The proposed Academy for North Stockton Inspiring Healthy Minds
Public consultation period: 28 January 2010 – 26 February 2010
Have your say – attend one of our consultation events or complete our questionnaire
A message from the sponsors NHS Stockton-on-Tees is delighted to be the lead sponsor for such a prestigious development and to help change the educational experiences of young people in Stockton, promote healthier lifestyles and improve their employment prospects. Along with our co-sponsors, Stockton College Consortium and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, we believe this is an exciting opportunity to change lives, aspirations and prospects for young people and their families. We will develop an inspirational environment that will encourage and promote learning, support the government’s Every Child Matters agenda and the Stockton-on-Tees family of schools, ‘Campus Stockton’.
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Our aim is to raise standards of achievement, particularly on the move to the Academy, and at 14+. Through the freedom of the academies framework we will be able to set the highest aspirations, and provide a curriculum which is enjoyable, challenging, relevant, and underpinned by the use of new technologies. Our goal is that every young person will leave the Academy with the highest qualifications matched to their potential, and an appropriate route to further learning or training post-16. The Academy aims to be a key resource for community regeneration as well as learning. It will strengthen the impact that extended services have in addressing the effects of deprivation on students and their families. Through a partnership and multi-agency approach, we are determined to tackle the health, social, educational and economic barriers to successful learning outcomes for students and their families.
The Academy’s vision and ethos Our vision
Our ethos
To promote health and well-being, and seek to reduce inequality amongst children, both in educational achievement and in their personal health status.
In addition to the urgent and essential requirement to improve academic attainment in literacy and numeracy, the Academy will introduce motivating and exciting learning through its named specialism of science with a focus on health, well-being and sport.
Our vision for the future sees the Academy for North Stockton at the heart of its community, and the school of choice for local parents and carers. The Academy will create links with local community groups to become a new hub for community outreach and regeneration in the area. The vision for the Academy has developed from the lead sponsor’s aim to help the people of Teesside live longer, healthier lives. In their role as lead sponsor to the Academy, NHS Stockton-on-Tees is confident it can contribute to improving the educational status, health and well-being, not only of the young people in the Academy, but also their parents/carers, families, and the local community.
Celebrating success, enthusing and exciting young people to progress into further and higher education, and encouraging them to become confident with an understanding of their place in the world will be essential in enabling them to flourish. The Academy will seek to provide personalised learning programmes for all of its young people. It will do this by enhancing the quality of its information, communication and technology (ICT) facilities and by providing appropriate professional development for staff. The Academy aims to develop a well-balanced curriculum for 14-16 year olds, with multiple learning routes that meet the aspirations and needs of its Year 11 students. The Academy will work with local post-16 providers to enable the widest possible choice for its young people to encourage them to stay in learning or training post-16.
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The Academy prior to the new build We are currently working through the proposals for how the Academy will look and feel. We want to create an environment that is exciting and vibrant for young people in the north Stockton area. The Academy aims to create a support network for the students of north Stockton to ensure they receive the best education. We would like to hear your views on the proposals for the Academy. We need to consider whether the new Academy will operate across split sites, or on one site, prior to the new building opening.
“The Academy is aiming to create a support network for the students of north Stockton to ensure they receive the best educational support.�
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There are financial implications in the proposal to be considered. Most importantly, the education and learning experience of students within the Academy needs to be thought through. The issues surrounding opening the Academy on one or two sites, prior to the move to the new building in 2013, are outlined opposite. Further information can be found at www.stocktonacademy.org.uk This is not an exhaustive list.
The Academy prior to the new build By opening the Academy on two sites, staff and students will feel that their school remains in existence prior to the opening of the new building, and there will be less disruption to students who will no longer be at the Academy when it moves to the new site in 2013.
It will also mean further disruption to the education of other students, as they progress through the Academy and then move to the new site. This disruption may cause financial issues that the Academy will need to consider further.
However, this will not immediately create an Academy identity and common bond amongst students, which would be created by a single site.
In comparison, a single site will mean that education resources will be shared, there will be enhanced information, communication and technology (ICT) provision, and consistent leadership and management support with subject teams.
Operating from two sites will require greater coordination of resources and the school timetable. This is likely to involve more staff and student disruption, as some staff and students may be required to move between the sites.
The Academy sponsors will work hard to ensure there is minimal disruption to children’s education in the Academy, whichever option is implemented.
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About the Academy Type of Academy The proposed Academy for North Stockton will admit girls and boys of all backgrounds, abilities and faiths.
Student places There will be up to 1050 places for 11 to 16 year olds. The Academy will admit up to 210 children into Year 7.
Admissions The Academy will continue to operate within the current admission zone/catchment area, retaining the same priority catchment area as the two current schools. For more information about admissions, visit www.stockton.gov.uk/citizenservices/learning/schooladmissionshome
Current students Current students of Blakeston School and The Norton School will automatically be able to transfer to the new Academy.
Lead sponsor The lead sponsor is NHS Stockton-on-Tees.
Co-sponsors The co-sponsors are Stockton College Consortium and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
Location and opening date It is yet to be decided whether the Academy will initially open on one or two sites – we are currently in consultation about this. Regardless of the decision, the Academy will open in September 2010 with the move to the new building planned for September 2013.
Curriculum Although the proposed Academy’s specialism is science with a focus on health, well-being and sport, it will not select students on the basis of ability or skill for this, or any other subject. 6
The Academy’s specialism Drawing from the sponsors’ experience, the proposed Academy will deliver science as its specialism, with a strong focus on health, well-being and sport. Science will provide a critical framework to promote students’ understanding of the world in which we all live, through inquiry and investigation. There will be a science learning experience each year, where students will benefit from a range of science related activities both on and off site. This will include ‘scientists in residence’, guest lectures, research activities, global aspects of scientific research, the application of science to everyday life (particularly aspects of health and well-being), and work related learning complemented by NHS expertise.
