Prospectus 2011-2012
Contents Welcome 5 A message from our sponsor
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Every child matters
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Academic and vocational excellence
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House structure 9 Community 10 Curriculum 12 Moving up 13 Coaching 13 Uniform 13 Our policies 14
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“Maths is an exciting subject and develops problem solving and thinking skills; as a society we can’t do without it!” Mr Landa, Maths teacher
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Welcome Hello and welcome to the new South Nottinghamshire Academy which opened in September 2011. We have high expectations of our students and want them to share those same high expectations of themselves and of us, their teachers and mentors. I still remember the language teacher who inspired me at school; I went on to spend 20 years involved with languages and language teaching. At South Nottinghamshire Academy we want to inspire and motivate students to aim higher and achieve success through learning. We are confident that all will benefit from the learning environment created in partnership with our sponsors, South Nottingham College. Establishing an Academy is a once-ina-generation opportunity for our community. So what differences will you see from September? A focus on academic and vocational excellence There will be a renewed emphasis on both academic and vocational curriculum pathways where students can progress to qualifications early if they have the motivation and ability. We want each student to aspire to university-level qualifications and we shall provide every opportunity and encouragement through our personalised learning and mentoring programme. Dual Specialism of Mathematics and Sport In addition to our proven Sport specialism, we’re adding a new specialism. Mathematics has been chosen to ensure academic rigour in our new curriculum and underpins progress in a number of science, technology and business studies subjects. A new uniform provided by the Academy We want every student to wear their uniform with pride, since they have been involved in its design. How well students wear it and behave in it will send out a clear message that the Academy aspires to become the school of first choice for its community and beyond. For this reason, we’ll be rigorously enforcing our uniform policy. We hope to meet you soon.
Michael Dennison Executive Principal South Nottinghamshire Academy
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A message from our sponsor We are delighted that you are considering a place for your child at South Nottinghamshire Academy. The Academy combines a high quality localised learning environment with the widest range of opportunities to meet their personal learning and developmental needs by putting the student first. We chose to become sponsor because we are fully committed to supporting young people and improving educational achievement and this is reflected in the work of the College. Testament to this is the fact that over 90% of our learners successfully achieve on their chosen course, making South Nottingham College one of the best performing Colleges in the country. This provides the Academy with a solid foundation for building educational achievement. For us, the defining feature of the Academy is its specialism, which we were able to choose. The addition of Mathematics to the existing specialism of Sport will add additional rigour and help give students the confidence to take advantage of life opportunities and to raise their aspirations. Success through learning for us is about creating a positive environment where every student can realise their true potential. We will take an active and on-going interest in the future development of the Academy. Above all it is about benefiting the Cotgrave, Radcliffe-on-Trent and Shelford communities and unlocking the talent of its young people.
Malcolm Cowgill Principal and Chief Executive South Nottingham College
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South Nottinghamshire Academy Trust members* Mrs Carole Thorogood - Chair Mr Keith Beaumont Ms Gill Lane Ms Mirth Parker Mr Malcolm Cowgill *At time of press; updates can be found on the Academy website.
Every child matters At South Nottinghamshire Academy we put students at the centre of everything we do. A student’s success through learning is our success.
The student - Engagement and participation - Ready and willing to learn - Happy and eager to participate - Know your goals and aim higher Academic and vocational excellence - Personalised learning plans - Stage-not-age - Smaller classes - Behaviour and learning values Community - Active citizenship - Hub of learning in South Nottinghamshire - Partnerships with local businesses
House structure - Mentor and coaching - Teamwork and challenges - Safe and secure environment
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Academic and vocational excellence We want all students to realise their abilities as active learners and harness their imagination to aim higher. Whether a student has a clear idea of what they want to be when they grow up, or there is a subject they enjoy and excel in, we work with them to develop a personalised learning plan. Regular student/parent/teacher consultations take place throughout the academic year to discuss progress, identify goals and targets for improvement and map out future needs. This is imperative for students to be engaged in their own agenda.
