The Petchey Academy Inspiring and supporting every child
UNIVERSITY
Welcome to our academy Contents 2 4 6 8 10 11 12 14 16
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Supporting every student to become the best that they can be Welcome What is The Petchey Way? Supporting our students Our specialism A broad and stimulating curriculum Notes for parents Admissions What people say about us Supporting transition
The Petchey Academy is a vibrant learning community where students feel secure and happy, where they are encouraged to participate in a range of learning activities to broaden their horizons and where we have the highest aspirations for every child. Alongside these high expectations, our ethos, ‘The Petchey Way’, supports a message of strong personal discipline balanced with creativity and motivating independent thought.
Choosing the right school is one of the most important decisions you can make. This prospectus should start to give you a sense of the exceptional opportunities offered to all students at the academy; however, we strongly encourage you to visit us, either at one of our open evenings or on my more informal morning tours. This will give you a first hand opportunity to speak to our staff and current students as well as to see our superb facilities. Please visit our website for details.
Our priority is to support and develop your child through:
This is a good school with a good University Gateway (sixth form). There is a lot to be proud of for staff and students alike. Ofsted 2012
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Relevant and engaging lessons which allow students to question, challenge and take responsibility for their learning
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A personalised curriculum that enables students to achieve the qualifications they need to pursue their ambitions
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A personalised literacy (reading, writing, speaking and listening) curriculum to support all students to make good progress in all subjects
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A unique specialism of Health, Care & Medical Sciences that broadens students’ experiences and opens doors for students in those fields
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A very wide choice of extra-curricular clubs and educational visits to stretch our students minds and pursue particular interests
I look forward to welcoming you to our academy. Ms Olivia Cole BA (Hons) MBA Principal
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What is The Petchey Way? The Petchey Way is the foundation of our academy
The Petchey Academy’s Latin motto is ‘Excelsior’ (“ever higher”) which succinctly captures our ambition for academic excellence in an environment where students are encouraged to develop their interests and talents in all areas. We know that the students are proud of their academy and value its unique and distinctive character.
Expectations of commitment to study, social responsibility, personal respect and respect for others around you are encapsulated in our unique ethos “The Petchey Way”, which reflects our commitment to traditional values in a modern world.
The PETCHEY acronym was created using contributions from our students, staff and parents on what is required Our sponsor, Jack Petchey CBE, gives to be a model Petchey student. us that character. Both students and staff follow his maxim: “If I think I can... I can”.
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Strong, unique features exist in the academy’s ethos: ‘The Petchey Way’ Ofsted 2012
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Polite Engaged Team worker Confident Honest Enquiring You!
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“I chose The Petchey Academy because I want to be a Paediatrician and the academy specialises in medical science. It has really helped boost my confidence.” Year 12 student
“The after school clubs are great. There is a wide selection from Petchey Band to trampolining. I go to debating club and it has opened many doors for me including working with students from other schools.” Year 10 student
“The Enhanced period on Wednesdays is brilliant. You choose a subject from music technology, gospel choir, textiles and many more. At the end of semester 3 you change to something new.” Year 7 student
“Family Service means that we sit on tables of six with an adult and share the jobs out equally. This includes bringing food to the table and clearing away. It’s a very good way to get to know each other.” Year 8 student
Supporting our students Creating a positive learning environment for all students We create a healthy balance between high academic success and a caring and supportive environment. Every student is a member of a house group - all named after prominent people in the health, care and medical sciences field: Darzi, Hunt, Jenner, Saunders, Seacole and Yacoub. Every year group has a number of Academic Tutors who carefully monitor and support each student’s personal, social and academic progress. The academy strongly supports house
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competition in a range of academic, creative and sporting activities, rewarding success and positive behaviour through our ViVO rewards system. An individual learning contract is set up on joining The Petchey Academy, highlighting the importance of the three-way commitment to success from the academy, parent/carer and student. A prospective parent commented that “Petchey stood out as offering parents excellent opportunities to meet with staff”.
Much attention is given to the promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and tackling discrimination... Students feel safe and supported. Ofsted 2012
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Our specialism Our specialism of Health, Care & Medical Sciences makes us truly unique Whilst providing a good all-round education, the academy ensures that the specialism is mapped through our curriculum. From Year 7 to 13 we encourage healthy living through diet, physical activity and good citizenship. Our facilities and partnerships with local health care providers and major teaching hospitals enable us to invite inspirational speakers and organise educational visits that bring our specialism to life. Our partners, including the Royal College of Nursing, University of East London, Centre of the Cell, Queen
Mary, University of London and City & Hackney Primary Care Trust open up career and life opportunities which have not readily been available to young people in Hackney. Our superb Clinical Skills Laboratory gives our students and local primary schools the opportunity to carry out exciting experiments usually only performed at University level. This exceptional facility was designed using guidance and donations of expensive scientific equipment from UEL and our medical partners.
