Barnfield South Academy Prospectus 2015/16

our STUDENT PLEDGE I pledge to treat everyone with respect at all times.

I pledge to work to the best of my ability.

I pledge to attend all of my lessons on time and make sure that I am fully prepared.

In this way I will be the best I can possibly be.

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our MISSION “To provide innovative and exciting learning opportunities that lead to employment and/or further study.”

our vision “To be Britain’s highest performing federation, where customer and community needs are met, students are happy, successful and reach their full potential.” www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

, Principal s Welcome Dear Parent/Carer, Welcome to Barnfield South Academy where we have changed education for the better. While firmly rooted in traditional values, we have made our Academy a vibrant, exciting place with a positive ‘can do’ attitude. We have an innovative curriculum, which makes the transition from primary to secondary education an enriching and enjoyable experience and enables students to follow a personalised route to success. Embedded in this is a focus on spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects which enable students to reflect on their learning and wider issues around them. Many students become involved with community projects.

We have a clear focus on achievement in all year groups. Students arriving in Year 7 will become familiar with their target grades and we will monitor their progress to ensure these targets are at least reached, if not surpassed. In KS4, appropriate support is available for all students to ensure the highest levels of attainment. Staff are skilled in ensuring achievement is maximised. We work in partnership with parents and carers to encourage children to achieve the best they can. Together, we are achieving more than we ever thought possible.

Having achieved outstanding GCSE results, many students choose to remain with the Academy and enrol in the Barnfield Sixth Form. We offer a broad range of A Level and Level 3 courses enabling students to progress to higher education. In the past 2 years, over 90% of sixth form leavers have secured university places.

www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

Staff at the Academy deliver high quality lessons, ensuring that clear learning takes place. Lessons are varied and interesting and make use of the latest resources. The Academy is well equipped with new technologies which facilitate excellent learning opportunities.

There are many out-of-hours opportunities for further learning. Staff provide many after school sessions and clubs to enable students to improve their skills. The Academy is also open to older students studying for exams at weekends and in the school holidays. Many students make use of this invaluable resource.

Our students are achieving the highest standards in the classroom, on the sports field and within the community. Alongside academic excellence, we develop our students into the best young people that they can be through a caring and supportive approach.

I look forward to working with you in the future!

Cathy Barr Principal Barnfield South Academy

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

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ASPIRATION AND ACHIEVEMENT The simple goal for Barnfield South Academy is to provide the best education for all our students.

Our carefully developed Academy plan involves the rigorous use of data and assessment of student progress as well as quality assurance methods. We instantly respond if students experience difficulties.

Dialogue with teachers is encouraged as a framework for students to develop ideas, ask questions and apply a meticulous approach to their learning. Students work together to build team skills, strengthen individual talents and encourage a passion for lifelong learning. Our students will leave the Academy with the best possible results, equipped for further learning or training, able to think creatively and confident to handle the pressures of a fast-changing world.

Following the 2013 examination success, Barnfield South Academy was named as the THIRD MOST IMPROVED SCHOOL IN THE COUNTRY. We were also awarded the following accolades:

• PiXL (Partners in Excellence) Award: Sustained

In 2014, despite changes in examination measures, the Academy again celebrated positive GCSE results as 57% of our students passed with five or more good GCSE A* to C grades including English and Maths.

GCSE improvement

• PiXL Award: Top 100 schools for Value Added progress measure

• SSAT (Specialist Schools and Academies Trust) Educational Outcomes Award: Top 20% of schools for Value Added

• SSAT Educational Outcomes Award: Top 5 schools for achievement

OFSTED OFSTED: Full Inspection 2013 “Students have good attitudes to learning and they are keen to do well and succeed. This is as a result of the impressive work that the Academy does in enabling students to develop high aspirations for themselves.”

“Teaching in Key Stage 4 and the Sixth Form is typically good. Teachers have good subject and examination-specific knowledge which enables students to focus well on examination success criteria”.

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“The Principal, ably supported by a strong team of senior leaders….is determined to ensure that the Academy enables students to develop to the full, both personally and academically.”

OFSTED: Science subject inspection 2012

Behaviour and Safety:

Grade 2 “Good”

“Exceptional strategic vision linked to a deep conviction to challenge disadvantage and underachievement runs across the Federation and is the reason the Academy was formed. Staff at all levels in science share that conviction and are working hard to deliver good outcomes.”

