priority and students conduct themselves with thoughtfulness and consideration, creating an extremely positive academy ethos.

Clapton Girls’ Academy continues to be judged by Ofsted as outstanding in all categories (latest inspection May 2013) and the academy is now part of the prestigious World Class Schools network.

Our academy enjoys tremendous success thanks to incredibly dedicated staff and wonderful students who enjoy and value their achievements.

The academy provides for all of our students: wherever they are from and wherever they intend to go.

Dr Cheryl Day, Headteacher

Achieving the Best Our pursuit of excellence is demonstrated by an uncompromising desire to develop self-belief, resilience and eagerness to learn so that all students achieve their best at the highest national levels.

The relentless focus of our staff on providing high quality learning opportunities, empowers students to succeed and overcome individual barriers to learning. As well as acquiring knowledge, students learn to share, lead and work with others. The development of confidence in communication is taught as a key skill.

Our curriculum and learning environment encourage lifelong learners with a keen interest in the world and their significant role in it. Our wide-ranging and personalised curriculum offers rich

opportunities for every student to find something at which they excel and leaves them with lasting memories.

Additional support is provided where needed and extended learning is provided for more able students.

English, mathematics and science are all very successful subjects at Clapton Girls’ Academy. Expressive arts subjects are particularly strong, with many students achieving exceptionally well in art, drama and music. Languages is another high performing area which supports a large proportion of

students studying a language other than English. In addition, our students learn about social responsibility and their contribution to the world through a variety of subjects, particularly humanities. Science and art are our academy subject specialisms.

At sixteen, girls make a seamless progression into our incredibly popular and supportive Sixth Form which offers an extensive range of high quality courses.

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“ Every student is helped to achieve success.�

Student, June 2014

Sharing our Excellence

“ Clapton is a welcoming place. You make great friends and memories.�

Student, June 2014

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Our high academic achievements are supported by fantastic buildings and facilities following extensive re-development and landscaping of the academy site.

The academy has a campus-style design with many open spaces and courtyards, giving the feel of a university and enhancing our friendly, inclusive ethos.

We have a purpose-built Sixth Form centre, new classrooms and science laboratories. State-of-the-art dance, drama and art studios and music practice rooms provide endless opportunities for self-expression and creative thought.

Our facilities are made available to other schools and the community.

Our academy is acknowledged locally and nationally for our support and work with other schools.

Nationally we are recognised as a Teaching School, National Support School and as part of the Leading Edge network.

Outstanding Opportunities At our academy we encourage new experiences and give each student freedom to explore their interests and ideas.

After school clubs and activities, performances and displays of work are complemented by regular visits from professional actors, poets, musicians, artists and dancers. We develop the full potential of every girl through this programme of positive social, physical, artistic and intellectual experiences.

A number of enrichment activities support learning and include extension and revision classes, day trips and a host of projects with schools from all over the world. Our residential trips abroad are wonderful opportunities for staff and students to learn together and build strong relationships.

We take part in national festivals, sports matches and competitions, with a particular focus on debating. Our students are given opportunities to learn to play a range of musical instruments and a Saturday School operates offering classes and sports.

Our supportive and exciting partnerships with Clare College, Cambridge, Goldsmiths University, Linklaters Law Firm and the University of East London contribute significantly to raising achievement and offer opportunities for students in their current studies and in their futures beyond the academy.

All our new Year 7s come to the academy for a Taster Day in the summer term, introducing them to the secondary school learning experience and helping them to find their way around our extensive site. Parents and carers are invited to attend a series of meetings to ensure that they are well informed about the academy and how best to support their daughters in this next step of their education.

All prospective Year 12 students experience an induction programme in July, bridging the gap between Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 and introducing them to Sixth Form life.

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“ New skills are learnt through the amazing opportunities on offer.�

Student, June 2014

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Confidence and Support Our students are supported and challenged at every stage of their academy careers. This builds their confidence and extends their learning.

Each student has a tutor who meets them regularly and gives thoughtful support and guidance. Heads of Progress play a key role in monitoring every student’s progress and ensuring that appropriate interventions are in place.

The academy works closely with parents. In addition to parent evenings and regular written feedback on progress, parents play an active part in setting and monitoring targets. We keep parents and carers informed and involve them in decision making.

A student planner and our website support communication between home and the academy. Parents and carers are welcome to discuss their concerns at any time.

Our girls are proud ambassadors and role models for the academy and enjoy positions of responsibility as prefects and members of the School Council.

We offer a range of other leadership opportunities including being involved in our LEAP programme.

As leaders of tomorrow, all students participate in at least one of the academy’s leadership development programmes.

All girls are given individual careers guidance and advice. We help them with the important decisions they face about their future. Whatever their next step may be, we support them in every way we can.

“ The academy brings everyone together as a community through lessons, extra-curricular clubs and other school activities.�

School Council, June 2014

Clapton Girls’ Academy Laura Place London E5 0RB Tel: 020 8985 6641 Fax: 020 8986 4686 Email: cga@clapton.hackney.sch.uk www.clapton.hackney.sch.uk

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A National Support School & National Teaching School