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The academy’s specialism gives it a unique dimension and adds to the many strengths in the curriculum in the form of themed days, First Aid courses and work experience opportunities. Ofsted 2012
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A broad and stimulating curriculum Inspiring our students to develop a lifelong passion for learning Subjects are arranged into Learning Centres and in KS3 we adopt a thematic approach to learning, with some themes directly linked to our specialism. Our learning and teaching is inventive, balancing conventional approaches with interactive technology. At the heart of our personalised learning strategy is the recognition that each student has a preferred approach. Some students learn best by ‘doing’, others by reading and reflection.
Core Subjects
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We use the “Seven Learning Powers” to support conversations with students to develop their life long learning skills. Year 7-11 students discuss their progress, targets or any issues in weekly seminars with their Academic Tutor. Students’ wider experience includes the Wednesday afternoon enhanced curriculum, after school clubs, whole academy performances and educational visits including international excursions.
Expressive Arts
Wider World
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Every subject has an individual page on our website. Once you are a Petchey student you will have access to the eXchange (our virtual learning environment) with further pages and interesting games, facts and additional resources for each subject.
the academy values all subjects and makes them available to students. There are taster sessions across a range of languages and the performing arts in Years 7 and 8 to nurture and stimulate our students, whatever their interests and ambitions.
Students are exposed to nearly all subjects in Year 7 and 8 ready to make Key Stage 4 (GCSE) option choices which start in Year 9. Students are strongly advised to take a range of English Baccalaureate GCSE subjects; however,
We also support students to study GCSE/ A Levels in their home/ community languages and actively support additional qualifications in Music, Speech & Drama, First Aid training and Sports Leaders Awards.
Innovation & Enterprise
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Human Spirit
Renaissance (Inclusion)
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*English Baccalaureate GCSE subjects
Students’ achievements are good especially in English, Maths and Science... Teaching is often lively and engaging so that students’ participation is high and enjoyment great. Ofsted 2012
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Notes for parents PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT
SAFETY
UNIFORM
FOOD & DRINK
We depend on good communication and partnerships with home to ensure that you support and challenge your child to excel. Parents are expected to attend all parents’ evenings and strongly encouraged to attend academy events. Parents can monitor student attendance, punctuality, behaviour and performance daily via the academy’s intranet. We see this as an important aspect of partnership working.
The health and well-being of each student while in the academy is paramount. Our architects and The Jack Petchey Foundation paid very special attention to safety issues and the building is fully scanned by CCTV. We do not allow students to carry cash or electronic devices and, with the exception of the University Gateway (Sixth Form), all students remain on the academy site throughout the day.
FRIENDS OF THE PETCHEY ACADEMY (FOTPA)
DIVERSITY
Impressions do count. We help our students to develop a keen sense of belonging, self-respect and an understanding of the impression they make by the way they behave and dress. We are therefore committed to a strict uniform policy. The uniform design takes into account durability, cost and identity. It gives students an opportunity to develop feelings of pride, which we hope will stay with them throughout their days at the academy and beyond.
The academy is very proud of its lunch provision: ‘Family Service’. Lunch at the academy is compulsory for all students. Each day there is one set meal (with a vegetarian and halal version provided when requested) which students serve to each other and then clear away. This ensures that all students have a healthy meal, appreciate a range of food and develop the art of conversation. No packed lunches or food other than fruit or water may be brought into the academy. Students are not to buy junk food at any point whilst wearing their academy uniform.
If parents are keen to be involved in events at Petchey then please join FOTPA. There is no time, energy or money obligation; it’s free and it keeps you up to date with our activities as well as giving you an opportunity to voice your opinions and suggestions. See our website for meeting dates.
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We are non-denominational and respect equally all religions and faiths. Religious Studies (RS) is a compulsory part of the learning programme as it is regarded as vital to our students’ all-round education and development.
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Free School Meals students are supported with the cost of key items of Petchey uniform at Year 7 transition.
We are very happy with the academy. Staff are very friendly and the academy sets a high standard which the students represent. Current Petchey Parent
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Admissions Come and visit us to see the academy in action
Zone 2
Making your choice for secondary school applications takes time and consideration. The information given to you may seem overwhelming but it is important to think about which school will offer what is right for you. Our intention is to release the potential of all students. Students with additional needs will be given particular support through our Renaissance team to ensure that they can take full advantage of the learning opportunities.
Zone 1
Our procedures conform to the Admission Code and the admissions process must be followed carefully by prospective parents and carers. We admit 180 students into Year 7. We welcome all students, providing personalised curriculum and support for all, including those with exceptional talents or barriers to learning. Places are allocated across four equally weighted bands determined by a CATS test that all students will take in Year 6. Applications are based on a lottery system 50% from Zone 1, 50% from Zone 2.