“I want to be a heart surgeon. I want to give someone a new lease of life and you are helping someone. My favourite subjects are science and art.� Kameni Chaddha, Year 9.
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All students are able to access courses appropriate to their ability in that subject area, regardless of their age. We enable them to follow academic, vocational or applied pathways and achieve excellence in each subject or course, whatever their ability or preference. For example, we shall encourage as many students as possible to follow English Baccalaureate subjects to GCSE.
“The House system nurtures and supports individual success as well as healthy competition, team building and community spirit.� Mr Philpotts, Assistant Principal.
House structure All students in the school become a member of one of three houses: Rollo, Maine or Aquitaine. Within each house students feel part of an extended family which promotes individual and group participation. Students are encouraged to take on responsibilities as house captains, prefects, peer mentoring, student council, community projects; everyone has something to contribute. Older house members naturally look out for the well-being of younger members as they adjust to Academy life. Competition exists between houses over a range of activities but team work and student leadership underpin each activity. We aim to retain smaller classes at the Academy; we believe this facilitates more individual learning and personalised support.
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Community The new Academy sits in the heart of the communities of Cotgrave, Radcliffe-on-Trent and Shelford. Students will continue to be involved and participate in community projects, such as performing at the Radcliffe Carnival. We believe that this type of activity promotes self-awareness and extends a child’s world, encouraging them to see the differences they can make as an active citizen within their community and wider. Through our partnership with South Nottingham College we will be able to provide extended learning and resources that will be available to the whole community. A range of services that support our students, their families and the wider community will be available throughout the week and at weekends: master classes and advanced learning days and weeks in the arts, sciences and other disciplines linked to South Nottingham College. A greater choice of courses and the possibility of studying more subjects; together with the opportunity for weekend activities, the Academy is a true community resource.
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“When we take samba bands to the local junior schools, they love it; they don’t want us to leave”. Miss Watson, Lead Teacher for Music.
“I want to be a graphic designer and I’m studying for a creative and media diploma at the college. There I like to meet new people, use the computers and do filming for my latest project. I’ve just made an artefact video of Nottingham and interviewed people in the workplace.” Ashley Gathergood, Year 11.
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Curriculum South Nottinghamshire Academy aims to enable each student to access the learning they need, when they need it. Our commitment to put the student first is delivered by the provision of a personalised programme of study for each and every student. In personalising the learning experience South Nottinghamshire Academy and South Nottingham College recognise that:
The Academy and College have developed an educational model that will meet each student’s individual needs and maximise their personal learning achievements. All students will be able to access courses, appropriate to their ability in that subject area, regardless of their age. We call this the stage-not -age approach.
• Each student is unique • Students develop at different rates in different subjects • To broaden the curriculum offer we need to work in partnership with other providers
Transition Curriculum – Year 7 Core English, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Language, Physical Education, Science, Creative Arts and Coaching
Personal learning and thinking activities Projects delivering National Curriculum Foundation subjects
Level 1 Curriculum – Year 8 Core English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science and Coaching
Choice of SIX Foundation subjects Including Art, Enterprise, French, Spanish, Geography, History, IT, Performing Arts, Technology, PE+, Science+ and Foundation Learning
Level 1/2 Curriculum – Years 9, 10,11 Core English, Mathematics, Physical Education, Science, Functional Skills and RE English Baccalaureate More students will be encouraged to follow English Baccalaureate GCSEs (English, Maths, Science, a Modern Foreign Language, History or Geography)
Choice of FIVE optional subjects Including Art, Business, Food, French, Spanish, Geography, German, History, IT, Performing Arts, Resistant Materials, Media, Construction, Foundation Learning and SNC courses
Level 3 Curriculum – Sixth Form Choice of Post 16 courses Including AS and A2, BTEC National and Level 3 Diploma subjects
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Moving up Personalised learning begins early for us at the Academy. Staff and students work with our partner primary schools to ascertain a comprehensive picture of each student by sharing detailed teacher and test assessments. We’re also aware that the more opportunities children and parents have to engage with us at every stage, the easier the transition up to the Academy. We operate Skills Academies for partner primary school students in a variety of subjects across their final year at primary and a Summer School ahead of secondary transfer and we also hold regular drop-in surgeries for parents to meet key staff.
