An Inspiration Trust Academy
We care, we share, we dare to do more
Welcome
Our values underpin everything we do at East Point Academy. We believe these values are essential attributes that our students should have opportunities to develop during their time with us and go on to demonstrate throughout their lives.
Be kind
East Point Academy students are respectful towards each other and staff, this is supported by the EPA10, 10 Lesson Routines you can expect to see students applying all day, every day. Beyond this we expect our students to be kind to themselves, each other, staff and the wider community. Students show this through their manners and their support of the anti-bullying ambassadors. Students recognise there is more similar about us all than different but where there are differences, we show kindness and acceptance.
Work hard
Our curriculum is ambitious, and we appreciate the hard work students must show to achieve their full potential. EPA students know that hard work today may pay off today or in the future. They will show this hard work through high attendance at school and lessons. Completion of work in lessons to the best of their ability as well as their homework.
Be your best self
We know that demonstrating our values requires dedication over time and this can be hard. We ask our students to strive to be the best version of themselves – in each situation they face making a choice they can feel proud of. This may require courage or humility, but we will routinely expect them to be honest and have integrity. This can be seen in how our students present themselves in terms of their uniform, their oracy and their written work.
Find your passion
Beyond our academic curriculum, EPA students experience a planned range of activities that develop their cultural capital –appreciating not only the value of this to their studies but also to helping them find their passion. From trips abroad, to after school clubs; from a variety of sporting activities to a range of competitions across the curriculum; from Duke of Edinburgh to Warhammer to Debating – we are dedicated to finding something for everyone.
Supporting Students Through Every Step
We work in close collaboration with our local primary schools.
East Point Academy plays an active role in the South Lowestoft Transition Leaders’ Forum.
This forum gives us the opportunity to hear from our local schools and discuss best practice in serving our community and giving our young people a chance to settle in and flourish throughout their secondary school careers.
Here are some of the events and activities we have held in the past few years:
Senior leadership attendance at primary school parents’ evenings
Assemblies at primary schools led by former students and our trained Year 10 transition ambassadors
Design & Technology, STEM and art workshops taken into primary schools and held at East Point Academy
Music workshops at East Point Academy for children from nursery age to Year 6
Close liaison with subject leaders so that East Point Academy staff are more aware of what has been taught
Hosted Year 6 pupils for the last week of the summer term to ensure that they were completely aware of the school, rules, regulations and timings
Heavily subsidised music lessons for students joining in Year 7
Our Curriculum
We aim for the very best in our classrooms – and this starts with our curriculum. We believe in the power of knowledge and offer a knowledge rich curriculum approach for all our students ensuring they have access to a broad, balanced, high quality education.
We go the extra MILE to achieve this. We ensure our curriculum develops students’ moral compass through an intellectual programme of subjects from Year 7 to Year 11. We recognise that to get the most from this our students need a strong literacy foundation and we ensure they are supported to achieve this. It is important to us that students enjoy their time at school and recognise areas of interest that lie beyond the academic. This is why we have an enrichment programme that aims to broaden the learning experiences of all our students. This is just one of the reasons we are passionate about great sports, arts, and of course, great teaching.
We believe in the power of knowledge. With subject-specific knowledge at its heart, our curriculum is both inclusive and ambitious. Our teachers draw on the latest research and evidence about how learning happens and how best to achieve this in the classroom so that our students can reach their full potential and achieve excellent outcomes.
During the course of a 28 hour week of lessons, we provide an unapologetically ambitious academic curriculum. Our focus is on long established subjects, the knowledge of which provides a strong foundation for all students to specialise in further studies post16.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) runs over three years to enable students to benefit from a breadth of subjects including religious studies, drama, music, technology and computer science. All students study a modern foreign language.
GCSEs are chosen in Year 9 ready to begin study during Year 10. Key Stage 3 provides a breadth of knowledge that supports the further depth that greater specialisation at Key Stage 4 enables. All students continue to access PE (Physical Education) and PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Emotional education) alongside studying maths, English language, English literature, science and humanities. Students have the option to study both history and geography as well as continuing with a modern foreign language. Further options are available in creative and vocational subjects. Curriculum maps for each subject are available on our website which show what students are being taught throughout the year.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We believe that learning takes place beyond that which occurs in the classroom as part of our core curriculum. The extra-curricular activities we offer are designed to enrich the core curriculum and further develop all our students’ character, talents and interests.
