Etonbury Academy Prospectus

Hello & welcome to Etonbury

We’re a school where every child can shine. Our children are confident, love learning and flourish here at Etonbury. Our people are dedicated professionals who care and nurture every individual child by unlocking their full potential to be the best that they can be. Our proven track record gives you every reason to consider Etonbury as the right school for your child.

Our first-class learning environment will provide a seamless education through to Sixth Form, offering an excellent all-through education and enabling our children to aim high.

By encouraging a love of learning and building confidence, we ensure every child fulfils their individual potential according to their own abilities, skills and interests. We believe in educating the whole child – inside the classroom and beyond, by giving them an engaging curriculum and a vibrant and adventurous programme of extra-curricular activities.

Set in rural Central Bedfordshire, Etonbury Academy is at the heart of the community. We’re a local school with a global outlook, preparing young people for the future. Our facilities, resources and specialist teaching are second-tonone. So too is our commitment to pastoral care. This is a place where every child is safe, secure and supported.

Every single member of our learning community – students, staff and parents –are part of our success story. Together we make Etonbury Academy a school to be very proud of. Our children are happy and achieve their full potential. Come and see for yourself what makes Etonbury special. We’d be delighted to welcome you.

Ian Evason Principal

Aiming High

We have a culture of high expectation, and our students achieve in many different ways. From academic and sporting achievements, to standards of care and behaviour, we set the bar very high for every child.

Proven Results

When our children leave Etonbury, their results are exceptional and above the national average. We place a significant emphasis on delivering high quality teaching and learning and this has led to the high performance in attainment and progress of our pupils. This success is a reflection of the dedication of staff, students and parents; ‘everyone is aiming higher.’

OFSTED 2020

All staff want pupils to be successful.

Pupils are encouraged to achieve good examination results and be active citizens.

There is a culture of high expectation for all pupils.

“

Develop the child. Develop the learner. The ETA Way

Everyone is respectful Together we care

Always aim higher

We know that every child is different and that one size doesn’t fit all. That’s why we provide an inclusive education that recognises the individual and equips every child to succeed.

Our broad and enriching curriculum develops the learner and the child. We encourage a love of learning through inspirational teaching and strong relationships based on mutual respect. Our pastoral care ensures that every child has an opportunity to shine, and is provided with the right care at the right time.

We’re an outward-looking community where everyone is valued and their talents and personality are celebrated.

Our commitment to each individual child is underpinned by our values. We bring these to life through the ETA Way in everything we do.

OFSTED 2020

Leaders have designed a curriculum that is ambitious for all pupils.

“

The Etonbury Experience

When you are ready to join us, whether that is in Etonbury juniors or secondary, you will become part of a friendly and supportive community that will help you and your child settle in to Etonbury school life.

The junior school experience is like no other in the area. We provide a small, nurturing and carefree environment, with windows of opportunity to explore the specialist subject areas and facilities in the secondary school, making for a smooth transition in year 7.

Our strong pastoral teams made up of Head of Years, Form Tutors, SEND and dedicated pastoral staff will be there for you and will celebrate your child’s successes.

Your child will thrive in the numerous activities, events and trips amongst friends for life. Through our values embedded by the ETA Way; Everyone is respectful, Together we care and Always aim higher, we all flourish through The Etonbury Experience.

We can’t wait to welcome you.

Find out about admissions on our website

A Broad & Inclusive Curriculum

We believe that every child has potential – and that great teaching can unlock it. Our curriculum is wide-ranging, enriching and highly inclusive, designed to fire enthusiasm and ignite a life-long love of learning.

We’re committed to developing every child as an individual. We help our students to become confident, well-rounded individuals who possess the skills for a rapidly changing world.

OFSTED 2020

Curriculum leaders have designed & planned the curriculum well in all subjects. There are many opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge & understanding.

“

KS2 Getting Ready

We’re very proud of the unique and enriching environment for our Year 5 and Year 6 children. We provide specialist primary teaching following the National Curriculum, with expertise in numeracy and literacy.

The children benefit from excellent teaching in their own smaller building, with the benefit of accessing the secondary facilities from time to time and making their transition to secondary a seamless one.

KS3

Aiming High

Years 7, 8 and 9 will be an exciting journey exploring and discovering their potential, finding new interests in the specialist subjects and opportunities beyond the classroom.

