THE ARCHBISHOP LANFRANC ACADEMY
PROSPECTUS
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Principal - Simon Trehearn
Senior Vice Principal - Richard Ellis
Vice Principal - Jon Atkinson
Assistant Principal - Andy Barlow
Assistant Principal - Robert Gissing
Assistant Principal - Rima Kataria
Assistant Principal - Thulani Kimbugwe
Assistant Principal - Grace Sheridan
Team Leader EYFS - Ann-Marie Brooks
SEND Coordinator - Suezette Brooks
Pastoral Care Manager - Dede Kankonde
WELCOME
Our mission at The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy is to serve and empower our diverse community by providing an inclusive, safe and nurturing environment that values and celebrates cultural differences. We aim to promote academic achievement, teamwork, accountability, leadership and aspiration among all students and to enable them to achieve academically and socially in a rapidly changing world.
A warm welcome to The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy
Your son’s or daughter’s education is as important to us as it is to you and we are dedicated to ensuring that each student is supported on their journey towards achieving excellence.
Our motto, Learning Changes Lives, reflects our belief in the importance of our work. Our core purpose is to ensure that every student makes outstanding progress.
We have high expectations of every student and insist on the highest standards of behaviour and respect.
The Academy’s ethos promotes a rich and diverse learning environment in which every student is offered the opportunity to grow in maturity and understanding. The curriculum has been devised to enable students to develop the skills and comprehension necessary for success in an increasingly competitive world.
This prospectus gives you a brief insight into our ethos and our labour. Do come and visit us to see our principles in action.
I look forward to welcoming your daughter or son to The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy.
Simon Trehearn, Principal
VISION & VALUES
Our Vision
TALA will empower its diverse community to be successful learners, who strive for excellence academically and creatively and who, through their personal growth, will become aspirational, resilient, confident and principled adults.
Teamwork – We all contribute to the betterment of the ‘teams’ to which we belong.
Acccountability – All of us are responsible for our own development and behaviour and the improvement of the teams of which we are a part.
Leadership – All of us have the power to influence and bring about change.
Aspiration – We put no limits on what we can achieve.
OFSTED
The Academy was most recently inspected in March 2025 and rated as ‘Good’ in all four categories.
“Pupils enjoy attending this friendly and welcoming school.”
[Ofsted, March 2025]
It’s all good!
[Ofsted Inspection, March 2025]
Leadership and Management
Quality of Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare
Outcomes for Pupils
LEARNING
Learning
All students follow a broad and balanced curriculum consisting of English, Mathematics, Science, RE, History, Geography, Art, Music, a Modern Foreign Language, Technology, Computer Science, Drama, PSHE, Citizenship and PE.
Students are taught in a variety of groups which may be mixedability, set by attainment or single-sex. The wide range of subjects taught at Key Stage 3 offer a stepping stone to greater specialisation at Key Stage 4 through the selection of option subjects.
The Academy makes provision for the individual needs of all students through high-quality teaching and differentiated learning opportunities to challenge and stretch its students.
Staff
Teaching staff are well qualified to teach the subjects they deliver. Teachers undertake regular in-service training to be up to date with developments in education, including working alongside higher education colleagues to mentor and guide trainee staff.
Many teachers serve as examiners at GCSE level which ensures that students are fully briefed on the requirements for their courses.
Monitoring of Progress
The progress of all students at the Academy is monitored through regular marking and feedback and the completion of a series of standardised, moderated assessments. Students are given the opportunity to improve their work in response to the feedback they receive and individual targets are set to support progression.
“Leaders want pupils to achieve well and drive this ambition forward through their focus on developing teaching and learning. As a result, many pupils achieve well and secure meaningful qualifications by the time they leave school.”
[Ofsted, March 2025]
Families are updated on students’ progress regularly through termly reports for each subject. A meeting with the subject teacher is scheduled for all students but other avenues of communication are always open for updates.
