Great Yarmouth Charter Academy Prospectus

An Inspiration Trust Academy

We care, we share, we dare to do more

Principal’s Welcome

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, our pupils receive the highest quality of education from truly dedicated staff. We guarantee our students will learn how to excel in what interests them to achieve excellent outcomes. After all, we know that it is outstanding grades that open doors and a lifetime of opportunity.

As an Inspiration Trust school, we are proud to be able to offer excellent sporting and cultural opportunities for our young people, expanding their experiences and opportunities beyond the classroom.

We demand respect from our pupils for their teachers, their classmates, and their community. In return, we respect them and encourage them. We feel it’s important for pupils to receive the recognition they deserve through our amazing rewards system, including our famous “golden ticket”.

Being an Inspiration Trust academy, we have access to an incredible family of leading experts and are part of a group of schools that have demonstrated repeatedly that pupils within our Trust perform highly and seize the opportunities to strive in all they do.

We can all achieve, and we can all do better. We want our students to be able to contribute to their own community, the county and the region both academically and socially.

Dean Rosembert Principal

Our Vision

We are a school built on respect, hard work and dedication. Our teaching team are committed to giving our students the best education in a calm and focused environment.

The Great Yarmouth Charter Academy motto is ‘Sapientia Potentia Est’, meaning ‘Wisdom is Power’. Our pupils reflect wisely, learn eagerly and behave with integrity. This is because we believe that we provide our pupils with the wisdom to succeed in different contexts.

Pupils and staff are expected to behave with prudence, justice, temperance and fortitude. Our students are thriving and the school is going from strength to strength. We were recently rated as good by Ofsted who said we have ‘successfully established a culture where there are high expectations’. They also recognised leaders have ‘improved the quality of teaching, learning and assessment in the school, so that it is consistently effective’.

Supporting Our Pupils

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, we aim to support our students in all aspects of their school life.

We work closely with our main feeder schools to ensure pupil transfer and transition is as smooth as possible.

We offer visits and individual tours to families and pupils who may need bespoke support to aid transition, with specialist staff available to work with Year 6 pupils on a one-to-one basis if required.

Additional support is provided to more vulnerable pupils through our special educational needs and disabilities department and Year 7 pastoral teams.

Year 6 pupils spend a number of days with us in the Summer Term and then complete a bespoke induction programme in September.

Dean Rosembert, Principal

Community Values

We value our close links with the local community, and our extensive sports, arts, and meeting spaces are used by a wide range of organisations, clubs, and societies.

Community projects are often arranged for our pupils, such as working with local care homes to document social history, or creating Christmas trees for St Nicholas Church. Annual events such as our Santa Run along Great Yarmouth beach, raises money to support East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices.

We believe that a key element in educating our pupils is to integrate into the local community, which allows them to learn, grow, and develop people skills.

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy we place an emphasis on active citizenship, with pupils encouraged to take responsibility for their actions and to look after their peers.

Our Curriculum

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, the principle of participation guides our curriculum vision.

We believe that a well-taught, high quality curriculum should equip pupils with knowledge that will allow them to participate meaningfully in the world - i.e., it should empower them to take ownership of how they participate in the world.

In practice, this means our curriculum should do three things:

Ensure pupils are able to direct the course of their future study and employment prospects.

Endow pupils with cultural capital that will enable them to contribute to wider cultural life and the political conversations of the day.

Enrich pupils’ lives through an appreciation of knowledge for its own sake.

Our curriculum is ambitious because we think about how we can teach our pupils the best knowledge we have. Each of our subjects specify a core entitlement that is taught to all pupils so they can participate in school life. Within this, we carefully select and sequence the knowledge that is taught to our pupils to ensure that it is ambitious. We do this, for example, through the careful selection of texts in literature.

Our ambitious approach ensures that the futures of the pupils who attend Great Yarmouth Charter Academy are not limited by the curriculum. Indeed, our curriculum increases pupils’ cultural capital, opening up opportunities for our pupils, whether that be to choose how they participate in the further study and employment, or by allowing them to participate in wider social, cultural and political conversations of society.

While we believe that reading is an essential part of education, pupils being able to read it is not enough. At school, pupils should read regularly in order to develop fluency and familiarity with literature of all kinds. Pupils who read regularly are more likely to appreciate knowledge for its own sake and are in a better position to become lifelong learners as they have access to the world’s supply of knowledge, and in turn increasing their future study and employment prospects and allowing them more opportunity to shape or change how they participate in the world. To do this, we promote disciplinary literacy. That is, reading and literacy in all subjects - not simply English. Consequently, our pupils become fluent in the language and vocabulary of all the subjects they study in school.

We use a mixed approach of form teaching and ability sets depending on the subject, to provide the best guidance and outcomes for our pupils.