Our children are taught by specialist subject teachers, and the curriculum is designed to deepen knowledge in English, Maths and Science, along with a range of EBACC subjects to prepare them for choosing their option subjects for their formal qualifications in KS4.

KS4

Ready To Fly

During these crucial years, the children will have selected the subjects for GCSEs and vocational courses that they enjoy most.

Our Year groups are small which enable us to get to know every child and bring out the best of them in their subjects. They will be expected to aim high, with every child knowing what they can achieve. Learning is tailored to their individual needs and abilities. Our experienced careers advisor is on hand to help with those next steps.

KS5 Flourishing

Exciting plans are underway to build on the success of our GCSEs, using our exceptional teachers, equipped facilities and dedicated area to open our Sixth Form from 2023.

Our proven and excellent GCSE results are down to our dedicated staff, hard working children and The Etonbury Experience.

First Class Facilities & Resources

All our children from juniors through to secondary will benefit from our state-of-the art facilities which provide amazing spaces to learn, feel inspired and achieve. Our juniors will have opportunities to experience a real feel of what exciting things are to come as they move in to the secondary school.

We have new and impressive teaching spaces; large light-filled workspaces equipped with the very latest technology including an AppleMac suite, hi-tech music rooms, design and technology workshops, engineering and food technology rooms, outdoor art and sculpture terraces, and a learning resource centre are all ready to help maximise every child’s potential.

Along with the Pendleton Sports Centre and 3G pitches, our children will be able to experience every sport imaginable.

Beyond the Classroom

We believe learning must go beyond the classroom to build confidence and allow our children to pursue new opportunities or grow their interests. Sport Sport at Etonbury is an integral part of school life. Our students compete in fixtures at all levels locally and nationally, and we’re committed to sport for all.

We have an established and extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, events, trips and visits for every child. These are run by our dedicated staff who have a passion for their area, some achieving national or international accolades.

Clubs

From sport to the arts and science and engineering to technology, there’s a club for everyone at Etonbury. Every teacher is involved in running a club and every child is encouraged to take part. Our clubs expand horizons and give students a space to explore their interests and talents.

Our wide-ranging sporting programme nurtures talent across all abilities and our school teams include football, netball, cheerleading, rounders, rugby, hockey and cricket.

With impressive new facilities and extensive grounds, our sporting provision is something we’re very proud of.

Experiences

We run residential trips in the UK and abroad each year, with students offered the opportunity to take part in unique experiences and create memories to last a lifetime.

Activity-based trips include PGL adventure holidays, our annual Condover Hall residential trip, ski trips, and music tours to Italy.

Our curriculum takes students to the theatre, pantomimes, field trips, and visiting speakers including industry professionals and high prior attaining student workshops are an integral part of our extra-curricular offer.

Just some of our wider activities and clubs include:

• Art

• Dance

• Drama, LAMDA and theatre trips

• Duke of Edinburgh Award

• Netball, Football, Rugby, Cricket

• Music events

• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)

• Student Voice

See a full list of extra-curricular activities on our website

Where People Matter

Our school is a community where everyone is recognised and has a voice. We’re proud of the support we give to all our children, including those with special educational and pastoral needs. Our SEND and pastoral provision is led by highly experienced staff and specially trained Teaching Assistants and pastoral teams.

We want to get to know our families, share our knowledge and sometimes may call on your own expertise for careers events. We will be welcoming you in to our school for progress meetings, school performances and celebrations.

Our ambitious staff are supported to extend and expand on their own professional development. All staff have high quality training to further develop their practice and will also be supported in the pursuit of their goals. Our staff are offered the opportunity to undertake a variety of higher level qualifications including Masters degrees. As an academy within The Bedfordshire School Trust with over 10 schools and nurseries - BEST incorporating the Teaching School we are able to provide a structured leadership training journey for all our staff.

We have the right foundations to know our children and staff to continue to succeed together.

OFSTED 2020

Find out more at bestacademies.org.uk

Leaders provide many professional opportunities for teachers and support staff, so staff continue to develop their skills.

We look forward to welcoming you

Stotfold Rd, Arlesey, SG15 6XS 01462 730391 etonbury.org.uk