Our Year 7 coaching programme provides students with a unique experience of improving their communication and interpersonal skills within a small group setting. Groups of up to eight meet at the beginning and the end of the week where the focus is to prepare and review the week. The coaching programme is key to help students realise what they want from learning and how to ask for it and leads them on to form their personalised learning plan.
Uniform All students will wear uniform as outlined below and we know they’ll be proud to wear our Academy badge and house colours. We’re strict with our uniform policy to encourage students to look smart, think smart and stay smart. All Students • Academy blazer – Academy regulation black blazer, with badge. • Academy tie – Academy regulation tie, with house colour. • Shirt – formal white shirt with stiff collar; this must be tucked in. • Jumper (optional item) – Academy black V-neck jumper with house colour trim. This can be worn in addition to the blazer, but is not to replace it. • Coat (optional item) – a coat may be worn outdoors in addition to the blazer. We do not consider sports tops, ‘hoodies’, or other fashion items to be coats. Boys (Year 7-11) • Trousers – plain black, formal, long trousers. A plain black belt can be worn. • Shoes - plain black formal shoes (no trainers, boots, sandals, or logos). • Socks – black.
Coaching
Girls (Year 7-11) • Skirt or trousers – plain black knee-length skirt without splits or decoration OR plain black, formal, long trousers. A plain black belt can be worn. • Shoes - plain black formal shoes (no trainers, boots, sling backs, sandals or logos). • Socks / tights – black.
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Our policies A full list of our policies are available on the Academy website. Admissions The Academy caters for students from Year 7 to 13; the published admission number is 100. The Academy considers all applications for places in line with Nottinghamshire County Council’s Admission Policy. This ensures that students of all abilities, backgrounds and faiths will be catered for and welcomed. Equality and disability Everybody will be treated equally within the Academy and be encouraged to be positive in their attitude to everybody outside the Academy; respecting others in the way that we would like to be respected ourselves. All students are entitled to the opportunities a good education brings, irrespective of social circumstances, gender, ethnicity, or ability. Special arrangements will be made to enable students with disabilities to fully participate and integrate, ensuring they perform to the best of their abilities.
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Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) The Academy’s approach to personalised learning ensures that every pupil is given support according to their specific needs. Children on the Special Educational Needs register will receive specialist support as outlined by Nottinghamshire County Council. This will enable them to access an appropriate curriculum which goes beyond the National Curriculum and will prepare them fully for life after the Academy. Safety and well-being We are fully committed to our role of safeguarding the physical and emotional welfare of students at South Nottinghamshire Academy. We expect students to behave responsibly towards one another and to demonstrate self-discipline and respect for all. Alongside personal, social and health education, we will promote and provide an environment in which bullying is unacceptable. This will be given a high priority in our mentoring and coaching programmes, in learning and in assemblies. Keep in touch We report regularly to parents and provide frequent information so that parents know how their children are progressing along their pathway. Our website provides lots of information, up to date news and access to all our policies: www.southnottinghamshireacademy.org To contact the Academy Trust or Chair of Governors please email the Academy at: main.office@southnottinghamshireacademy.org The Academy also has a complaints procedure which can be made available on request.
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South Nottinghamshire Academy, Glebe Lane, Off Cropwell Road, Radcliffe on Trent, Nottingham, NG12 2FQ Telephone: 0115 9110091 Facsimile: 0115 9110092 Email: main.office@southnottinghamshireacademy.org Website: www.southnottinghamshireacademy.org