Wren Academy Prospectus

Prospectus 2010

Contents Page 1

Welcome to Wren Academy

Page 3

Learning at Wren Academy

Page 4

Ethos

Page 5

Behaviour

Page 7

Supporting Learners in their Personal Development

Page 8

Wren Academy: The Building

Page 8

Wren Specialism: Design and the Built Environment

Page 11 The

Academy Day

Page 12 How

can Parents Contribute?

Leadership Team

from left to right

Gavin Smith

Jo Bell

Ronnie Smylie

Robert Davighi

Michael Whitworth

Marc Lewis

Simon Kirby

Jane Snowsill

Vice Principal

Assistant Principal Chaplain

Assistant Principal Principal

Assistant Principal

Assistant Principal Finance Director

Welcome to Wren Academy Wren Academy’s first year has been an exciting and rewarding journey. I believe that our inaugural Year 7 have been given an unrivalled educational experience. Our students have been set challenging targets and have risen to them, developing as learners and growing in their confidence and social skills. Wren students are making outstanding academic progress and every opportunity is taken to give young people responsibility and build their confidence.

I have also been delighted by the development of Wren’s staff team during our first year. The commitment from staff and quality of teaching across the Academy are exceptional. Expectations of all students are extremely high and lessons at Wren are exciting, dynamic, challenging and frequently fun.

Students have thrived in our new buildings, enjoying the innovative and well equipped learning environment.

Wren is one of the best resourced schools I have ever seen. All building work on the Academy site will be completed by the Spring of 2010, by which time we will have a suite of superb twenty first century buildings.

I understand how important selecting a secondary school is for parents and their children. The Wren Academy team are absolutely committed to making your child welcome and happy here and ensuring they achieve the very best of which they are capable.

Michael Whitworth Principal September 2009

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We recognise the importance of qualifications and will ensure that all young people are able to make the most of their academic potential.  Michael Whitworth, Principal

2

Learning at Wren Academy At Wren, we combine our ambition for students to achieve outstanding academic results with an emphasis on developing the skills to help them become accomplished life long learners.

A broad and balanced curriculum helps students develop as independent thinkers and learners beyond the boundaries of traditional lessons Incorporated into the curriculum each week are three hours of curriculum enrichment activities to extend learning and to give opportunity for students to focus on personal interests and strengths.

The core curriculum subjects; English, Mathematics and Science are taught in single sex classes which we believe help students to express themselves, build confidence and improve attainment.

The Wren curriculum supports students to progress as quickly as they are able and there will be early entry arrangements for some GCSE and Post-16 examinations. This accelerated approach removes the obstacles which can hold back the most able and is motivating for all students who benefit from the pace of learning.

Parents receive termly reports on their child’s learning and we encourage a continuing dialogue between the Academy and home about each student’s performance. In addition, all of our students receive two termly individual sessions with their academic mentor, to support their learning.

Wren Academy has the highest expectations for all students and, whatever their talents, they will be motivated, challenged and inspired.

3

Ethos Wren is a Church of England Academy sponsored by the London Diocesan Board for Schools and Berkhamsted School. Although we welcome students from a wide range of cultural and faith backgrounds, all families are expected to understand that our Christian values are at the heart of Academy life.

The daily life of the Academy presents opportunities for students to learn about Christian beliefs and engage in acts of worship. We believe that having many different faiths in a school, and taking faith issues seriously, generates understanding, tolerance and mutual respect in students. Wren is a place in which all young people develop moral and spiritual values which help them to become active, thoughtful and considerate citizens.

Our Christian ethos has helped Wren to create a positive and inclusive atmosphere in which all students are welcomed and feel safe.

4

Behaviour The Academy insists upon and maintains the highest standards of student behaviour. A clear behaviour policy is in place which encourages students to act in a mature and considerate way. All Academy staff set and maintain high standards of behaviour and provide lessons which engage and motivate students.

Staff work with students to help them appreciate the importance of considerate and responsible behaviour. This begins with our Christian ethos, as the moral values it embodies are relevant to everyone in the Academy community.

We see praise as central to a successful school – making sure that all our students receive recognition for their personal, community and academic achievements. Students who are enjoying and succeeding in their learning are far less likely to misbehave.

When students do break the rules, every incident is treated on an individual basis and is seen as an opportunity for learning and making reparation, never simply as a reason for punishment.

Wren Academy expects students to attend school unless there is a compelling reason for absence. We do not tolerate lateness.

All students are required to wear our uniform with pride. Wren also insists that our students are worthy ambassadors of the Academy among the local community.

I feel really secure at Wren Academy. I am able to be myself and people respect me for that. In lessons I like to ask questions and nobody makes fun of me if I make mistakes.  Year 8 Student

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All students will be helped to develop the personal qualities they need for future success.

Jo Bell, Assistant Principal: Student Progress

6

Supporting Learners in their Personal Development At Wren Academy we build upon the positive primary school experiences of our students.

We have effective partnerships with our main partner primaries. Wren teachers teach in these schools to learn about primary school good practice and help develop students’ skills in preparation for secondary school.