Extra-Curricular Activities

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy we offer a range of enrichment activities that all students are encouraged to take part in. Some of these enrichment activities have led pupils to identify potential future career paths and into supporting both charity and community action.

At the end of the day, we provide a number of clubs that students can sign up to participate in.

If a pupil is interested in sports such as swimming, football, netball, badminton or athletics, for example, they will have the opportunity to join the club for fun

or to develop their competitiveness by representing Great Yarmouth Charter Academy on the school sports teams.

If a pupil has a more artistic flair they may wish to participate in the art club, choir, or drama club. The choir has performed at numerous events including performances held at the Cathedral in Norwich or at the local Minster. Our drama club always endeavours to put on an annual performance for the community.

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.

Any young person can do their DofE, regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving the award isn’t about competition or about being first, it is about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.

Music Matters at Great Yarmouth Charter 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, pupils 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 peripatetic 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 pupils are encouraged to participate in numerous Trust-wide music competitions and Inspiration Trust has made a pledge to have a full orchestra or musical ensemble in every one of its schools by 2027.

Every year our students get to take part in our Trust-wide Carol Service.

An annual tradition, the Carol Service 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.

Music Scholarships

We are delighted to offer Music Scholarship places to Year 7 students joining us each September.

These scholarships offer a way for students to secure a place at our school, and receive many extra benefits, by demonstrating that they have a musical skill and lots of musical potential.

We value music education and want to encourage musical young people. We know that musical opportunities are not always easy to find, so aim to create them for you. We understand that the whole school community benefits when musical people choose our school.

Music scholars receive all the benefits of being a pupil at our school, plus the following additional benefits:

2x free instrumental/ vocal lessons per week (if you don’t already play the piano, one of these will probably be a piano lesson)

Your music exam fees will be paid

A piano accompanist will be provided, where appropriate

Termly masterclasses with the Inspiration Trust’s Director of Music

A nominated scholarship mentor in your school

Regular performance opportunities

Regular opportunities to attend highquality performances.

To find out more and apply, visit our website greatyarmouthcharteracademy.org/musicscholarships

“

Leaders... have successfully established a culture where there are high expectations of behaviour. As a result, there is a calm, purposeful learning environment. Pupils feel safe and achievement is improving.

OFSTED 2019

Facilities

We are lucky to have spectacular facilities for pupils to explore their interests and abilities outside the classroom, from our on-site swimming pool and extensive sports fields to our well-equipped drama room.

There has been significant investment in the academy since becoming part of the Inspiration Trust family. This includes a new science block called the Futures Building. The site on Salisbury Road has been refurbished and over 15 classrooms have been modernised.

We opened a new library in September 2022, which is just a small part of the extensive investment in the estate of Great Yarmouth Charter Academy over recent times.

We have thousands of books, fiction and nonfiction, to support our aim of ensuring that all pupils reading ages reach their chronological age – we aim for every pupil regardless of ability to have access to exciting new titles to inspire and challenge them. We aim for every pupil to fulfil their potential.

Our House System

Our House system is tied to our local history, with our Houses named after local people of great magnitude. Our Houses also represent our virtues, with each House representing values that embody our community at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy:

McMillan (Prudence, Perseverance and Aspiration) - Sir Kenneth McMillan was a British ballet dancer and choreographer who was artistic director of the Royal Ballet in London. Kenneth studied from 1940 at Great Yarmouth Grammar School, to which he won a scholarship.

Lewis (Fortitude, Resilience and Loyalty) - Naomi Lewis was a British poet, essayist, literary critic, anthologist and reteller of stories for children. Having studied at the local Great Yarmouth High School, Naomi then went on to win a scholarship to read English at Westfield College, University of London.

Sayer (Temperance, Gratitude and Motivation) - Malcolm Sayer was an aircraft engineer during wartime and later automotive aerodynamist. His most notable work being partly responsible for the engineering body development of the E-Type Jaguar.

Bentley (Justice, Respect and Selflessness) - David Edward Bentley was an English bishop. He was first the Bishop of Lynn and, subsequently, the Bishop of Gloucester in the Church of England. Bentley was educated at Great Yarmouth Grammar School and the University of Leeds.

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 local organisations such as the UEA Sportspark and The Nest 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 Great Yarmouth Charter Academy believe it is a core part of what every pupil should expect from their time in education and we are proud to deliver that.

Secondary Olympiads

All pupils have the opportunity to be involved in our Trust-wide Olympiads. These see pupils 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.

School Meals

We take our responsibility to encourage our students to eat healthily very seriously.

Eating well at school improves pupils’ nutrition and health. There is also a direct link between eating well and concentration and behaviour in lessons. Students who eat well are more likely to achieve.

Our catering team offers a high-standard healthy menu to pupils every day, with our cashless system meaning parents can be sure that dinner money is only being spent on good quality food.

We encourage eligible families to apply for free school meals so that no pupil needs to go hungry.

