The Sutton Academy

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My daughter has received an outstanding education during her five years at The Sutton Academy.

PARENT YEAR 11 STUDENT

Welcome As Principal, I am delighted and proud to welcome you to The Sutton Academy.

I have a clear vision for all students in our academy to achieve their best academically, whilst nurturing their talents and passions.

I appreciate that choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will ever have to make and I hope this prospectus will give you an insight into some of the opportunities available to your child at The Sutton Academy.

We strive for the highest possible levels of achievement for all our students and are committed to providing the highest standards of teaching and learning. In return we have very high expectations of student behaviour and their commitment to their learning.

Our students benefit from a modern learning environment with outstanding facilities. This helps to create a vibrant and positive learning community which is friendly, caring and purposeful.

We are aspirational for our students and see it as our duty to ensure that all our students have the best life chances possible and eventually leave the academy well prepared to take their place in the world as confident and responsible adults who are empowered to make real choices in their lives.

We encourage visits to our academy - you do not have to wait for Open Evening or Open Morning.

Come and see The Sutton Academy in action; we will be delighted to show you around on a normal working day. Simply contact the academy and appropriate arrangements will be made for either myself, or one of my senior staff, to welcome you and answer any questions you may have. Experience for yourself the calm and purposeful atmosphere where students work hard and as Ofsted recognised, all feel safe.

Alison Sherman Principal

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Students are proud of their academy. It is a calm and orderly place to learn.

Learning at The Sutton Academy

OFSTED FEBRUARY 2015

We encourage and support all children to achieve their full potential at The Sutton Academy. We make this possible by placing great emphasis on an orderly and happy working environment where high expectations are the norm. Our lessons are challenging, engaging and inspiring. Our students actively work together and independently, enabling them to make good progress.

We have a highly skilled and dedicated team of teachers here at The Sutton Academy. They plan lessons very carefully to meet the needs of individual children. They have high expectations which challenge all students to achieve their best. The curriculum is designed to create learning pathways that meet the aspirations, talents and needs for each individual and blends the traditional with the creative.

Our Key Stage 3 (Years 7 & 8) is designed to accelerate learning and progress, developing learners who have the knowledge, skills and enquiring minds that will enable them to achieve to their full potential in Key Stage 4.

The national curriculum is followed ensuring a broad and balanced range of subjects with an emphasis on developing literacy and numeracy.

Our Key Stage 4 programme, studied in Years 9,10 and 11, offers an extensive choice of options, including a full range of academic GCSEs and English Baccalaureate subjects.

Students are taught in groups arranged by need and ability, based upon rigorous analyses of all available data. This enables staff to stretch and support all students to help them achieve exceptional progress.

As an 11-18 academy, our Sixth form offers continuity from Year 11 with clear progression pathways. We offer a wide range of A level and vocational courses, with students able to choose a blend of qualifications to suit their learning styles and aspirations. Due to the strength of our post 16 curriculum, personal development programme and support structure, our Sixth form has been awarded a grade of ‘Good’ by Ofsted (February 2015).

Clear regular target setting, assessment and reporting systems underpin all aspects of learning throughout the academy so that students understand the progress they are making and how to make further improvements.

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Parents are supportive of the academy and its leaders.

OFSTED FEBRUARY 2015

Enrichment At The Sutton Academy we believe enrichment is an entitlement and we expect all students to attend our extensive range of activities.

In addition to trips, residential excursions and international opportunities, there is a menu of activities that take place at lunchtime and after lessons as well as during holidays.

Enrichment offers students the opportunity to develop new interests, become more knowledgeable and skilled in an area, boost self-confidence and benefit from doing something away from the pressure of passing examinations.

The objective of enrichment is to: • • • • •

Widen students’ intellectual experiences Improve independent learning skills Develop a love of learning Offer students the opportunity to pursue their talents and interests Have fun and relax

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The new facilities are fantastic and I am proud to come to the academy.

STUDENT

Care, Support and Guidance At The Sutton Academy we are totally committed to respecting, developing and valuing every student and offer each individual a comprehensive package of academic and personal support.

We make a difference to the lives of our young people by building self-confidence and encouraging a strong sense of self worth in a safe, happy, community environment. Students tell us that they feel safe and that teachers look after them well.

We provide a supportive environment in which all students are valued and positive relationships with teachers contribute strongly to students’ success.

Ofsted commented that relationships between teachers and students are warm, positive and respectful.

We believe that traditional values are important; students need to learn the importance of respect, team-work, self-discipline and commitment. Our students are courteous, welcoming and friendly.

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Relationships between teachers and students are warm, positive and respectful.

OFSTED FEBRUARY 2015

Our dedicated team of professionals work closely with students to ensure that they strive to achieve and exceed the challenging targets we set them.

We endeavour to ensure that every child is guided into making positive choices in terms of behaviour, health, relationships with others and aspirations for the future.

We are proud of the pastoral care we offer our students; they know there is always someone to talk to and that care and guidance are freely available.

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Together we can make an outstanding contribution to our students’ lives and their future careers.

The Sutton Academy Sponsors St Helens College are delighted to be the sponsor of The Sutton Academy. The successful partnership continues to develop, and see the two organisations work in collaboration to increase educational opportunities and academic achievements of those aged 11 plus. The College and the Academy share outstanding practice and innovations in teaching, learning and assessment, ensuring excellent outcomes for their students. St Helens College Principal, Dr Jette Burford, in close collaboration with The Sutton Academy Principal, Mrs Alison Sherman, transfers her knowledge, expertise and experience to the Academy through her role as Chair of Governors, holding both organisations’ success and achievement at the heart of her role.

St Helens College is also pleased to be able to offer a guaranteed progression route for those pupils at The Sutton Academy with career aspirations that match the variety of specialist provision delivered at the College. With more than 8,500 students, of which more than 900 are Higher Education students, on a wide range of vocational and academic courses at all levels, including traineeships and apprenticeships, the College offers a wide range of choice.

Elton Head Road St. Helens Merseyside WA9 5AU t: 01744 678859 f: 01744 678860 contact@thesuttonacademy.org.uk

Living to learn, Learning to live.

thesuttonacademy.org.uk