Leadership:

Grade 2 “Good”

Leadership of Science: Grade 1 “Outstanding”

www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

CURRICULUM KEY STAGE 3 Our broad and balanced Year 7 and 8 curriculum supports the development of literacy and numeracy skills. There is also focus on key competencies which will equip students for success as they progress through the Academy. We are raising student aspirations, increasing performance, improving achievement, developing self-knowledge and selfbelief. We encourage in-depth learning, computer literacy and students taking responsibility for their own learning.

KEY STAGE 4 A variety of learning Pathways are available to our students. We offer a Pathways curriculum, which is designed to meet the needs of all students. There is a traditional Pathway of GCSEs, which includes the English Baccalaureate (EBACC), along with other routes comprising a combination of GCSE and vocational courses. The Pathways are personalised and flexible, ensuring the needs of each student are met.

We have developed strong links with local and regional organisations and educational institutions.

At the end of Year 11, students can progress into Sixth Form, where we offer a range of A Level and BTEC Level 3 courses, or go to Barnfield College, which offers a wealth of vocational courses. We are also able to offer places at the Barnfield Skills Academy for those students who have an entrepreneurial spirit and an interest in business.

We offer a carefully structured, independent careers programme, ensuring all students are well informed about Pathway choices and how this progresses to future employment and training.

www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

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SIXTH FORM On completion of Year 11 students naturally progress into our fantastic state-of-the-art Sixth Form provision.

The curriculum is a federal offer where students can study subjects across multiple sites. Students can opt to choose A Levels, vocational subjects or a mixture of both, giving a choice of many different combinations. In addition we offer a wide range of enrichment activities including guest speakers, team-building activities, the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), the Level 3 ASDAN CoPE certificate (which carries 70 UCAS points), the Duke of Edinburgh Award, field trips, supporting younger students, languages, sport and art to name but a few. Students, as part of this enrichment, also have an hour of academic mentoring with their tutors once a week where attainment and progress are discussed.

Students are set extremely challenging targets that are based on the results of the top 25% performing Sixth Forms nationally and are monitored and tracked against these every half term alongside strict assessment criteria.

We strive for our students to be the best and achieve the best results. Our aspiration and goal for our Sixth Form is to be “Outstanding� and to be ranked amongst the highest performing post-16 providers in the country.

Our students leave the Academy with excellent results and move onto university, high-end employment, or training. Our outstanding teachers and pastoral staff ensure that every student achieves or exceeds their full potential.

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www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

SPECIALISMS At Barnfield South Academy, we have three specialisms: Performing Arts, ICT and Enterprise. These specialisms enhance the learning experience and development of our students. Our Performing Arts team offer a number of extra-curricular opportunities making use of our state-of-the-art facilities. Enterprise lessons are offered across the curriculum to capture the interest of our students.

FACILITIES With an emphasis on personal fitness and sports success, Barnfield South Academy enjoys the latest in sporting facilities, a fully-equipped sports hall and brand new AstroTurf and multi-use games area.

Always conscious of our students’ wellbeing, we promote healthy school meals with all students enjoying the benefits of our well-equipped refectory.

As an Academy, we enjoy world-class facilities, including smartboards in every classroom, iPads, digital cameras and recorders, tablet PCs and Apple Macs. We also offer an extensive learning resource centre. We have a well-developed learning portal, “FROG” whereby parents and students can be fully informed on progress and out of hours learning by accessing information and work from home.

www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

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PERSONAL SUPPORT AND PASTORAL CARE At Barnfield South Academy the pastoral system is designed to provide a caring and disciplined environment to ensure all students reach their full potential.

Through the system we encourage good responsible citizens who care about both their fellow students and the wider community. At the Academy, we pride ourselves in our House System which allows students to support and mentor each other appropriately. Within the vertical houses, we have horizontal (year group) forms to ensure that every opportunity to maximise achievement can be utilised. We take the welfare of students seriously because we recognise that social and emotional wellbeing are essential for good learning.

The Form Tutor role is an important one at Barnfield South Academy as these teachers oversee the personal and academic welfare of the students in their care. The work of the tutors is coordinated by a House Leader with a non-teaching assistant house leader also in place to support students with any social, emotional or academic issues. Both House Leaders and their assistants work closely with parents/carers and subject staff to ensure students achieve their full potential.

Students participate in regular House and Achievement assemblies where high expectations alongside high standards of uniform and behaviour are enforced. Students stand when adults enter a room and enjoy wearing Academy uniforms. We are committed to 100% attendance. In assemblies, students have the opportunity to listen to external speakers as well as receive appropriate information, advice and guidance (IAG) from their Head of House or the Senior Leadership Team.

We regard Year 7 as a foundation year. Our innovative transition programme, led by a dedicated Transition Manager, guarantees a successful and smooth introduction to Academy life, ensuring that Year 7 students settle in quickly.