Literacy Strategy
Literacy is of fundamental importance to all students, in all years. That’s why we embed literacy skills into each and every lesson, from year 7 to year 11. Our “disciplinary literary” approach means that students develop the reading, writing, and speaking skills required in each subject, asking, for example, how would a mathematician read equations? How would an artist verbally discuss the tone and texture of a painting? How would a scientist read a data set? Your son or daughter will experience high quality, subject specific, literacy development in every lesson.
We also believe in the power of reading for pleasure, so we have allocated a dedicated reading slot in our pastoral timetable. Students can browse our well stocked library and borrow a wide range of texts. Year 7-9 students engage with our Guided Reading curriculum for group reading once a week. The chosen texts are based on the values of the school to develop the cultural literacy of all students.
Students sit a reading age test, which allows us to determine any support needed. A dedicated team of experts ensures that bespoke literacy support is provided to all who would benefit from it.
Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare
The Academy insists on the highest standards of personal conduct and expects all students to wear their uniform with pride. Our ethos as a place of professional learning constantly reinforces the necessity to behave in a manner consistent with our environment.
The core curriculum enables all students to participate in Citizenship and RE lessons which are designed to foster greater respect for self and others and offer the opportunity to contribute to community development projects through philanthropic endeavour.
In addition to these lessons, students attend daily tutor time which focuses on British Values and how they can be demonstrated within the local community.
Examination Outcomes
Students make at least expected progress based on their performance at Key Stage 2 in primary school. This has been the pattern since the advent of the Academy.
Our Progress 8 outcome for Year 11 students consistently demonstrates above average progress. Further information can be found in the DfE performance tables, which are available on our website.
“All pupils undertake a weekly enrichment lesson on topics such as philosophy, debating, first aid and team building.”
[Ofsted, March 20225]
ENRICHMENT
Enrichment
Vision
The enrichment programme provides opportunities for students to experience activities not strictly within the curriculum for their year group. The programme provides exciting opportunities to be active, creative, intellectual, physical, spiritual and social.
Delivery
Each year team Years 7 - 10, supported by their ACO and designated SLT member, devise an age-appropriate programme with each tutor group experiencing 6 activities annually on a carousel basis.
The Year 11 team deliver a programme of academic intervention for Year 11 students. The may be at times subject specific, or at others enable students to develop private study and revision skills.
Duke of Edinburgh
We offer the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Years 9 and 10, giving students the chance to build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. Through volunteering, learning new skills, and completing an expedition, students develop independence and gain valuable experience that helps them stand out in future applications.
“The school provides many opportunities for pupils to develop their talents and interests.”
[Ofsted, March 2025]
“Pupils who have recently joined the school in Year 7 say they feel welcome and supported in their move to secondary school.”
[Ofsted, March 2025]
TRANSITION
Moving from primary to secondary school can be daunting, but we work hard to make the transition as smooth and supportive as possible. We prioritise strong communication between primary schools, families, and the Academy. All new parents are invited to a Welcome Evening in the summer term of Year 6, and all new Year 7 students take part in an Induction Day in July, followed by a second induction day at the start of September. Early in the autumn term, students and families are also invited to a Settling In Evening to reflect on the first few weeks and celebrate achievements. In addition, Year 7 students are offered the chance to attend a residential trip, providing opportunities to build confidence, strengthen friendships, and develop independence.
THE SCHOOL DAY
A split day ensures students have plenty of space, and time to use the facilities during Break and Lunch and nowhere ever gets too busy. Younger students have access to their own playground during lunchtime – this aids in transition, and provides a quieter area for play.
