An Academy with
BIG
part of the
Improving Life Chances Through Education
WAYLAND ACADEMY NORFOLK, MERTON ROAD, WATTON, THETFORD, NORFOLK IP25 6BA
FAX: +44 (0) 1953 885 677
TEL: +44 (0) 1953 881 514
OFFICE@WAYLANDACADEMY.ORG.UK
WWW.WAYLANDACADEMY.ORG.UK
CONTACT US:
What’s the BIG
Improving Life Chances Through Education In today’s globalised, digital and social media age we are witnessing an unprecedented pace of change that shapes all aspects of how people relate to one another, how we work, learn and spend our leisure time. Already, Facebook has become ‘old’ – older in fact
than our Year 7 students who will join the Academy in September. Our young people have the world at their fingertips, but they also require new skill sets to thrive and succeed in a constantly changing environment.
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Like the digital world, education continues to evolve rapidly as new standards and performance measures are introduced. The new GCSEs and new grading system are all on the horizon for our students.
At Wayland Academy Norfolk we approach change with a clear focus on the Big IDEA, rather than rush for quick fixes or knee-jerk responses. Our sense of mission at the Academy is clear: putting students first, enabling success and building essential life skills.
Every day the Academy is a rewarding and exhilarating place to lead. Working with students through their time at the Academy is a great privilege. Our students in turn inspire others to greater success in the future. Glen Allott – Principal
INNOVATE
INNOVATE
Office 365
Every student will be able to download Office 365 at home onto five PCs for free. This will automatically update for 5 years
We would like our ideas to move education forward; we are not interested in just following others. We prefer originality. All of this requires students, teachers and leaders to Innovate. We must make changes to previous strategies and initiatives to enable us to predict and stay ahead of change. Like the Academy, students must be willing to adapt as the world around them changes. Innovation is different from invention – we
don’t expect the reinvention of education, but rather the adaptation of good practice and what is best for our students. Students are great with innovation; they have only ever experienced a world of rapid change. However, we must also support students to realise that creativity is not dependent on technology. Our dynamic curriculum is designed to stretch students’ imaginations, raise their expectations and enrich their knowledge across all subjects.
WISEPAY
Wisepay enables you to book and pay for trips, pay for school dinners and see what your child is eating
ISCOVER
DISCOVER
SIMS Learning Gateway
Parents can log on to SLG from anywhere and access attendance, progress and behaviour data along with annual reports.
Young people naturally seek out new products, ideas and trends in a desire to be the first to Discover something new and of value. We recognise that when students join us, they are their own person. We support this individuality and embrace difference and diversity.
Students should be allowed to enjoy the fun of trying things out even if they don’t work and to know the joy of experimentation. Education should always instil a sense of discovery in students; we want students to look for the unexpected and to be willing to search for answers rather
than expecting the answer to come easily. Students will be encouraged, not forced to fit in. The latest curriculum changes require students to have a greater than ever understanding of a subject.
XPLORE
FAX: +44 (0) 1953 885 677
EXPLORE
Show My Homework
Parents/carers and students can log on via the Show My Homework App to access, monitor and submit homework and Home Learning Projects
We believe that students will only reach their true potential if they feel safe, secure and free to Explore. We focus on providing an environment that enables students to focus on their priorities, like learning, making friends and preparing for life after the academy.
Students must examine in detail and inquire into their subjects so that they acquire a concrete understanding. They should not only know the answer but also, why that is the answer. Students will discover what methods and strategies work
best for them individually; this alone will make a big difference. We run a number of after-school clubs, regular holiday revision and skills training events and we work alongside business and industry to enable creative thinking and planning.
CTIVATE
TEL: +44 (0) 1953 881 514
ACTIVATE
Get Involved
The Academy offers a wide variety of sporting teams and events. The Academy is also linked with satellite sporting clubs.
Knowing every student well is key; our job is to support and encourage them as they grow up during their learning journey at Wayland. We encourage students to make their own decisions and be responsible for their own actions. We remain aware that this is a process
of trial and error but, we are always on hand to support our students, whatever their needs. At the core of this is the RESPECT campaign. This lays out a very clear Code of Practice for our expectations of students. All of this should Activate students and set them in motion
for excellent progress here and beyond, to amazing careers. Students should be willing to collaborate, whilst dealing with the friction, exhilaration and delight that this can bring, and at the same time releasing shared potential.
Wayland Academy Norfolk offers a wide range of GCSE and Vocational subjects. Curriculum opportunity is not limited for any student.
CURRICULUM We pride ourselves on a broad and varied curriculum; we don’t have a one size fits all model. We know that every student is different and that some students follow an alternative pathway. Our curriculum supports students that will progress to university as well as those that
will apply for an apprenticeship or employment. Throughout their time at Wayland Academy Norfolk students are being prepared for their next step beyond the academy. Provision is available for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4
students at the academy to complete independent work before morning registration and at the end of the day. Many Key Stage 4 students complete additional GCSE qualifications with an afterschool provision.
CURRICULUM and COMMUNITY
Wayland Academy Norfolk offers the National Citizenship Scheme qualification to all Year 11 leavers as activities during the summer break.
Community Whether it is a small non-profit or a worldwide organisation, charities are a vital part of every community. Charities can change the lives of people in need every day; even the smallest of donations can impact on a community. Over the past academic years students and staff have
increasingly worked with local charities to raise awareness and funds. Charity work is a vital part of the curriculum as it empowers students’ understanding of the world around them and increases their awareness of issues in the local community and beyond. As part of “What’s
the Big IDEA” we are planning half termly charity events for local charities. These events will be planned and delivered by our students. The academies newly created Junior Leadership Team will work alongside these events to involve the Student Voice and student councils, whilst maintaining an overview of community projects and charity work.
Groupcall
The Academy now has Groupcall allowing parents to use the App to receive texts, emails and notifications relating to the academy and their child.
COMMUNICATION Face to face communication will always remain vitally important to us. However, we intend to continue to develop our digital connections. We now offer free Wi-Fi to all students and we will continue to encourage the use of phones and develop the use of tablets to support learning.
Parents can access their child’s attendance, progress and behaviour online via our portal. We produce a termly magazine with articles and photographs from the many events and trips that students participate in. The academy as a whole and
many subjects use social media as an informal communication outlet, sharing news, events and updates. You can also follow us on twitter: @waylandacademy
Improving life chances through education.
COMMUNICATION
Our mission, then, is to create learning that enables students to Innovate, Discover, Explore and Activate, underpinned by our core value of:
MERTON ROAD, WATTON THETFORD IP25 6BA TEL: +44 (0) 1953 881 514 FAX: +44 (0) 1953 885 677 OFFICE@WAYLANDACADEMY.ORG.UK WWW.WAYLANDACADEMY.ORG.UK
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