If students prefer to bring their own packed lunch they can eat it alongside students choosing a hot meal.

As a result of effective and improving teaching, learning and assessment pupils’ achievement is improving strongly in a range of subjects, including English and mathematics.

OFSTED 2019

Our school day starts at 8:30 am for our Year 7 pupils, the school day runs until 2:50 pm on Monday and Friday, with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday school finishing at 3:50 pm.

We have an extended school day three days a week which allow us to gain an extra three hours of teaching time per week.

Our Uniform

We have a smart uniform that helps pupils feel part of the academy community and ensures they are focused on learning rather than fashion.

Our uniform is aimed at giving students a professional and purposeful outlook, reducing bullying by removing expensive branded items and giving a sense of community and belonging. Our uniform includes:

Black blazer with the Great Yarmouth Charter Academy badge on the pocket

Plain white shirt or blouse with collar School tie

Plain white, grey or black socks; or flesh, grey, or black plain unpatterned tights. Knee socks are not allowed

Plain grey knee length box pleat skirt; or plain grey trousers in slim, standard, or comfort fit

Flat black leather-type shoes with enclosed toe and heel

Belts should be plain back or grey with a small buckle

Great Yarmouth Charter Academy rucksack bag.

Unbranded items can be bought from any supplier, as long as they must meet the published uniform guidelines on our website.

Preparing our Students for their Next Steps

All pupils will have to make key decisions during their time at the academy. To help pupils understand the qualities, attitudes, and skills needed to succeed in working life and independent living we have a varied and inspirational careers and further education programme.

We offer visits to industry, trips to colleges and universities, work experience, inspirational guest speakers, and tailored workshops for all pupils at key decision points to inspire and educate them on available options.

Twilight sessions such as further maths or an extra language, or attendance at events and competitions are also available. We

also work closely with the University of East Anglia to widen experience and we offer vast opportunities through mentoring and visits to the top universities.

We work closely with our pupils to ensure that they make the right choices for their future and we build our curriculum to ensure that we can support their ambitions.

Post 16 Provision and Sixth Form

Students have the opportunity to pursue A-Level courses at our Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy.

Opened in 2022, Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form is the newest sixth form in the Inspiration Trust family. With an academic focus, it offers the high-quality, maths and science specialist teaching that is found in Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form in Norwich.

Bringing the opportunity to share the philosophy and teaching practice to the east coast is an exciting development for Great Yarmouth.

With access to an incredible family of leading experts, Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form hopes to replicate the outstanding academic programme that supports students to

achieve their full potential, giving high quality provisions and support on the East coast.

Boasting an extensive careers guidance programme students are fully exposed to as many careers as possible and a personal development programme that builds life skills such as self-awareness, resilience, and independence.

Following an award-winning knowledge-rich curriculum as part of Inspiration Trust. Sir Isaac Newton East Sixth Form builds on the teaching started at Great Yarmouth Charter Academy.

SEND Support

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, our SEND Department, is well staffed and well resourced, delivering a range of additional provision based on assessment of the needs of individual pupils.

Our team provide individual programmes of support for pupils to help them overcome a number of issues, such as literacy difficulties, including dyslexia; numeracy difficulties; working memory; and communication and interaction difficulties.

If you are considering Great Yarmouth Charter Academy and wish to discuss your child’s needs please contact us and we will

be pleased to meet both you and your child and to liaise with their current school.

For full details of our provision and what support we can offer, please take a look at our SEND Policy and Information Report, as well as the contact details for our SENDCo via our website.

Pastoral and Safeguarding

Every student is important to us and we ensure we identify and support each student’s needs.

We pride ourselves on having a caring and supportive pastoral system, based around year groups.

On entry, pupils are placed in tutor groups with the tutor responsible for each pupil’s welfare and their overall academic progress. Pupils will often stay with the same tutor throughout their time with us. They are supported by our Heads of Year and their teams, who provide support across behaviour, attendance, and attainment. Year

7 pupils have dedicated Form Tutors who specialise in inducting pupils into our school.

They reward the pupils for good behaviour and good attendance and help the pupils feel safe by tackling any conflicts which may arise between pupils.

At Great Yarmouth Charter Academy, we are committed to keeping staff, pupils and visitors safe and happy. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead ensures that effective support is provided to pupils that need it and our strong pastoral system ensures that all pupils are well known and their needs understood.

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 Great Yarmouth Charter Academy is straightforward and as with all secondary schools in Norfolk is organised through Norfolk 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. Norfolk County Council then allocates places with offers sent out at the beginning of March. Should more students apply than we have places, spaces will be allocated based on our admissions policy of which can be found on our website - greatyarmouthcharteracademy.org/admissions

Admissions Team, County Hall

Martineau Lane

Norwich NR1 2DL

We are part of Inspiration Trust, twice ranked the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress

Telephone: 0344 800 8020

Email: admissions@norfolk.gov.uk

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