‘To be able to dream about the future, while being inspired in the present to reach those dreams’ Dr. Russell J. Quaglia
A Unique Educational Experience Driven by High Expectations Aspirations is the ability to dream about the future, while being inspired in the present to reach those dreams. The Aspirations Academies Trust (AAT), as a sponsor of primary and secondary age academies in England, is committed to raising students’ aspirations so that all young people reach their fullest potential and achieve the success they desire. In addition to influencing the students in our Academies, we aim to learn from and grow with schools around the world that are invested in the Aspirations work, with the goal of becoming an international model of success. Aspirations Academies Trust is a charitable organisation operating in association with the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) and Aspirations Unlimited International (AUI). QISA is an independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting and putting into practice the conditions that foster student aspirations in schools and learning communities around the world. QISA is the primary education partner of AAT, with support provided by Aspirations Unlimited International. AUI provides dynamic assessment tools designed to achieve the goal of fostering student aspirations in order for students to reach their fullest potential.
QISA and AUI, based in the USA, support Aspirations Academies Trust by providing aspirations-related research findings, materials, surveys, and consultation support. QISA and AUI do not directly fund Aspirations Academies Trust. AAT is a nonprofit, financially independent organisation. Aspirations Academies Trust shares QISA’s core belief that for all students to have high aspirations, they must believe in themselves, be actively engaged in their learning, and see the connection between what they learn today and who they want to become tomorrow. The Aspirations Academies Trust benefits from QISA’s remarkable record, spanning more than 30 years, of research and experience working with students, educators, and schools. Central to this success is the innovative Aspirations Framework which outlines how to recognise and develop students’ aspirations, while trusting in the professional judgment of educators to determine the specific actions that are best for their school. The Framework, serving as the foundation for AAT’s philosophy, is a research-based set of principles and conditions which informs all of AAT’s decisions regarding how Academies can best ensure the success of all students.
The experience and expertise of AAT and QISA, in combination with an Academy’s expertise about its own unique culture, is what cultivates a learning environment in which all students are inspired to achieve their very best—personally, socially, physically, and academically. The Aspirations Academies Trust considers its core principles and practices to be pertinent to the entire educational community. Each stage of a child’s education is extremely important. Therefore, AAT aims to develop all-through Academy Districts, with pre-school, primary, and secondary academies working together to develop the principles and conditions central to AAT’s beliefs across all educational phases. At whatever stage a child joins an Aspirations Academy, whether it be age three or sixteen, the aim is to provide each child with the best possible life chance. This is achieved through the development of skills for the highest level of qualifications, which AAT views as essential for success in an interconnected and highly competitive world. AAT encourages the highest aspirations for students and establishes the expectation that every student will gain a place at university or enter skilled employment. At the core of the education provision at Aspirations Academies is outstanding teaching, high quality learning, and effective support systems. This is combined with
an emphasis on high standards of behaviour, attitude and uniform; rigorous systems of accountability, monitoring and evaluation; and an innovative and relevant curriculum. Students and staff are continually challenged to perform at their highest level within a creative culture of positivity, innovation, and enthusiasm for success. Every member of the AAT Academies is expected to take personal responsibility for becoming a lifelong learner, all the while developing a strong sense of self-worth, being actively engaged in learning, and developing an genuine sense of purpose. To this end, every member of an Aspirations Academy will develop a MAAP, My Aspirations Action Plan. Based on the belief that everyone should have an individualised learning plan, MAAP is a guide to help all involved in education— students, teachers, and senior managers alike—achieve their fullest potential. In addition, staff are expected to exhibit their understanding and practice of aspirations through an educational project that will be shared with the entire staff at year’s end. Projects will also be published and presented at conferences internationally. Each Aspirations Academy is a school fit for the 21st century, where young people complete their formal education well prepared for success in the modern world and the challenges that lie ahead of them.
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Our Associate Partner The Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations (QISA) The Mission: The Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations is an independent, nonprofit organisation dedicated to promoting and putting into practice the conditions that foster student aspirations in schools and learning communities around the world. Founded by Dr. Russell J. Quaglia, QISA is based in the state of Maine in the USA. QISA understands that schools do not need more work to do, but better tools to effectively do their work. QISA brings to its partners a wealth of expertise reflected in their sensitivity to the needs of individual schools. Working in schools for students across all ages, QISA’s experience includes teaching and leading learning communities, developing resources for schools, writing and publishing books, and presenting keynote addresses and workshops. Dr. Quaglia, president of QISA, is a pioneer in the field of education and has been described as the foremost authority on the development and achievement of student aspirations. Dr. Quaglia’s innovative work in student aspirations is evidenced by his research and insights on education which are frequently published in professional journals and popular magazines. Dr. Quaglia has also written numerous books.
