Annual Review
2011-2012 Educational Partner
Welcome to our Federation Annual Review
Message from the Academy Trust
The academic year 2011-2012 has been a momentous year for the Federation and its Academies. Public examination results across the Federation once again were of a high standard. At GCSE the Winterbourne International Academy achieved 74% 5A*-C including English and Mathematics, with some 28% achieving the highest grades of A*-A. The overall 5A*-C grades was 88%, with some outstanding individual performances. At Yate International Academy, 48% of students achieved 5A*-C including English and Mathematics with 80% achieving 5A*-C, an increase of 14% on last year and the highest ever recorded for the Academy. At the Woodlands Primary Phase there have also been impressive Key Stage 2 results since joining the Federation in September 2011. These results follow two very pleasing Ofsted inspections in April/May 2012, reinforcing judgements regarding high educational standards across the Federation.
Dr R S Gibson Chief Executive Principal
The Federation Sixth Form’s A Level and IB results were also good with students progressing on to Higher Education institutions or employment of their choice. For the first time IB students gained places at Oxford University and UCL to study History and Medicine. It is also pleasing to note that the International Baccalaureate Middle Years (1116) Programme commenced in September 2012 at Winterbourne International Academy. The opening in September 2012 of the new build at Yate International Academy and the commencement of the new build at Winterbourne International Academy, scheduled to be opened in September 2014, represents a capital investment of £36 million, securing the future of the Federation’s Academies, for the benefit of our students now and into the future. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the Academy Trust and the Local Governing Bodies at each Academy for their considerable work throughout the academic year. Above all, the core purpose of the Federation and its Academies is centred upon raising and sustaining educational standards for the benefit of our pupils and students.
I hope you enjoy reading our review.
“Achieving Success through Motivation, Knowledge and Skills”
There is no doubt that the academic year 2011-2012 was a tremendous success in our third year as a Federation with the incorporation of Woodlands Primary Phase into the new All Through Academy at Yate. All phases of the Academy have approached this change with determination in order to deliver longer term benefits for pupils and the wider community. We also noted the very successful outcomes from the OFSTED inspections of both Academies, took ownership of the new build at Yate and approved the delivery timetable for the new build at Winterbourne. The Trust would like to congratulate students and staff across the Federation for this year’s results. Students within the Federation Sixth Form continue to take up degree courses at the UK’s premier Universities, with others gaining prestigious apprenticeships. The international ethos of the Federation has once again been reinforced by the excellent IB Diploma results and also the introduction of the IB Middle Years Programme on the Winterbourne site. Implementation of this programme on the Yate site is scheduled for September 2014. The work of the Academy Trust and its responsibility for the Federation and its Academies has continued to be exceptional. I would like to thank all Trustees and the Chairs of both Local Governing Bodies for their commitment in ensuring the Federation’s success. I would also like to express the Trust’s thanks to all teaching and support staff across the Federation for their professionalism and commitment. Finally, I acknowledge once more that the students in both Academies are a credit to the Federation and their communities. I wish them well for the academic year ahead. Mr Chris Smith | Chair, The Ridings’ Federation of Academies Trust
Ofsted Report Winterbourne International Academy and Yate International Academy both received Section 5 Full Ofsted Inspections in the 2011-2012 academic year, and were judged as ‘Good’ respectively by the reporting team. At Winterbourne International Academy, the inspection report highlighted the students’ strong GCSE performance, the strong leadership and management of the Academy, and praised its clear focus on teaching and learning. In addition to this, student behaviour was commended for being friendly and courteous, and the Academy was referred to as a “calm and hardworking community” where students feel safe. Academy principal Mr Rob Evans said: “This strong Ofsted inspection outcome is extremely pleasing. Staff and students at the Academy continually strive for improvement, and the sustained efforts made by all are reflected in this positive report. Along with the good teaching recognised by Ofsted, the £19.3-million investment in new fully modernised Academy buildings, commencing in October 2012, will enable even further progression.” At Yate International Academy, South Gloucestershire’s first All-Through Academy, the inspectors spoke of a “caring and inclusive” school where standards had improved. “Every single Year 11 student gained five or more GCSE passes last year – an impressive feat,” lead inspector Chris Russell said in his report, which also praised the Academy’s clear and effective leadership; in addition to this, the unit for children with hearing impairment was judged as outstanding. Mr Gilbert said: “This is a very strong inspection report. The Academy’s staff worked extremely hard to ensure continuous progression and improvement across all stages of education, and I am thrilled to see this effort feed through into our Ofsted results. This accolade reinforces Ofsted’s confidence in our All-Through Academy and is timely as we transfer into our new Academy buildings.”
Dads in Schools Day Woodlands On Thursday 31st May 2012, Fathers returned to the classroom for a Dads in School Day event . The day was held at Woodlands Primary Phase to promote the role of men in children’s development and education. s well as fathers, grandfathers, uncles and male guardians A were given an opportunity to spend the day learning alongside the children. Activities were held around an Olympics theme, including dance lessons, language workshops, karate, tennis and running sessions, a sculpture lesson and a sponsored charity event to raise funds for the NSPCC. An assembly was held at the end to celebrate the activities which had been experienced throughout the day.