Years 7, 8, 11 Years 9 & 10
8:20-8:45
8:45-9:35 9:35-10:25 10:25-11:35 11:35-12:25 12:25-13:50 13:50-14:40 14:40 14:40-15:30
Tutor Time
Period 1
Period 2
Break (10:25-10:45) Period 3 (10:25-11:15)
Period 3 (10:45-11:35) Break (11:15-11:35)
Period 4
Lunch (12:25-13:00) Period 5 (12:25-13:15)
Period 5 (13:00-13:50) Lunch (13:15-13:50)
Period 6
End of structured Academy Day
Period 7 each Tuesday for all year groups
* The Enrichment Programme runs on Tuesday for all students. Year 11 follow a series of booster and intervention sessions throughout the week. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, students are dismissed at 14.40.
** The Library is open from 14.40 and closes at 16.30. Students can complete their homework / preview with support.
Lessons
As a strong community, staff and students enjoy a close, personal working relationship. The 50-minute lessons (with some doubles for extended study) are sequenced with a range of activities to segment learning pathways in manageable units. Class sizes are smaller than the national average with a lower student:teacher ratio.
“Staff listen to pupils and take their views seriously. This helps pupils to feel happy and safe.”
[Ofsted, March 20225]
ACADEMIC CHALLENGE, SUPPORT AND PASTORAL CARE
Stretch and Challenge
Prior attainment data from primary schools, along with our own assessments and testing on entry, combine with our aspirational target setting model to ensure all students are suitably challenged and supported. All students have their progress closely monitored, and the High Prior Attaining (HPA) and Gifted and Talented (G&T) Coordinator will monitor the progress of our most able students.
Students identified as HPA and/or G&T will receive additional challenge, along with opportunities to explore and stretch their academic understanding.
EAL and SEND Support
Provision is in place for students who are screened on entry for English as an Additional Language, Special Education Needs or Disability.
Our SEND and EAL Coordinators work with a team of Teaching Assistants, and with all teaching staff to ensure appropriate support is in place for students that will benefit from it.
“The school has introduced a well-designed programme to support pupils’ personal development.”
[Ofsted, March 2025]
Pastoral Care & Communication
We believe that strong, supportive relationships between students, their families, and the Academy are essential to student success. Every student is part of a tutor group and meets daily with a designated Tutor who ensures they are known, supported, and monitored. Each year group also has a dedicated Achievement Co-ordinator who oversees academic progress and wellbeing.
Students receive a planner outlining key dates, timetables, and expectations, helping them stay organised and take responsibility for their learning. Contact details for staff are available on the Academy website, and we are committed to open, timely communication with families. Students also use Microsoft Teams to access learning resources and communicate with staff — all use of MS Teams is closely monitored to ensure student safety and appropriate online conduct.
Safeguarding
The safety and wellbeing of our students is our top priority. We have dedicated senior leaders responsible for safeguarding, and all staff are fully DBS-checked. Security procedures ensure that all visitors to the site are checked and accompanied.
Students are taught about online safety through PSHE lessons, which also explore how to identify risk, build resilience, and seek help when needed. We promote the idea of Trusted Adults — members of staff students can turn to if they are worried or need support.
To keep families informed, we publish a termly Safeguarding Newsletter, providing parents and carers with up-to-date information on emerging issues, online trends, and guidance on how to support young people at home.
“Staff make sure that help is available if pupils need it, including mental health support, counselling and academic mentoring.”
[Ofsted, March 20225]
FACILITIES
The current accommodation was completed in September 2017, offering state of the art facilities for ICT, creative and performing arts, technologies and science. The new sports hall, fitness suite and dance studio, coupled with the floodlit multi use games area and extensive playing fields offer students the very best amenities. The new buildings provide excellent opportunities for students to flourish, nurturing and developing talents and skills to a high performance.
Dining Hall
With the two sessions of lunch, queues for food are virtually eliminated. Plenty of space is available for each student to sit comfortably following the self-service food choice. ParentPay is in place for speedy service. Menus rotate every three weeks with religious, cultural and vegetarian diets always included. The dining hall is also open before lessons for breakfast and at break time with a range of snacks and drinks available for purchase.