Students have the opportunity to experience a diverse range of activities, that include drama, music, art, science, coding and various sports clubs. Groups that help to build confidence in exploring their individual identity and expressing their viewpoints through LGBTQ+, Anti-Bullying, Eco-Schools and Debating club. All of this in addition to
the homework club, available to support all students to develop their independence.
We are passionate believers in the power of travel to enhance our students’ cultural capital. First hand experience of other cultures is powerful in building a person’s knowledge of the world around them and supporting their appreciation of people’s similarities and differences. To this end we regularly run trips abroad with recent examples including Berlin, Skiing in Italy, and Normandy.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people, aged between 14 and 24. It aims to create a world where young people can reach their full potential whatever their circumstances. Their ethos is to enable every young person of every background to do their DofE and succeed, regardless of any barriers.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provides a balanced programme of activities that develops the whole person – mind, body and soul – in an environment of social interaction and teamworking.
Taking part builds confidence and develops self-esteem, and the award requires persistence, commitment and has a lasting impact on the attitudes and outlook of all young people who take part.
Music Matters at East Point Academy
Inspiration Trust strongly believes in the power of music to enhance lives, both through the sheer pleasure of listening to and enjoying music, and through the discipline of individual and group playing and singing.
As part of our extended Arts and Culture Programme, students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of plays, concerts and music competitions. As part of our commitment to music education, we also offer our students a range of lessons with
our highly-skilled and experienced team of Visiting Music Teachers - these include piano, guitar, singing and drum lessons. Learning to play an instrument helps students to develop cognitive and social skills, expand language and motor skills, as well as help build determination and patience. Plus, it is fun!
Our students are encouraged to participate in numerous Trust-wide music competitions including Battle of the Bands, Piano Competition, and the Annual Music Competition.
Every year our students get to take part in our Trust-wide Carol Service.
An annual tradition, the carol concert sees pupils from all across our sister schools - primaries, secondaries and sixth forms - join forces to perform a series of traditional carols and hymns in the winter term.
Always a big calendar event, the Carol Service is a fantastic opportunity for our students and staff to showcase their brilliant musical capabilities, whether through playing instruments or singing, while getting to perform in an iconic location.
The Carol Service is a fun Christmas event that always makes for a lovely family evening.
Sports in the Community
East Point Academy is the host site for the North Suffolk Sport and Health Partnership, which supports local schools in their health and wellbeing.
This partnership has been run by our School Games Organiser for the past 12 years, supporting our 46 local schools. In total there are over 450 SGOs who work across the country to support schools in their local area.
The North Suffolk Sport and Health Partnership offers its 35 local primary schools over 38 opportunities each year designed to support students confidence, emotional wellbeing, health, social connections, independence and individual development in sport. This allows pupils from local primary schools to attend events at East Point Academy and importantly engage and socialise with pupils from other local primary schools who they will be attending high school with.
Our students are at the heart of supporting these events through the Leadership Academy. East Point Leaders are offered many opportunities to coach, teach, lead and connect with primary pupils, developing their skills and exposing them to future possibilities of working in sport and education.
Students have to apply for the role of Sport Prefect through a written application. They need to demonstrate their commitment and enthusiasm to physical activity within PE lessons and extra-curricular clubs and the ability to be a good role model to others.
In addition to the comprehensive Inspiration Trust sport programme, the students at
East Point Academy get access to 22 School Games Events such as, ten pin bowling, dodgeball, orienteering, swimming, panathlon, goalball, boccia, football, cricket, athletics, basketball, gymnastics, rounders and hockey. All these events include competitive and non-competitive experiences that meet the needs of different students.
Our membership to SPESN - Suffolk PE and Sport Network enables us to provide opportunities for our elite students to progress further. We are able to access County and Regional pathway events for rugby, football, netball, cricket, cross country and badminton.
We have achieved the Gold School Games Mark for three years in a row and hope to achieve Platinum award in 2023-24, we will be the first secondary school in the area to do so. In 2021-22 we were shortlisted for the Suffolk Active Secondary School of the Year award in recognition of the range of sporting experiences our students have access to through our extra-curricular offer, student leadership opportunities and uptake of fixtures.
