Queen Elizabeth's Academy Prospectus 2013

Queen Elizabeth’s Academy Prospectus 2012–13 www.qeacademy.org.uk

Principal’s Welcome Some of the most important decisions that you will make concerning your child’s future are those relating to his or her education and currently you are making important decisions about which secondary school to choose. Whilst this prospectus will prove helpful to you in making that decision, I would urge you to come along to Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, where you will see for yourself the unique qualities that an Academy such as ours offers.

We are proud of our achievements. Our ethos stresses the importance of care, courtesy and consideration and the relationship that exists between the Academy and parents is extremely important to us. Young people are our future and we believe it is vital for us to prepare them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead by giving everyone the skills and flexibility needed to respond to the ever changing world in which we live. What you will find here is a blend of tradition, coupled with the latest in technology, in an atmosphere of calm and purposeful learning.

Queen Elizabeth’s Academy is a lively, dynamic learning community offering a host of opportunities for all. Our teaching and associate staff are committed to ensuring that your child experiences not only the highest quality educational opportunities, but also that each individual learns and grows within a supportive and caring environment. All students deserve the very best and by offering an exciting and diverse curriculum, together with a wealth of extra-curricular activities, we hope to ensure that our students are able to take full advantage of everything that the Academy has to offer.

Expectations here are extremely high and examination success evident, but also we believe that Queen Elizabeth’s Academy encourages the spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of all our young people through both scientific and artistic pursuits. In short, we endeavour to provide the opportunity to build well-rounded individuals who are capable of, and happy to respond to, any challenges that their future lives may hold.

I feel proud and privileged to work at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy and hope to see you soon.

Mike Smith Principal

“The academy has made particularly good progress since the new Principal took up his post�

HMI 2012

“Teachers encourage you to think at high levels and you make excellent progress.�

Y10 Student

Learning We ensure that all students are supported so that they develop within a caring community that emphasises student success. Students learn best when they are happy and secure and we believe creating the right atmosphere is essential. To this end, all students are placed in a Form Learning Group and the Form Tutor is the key person responsible for the care and progress of students throughout their time at the Academy. The Form Tutors and Subject Teachers monitor academic progress; guidance and support are provided by the Progress Leaders and/or a member of the Senior Leadership Team.

We have a whole Academy approach to Learning Inclusion and see it as the responsibility of every member of staff to provide the very best possible educational opportunities for all our students.

Students with special education needs have programmes of work specifically designed for them and additional support is provided for individuals or small groups. The needs of individual students are carefully diagnosed and teams of specialists monitor progress regularly. In the classroom, a team of dedicated Teaching Assistants support our experienced teaching staff.

Care, Guidance & Support The welfare of our students is at the centre of everything we do at Queen Elizabeth’s Academy and we believe that we do this very well indeed. Students are cared for throughout the Academy day by our Care, Guidance and Support team. The Team provide a visible and accessible presence within the Academy and ensure a high level of co-ordination and co-operation in responding to the needs of the individual students. Often, the Student Services reception is the first port of call for some students who can benefit from some personalised attention and care.

We seek: • • • • • • • • • •

To enable our students to flourish academically and socially.

To recognise the very best each student can do and to work to ensure the very best outcome.

To create and maintain a happy, caring community where students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and development.

To ensure that every child and young person within our extended community is safe, happy, healthy, valued, respected, trusted and has fun achieving success to the best of their ability.

To work within a framework of Christian values where students will learn to accept and tolerate differences, respect themselves, others and the environment.

To embed Christian values to create a happy, caring community with a strong sense of belonging To help close the gap for any inequalities and to reach out to help and support students and their families.

To work within the strong partnerships of our wider community in order to maximise the use of resources.

To enable every child to grow up with enthusiasm for life and learning.

To provide a range of engaging and stimulating experiences that will enable students to develop qualities that help them to become confident citizens that respect others and make a full and positive contribution to their communities.

We strive to incorporate, in all that we do, our 5 key values of: Respect; Forgiveness; Gratitude; Belonging; and, Understanding. We are extremely pleased that our students tell us that our Christian ethos makes them feel a strong sense of belonging to a community and of being cared for as an individual. They feel supported in forming their own opinions and arriving at answers to the big questions in life.