Creative and Performing Arts Spaces
The Academy has a dedicated floor for Creative & Performing Arts. With specialist Art, Drama and Music classrooms, students are given the opportunity to practice and explore their creative side.
PE Facilities
PE facilities are of the highest quality and meet the needs of any future sports star. With the all-weather 3G pitch, large fields, full sized sports hall, dance studio and fully equipped fitness suite, students can excel and find a lifelong passion for sport.
Science Labs
With ten fully equipped laboratories, students are given the opportunity to explore the theory and practical elements of the sciences in a safe and controlled environment. All laboratories have everything a budding scientist needs for success.
EXPECTATIONS, UNIFORM & HOUSES
Expectations
Students are expected to engage fully with their learning and represent the academy with pride and confidence. Rewards range from personal Achievement Points, Shout-Outs and certificates to whole Tutor Group, or House rewards, trips and prizes.
The Academy participates in The Jack Petchey Award Scheme that recognises outstanding contributions to the community.
Students are regularly celebrated in whole school or year group assemblies. 100% attendance, achievement and effort are all recognised to accentuate the emphasis put on these values.
Sanctions, where appropriate, include a range of measures designed to correct behaviour with restorative conversations. The emphasis is on support, emotional intelligence and collaboration to prepare students for the future, working with families to secure a desirable outcome.
All students are expected to look smart and to wear their academy uniform with pride.
Houses
Each student is allocated to one of three Houses (Malala, Attenborough and Jemison) for the purposes of sports, charity fund raising and other competitions. The achievement points accrued by students contribute towards the total tally for the end of year House Cup. Although students identify primarily with their year group, the Houses offer the opportunity to engage with students from different age groups collaboratively.
“Many pupils take on leadership roles including prefects, student council members, house representatives or reading champions.”
[Ofsted, March 20225]
CAREERS & ALUMNI
Careers Guidance and Destinations
Following examination success at the end of their time at the Academy, the vast majority of students progress to local sixth forms or colleges following academic or vocational routes prior to university or employment. Some embark on apprenticeships with companies that are allied to training institutions.
The academy offers a full programme of careers education encompassing: visits to higher education establishments; in-house visits; participation in an annual careers fair; a work experience programme and individual careers interviews conducted by a qualified professional. These activities are designed to fully support students’ choices for immediate destinations and future pathways.
History and Alumni
Although a new academy, we can trace our roots back nearly 100 years and are proud of our place in the community’s history and of the rich history and achievements of our alumni.
We find opportunities to come together to both celebrate our past students’ achievements and also to remember the victims of the Lanfranc Air Disaster, an event that happened 65 years ago. A database of the alumni has been set up to draw on skills and experiences of past students to share with current cohorts. This assists with assemblies and careers and education guidance for the current students’ future pathways.
NURSERY
The Academy benefits from an on-site nursery, rated “Good” in all respects by Ofsted (2022), which enjoys brand-new, bespoke facilities including access to a large outdoor area for supervised play. The nursery is open throughout the academic year from 8.00am to 4.00pm.
PARTNERSHIPS
In March 2019, The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy became the founding member school of The Bec Trust.
The Academy works closely with other Croydon schools as well as external organisations which provide specific services to our students. These include the highly successful Football Beyond Borders organisation and KICK London.
Our regular programme of Academy Days includes work with many of our nearest feeder primary schools. Student ambassadors / leaders undertake regular liaison work with students in Key Stage 2.
Academy students participate in a diverse range of opportunities during the three Academy Days across the year when the timetable is suspended and off-site activities are organised to enrich social, cultural and sporting experiences.
We also host a number of borough-wide sports events throughout the year.
Transport
Title page
The entrance to the Academy is on Mitcham Road. Tramlink: 5 minutes walk from Therapia Lane Bus Route: 264 Principal: Mr S Trehearn MA, NPQH The Archbishop Lanfranc Academy, Mitcham Road, Croydon CR9 3AS T 020 8689 1255 E office@lanfranc.org.uk