In addition to leading the Quaglia Institute, Dr. Quaglia is the Chief Academic Officer of the Student Engagement Trust, a nonprofit organisation based in the United Kingdom. Dr. Quaglia’s work has led him to serve on several international committees, reflecting his passion for ensuring that students’ voices are always heard, honoured, and acted upon. Recognised as the educational entrepreneur of our time, Dr. Quaglia’s commitment to supporting students is further evidenced by his diverse interest in charitable efforts on behalf of children. QISA is committed to collaborating with the finest organisations in the world with the shared mission of creating teaching and learning environments that ensure the success of all students.
QISA’s Research The research work of QISA and its Aspirations Research Center (ARC) is central to the beliefs and strategies applied by AAT in its Academies. The Aspirations Research Center collects and analyses data to better understand school environments, and is committed to developing partnerships and sharing information in ways that engage all stakeholders in education. QISA’s research has led to the publication of articles and books, presentations around the world, and the development of innovative tools that support school success. More information about QISA’s research can be found at www.qisa.org.
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AAT Expectations Aspirations Academies are expected to: • Continually improve results and ensure that each child achieves his or her potential • Combine excellence in teaching with enjoyment of learning • Develop a distinctive character that reflects the strengths of the local community • Deliver a curriculum rich with opportunities to develop literacy and numeracy • Encourage creative and curious minds • Set targets and test regularly to encourage and support the progress of each child • Enforce high standards of behaviour and respect • Engender in each pupil high SELF-WORTH, active ENGAGEMENT in learning, and a sense of PURPOSE • Provide each child with an excellent platform from which to move on to the next stage of his or her life • Advance the understanding of Aspirations work within their own Academy and share this knowledge with schools around the world. We expect our Academies to go beyond ‘Best Practices’ to ‘NEXT PRACTICES’—to not be JUST another ‘OUTSTANDING’ school, but be a WORLD LEADING school—to become an international model of success.
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The AAT Philosophy Aspirations is the ability to dream about the future, while being inspired in the present to reach those dreams. The Aspirations Framework: As educators and policy makers strive for all students to reach their academic promise, they must ask: How can students meet high academic standards if they don’t believe in their ability to do so? How can they learn if they aren’t academically engaged? How can they set and reach academic goals if they don’t see the purpose in doing so? If students are to enjoy academic, social, physical, and personal success, they must believe in themselves, be actively engaged in their learning, and see the connection between what they learn today and who they want to become tomorrow. When these experiences are absent, aspirations flounder and achievement declines. The Aspirations Academies Trust, in partnership with the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations, is committed to helping schools foster student aspirations so that all students reach their fullest potential. The Aspirations Framework provides an outline, based on three Guiding Principles and 8 Conditions that Make a Difference, for fostering students’ aspirations. AAT and QISA believe that for students to have high aspirations, three Guiding Principles must be present: Self-Worth, Engagement, and Purpose. The Guiding Principles, in turn, are lived out through the 8 Conditions that emphasise relationships, active and engaging teaching and learning, and a sense of responsibility over one’s own aims and goals. The 8 Conditions are: Belonging, Heroes, Sense of Accomplishment, Fun & Excitement, Curiosity & Creativity, Spirit of Adventure, Leadership & Responsibility, and Confidence to Take Action. The 8 Conditions make a difference because they help schools put into practice the three principles that guide Aspirations work. The Aspirations Framework provides educators with a practical model that can be used to guide the development of educational experiences, from the individual classroom to the entire school building. If school curriculum, activities, and lessons support each of the Guiding Principles, students will be more likely to achieve academic, personal, physical, and social success.
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Becoming an AAT Academy The AAT is keen to develop a range of primary and secondary academies across England, representing all types of areas and regions. If you would like more information on becoming an Aspirations Academy, please contact us and we can: • Provide you with more detailed information about our philosophy and operation. • Discuss any questions and concerns with you in person, over the phone, or by email. • Deliver a presentation about the Aspirations Academies Trust to your Senior Leadership Team/Governing Body. Contact: info@aspirationsacademies.org Steve Kenning, Chief Executive Aspirations Academies Trust Phone: 07753 496548
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Tel: 07753 496548 Email: info@aspirationsacademies.org www.aspirationsacademies.org
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