“They [the students] feel proud of their school.”

HMI 2012

“The school has a core of highly skilled teachers who also now act as lead teachers with time to spread good practice.�

HMI 2012

Curriculum Each student’s curriculum is dependent on individual need and aspiration rather than age related expectations and constraints with qualifications gained through individual learning programmes with a portfolio of qualifications and experiences that moves with them throughout their learning.

All programmes consider progression routes to ensure close links with post-16 providers are developed and beneficial to learners. The curriculum is grouped into levels rather than age based cohorts: • Discovery Pathway to support students who are not yet confident or able enough to undertake the full KS3 curriculum • Flourish Pathway to develop achievement/progress across KS3 and build on level of attainment • Challenge Pathway to fast track through KS3 Curriculum into GCSEs and/or BTECs All Key Stages will be flexible: KS3 may finish early and KS5 may begin early. During this time students may work towards a number of qualifications at a different pace – particularly those that will fill local skills deficits and therefore provide real employment opportunities. Thus academically gifted students progress to KS4 earlier, whilst others may take the core subjects at an appropriate pace but progress fast through their applied levels. Some students may operate within all Key Stages at once on a personalised timetable.

Years 7 & 8 In all lessons there is a focus on Functional Skills and Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills. All students study: English, Maths, Science, Art, Humanities (Geography; History; RE), ICT, Music, PE and Technology. Some students study French, Life Skills and Study Plus (extension Literacy & Numeracy)

Year 9 In all lessons there is a focus on Functional Skills and Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills. All students study: English, Maths, Science, PE, French, Technology, Humanities, Art, ICT. Students also follow a Pathway which enables them to focus on the skills they need to develop to progress at a faster pace. Some students start their GCSEs in Year 9.

Years 10 & 11 All students study English, Maths, Science and PE. In addition students are guided through a pathway which enables them to complete a portfolio of qualifications relevant to their ability and aspirations.

Sixth Form In 2012, the Sixth Form was one of the most improved Sixth Forms in the country and is part of a government study on improving schools. The Sixth Form offers a breadth of Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications from GCSE’s to A-Level courses. There is also an enrichment and enhancement programme within the Sixth Form. Partnerships with Mansfield Learning Partnership and SPTA Doncaster Post 16 Partnership enable our students to engage in an extended curriculum which meets the needs of all.

Community Queen Elizabeth’s has established links with many community groups across Mansfield including: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Buddies – Bull Farm Pleasley and Ladybrook Childrens Centres William Kay Hall – Ladybrook Estate Community Exchange Group – COMMS Sutton Centre – Family Learning for Primary Schools, Personal Learning Consultancy – also for Family Primary Schools Learning.

Jigsaw Support Scheme Library – Ladybrook and Mansfield library Old Library – Performing Arts – Sam Holgate – Arts Award Education at the Palace Theatre My Place local youth clubs Water Meadows Swimming Centre Mansfield Town in Football in the Community Nottingham Forest Soccer Schools Apex Martial Arts Excelsior School of Dance – Mansfield Woodhouse

The new Academy community development plan will enhance the above community links and seeks to extend links with a larger number of organisations and community groups across Mansfield and Mansfield Woodhouse.

We are particularly proud of our working relationship with our Family of Schools (Wainwright Primary Academy; Farmilo Primary; Intake Farm Primary; Crescent Primary and Rosebrook Primary) and the annual strategic plan has the aim of promoting and securing good achievement within each of our schools by • • • •

Ensuring good transition between our establishments Securing strong leadership and management Creating a forum for networking and sharing practice Promoting pupil behaviour, safety and aspiration

“Behaviour is good around the school, and the Principal and his senior team are very visible at lunchtime and between lessons.�

HMI 2012

Queen Elizabeth’s Academy 150 Chesterfield Road South Mansfield Nottingham NG19 7AP Tel: 01623 623 559 Fax: 01623 410 510 info@qeacademy.org.uk www.qeacademy.org.uk