PARTNERSHIPS WITH PARENTS We have a rapidly growing Parent Focus Group (PFG) which is highly supportive of the Academy.

Meetings take place every half term and all are welcome. In addition, parents’ evenings are held for every year group with regular data and progress

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updates. A full written report is sent home annually.

We also invite parents to sign up for our ParentMail service so that regular updates can be emailed home.

www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

ENRICHMENT Open Days Barnfield South Academy offers a wide range of extra-curricular activities, both at lunchtime and after school, which are open to all. Our innovative and forward-thinking curriculum is enhanced by supporting trips in each year group. Details of these will be supplied in advance to parents and carers.

Homework club, which is open to students from all year groups, runs every evening from 3:15 to 6:00 in our Library. This is staffed daily with teachers who are able to provide support for learning and homework The Academy also runs Saturday and Sunday revision sessions in addition to the more traditional - but still extra - evening revision classes. The sessions offer students studying for examinations a safe and warm environment to study in over the weekend. Sessions run in core subjects such as Maths, English and Science, but also include a range of subjects across the curriculum and are devised to match the students’ needs.

Our extra-curricular sessions are linked to the rewards system for older students. Regular attendance at out-of-hours sessions coupled with excellent achievement, will be rewarded with a ticket or even a limo ride to the prom.

www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

We are delighted to welcome all members of the community into our Academy. The transition process begins with our Open Evening for prospective parents in the first half term of the academic year. Anyone wishing to compliment this with a visit to the Academy during the school day should contact the Academy to arrange an appointment and a tour. Open Days are run throughout the year and will be marketed widely.

We also run Community Open Days as we are always pleased to welcome the local community through our doors.

Transition Our Transition Manager, Mr Philip Dodson, is here to ensure a smooth transition for your son/daughter from primary to secondary education. If you have any questions please contact the Academy and ask to speak to Phil Dodson. Alternatively you can email: p.dodson@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

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COMMUNITY LINKS “(Community) Activities enable students to develop their spiritual, moral, social and cultural understanding to a good level.” Ofsted 2013 We encourage all our students to contribute to the life of the local community e.g. through inter-generation projects and environmental work. In 2011, our students won an award at the “Luton’s Best Awards” for their environmental work in the community. In 2012, our students were nominated for a Young People of the Year Award for their charitable work in which they supported in the delivery of an ambulance to Uganda.

and community festivals.

Our curriculum supports work with outside agencies, for example Shelter, and encourages an understanding of others and their needs. We have excellent links with Luton Churches who run regular assemblies and projects, and we have established links with clergy from all faiths locally. We pride ourselves on our extensive connections with charities and community groups.

Whatever the activity, giving something back to the community is a great way for our students to gain a sense of achievement and responsibility, and to learn new skills. Our students regularly take part in events such as the Luton Carnival

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www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

ACADEMY LIFE To ensure that time spent at the Academy is enjoyable and educational an example of a typical day is as follows: 07.30 - 08.40

Breakfast Club with breakfast in the dining room and a choice of board games and newspapers to read

08.40 - 09.10

Planning for Learning

09.10 - 10.10

Period 1

10.10 - 11.10

Period 2

11.10 - 11.30

Break

11.30 - 12.30

Period 3

12:30 - 14.00

Period 4 – this includes a 30 minute lunch break for all year groups

14:00 - 14:15

Planning for Learning – Literacy focus

14.15 - 15.15

Period 5

15.15 - 18.00

After school enrichment activities and homework club

enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk

Admissions Year 6 into 7 admissions to Barnfield South Academy are managed by the Local Authority and therefore the rules for admission are those as laid down by UK law in the Schools Admissions Code. If you wish to make an enquiry about the possibility of your child attending the Academy in Year 7 in September 2015 then please contact the admissions team at Unity House on the contact details shown below: Admissions Team Unity House 111 Stuart Street Luton Bedfordshire LU1 5NP 01582 548016 admissions@luton.gov.uk www.luton.gov.uk/admissions Further information about choosing a school can be found on the Directgov website: www.direct.gov.uk All other ‘in year admissions’ are managed by the Barnfield Central Admissions Team (BCAT) who are again bound by the rules for admission as laid down by UK law in the Schools Admissions Code.

For further details and/or to view the admissions policy of Barnfield South Academy please visit our website www.south.barnfield.ac.uk

Barnfield South Academy Rotheram Avenue Luton LU1 5PP T. 01582 722 333 www.south.barnfield.ac.uk enquiries@southacad.barnfield.ac.uk