Our students’ commitment to sport is exemplary and we recognise this with our now annual Sports Awards Evening. Celebrating the sporting successes of over 170 students, it’s a key date in our calendar.
Taking Part in Trust-wide Sports Competitions
At Inspiration Trust we pride ourselves on our sports provision which not only includes a nationally-recognised sports curriculum, but includes half-termly Trust-wide sports competitions.
These competitions include football, athletics, swimming and rugby, and sees us working in partnership with brilliant organisations in order to offer our students the very best facilities in which to compete. The atmosphere at these events is always described as electric!
Through taking part in sporting competitions our students are given the chance to shine outside of the classroom and learn vital skills such as the importance of team work, determination, patience and perseverance.
It is also proven that taking part in sport encourages higher standards of achievement, improves cognitive function and improves overall well-being through having fun and making friendships.
Whilst outstanding sports provision is often overlooked within the state sector, all of us at East Point Academy believe it is a core part of what every student should expect from their time in education and we are proud to deliver that.
Our House System
Our House System is named after the Lowestoft Scores, which form a unique part of our town’s history. The Scores are a series of narrow lanes and steep pathways running from the High Street to the site of the town’s former beach village. They formed a link between the town, which was built on a cliff, and the village, which had developed as a result of the fishing industry. The Scores were once full of the sights, sounds (and smells!) of the port’s booming fishing industry and form a major part of Lowestoft’s heritage.
Every member of our academy, staff and students alike, are a member of one of our 4 Houses: Crown, Mariners, Ravine and Wilde. Each House is linked to one of our values and students have opportunities throughout each school day to demonstrate how well they embody them and collect House Points in the process.
In addition to House Points, there are a number of competitions throughout the year for students to participate in. Representing their House in competition is an honour and something our students work hard to do. Students achieve badges of recognition and special rewards for their participation in academy life.
Aside from House Points, our House System forms a central part of our Student Leadership structure. Students from Years 10 and 11 can apply for a role on Principal’s Council. In this role students play an important part in linking the Academy Prefects from younger year groups to the staff. This ensures that student voice is an integral part of the decision making process so we act as a whole community.
Eco Commitments
A number of initiatives have been set up across Inspiration Trust schools to support creating a better planet, including the introduction of a number of Energy Champions.
We are working to become a more sustainable school and have a very proactive Energy Champion. Employing a student-led approach, the focus of our students is on the projects that they want to run. This helps to create a much more meaningful experience for our students, ensuring full engagement and commitment to our goals.
These projects also feed into our ambition to achieve ‘Green Flag’ status, with our plan to focus on three main areas: energy, litter and the environment.
This aim has allowed us to set reasonable and measurable goals, making sure we are accountable for our achievements and easily able to see the impact we are having on our local environment.
We believe that learning more about the local environment and sustainability is important for all of our students to gain a better understanding of how they can impact their community. By being a force for change in our community we are excited to continue our journey.
Secondary Olympiads
All students have the opportunity to be involved in our Trust-wide Olympiads. These see students compete in competitions within their favourite subjects, allowing them to shine in areas where they are gifted.
One of our strategic aims is to ensure each and every child fulfils their potential. We believe this potential is not only reached through academic success, but through wider opportunities such as competitive programmes.
Our Olympiads cover everything from maths and modern foreign languages through to geography and computer science. They help children learn about teamwork and morals, and offer a fun, alternative way to explore the subjects they love.
Our Uniform School Meals
At East Point Academy lunch takes place over two sittings. This prevents overcrowding at the canteen and allows all students to have the opportunity to sit and eat their lunches.
Students can pay for a hot or cold lunch with the catering staff providing a varied range of hot and cold meals every day. Alternatively, students can bring a packed lunch from home.
“We do not authorise students to go home for lunch.
Up to date school menus can be found on our website.
Leaders have skilfully designed a curriculum that now enables all pupils to succeed.
OFSTED
2022
Personal, religious, social, health and citizenship education provides well for pupils’ personal development.
OFSTED
2022
”The gates open at 8:30 am each day with lessons starting at 8:40 am.
On Monday and Friday, the school day finishes at 2:55 pm. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday the school day finishes at 3:55 pm.
