Secondary Newsletter Issue 1: Autumn Term 1
The Year Begins All you need to kick-start the term
Meet the teachers Our teams of secondary staff ready to inspire, develop and nurture your child
Welcome to our new look newsletter for secondary. We will aim to publish at least 3 newsletters per term, keeping you up to date with what is going on in the secondary phase of the academy and celebrating all the wonderful opportunities your children have been given and taken part in. It's been a busy term so far, with a range of activities for students from doodle workshops with our artist in residence Chris Mould, a renowned illustrator, creative writing workshops with our writer in residence, Nik Perring, a busy after school enrichment programme, careers workshops for Y11 students and much more. In our first newsletter we introduce you to the departments and teachers in the school and share a little bit about each of them. Mrs Garlick (Head of Secondary)
Left to right: Miss Ford, Ms Huffman, Mr Law, Mr Smith, Miss Hussain, Mrs O'Reilly, Miss Deal, Mrs Barnes
In the English department, we aim to take students around the world and allow them to learn from voices from a diverse range of backgrounds. By looking at how writers through history have written about love, loss and life, students learn to be empathetic, think critically and become more curious about the world they live in. Throughout their journey through Appleton, students will study: four full Shakespeare plays; poetry from throughout history and around the world; contemporary novels like Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime and My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece; classics like Animal Farm and A Christmas Carol; a variety of contemporary and 19th century non-fiction such as biographies and travel writing; and local literary heroes like JB Priestley, the Bronte's and Anne Lister.
With a focus on key skills as well as knowledge, we help to develop students' technical writing ability and vocabulary as well as their creativity.
Outside of lessons, we hope to enrich students' experiences of English by working with the School's writer in residence, as well as introducing theatre visits, competitions and events such as the recent National Poetry Day.
I kept, always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in. Robert Louis Stevenson (Scottish novelist, poet and travel writer, most noted for writing Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) 2
Left to right: Miss Munro, Mrs Browne, Mr Gerrett, Miss Viszmeg, Mr Wilson, Mr Kerrigan, Mr Lodhi
Here at Appleton, we believe that maths is key to all future opportunities and success of our pupils, not only up to the time they take their GCSE's, but beyond. We deliver lessons that encompass all aspects of the maths curriculum, ranging from Pi to Pythagoras and make relevant connections to their application to the world around us. Form time numeracy sessions are used to highlight potential career paths that maths opens the doors to and develops the conversation around the strong influence maths has on each of our lives daily. For further information please contact Mrs Browne.
"Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations or algorithms; it is about understanding."
3
Science consists of observing the world by watching, listening, observing, and recording. Science is curiosity in thoughtful action about the world and how it behaves.
Left to right: Mr Wraith, Mrs Ashton, Miss Bond, Mrs Emmanuel, Mr Khambhaita, Mr Eden, Mr Murphy
“The good thing about science is that it's true whether or not you believe in it.” – Neil deGrasse Tyson Science at Appleton Academy is taught in our specialist science laboratories. Equipped with everything that is required to make science come alive. Through taught lessons, demonstrations and practicals our team delivers the curriculum in a manner that allows students to question and grow from eager young Newtons to proficient Einsteins. At KS3 a bespoke science curriculum is delivered to allow students to become confident with practical lessons and scientific content. At KS4 the EDEXCEL Combined Science course is delivered allowing students to progress onto A level courses. For further information please contact Mr Khambhaita 4
Left to right: Miss Griffin, Mr Tuckwell, Miss Cockshott, Mr Pianigiani, Mrs Broadhurst, Miss Boyle, Mr Martin
The humanities subjects geography, history, R.E. and Spanish allow students to explore what it means to be human, as they study our past and present and start to think about the future. In the Humanities department at Appleton, we seek to help our students to understand the world in which they live. Students will explore a range of topics that span the experience of people across the globe. In addition to this, learners will have the opportunity to develop their literacy skills through reading, debate and discussion, supported by engaging materials that stimulate curiosity. We aim to provide them with wider opportunities outside the classroom, including trips to local sites and further afield to broaden their horizons. Our learners are living in a challenging world; our role is to furnish them with the skills they will need to succeed within it. For further information, please contact Miss Boyle.
5
Left to right: Mr Armstead, Miss Crookes, Mr Kerrigan, Miss Kendall, Mr Murphy, Mrs Wilbor, Mr Bellwood, Mrs Douglas, Mr Green, Mr Helme, Mr Hirst
"PE promotes opportunities to compete in sport and other activities, build character and embed values such as fairness and respect."
Our PE department is equipped with a range of expertise in a variety of sporting areas. The PE team is dedicated to providing as many opportunities as possible to our students to experience a broad and balanced curriculum of activities both traditional and non-traditional. Alongside lessons we run the Duke of Edinburgh award as well as a wide variety of extra-curricular activities. We also offer BTEC qualifications at KS4 in Sport, Health and Social Care and Child Development. The PE department has the advantage of having an outdoor and adventurous activities team who can provide specialist instruction in exciting and challenging activities such as mountain biking, rock climbing, archery, orienteering and more. For further information please contact Mrs Wilbor.
6
Left to right: Mrs Fieldhouse Mr Briggs Miss Talbot Miss Jones Mrs Berry Mr Carr Mrs Hayward
'Art and Design explores ideas and solutions for our learners to become creative thinkers, designers and artists.' Our dedicated Art and design rooms offer students the chance to use a range of equipment within lessons. Students will be able to work in different media for both 2D and 3D work. Students enjoy painting and drawing in a number of different materials as well as sculpting and firing pots and glass with use of the kiln. Students complete practical design and technology lessons in workshops equipped with industry standard machinery. We have an excellent hospitality and catering kitchen for students to use at KS3 and KS4. Our department is supported with technicians who are specialised in all areas of Art and Design. Alongside lessons the department offers clubs for students after school. Students enjoy Art and DT clubs after school.
7
Through performing arts, all our students have the opportunity for enjoyable and lifeaffirming experiences, and to develop cultural capital and transferable skills, so that all can fulfil their potential as human beings.
Left to right: Mrs Jowett Mr Harley Miss Earle Miss Lamb
We provide a curriculum that enables students to value, explore and create music and drama with opportunities to participate in high quality extra curriculum/enrichment both in school and the wider community. We work with students to develop an appreciation and powerful knowledge of music and the arts, through exploration and implementation of creating, performing, analysis and technology, to create a lifelong love and passion for music, drama and "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, !all its opportunities, celebrating cultures and diversity.
8
"Digital literacy involves learners finding out about emerging technologies so they can become active participants in a digital world".
Our dedicated computer labs are well equipped with a range of hardware and software to allow learners to study a wide range of ICT, computing and design topics, from e-safety to games design.
Alongside lessons, we run the iDEA Award, the digital equivalent of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award. Last year, students completed over 6000 badges with 53 achieving the full award. This will really help them stand out for their post-16 options. Visit idea.org.uk
Leader of Digital Literacy Sam Halston and teacher of ICT and Computing Mr Roche are onhand in and out of lessons to provide students with life skills and core knowledge, linked to local colleges and industry.
Note to parents: all of our Office 365 suite is free for students to download and install on laptops and PCs at home. Visit microsoft365.com and sign in with your child's school email and password to install the full versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Publisher.
Left to right: Mr Halston and Mr Roche
For further information, please contact either Mr Halston or Mr Roche.
9