All young people will be expected to follow a science related subject during Years 9-11 tailored to their needs and aspirations. Most will be encouraged to study at least two science GCSEs, and those who would benefit from a more stretching science curriculum will have the opportunity to study the three separate sciences of physics, chemistry and biology. Stockton College Consortium has a range of science related courses available at post-16 level, enhanced by access to world-class science laboratories. This will provide an enriched science experience for Academy students, including the delivery of ‘master classes’ for gifted scientists, as well as a pathway to training and employment opportunities available in the NHS.
“Science will provide a critical framework to promote students’ understanding of the world through inquiry and investigation.”
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New buildings The new Academy building will be built via Stockton Borough Council’s Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme.
It is proposed that the new building, planned to open in September 2013, will be located on a site off Norton Road. As the new building will be built on a new site, building work will not impact on the education of the Academy students prior to this exciting move. The BSF team are currently working towards selecting the contractor who will build the new Academy. For further information please visit www.stockton.gov.uk/bsf
“Building work will not impact on the education of the Academy students prior to the exciting move in 2013.”
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The Academy in the community The proposed Academy will seek to bring the community together through provision of valuable extended services and out of hours opportunities. The Academy will: • provide study support, including suitable learning spaces open before and after school to meet individual requirements and to overcome barriers to learning • encourage community engagement by serving wider adult and family needs through community education programmes, and access to specialist resources such as information, communication and technology (ICT) and sports facilities
• partner with the north Stockton extended school cluster, so that young people and their families can access extended services and a range of activities including parenting support, childcare and swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services • work with other agencies such as the police, Connexions, children and adult mental health service and the Youth Offending Service to provide support beyond the school day, ensuring that the needs of our most vulnerable young people are coordinated, specific and relevant • involve local businesses in the delivery of the work related curriculum content • promote sustainability and environmental issues.
“The Academy will encourage community engagement by serving wider adult and family needs.”
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Consultation process and events We’d like to hear your views on the proposed Academy for North Stockton, so please take the time to tell us what you think. Your views will help shape the future of local children and the community you live in.
You can express your views and comments by:
Consultation on the proposal is an important part of this development.
• attending one of our consultation events
We want to ensure information on the Academy proposal is widely available, so that everyone – young people, parents, carers, staff and the wider community, including those from local feeder primary schools and other secondary schools – has the opportunity to give their views and listen to others.
• calling Dorothy Pearson, Project Administrator at EC Harris, on 01642 345647
• completing the questionnaire on the back page of this brochure and returning it to the address provided • completing an online questionnaire at: www.stocktonacademy.org.uk
• emailing us at: info@stocktonacademy.org.uk
• writing to us at the address opposite. For information on additional consultation events and to confirm the events below are still going ahead, please visit www.stocktonacademy.org.uk
Consultation events Date
Time
Venue
Wed 3 Feb
10am – 1pm
Somerfield, 24-28 High Street, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees
Thu 4 Feb
1pm – 5pm
University Hospital of North Tees, Hardwick Road, Stockton-on-Tees
Fri 5 Feb
10.30am – 2pm
Norton Library, 87 High Street, Norton, Stockton-on-Tees
Mon 8 Feb
11am – 2pm
Ragworth Neighbourhood Centre, St Johns Way, Ragworth, Stockton-on-Tees
Mon 8 Feb
3.30pm – 5.30pm
David Lloyd Leisure, Tees Barrage Way, Stockton-on-Tees
Thu 11 Feb
10am – 2pm
Teesside Shopping Park, Sandown Way, Stockton-on-Tees
Fri 12 Feb
10am – 2pm
Castlegate Shopping Centre, Stockton-on-Tees
Fri 12 Feb
2pm – 5pm
Sainsburys, 1 Hanover Parade, The Glebe, Stockton-on-Tees
Tue 16 Feb
2pm – 5pm
Asda, Portrack Lane, Stockton-on-Tees
Wed 17 Feb
10am – 12.30pm
Splash, Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees
Thu 18 Feb
1pm – 4pm
Splash, Church Road, Stockton-on-Tees
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Consultation process and events Further information For further information about the proposed Academy for North Stockton please contact Dorothy Pearson, Project Administrator at EC Harris:
Alternatively, you can write to: FREEPOST RSET-YTYH-UCEG EC Harris Billingham TS23 4EA
Telephone: 01642 345647 Email: info@stocktonacademy.org.uk Web: www.stocktonacademy.org.uk
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What do you think? 1. The vision and ethos of the proposed Academy is to:
5. About you (please tick all applicable boxes) Are you connected to: The Norton School
• put young people first
Blakeston School
• promote health, well-being and sport
Neither
• raise standards of learning • help the people of Teesside live longer, healthier lives Do you think the vision and ethos for the proposed Academy are appropriate? Yes
No
Not sure
If No, why?
I am a parent/carer of a student a member of staff a student a governor a parent at a local feeder primary school (name of school) a local resident
2. There will be a period of change before moving to the new building. What are your concerns during this period? Costs Staff disruption Student disruption Transport arrangements Other 3. Do you have any ideas for the name of the Academy? (please state below)
a local business owner other (please specify) If you are happy to provide us with your contact details please complete the information below. If you would prefer to remain anonymous, leave this section blank. Name Address Postcode Email
If so, why? 4. We are very keen to ensure that the proposed Academy serves the whole community. We are interested in your views about what sort of facilities and services could be made accessible to the community. Please provide comments below.
Telephone
Thank you for taking the time to complete this questionnaire, your views are very important to us. Please return this form to: FREEPOST RSET-YTYH-UCEG EC Harris Billingham TS23 4EA by 26 February 2010