We believe in good standards of dress and personal presentation. We appreciate the cooperation of all parents and carers to ensure that students are in correct uniform.
Please note that the academy makes the final decision as to what is acceptable or what is not acceptable in all aspects of a student’s appearance.
Our uniform supplier is Screens Embroidery & Printing. Uniform can be bought online or at its store. Our uniform includes:
East Point Academy blazer - sleeves must be rolled down at all times
East Point Academy tie
East Point Academy jumper - sleeves must be rolled down at all times
Plain white shirt (short or long sleeved) with a stiff collar. The shirt must be tucked in, sleeves must be rolled down and the top button must be done up at all times
Plain black trousers in a formal loose fit and must cover the ankle. (Jeans, jogging bottoms or skinny trousers are not permitted) Or:
East Point Academy knee-length pleated skirt
Plain black socks or black tights
Plain black, flat, formal, leather-type shoes - black trainers are not permitted.
Black trousers, white shirts, socks/tights and shoes do not have to be purchased from our supplier, but must be in line with the above expectations.
Preparing our Students for their next steps
Our careers education and guidance programme will prepare all students for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life.
This carefully planned, progressive programme of lessons and activities supports students as they move through their education and on to the next stage of their life. It will equip them to manage their future progression through learning and work.
At East Point Academy, careers education is provided as a comprehensive programme throughout Years 7-11.
Students will receive tailored guidance at various points along their academic journey. Careers guidance is offered to any student within the academy by appointment. Students will receive assistance with choosing their options subjects.
All Year 11 students are provided with at least one face-to-face careers interview in their final year at East Point Academy. This will assist with their post-16 transition, including apprenticeships, employment prospects, higher education courses, completion of sixth form college application forms and preparation of a CV.
The careers curriculum is also supported by our partnership work with the University of East Anglia (UEA), the Network for East Anglian Collaborative Outreach (NEACO) and Oxford and Cambridge Universities. This work is delivered at both subject level and by year group and includes trips, guest speakers and specialist workshops.
East Point Academy has helped me become the person I am now. My confidence has become greater and I am now able to do things I could not do before.
STUDENT
SEND Support
At East Point Academy, we are aware of the needs of each individual student and recognise that we have a responsibility to support every student to achieve their potential.
At East Point Academy we work with our feeder schools and families to ensure we are aware of the needs of each and every student. We remain curious throughout a student’s time with us to identify any potential barriers to learning and recognise our responsibility to support every child in reaching their potential.
Our evidence-informed approach to teaching and learning means all of our students experience high quality universal provision
every lesson. Meeting the needs of every student is central to the aims and principles of the academy.
Where we know of or become aware of any academic challenges a student may be facing we have a range of support for this. Support for students is provided through a graduated response and includes but is not limited to: Homework Club, Reading Mentors, Pupil Progress Mentors as well as support from our SEND team.
Safeguarding and Pastoral Support
Every student is important to us and we work hard to identify and support each student’s needs. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people.
We are committed to keeping staff, students and visitors safe and happy. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) ensures that effective support is provided to students that need it and our strong pastoral system ensures that all students are well-known and their needs are understood.
Pastoral support begins with the student’s Form Tutor, Assistant Head of Year and Head of Year. We have a very experienced team of professionals who work with other
professionals to support students and their families.
We have a range of people and provisions in school that the pastoral team engage in such as Zones of Regulation, 1:1 and small group workshops and a school counsellor.
We are delighted to have achieved the Suffolk Young Carer Platinum Award this year which recognises the excellent work our pastoral team does to support our Young Carers.
The Admissions Process
Most students join us at the start of Year 7, however we do accept students mid-year or into other year groups when we have capacity to do so. Applying for a place at East Point Academy is straightforward and as with all secondary schools in the county, admissions are organised through Suffolk County Council.
The process tends to begin in the autumn of the year prior to when the student wishes to start, with applications closing at the end of October. Suffolk County Council will then allocate places with offers sent out at the beginning of March. Should more students apply than we have places, spaces will be allocated according to our admissions policy - you can find this at eastpointacademy.org/admissions
Admissions Team, Endeavour House 8 Russell Rd Ipswich IP1 2BX
Telephone: 0345 600 0981
Email: admissions@suffolk.gov.uk
We are part of Inspiration Trust, twice ranked the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress
