Sirius Academy West’s Plan

1. To improve GCSE outcomes and the progress pupils make from KS2 to KS4

Success Criteria

40% of pupils to achieve a grade 5 or above in GCSE English & maths in 2024 Autumn Term 1 – 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

A high ability programme is now in place to inspire students to aspire to reach the top grades. Historical issues of students ‘settling’ for lower grades based on college entrance criteria has seen a trend in limited students sustaining motivation to strive beyond this. Implementation of the curriculum Is being strengthened in English and Maths with weaker teachers moving on, there is however an increase of inexperience within both teams.

Success Criteria

60% of pupils to achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE English & maths in 2024 Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

A reduction of students accessing alternative provision and increasing attendance will directly impact the attainment levels in English and Maths. An effective KS3 curriculum and strong implementation will ensure a solid foundation in knowledge is in place for an effective KS4. Strong subject knowledge supported by regular CPD is in place to ensure those teachers needing support have access to it including any non-specialists and ECTs.

An effective reading catch-up strategy is now in place in KS3 to support the weakest readers develop in line with their peers and age expectations. Securing students ability in reading and comprehension in KS3 is key to unlocking success in KS4 and enabling us to increase class sizes in years 8 and 9 reducing staffing costs. The academy has an effective SENDCO in place to ensure curriculums are adapted to meet learners’ needs and barriers are removed.

Success Criteria

15% of pupils to achieve the EBacc in 2024

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

During the options process (current Year 9) we have worked with the higher ability cohort to maximise the uptake of EBACC with this group by selling the ‘Aspiration’ package. For other cohorts we have tried to maximise the uptake of MFL by removal of the option to take both history and geography and create a push to take the language, though we are not mandating this. We have allowed students to complete an FCSE qualification in year 9 which is allowing them to see success in this challenging subject and drive their ambition to continue with this into KS4. We have also marketed the trips that students are encouraged to attend at KS4 when they study a language and have worked on the curriculum to ensure that it is implemented with an effective and engaging pedagogy via the Franco Conti methods.

Success Criteria

30% of Pupil Premium pupils to achieve a grade 5 or above in GCSE English & maths Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

A strong character and personal development programme are embedded in the academy providing students with opportunities they may not otherwise have. Building our most deprived students’ cultural awareness will raise aspiration and support growth in the core subject areas. Barriers in place from deprivation are removed where possible including providing student with laptops, access to the internet, revision guides, revision material along with extracurricular trips, visits and external learning opportunities to compliment the curriculum content and learning.

Success Criteria

55% of Pupil Premium pupils to achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE English & maths

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

Success Criteria

7% of Pupil Premium pupils to achieve the EBacc in 2024

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

Entry numbers are restricted with courses already started for examination in 2024. Plans have been refined to increase EBACC entries moving forward.

Success Criteria

2% of pupils with Low Prior Attainment (LA) to achieve a grade 5 or above in GCSE English & maths

Evidence from Data

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Commentary

Success Criteria

15% of pupils with Low Prior Attainment (LA) to achieve a grade 4 or above in GCSE English & maths

Evidence from Data

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Commentary

Success Criteria

2% of pupils with Low Prior Attainment to achieve the EBacc

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

The options process in (current year 9) is no longer limited for low attainers. All students study a language and a humanities subject throughout the whole of KS3 and have opportunity to continue this into KS4. However, students’ needs, and parental wishes often see LA students studying more appropriate courses in KS3 like, independent travel and life skills. Whilst some LA pupils continue to study a humanities they may not be entered for the GCSE qualification.

Success Criteria

85% of High Prior Attainment (HA) pupils to achieve a grade 5 or above in GCSE

English & maths

Evidence from Data

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Commentary

A strong Post 16 provision and a dedicated AHT to raising attainment of the HA pupils supports the efforts in increasing aspiration.

Success Criteria

8% of High Prior Attainment (HA) pupils to achieve the EBacc

Autumn Term 1 - 2023

Evidence from Data

Commentary

A refined option process this year has ensured more HA pupils have access to an EBACC curriculum. Students will now study less qualifications and have increased curriculum time across the EBACC subjects.

The MFL curriculum is now solely implemented by specialists and an embedded collaborative planning strategy in humanities mitigates for non-specialist teaching in KS3 which has historically led to weaker foundations in learning when students have started humanities courses in KS4.

A strong careers programme is embedded and is developing to ensure more aspirational options are shown to HA students from KS3.