Ridings' federation newsletter

Annual Review

2010-2011 Educational Partner

Welcome to our Federation Annual Review

Message from the Academy Trust

The academic year 2010-2011 has been a momentous one for many reasons, some of which are highlighted throughout this Review.

Importantly, GCSE results across the Federation were outstanding with Winterbourne International Academy achieving 80% 5A*-C including English and Mathematics, the first school or Academy to achieve this in South Gloucestershire, and Yate International Academy breaking through the 50% barrier for the first time with 51% 5A*-C including English and Mathematics. These results follow two ‘Good’ Ofsted inspections in July, reinforcing judgements regarding educational standards across the Federation.

Dr R S Gibson Chief Executive Principal

The Federation Sixth Form’s A Level and IB results were also very good with students progressing on to Higher Education institutions or employment of their choice.

Within the Review you will find articles relating to the progress of our new buildings at the Yate International Academy and the capital investment at Winterbourne International Academy.

I am also very pleased to welcome the Woodlands Primary Phase into the Yate International Academy, establishing the first 4-19 All Through Academy in South Gloucestershire.

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 20102011 was a resounding success for our second year as a Federation. Not only were examination results outstanding, for which the Trust would like to congratulate students and staff, but building work on the Yate International Academy proceeds on time and on schedule for opening on 1st September 2012. We also received confirmation of £19.3m capital investment for the Winterbourne site, which was fantastic news and we expect to begin work on site in autumn 2012.

We were delighted early in the academic year to begin discussions with the Governing Body of Woodlands Primary School with a view to establishing the first 4-19 All Through Academy in South Gloucestershire. Not only is this good news for the pupils at Woodlands, it also brings to the Federation the opportunity to work more closely with primary phase colleagues in developing relevant curriculum models that not only enhance our students’ later academic achievement, but also enable us to offer a better informed structure of support to our other feeder schools.

The work of the Academy Trust and its responsibility for all the Federation and both its Academies has been exceptional. I would like to thank all Trustees and the Chairs of both Local Governing Bodies, Mrs Jude Enright (Yate) and Mr Ian Butcher (Winterbourne) for their commitment in ensuring the Federation’s success. I would like to take this opportunity to express the Trust’s thanks to all teaching and support staff across the Federation for their professionalism and commitment Finally, I acknowledge 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 | Acting Chair, The Ridings’ Federation of Academies Trust

Academies Judged ‘Good’

by Ofsted Winterbourne International Academy and Yate International Academy have both been judged as making ‘good progress towards raising standards’ in their first Ofsted inspection since forming The Ridings’ Federation of Academies.

Academy Principal, Mr Rob Evans, said of the inspection: “The Inspectors commented upon both good and exemplary behaviour in lessons and around the Academy, with students feeling safe. The verdict of the Inspection Team was consistent with the Academy’s own self evaluation judgements, and provides the Academy with a strong foundation upon which to make improvements for the future.”

At Yate International Academy the report itself draws upon the caring and supportive nature of the Academy but also the significant improvements in student attainment and the quality of teaching. Furthermore, it suggests that the Yate International Academy ‘has strong capacity to continue its improvement.’

Mr Roger Gilbert, Academy Principal, said: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of this inspection and take it as validation of the quality of outcomes we strive to achieve for all of our students. There are elements of our work that we will strive to improve further, but the confirmation of good progress being made from OFSTED, along with a rising trend in achievement and the new Academy build, puts Yate International Academy in a strong position for further development.”

In line with all new academies, both Winterbourne International Academy and Yate International Academy will have Section 5 Full Ofsted Inspections during the coming academic year.

Woodlands Primary Phase Joins The Federation On Thursday 1st September 2011 Woodlands Primary Phase became incorporated into Yate International Academy, establishing the first 4-19 All Through Academy in South Gloucestershire.

The 4-19 All-Through Academy will provide more opportunities and consistency of curriculum provision and educational experiences for all students in both the primary and secondary phases.

The Primary Phase will be led by Mrs Julie Hogan, with Mr Roger Gilbert as Principal of the All Through Academy.

This is an exciting opportunity for the Yate community, placing it at the cutting edge of educational development for the benefit of all our children both now and into the future.

Sixth Form Students Celebrate Record Results A Level results have once again risen in both the Federation’s Academies at Winterbourne and Yate, with students achieving at the very highest levels.

These outstanding results reflect upon the quality of provision provided by the Federation Sixth Form throughout its wide range of Post-16 courses.