Each student is assigned to a House and a Tutor Group. Each day begins and ends with a tutor session and there is a house assembly every week.

These events offer personal support to the students and help develop the skills which make effective learners. In our vertical tutor group structure, students of all ages learn and work together. This provides great opportunities for young people to assume responsibility, share their experiences and offer one another practical support.

The success of Wren is based upon partnership between students and staff. Our outstanding staff provide students with the best possible learning opportunities. In return, students are expected to be inquisitive and committed learners, pursuing an active role in daily routines and showing concern and care for their school. They are consulted on decisions which affect their learning and their environment. A range of activities, such as our Student Leadership Team and Student Sports Captains, enable students to develop responsibility and leadership skills. As well as our Student Leadership Team, students have acted as lesson observers, tour guides and interviewers for new teachers.

Key policies including Individual Needs can be viewed on our website at www.wrenacademy.org

7

Our Building Designed by leading architects Penoyre and Prasad, Wren Academy will be architecturally impressive and environmentally progressive. We are on course to complete all of our building work by the Spring of 2010.

To encourage young people to develop their environmental awareness, the Academy is constructed upon the most modern sustainable design principles and the building is itself an outstanding resource for students.

Alongside traditional classrooms are larger learning spaces to accommodate a range of lesson formats. There are smaller group rooms and individual learning spaces. A Learning Resource Centre, with extensive computer resources, will enable students to learn in an outstanding facility.

Social and restaurant areas are spacious, well resourced and safe.

Students feel secure and valued at Wren. Careful consideration has been given to the design of outside spaces so they are relaxing and attractive.

Our students take great pride and enjoyment in the Academy’s environment and benefit greatly from the excellent facilities we possess.

Our Specialism: Design and the Built Environment

Academies are independent schools funded by the government, each with sponsors and each with a specialism. Wren’s sponsors are the London Diocesan Board for Schools and Berkhamsted School, and our specialism is Design and the Built Environment.

The built environment touches all of our lives. Issues such as conservation, social justice, environmental sustainability and the practical design and aesthetic appearance of buildings affect everyone. Out of these areas have grown lesson-based and extra curricular opportunities for students to develop their knowledge and skills as active young citizens.

We have developed relationships with individuals, organisations and businesses which have specialist knowledge and skills in the design and environmental sectors and are using their expertise to help us deliver an exciting curriculum and to offer students experience of the world of work.

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Wren Academy is already a tremendously exciting learning environment. I think that, once complete in 2010, Wren will be a spectacular school.  Marc Rawcliffe, Architect and Governor

9

The enrichment lessons are great. I really like the choice of activities and that everyone takes part.

Year 8 Student

10

The Academy Day We organise our day to put students’ learning first. Lessons accommodate a variety of learning styles and vary in length according to students’ learning needs. In some subjects, for example Maths and Languages, lessons may be shorter. In others, such as Science, they may be longer.

All lessons are thoroughly planned, fast-paced and challenging.

Our day starts early. We offer breakfast from 7.45am. There are a range of before school activities such as games and languages clubs and a group discussing the day’s newspapers. All students then take part in a daily act of worship and a group tutorial.

Break and lunchtime are focal points of the day – with plenty of opportunity for students to eat healthy food, to socialise with their friends and play. Staggered breaks and lunchtimes mean that at any given time only one third of the Academy will be out of lessons. This creates a more manageable and relaxing environment for students.

On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the formal Academy day continues until 4.00pm. On the other two days, lessons end at 3.00pm. These extended days enable us to run a range of exciting enrichment activities, such as learning a second foreign language, journalism, arts and performance activities and debating.

Each day, students have home learning tasks which include an extension of class learning, research, or preparation for assessment. The Academy’s Learning Resource Centre is open until 5.00pm every weekday with staff on hand to assist students with their home learning.

Wren Academy has the highest expectations for all students and, whatever their talents, they will be motivated, challenged and inspired.

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How can Parents Contribute?

At Wren we build upon the relationships which often exist between home and primary school.

We will value you and the contribution you can make to the Academy. We believe your involvement in your child’s education will contribute significantly to their success.

Parents are among our greatest assets. Your positive involvement in your child’s education will contribute significantly to their success. Linda Turner, Governor We expect you to have high expectations of us and we in turn will expect a lot from you. We will expect you to take an ongoing interest in your child’s learning and to understand home learning commitments. All parents / carers are required to sign a Home-Academy Agreement and there are opportunities for you to meet with teachers and discuss your child’s progress during the year.

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Parents and carers are invited to Academy presentations, displays and productions.

We have a termly parents group focussing on academic issues and a parents association, the ‘Friends of Wren Academy’ which organises social and fundraising events. At Wren, we want you to feel welcome and valued, and we will not be reluctant to ask for your support.

Prospectus 2010

Contact Wren Academy Warnham Road North Finchley London N12 9NW Telephone 020 8492 6000 Email firstcontact@wrenacademy.org Web www.wrenacademy.org