Newcastle Academy Prospectus 2024-2025

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Welcome

As the Headteacher, it is my privilege to welcome you to our vibrant and dynamic community. At Newcastle Academy, we are dedicated to preparing our students for the exciting and demanding world of the 21st century. Our commitment to providing a rounded education ensures that each student receives the skills and qualities necessary to become fulfilled adults.

We pride ourselves on being an integral part of the community we serve. Our vision is to deliver outstanding teaching and pastoral support through our well-qualified and motivated staff. We believe that the partnerships we create with parents, carers, and the wider community are essential in improving outcomes for all our students.

At Newcastle Academy, we offer a wide range of opportunities - sporting, cultural, creative, and academic - to enrich and inspire the lives of our young people. Our pastoral support ensures that students are guided sensitively through their secondary education.

Opportunities at Newcastle Academy have never been greater. Together, we can ensure each student leaves us as an educated, articulate young adult prepared to embrace our wonderful world.

Why Newcastle Academy

Choosing the right school for your child is a significant decision, and at Newcastle Academy, we believe we offer a unique and enriching educational experience. We provide a comprehensive education that nurtures academic excellence, creativity, sporting talent, and cultural appreciation, aiming to develop well-rounded individuals ready to face the challenges of the modern world.

Our dedicated, well-qualified, and motivated staff are committed to delivering high-quality teaching and exceptional pastoral support. We ensure that each student receives the personalised guidance and encouragement they need to thrive. Newcastle Academy is deeply embedded in the community we serve,

and we believe in building strong partnerships with parents, carers, and local organisations to enhance the educational experience and outcomes for our students.

We offer a wide array of opportunities beyond the classroom, including sports, arts, cultural activities, and academic challenges. These experiences enrich our students’ lives and contribute to their personal growth and development.

Join us at Newcastle Academy, where we are dedicated to doing the very best for our students and their families. Together, we can achieve excellence and ensure bright futures for all our young people.

Recommended by students and parents

Pupils understand and demonstrate the school’s values of honour, positivity and excellence.

Ofsted, November 2023

Pupils understand and welcome the positive rewards they receive.

Ofsted, November 2023

Newcastle Academy has given me the confidence and skills to pursue my dreams. The supportive teachers and diverse opportunities have made my time here unforgettable.

Student, Aged 16

Being a part of Newcastle Academy means being part of a community that encourages growth and success in every aspect of life. I’ve grown academically and personally in ways I never imagined.

Student, Aged 14

Newcastle Academy has truly been a place where I’ve grown not just academically, but also as a person. The teachers are incredibly supportive and always encourage us to aim high. The range of extracurricular activities has allowed me to discover new interests and make lifelong friends. I feel wellprepared and confident about my future thanks to the nurturing environment here.

Student, Year 11

Unlocking academic and personal potentialASPIRE mountain

The thing that makes our school truly unique is our ASPIRE framework. ASPIRE develops our students’ character virtues and learner skills to become the best learners and best people they can be in every lesson, every day.

In addition to developing character and learner skills, we focus on nurturing students’ leadership abilities.

Leadership is central to everything we do, and we encourage students to be leaders in all ways. Students have access to numerous leadership opportunities in the classroom, as part of the school senate, and within their school houses, to name a few.

Our teaching and learning are powered by digital technology to provide students with the essential skills they need in a rapidly changing and digital world. Our teachers create inspiring learning experiences through the use of technology and iPads for Learning — a partnership with parents which provides students with an iPad to use in school and at home as part of their learning.

Learning at Newcastle Academy goes way beyond the classroom. Students have the chance to take part in a vast range of extracurricular activities and incredible opportunities. This includes joining school clubs, working with employers and alumni, supporting charities, participating in house competitions, and our famous activity week.

Curriculum - Unlocking Academic Potential

All staff at Newcastle Academy are committed to providing an outstanding curriculum, offering an exciting, rich, varied, and broad course of study based on the skills and knowledge our students will need when they leave the school as young adults.

We work to create a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. No matter what the students choose for their future, whether it be to go on to higher education or directly into training or employment, we have a range of curriculum pathways that will prepare students for college and beyond.