Principal’s Tour of the Academy Every Thursday at 8.30am
For open days please see www.petcheyacademy.org.uk/admissions 12
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What people say about us... Dear Students, The Petchey Academy is a good school. You are greatly encouraged to fulfil your ambitions and show off your best. There is a lot to be proud of. Good teaching and the valuable support you get in seminars and in other ways help you to achieve well. GCSE results in 2011 showed outcomes in mathematics, science and religious education to be above national averages.... The academy’s leaders and governors have very high expectations of you, captured in ‘The Petchey Way’. They know very clearly what is going well and what needs to be improved further. They are providing you with a rich curriculum, unique in many ways, that is tailored very well to meet your needs. Ofsted Inspectors 2012
When I took my first step in the academy the first word that came to my head was “wow!” because this school was massive. Everyone was wearing the perfect uniform, in one straight line to their lesson, always on time and then I thought to myself “how am I going to keep up with this school?”... I have made such an incredible amount of progress in my levels – I went from a 4a in primary in English to a 5b in one term. Current Petchey Student
I am proud of our motivation to continually improve each year – there is never a sense of complacency. I feel supported by colleagues when I need advice or help. The academy makes a huge difference to children who live in the local community, and always goes the extra mile to enhance student experience.
Current Petchey Staff Member I recently visited The Petchey Academy, in Hackney, East London, sponsored by Jack Petchey, a great East End philanthropist. His academy isn’t just about examination results; it is about education for character, for community and for citizenship. This is done brilliantly, in one of London’s most deprived communities.
Lord Adonis, Beyond our Berlin Wall, New Stateman, 2012
[Henry] Dimbleby is particularly impressed by the arrangements at Petchey Academy in Hackney, East London. Pupils there are forbidden to bring sandwiches and have to stay on site at lunchtimes so they can’t buy fast food in local cafes. “Petchey is brilliant and I have been there twice for lunch now”, says Dimbleby. “The first time I had grilled chicken and rice and salad; the second time I had chicken curry. If you want to send your child to this school, one of the rules is that they can’t bring a packed lunch”. “Pack in the lunchbox”, The Times, 2013
I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed my visit to Petchey Academy. What an unbelievable facility and program. It was such a joy to have the opportunity to dine with the kids and observe the entire operation. We can learn much from your program and I’m anxious to share my experiences with other education leaders here in the U.S. I was really amazed that your dining staff was able to successfully prepare, from scratch, such a delicious meal that kids not only took but ate! I loved your family style service and was again amazed that it actually worked—even with the enrollment size in your school!
Dr Thornton, Food, Nutrition and Consumer Service, Under Secretary to President Obama, United States Government 14
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Supporting Transition Young Medics Programme
Helping you to make the leap from primary to secondary with ease. Starting secondary school is an exciting and important part of the educational journey so we try to give you as much information as possible to ensure a smooth transition without overwhelming you. We invite local primary schools to join us for a range of activities from as early as Year 1 to introduce them to secondary school life and offer them opportunities they may not otherwise experience such as our Young Medics programme. You may already have experience of Petchey life through one of the following:
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Most Year 6 students join us for Summer School before they start in September which helps prepare them for the change at secondary education. On joining, our induction booklet explains everything you need to know. From the first day in September you will be supported on a carefully planned journey through to University Gateway and beyond.
Peer Mentoring
Summer School • • • •
Young Medics Peer Mentoring with the Levy Foundation Language Leaders Drama performances
Keeping in touch...
The summer school is very good, it allows the children to make new friends, and by the time the academy starts, they can get on with the business of learning. Also, it helps the children to be familiar with the school environment, which is a very good thing.
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New Petchey Parent
Once a student starts at the academy there are regular opportunities for parents to come to talk about any concerns or suggestions. There are semesterly coffee mornings with the Principal, or appointments can be made with individual staff. We are always keen to hear feedback so that we can improve. We run annual surveys as well as having a feedback box in Reception all year round.
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Petchey Life
The Petchey Academy’s primary partners are:
How to find us... The Petchey Academy is located in Dalston, Hackney, a short walk from several stations: Dalston Junction Dalston Kingsland Rectory Road We are also accessible by bus routes: 67, 76, 149, 243 (Kingsland H igh Street) and the 488 which stops directly outside.
Contact Us...
t: 020 7275 1500 f: 020 7275 1600 mail@petcheyacademy.org.uk www.petcheyacademy.org.uk
SPECIALISING IN HEALTH, CARE & MEDICAL SCIENCES The Petchey Academy, Shacklewell Lane, London E8 2EY www.petcheyacademy.org.uk