International Baccalaureate Results The Federation is delighted with this year’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme results, which were released on Thursday 7th July 2012.
Rock Challenge – YIA
An overall pass rate of 94.4% was achieved, compared to the Global pass rate of 78.16%, which is a fantastic accomplishment. In addition to this, a mean score of 33 points (equivalent to AAB at A Level) was gained, which is also above the national average of 31.6%.
On Monday 16th April 2012 a group of 96 students, aged between 12 to 18 years old, represented Yate International Academy in the Rock Challenge.
Special recognition must go Sasha Ward, who achieved 43 points for her Diploma and has earned a place to read History at Somerville, University of Oxford. In addition to this, Kevin Schesser received 41 points and is going on to study Mathematics in Germany, and Beth Hughes has also gained a place to study Medicine at UCL. Well done to all of our International Baccalaureate students; we wish you every success for the future!
Everyone that was involved did extremely well in the competition, which took place in Portsmouth, and we are pleased to announce that the team finished in 2nd place overall and won the following seven awards:
If you would like to learn more about the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, please contact Mrs Shelley Swift, Federation Head of International and IB Coordinator by emailing shelley.swift@trfa.org.uk
• Achievement in Drug and Alcohol Awareness • School Community Support • Positive Inclusion • Video Performance • Costume Design • Choreography
New Builds – Yate International Academy and Winterbourne International Academy
Gymnastics success at Yate International Academy The £16million rebuilding of Yate International Academy was completed in July 2012. The facilities that students will benefit from include a central interactive hub with informal teaching areas all around, an open plan discovery centre, a 238-seater auditorium, and a full-size sports hall, which been built on the first floor to make maximum use of space. Speaking about the opening of the new build, Yate International Academy Principal Roger Gilbert said “It is a building which has the wow factor. The architects Adeas and developers Willmott Dixon have turned our vision into a reality.” In addition to this, work started on Winterbourne International Academy’s buildings in August 2012, and is due to be finished by the end of 2014. Dr Rob Gibson, Chief Executive Principal of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies, said “This is one of the biggest Academy building projects in the country and we are all very excited by the plans for the new building. We are creating an Academy in which students feel inspired. The new facilities will have an extremely positive impact on teaching and learning.”
In April 2012, Shanie-Redd Thorne (Year 11) and Danielle Jones (Year 8) competed in the 12-19 years girls’ pairs competition in Florida. They came third overall and won themselves a bronze medal. Jake Underdown (Year 9) also won a Bronze medal in the men’s 12-19 pairs. This is a fantastic achievement!
Sixth Form Open Evenings Winterbourne International Academy Wednesday 7th November 2012 6.30pm – 8.30pm
Students go green for Climate Week On Monday 18th March 2012, Students from both Yate and Winterbourne International Academies took part in the Climate Week challenge. This year, the title of the challenge was ‘Green Your Space’, and students were asked to develop an idea to change a place they know to make it better for the environment. The winning team across the Federation thought that the new Cabot Circus Development in Bristol needed the ‘Green’ touch. As a result they developed a series of features which took advantage of the huge number of visitors each day. They designed moveable paving stones which created friction as shoppers walked around. This could be turned in to energy to power the lights in the shop windows. They also invented ‘Energy Boxes’ which could be attached to the bikes of people who cycle around the area. The energy created by the cyclist could be used to power the heating during the winter months. They also introduced clothes banks where shoppers could off load their old clothing before re-stocking their wardrobes with new ones. The event was a huge success and students are looking forward to taking part in next year’s challenge.
Jonathan Edwards supports Olympic Torch Bearer Jess Hopton Former Olympic triple jump champion Jonathan Edwards visited Winterbourne International Academy to witness the support for Jess Hopton in Year 10, who was nominated to take part in the Olympic Torch Relay on Tuesday 22nd May 2012. As part of the London 2012 celebrations, Jonathan visited a number of locations in the South West. He spoke to local people, and showcased their final preparations for the Torch Relay, for a film entitled “Jonathan’s Journey” which is available on the London 2012 website (www. london2012.com). During Jonathan’s visit to the Academy, he witnessed the support that was given to Jess, who had been recognised for her successes in badminton. Year 7 students, who made banners and posters in support of Jess, lined the route when she carried the torch from Old Market Street to Castle Street during the relay. Speaking about Jess’s success, Jonathan said “Jess is an outstanding sportswoman and it has been great to see the high level of support that the Academy has given to her. Every sports person needs a support network in order to succeed, and it has been great to see everyone getting involved today and offering their encouragement. Jess has a very promising future ahead of her and she should go far!”
Yate International Academy Wednesday 14th November 2012 6.30pm – 8.30pm www.trfa.org.uk/sixthform
International Baccalaureate Information Evening Winterbourne International Academy Wednesday 21st November 2012 7.00pm – 8.30pm www.trfa.org.uk/sixthform
Primary places for 2013 Parent tours can be booked through the Academy Primary Phase reception Telephone 01454 866535 www.trfyia.org.uk/woodlands
For further information, please call 01454 252041 or visit us online at www.trfa.org.uk The Ridings’ Federation of Academies Trust. A limited company registered in England with company number: 6802948. Registered Office: The Ridings’ Federation of Academies Trust, High Street, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1JL.