OCTOBER 2015
RD
ACADEMYUPDATE WELCOME TO ACADEMY UPDATE We are delighted to report that all students at Knutsford Academy have begun the new academic year looking very smart and are working hard. Our new Year 7 students are a huge credit to their previous schools and to you, their parents and families who give such tremendous support which is appreciated by all the team here at the Academy. This is the first edition of Academy Update, a newsletter for parents and students. We hope you find it useful. It includes an update on exam results and attendance, key dates and information about our new Scholars Programme. Finally and most importantly we focus on what our students are achieving. Academy Update, and our recent year book, are part of an initiative to improve further our communications with students, parents, the wider community and our business partners. We are grateful to you for the many ideas you have provided to help with this. During this term we will be asking you for further ideas you may have that will help us to communicate even better.
2014 - 2015
A BETTER PLACE TO LEARN Six new classrooms, a new student entrance, clearer signage, a new library, an improved entrance at Westfield Drive and an extensive decorating programme throughout. The summer holidays was a hive of activity at the Academy as we continually focus on updating the environment for our students and staff.
During the summer period we have made many improvements to the Academy environment, which is now a more attractive place for students to work. We have also revised our programmes of study so that students are given plenty of opportunity for hard but interesting work to do. James Whittaker Headteacher – The College Peter Kingdom Headteacher – The School
OUR YEAR 2014/15 We were delighted to provide all of our students with a copy of 'Our Year 2014/15' which is our new year book. It has a wealth of pictures and stories capturing the extraordinary achievements of so many of our students.
EXAMINATION RESULTS A LEVEL RESULTS 2015
GCSE RESULTS 2015
Students at Knutsford Academy are celebrating their best ever set of A Level results, with a 100% A Level pass rate, 24% of grades being A* or A and 76% of grades being A* to C.
In the best set of valueadded results ever, 21% of students achieved A* - A grades at GCSE and 45% of grades at GCSE were at B or above, well ahead of the national figure. Nearly all students achieved five or more GCSEs, with nearly 60% achieving five good GSCEs, including English and Mathematics, which is likely to be above the national figure.
All of our students who applied through UCAS were successful in gaining a place on their chosen university course, with many “trading up” having exceeded the grades that they had expected. These results place the Academy in the top 30% of schools nationally for A Level performance. AS results were stronger still, placing us in the top 3% of schools nationally. Mr James Whittaker, Headteacher of the College, was full of praise. He commented that “The students have worked very hard to gain these excellent results. We are delighted with their achievements and wish them every success for the future, whether that is at university or in their chosen career pathway.”
THE SCHOLARS PROGRAMME Knutsford Academy has many talented students. In some instances, their talent is exceptional. It is really important that we recognise and nurture these talents.
the opportunity to work and learn from leading national businesses and organisations so that they have the brightest of all possible futures beyond the Academy.
Our new Scholars Programme will be launched shortly and will provide an individually-tailored programme of enrichment for outstanding students. The programme will give our Scholars
We believe the Scholars Programme will grow rapidly to support a wider group of students, and in many instances provide access to new opportunities for all students, so
that we reward the hard work and commitment of all. In the first instance, our Scholars Programme partners include Microsoft, The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University, Tatton Park, the National STEM Project and the Royal Northern College of Music.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Head Boy Edward Lunnon writes about his summer adventures in Japan
Between the 25th July and 12th August I went to Japan on the 23rd World Scout Jamboree, along with Catherine Eadie, Emily Yarwood and Max Davies. It was a phenomenal event bringing together over 33,500 scouts from more than 150 countries, the equivalent of placing a town twice the size of Knutsford in the middle of Japan. During our time there we stayed with Japanese host families for the first two nights, spent two weeks on the Jamboree site itself and
then for the final two days experienced the metropolis that is Tokyo. When on the Jamboree site we participated in water activities, science zones, cultural exchanges, community experiences and spent a day in Hiroshima. All of these activities were added extras to the multiculturalism that is a Jamboree; making life-long friends from countries you’d never think that you would meet anyone from, exchanging badges and neckers to remember everyone by, and feeling part of a greater cause due to the impact scouting has on the world.
Year 7 Grace Hargreaves and Hope Taylor talk about starting at Knutsford Academy We first met at the Ravenstawe residential trip in July run as part of the transition programme for all new Year 7 students, and despite going to different primary schools became good friends.
STUDENTS HELPING STUDENTS The mentoring club is up and running, where our Sixth Form students provide help and support to our Year 9 students. This may be help with what options to consider choosing or specific pieces of work.
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“I really club, it enjoy this nt for velopme e d t a re is g ents are the stud me and ideas en to the really op e." we provid and help Johnson Haedyn orm th Six F
Starting at the Academy felt a bit strange after being amongst the oldest in primary school now we are back to being the youngest. We are in different forms but luckily are in classes together which is great and we are also enjoying making so many other new friends. The teachers have been really supportive and we are enjoying all the new lessons, after school clubs and activities that are available.
"Men torin club is gre g the S at fu ixth F orm s n, have tuden been ts hel with my M ping me at Engli sh ho hs and mew ork." Kate Sand Year ers 9
ATTENDANCE MATTERS
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES It is well known that students with a good attendance record at school enjoy learning more and do much better in examinations. Most of our students have a good record of attendance but there is still plenty of opportunity to improve this. We have updated our policy and procedures, which are available on the Knutsford Academy website knutsfordacademy.org.uk
The list of clubs and activities on offer to our students is huge, in fact so big we couldn't fit them all on this Academy Update which we had originally hoped to do.
We want to have an average attendance of at least 97% across the Academy. Many students do even better than that. We will be arranging new rewards for students with good attendance and look forward to the results of the new inter-form competitions.
A list of all clubs is now available on the Academy website. So, whether you are a budding magistrate, interested in cookery, or being inspired by the Rugby World Cup to join the rugby team, take a look to see what is available.
The autumn term has already seen the first meeting of the newly formed PTA, and arrangements are now well underway for the first event, a quiz night on Thursday 15th October at the Westfield Drive site, starting at 7pm. It is open to parents, students, staff, families and friends with an entrance fee of ÂŁ2 for adults and ÂŁ1 for U18s. Feel free to bring along your own drinks, a tuck shop will also be available on the night.
PTA - QUIZ NIGHT OCTO
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15 THUR
SDAY
KEY DATES FOR THE AUTUMN TERM 1st October (from 6pm)
Open Evening
2nd October
Staff Inset day, Academy closed to students
8th October (from 6pm)
Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver presentation
14th October
Year 7 Evening, meet the form tutor
22nd October (from 4.30pm)
Year 11 Parents' Evening
26th-30th October
Half Term Holiday
2nd November
Staff Inset day, Academy closed to students
17th November (from 4.30pm) Year 13 Parents' Evening Academy production "We Will Rock You" The
8th-11th December
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