Harefield Academy Prospectus

The Harefield Academy Achievement through Active Learning

Our Vision The Academy caters for the needs of all students. We ensure that every young person is successful in their own right.

Our students achieve the highest possible level in all aspects of academic study, including the visual and performing arts and benefit greatly from our focus on sport, health and well-being.

The Academy relates strongly to the world of business and enterprise and we have developed a work-related curriculum to reflect this. We benefit from links with high profile people from the world of sport, business, the arts and entertainment.

We have high aspirations for our students.

We want them to be determined to succeed, confident in their abilities and fully involved in the life of The Academy and the community.

“The Harefield Academy is one of the best and most welcoming educational establishments I have known.�

Year 7 parent

Welcome

The greatest privilege for an educationalist is to lead an inspirational school. This honour is particularly great when the school has grown out of pride, enthusiasm and commitment.

This is certainly the case at Harefield.

Students, parents and staff are very positive about The Academy. They share the same aim: to create an educational centre for the whole community that is: • successful • innovative • energetic • healthy • inclusive • caring • enthusiastic • community-minded Our work is rapidly gaining a positive reputation at a local, national and international level.

The future is very bright at Harefield!

Lynn Gadd Principal

The Harefield Academy

The Harefield Academy

for the Community

A New School

Creating a new school for Harefield was first discussed in 2002 by the DfES, Watford Football Club and the London Borough of Hillingdon.

The lead sponsors became involved in the project through their association with Watford Football Club. Each shared the same vision. To create a high quality independent school for 11-18 year olds that has expertise in sports, sports science and health, but also a school that will be accessible to the community.

The Harefield Academy opened in September 2005. In September 2008 the school moved into new state-of-the-art buildings.

The vision of The Academy’s sponsors still stands: The Academy brings together education, leisure and health services, and is dedicated to the Harefield community.

Students will leave The Academy as confident, disciplined young adults with an appreciation and passion for education, sport and health.

“Teachers have good relationships with the students… expectations are high.”

Ofsted 2008

“My daughter has learnt more this term at this school than she did in two years at her old school. She is a different child.� Year 9 parent

Education, Sport & Health for All The Academy offers a broad and balanced curriculum. Our aim is to nurture the talent and abilities that all young people possess. Increasingly, our curriculum caters for individual needs regardless of age, so that students work at the pace that is right for them.

Continual assessment and feedback is built in to every department’s programme of teaching to ensure students achieve ever higher levels.

Students who are gifted and talented are carefully monitored and supported by the Gifted and Talented co-ordinator. Special events – often at Brunel University, one of our sponsors – stretch the more able students in all subjects.

In addition to our academic curriculum, we offer a rich physical education and afterschool curriculum for all students and the local community. This includes access to specialist and pre-vocational qualifications in coaching, sports science, media, leisure and hospitality.

We have a strong programme of support for family learning and adult education in the community. We also engage the community in leisure and sport to promote health and well-being.

The Harefield Academy

New Facilities for Active

Learning Our new state-of-the-art buildings have every facility for modern and exciting learning and teaching.

Our fantastic sports facilities include a purpose-built dry training facility for football, a full-size astroturf pitch and outdoor pitch, netball and tennis courts, a sports hall, fitness suite, gymnasium and dance hall.

The Academy also plans to install a 25metre six-lane swimming pool and an outdoor artificial athletics track.

Other facilities include science labs, specialist teaching rooms for every subject, a recording suite and six music practice rooms.

ICT facilities are excellent with interactive whiteboards, internet access and a large number of computers in every classroom.

Students can apply to the ‘laptops for loan’ scheme to support learning at home.

Sixth Form students have their own social and study areas and there are specific facilities for students with special needs.

“The Academy’s status in the community is growing and it is becoming a school of choice.” Ofsted 2008

The Harefield Academy

Specialists in Sport The Harefield Academy

Our links with local clubs and sports governing bodies enable us to provide a high quality sports enrichment programme, which enhances our curriculum and creates a challenging and competitive environment.

Students who display potential to achieve at the highest level in their sport are given extra support and access to flexible timetables. All students are encouraged to pursue their chosen sport/s but not at the expense of their academic progress.

From Year 9 students can gain accreditation through the BTEC Sport course alongside additional national sport governing bodies’ awards. We offer ‘A’ levels in Sport and Sports Science alongside a range of vocational courses linked to the sport and leisure industry.

We promote citizenship, health and lifelong learning through sport. A programme of health education and fitness underpins physical education across all key stages.

Clubs and activities Most of our students take advantage of The Academy’s wide range of clubs and activities.

These focus on sport, but also include the arts and all areas of the curriculum.

“The Academy’s specialism in sport is already having a strong impact and there are further exciting developments on the horizon.” Ofsted 2008

Support to Achieve Beyond Expectation

The Academy is organised to give students the support they need to achieve beyond expected levels. Students work at a level according to their ability and not necessarily according to their age.

We are organised so that students support each other across the age ranges. All students are members of an Academic Tutor Group of 20-25 students, with three to four students from each year group in each. This is a unique feature of The Academy and it enables older students to help and support younger ones on a daily basis.

Our Student Managers do not teach, so are available to work with students who need support to sort out any problems or meet with parents.

The Academy has a programme of personalised learning. This takes place for 45 minutes every day. Students are guided to an appropriate activity such as homework tasks and coursework assignments or they can discuss targets and progress with their Tutor.

Student Voice activities are a large part of Academy life. This includes a strong Student Council, Peer Mentors, Anti-Bullying Council and Student Interviewers.

The Harefield Academy

“The quality of teaching is good and there is a growing proportion that is outstanding.�

Ofsted 2008

The Academy in the

Community We are committed to playing a strong role in the community. Our growing relationship with Harefield village has been an essential part of The Academy’s development.

We have developed a programme of community activities that enrich the community. Through citizenship, education and community work, students are encouraged to understand and get involved in the roles and responsibilities we share with the community.

We take every opportunity to celebrate the life of The Academy and of the village, and are as active as possible in community groups such as the Harefield Village Forum.

Whenever possible, we encourage members of the community to share our facilities and resources.

The Harefield Academy

The Harefield Academy Northwood Way Harefield Uxbridge Middlesex UB9 6ET T 01895 822108 F 01895 822414 info@theharefieldacademy.org www.theharefieldacademy.org