Ofsted 2023 praised the fact that “The curriculum is broad and balanced. All pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), study the full curriculum. Leaders have made effective changes to ensure that pupils in Years 7 to 9 access a full range of subjects. This prepares pupils well for further qualifications, including GCSE and vocational subjects.” Ofsted also commended the way in which “teachers use different strategies to help pupils know more and remember more. For example, lessons begin with an activity to recap on previously taught content.”

Enrichment Opportunities

At Newcastle Academy, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom. Our enrichment programmes are designed to provide students with a variety of opportunities to develop their interests, skills, and character. From lunchtime clubs to after-school activities, we offer a vibrant array of options that encourage students to explore new hobbies, make friends, and grow in confidence.

Students can immerse themselves in activities such as film club, chess, and board games, or pursue creative interests like art and music. Our sports clubs promote physical fitness and teamwork, and the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh Award programme allows students to embark on lifechanging adventures, fostering resilience, leadership, and community involvement.

We provide a variety of extra-curricular activities for pupils that enhance their learning experience. These activities range from after-school clubs to educational trips and visits. Extracurricular activities are designed to enhance pupils’ learning experiences, form personal connections between pupils and their peers, and teach skills essential for life after school.

Our enrichment opportunities are carefully crafted to inspire and empower every student, ensuring they leave us as well-rounded individuals ready to achieve their full potential. Join us at Newcastle Academy, where every day brings new possibilities for growth and discovery.

Examples of Our Enrichment Activities:

• Eco-Club: Explore and discover solutions to sustain the world around us

• Debate Club: Develop strategic thinking and enjoy friendly competition.

• Art Club: Unleash your creativity with various art projects.

• Sports Clubs: Enhance your skills and enjoy team sports.

• Duke of Edinburgh Award: Participate in a programme that builds character and leadership through adventure and community service.

The WAT Pledge

Expanding learning beyond the classroom and unlocking academic and personal potential.

We endeavour to stretch, challenge and develop students academically, socially and personally. To enable students to succeed, we pledge to offer and expose our students to 12 opportunities.

We promise that students will achieve the following 12 experiences/accomplishments before leaving our school.

Become a first aider

Raise money for charity

Visit the sea

Take part in a residential

Visit a theatre/museum

Present to more than 30 people Unlocking

Take part/perform in a musical or sporting event

Sleep under the stars

Take part in a Duke of Edinburgh style expedition

Visit a historical landmark

Visit a higher education establishment

Take part in work-based experience

Part of the Windsor Academy Trust Family

At Windsor Academy Trust, we take pride in our vibrant community of 15 schools, where we are dedicated to more than just academic excellence.

As part of the WAT Family, our 10,000 students and 1,300 staff members are engaged in a shared journey towards unlocking the full potential of every learner.

In our secondary schools, we celebrate our prowess in critical academic areas like the ‘Use of English’, where our students consistently demonstrate superior language and communication skills. Beyond the classroom, our rich array of extracurricular activities plays a crucial role in nurturing diverse talents,

enabling students to explore their interests and develop new skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.

As a part of the WAT Family, every student benefits from an education that holistically addresses their academic, social, and personal development. We believe in empowering our students to excel in their pursuits and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Our commitment to this holistic approach is evident in how we enable each student to thrive, blending rigorous academic standards with a wide spectrum of extracurricular opportunities to unlock each individual’s academic and personal potential.

Joining a secondary academy within Windsor Academy Trust means becoming part of a family that values each student’s journey towards academic achievement and personal growth. Together, we unlock potential and inspire futures.

Newcastle Academy is proud to be part of the Windsor Academy Trust family. We are privileged to be part of the Trust and be able to work with the schools within it.

How to apply and join our school

Admissions to our school are handled by Staffordshire County Council.

You will be contacted directly by the council to apply for a place in Year 7 and can apply online or by completing a paper application form. The council will then contact you in March to inform you which school your child has been allocated to. The timeline on the right shows the key stages of the application process.

Admissions Timeline

Applications Open 1st September 2024 Applications Close 31st October 2024 Offers Sent to Parents 1st March 2025

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