Students studying at Winterbourne International Academy achieved a pass rate of over 97%, whilst students at the Yate International Academy achieved a pass rate of 100%.

These successes have ensured that Federation Sixth Form students have successfully gained places at a variety of Universities including Cardiff, Durham, Southampton, Bath, Nottingham, Plymouth and UWE. The Ridings’ Federation Sixth Form celebrated their highest ever International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) pass rate with all Academy entrants passing the international examination.

IB students accessed universities to study Veterinary Science, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering and a range of other subjects.

IB Students Lead the Way for Local Primaries Winterbourne International Academy played host to an ‘International Day’ for six local primary schools.

Building Development Work on the £16.5m new Academy build for Yate International Academy is on schedule to open on 1st September 2012. The Topping Out Ceremony, which celebrated the completion of the roof construction, took place on Friday 9th September 2011. This event was very well attended by dignitaries and included an outstanding performance from students and pupils associated with the local gymnastics club.

Confirmation of £19.3m capital investment for Winterbourne International Academy was a fantastic vote of confidence by the Government in the Federation’s work. Work is now being undertaken to decide the type of buildings and classrooms required for education in the 21st Century. It is anticipated that initial building work will commence in Autumn 2012.

The event was organised and delivered by IB students from the Academy, who welcomed over 230 Year 5 primary school pupils for a fun-filled day of international activities.

Rock Challenge During Easter 2011, over 100 Yate International Academy and Culverhill School students spent their Bank Holiday Monday at the final rehearsal for Rock Challenge 2011.

The performance itself went extremely well, with every member of the team giving 100% and applying all of the skills that they had learnt in the four months of rehearsals.

When the results were announced at the end of the evening the team were delighted to be presented with the awards for “Concept Originality”, “Drugs Awareness” and “School Community Support” and were placed in overall Fourth Place, their equal best ever performance and also equalling their previous highest ranking of any Bristol or South Gloucestershire School.

Girls in Engineering at the University of Bristol Could you make a metal buggy run 20m on 23 joules of electricity?

That’s the same amount of energy required to make 1 drop of coffee! A team of girls from Yate International Academy won this challenge when eleven Year 9 girls went to Bristol University to learn about robot programming and energy efficient vehicles.

The students applied science and technology working in small teams to develop the best solutions to problems.

The girls were a credit to the Academy.

Students work with BBC to tell the future of Yate International Academy Yate International Academy students were chosen as one of only six schools in the country to tell their story, aided by the assistance of a BBC Video Journalist.

The ten lucky Year 9 students received first-hand expert advice on a number of topics, including interviewing techniques, shooting and editing video journalism, while at the same time learning the history of Yate International Academy from Grandparents of the Academy.

Maths Students Tackle the Best of Britain

A team of four students from Winterbourne International Academy pitted their wits against some of the brightest students in the UK as they travelled down to London to compete in last year’s UKMT National Final.

The United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) Team Challenge is open for entry to all schools and colleges in the UK, providing gifted and talented students the opportunity to compete against other schools in a series of maths-based challenges.

Sporting Successes Jessica Hopton (Winterbourne) was selected to represent England in Badminton at the UK Student Games in Sheffield.

Emily Wright (Winterbourne) was selected to compete at this year’s English Schools AA Track and Field Championships. From a squad of nearly 100 athletes Emily’s performance was deemed good enough to make the final squad of 35.

The Ridings’ Federation sweep the board at National Schools Gymnastics Championships

Sixth Form Open Evenings Winterbourne International Academy Thursday 10th November 2011 6.30pm – 8.30pm Yate International Academy Thursday 17th November 2011 6.30pm – 8.30pm www.trfa.org.uk/sixthform

11 students from Yate International Academy and 1 student from Winterbourne International Academy won the right to represent the South West at the English Schools National Gymnastics Championships - winning Gold in all six events in the process.

Winterbourne students celebrate ‘Cup Double’ Football Success

Year 8 and 9 students won the Bristol Regional Final and represented the South West in London in the National Final.

Year 8 students at Winterbourne International Academy won the Gloucestershire Schools Cup with a 5-2 victory over Bournside School, Cheltenham and also won the Bristol and South Gloucestershire Cup.

Some images courtesy of Bristol Evening Post

The Year 11 rugby team at Winterbourne International Academy won the South Gloucestershire rugby tournament beating Downend, Chipping Sodbury, John Cabot and Filton in the final.

International Baccalaureate Information Evening Winterbourne International Academy Monday 28th November 2011 7.00pm – 8.30pm www.trfa.org.uk/sixthform

Primary places for 2012 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.