PROSPECTUS
"THE TOP ATTAINMENT
SCHOOL IN SOUTH
GLOUCESTERSHIRE!"
Empowering all to excel
2
Empowering all to excel
WELCOME MESSAGE
It is my pleasure and honour to introduce you to our vibrant Academy where studen to excel’ in all aspects of their life.
I am passionate in my belief that every young person, regardless of background and conte environment of high expectation, ambition and support.
Students at Winterbourne, and across The Ridings’ Federation of Academies, have the op accomplished and independent learners prepared for a changing world where they can tru
I am proud of our dedicated team of staff who are committed to giving the best of their ex who attends Winterbourne International Academy. Our culture and ethos statements are s committed to in order to ensure that teachers can excel at teaching so that students can e
This prospectus will give you a glimpse into the richness of Academy life at Winterbourne Academy and I hope you will take every opportunity to explore how well this Academy can quality of education that you and your child desire and deserve. Mr Adam Williams
Mr Richard Haupt
Chief Executive Principal of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies
Academy Principal
PURPOS
WIA PROSPECTUS
Empowering all to excel
nts and staff are ‘empowered
ext, will thrive in an
pportunity to develop into uly play a vital part.
xpertise to every student something we are deeply excel at learning.
International n deliver the high
SE
We are proud of our fantastic results which makes us the leading school in South Gloucestershire! Check out our results below... GCSE Results
5 + A* - C Grades (inc. English and Maths)
73%
A*-C in both English and Maths
77%
Progress 8
+0.04
22% of students achieved at least one A* Grade!
A Level Results A* - B Grades
61%
Level Three BTEC students who gained a Distinction or starred Distinction
94%
A* - E Grades
100%
3
4
Empowering all to excel
CURRICULUM In Year 7 and Year 8 there is a focus on giving every student the widest experience possible across the Arts, Languages, Humanities and Technical subjects whilst maintaining a strong focus on the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Sciences, RE and PE. In year 9 we offer students a set of ‘mini-options’ so they have a preferred choice of Arts and Technology subjects. In Year 10 and Year 11 there is a mixture of core subjects and a wide range of optional subjects. Students can take up to 11 GCSE’s; this is structured to allow for maximum flexibility of choice. In year 12 and 13, students follow a 3 or 4 A level programme and there is inclusive support for careers and higher education entrance. Our curriculum not only covers a broad and balanced range of academic subjects, it also covers a large PSHE programme, with lessons designated to covering Personal, Social and Health Education. Every afternoon the students have a tutorial session, ‘in addition to this, KS3 students will have one lesson per fortnight which will focus on areas such as careers education, charity activities, target setting and discussion of current affairs. KS4 students are taught this through dedicated drop down days during the Academic year.
"There is some outstanding teaching in sociology, mathematics, drama, photography and art.” Ofsted
WIA PROSPECTUS
CULTURE AND ETHOS Our Academy culture is based upon five key concepts which help develop a strong sense of belonging, behaviour and attitude at WIA. We promote this culture throughout the Academy, in classes and in assemblies as a way to inspire and empower students:
Courtesy – we want everyone to be polite, treat others with respect and show manners to create a friendly, warm and inclusive learning environment.
Resilience – we want everyone to build inner strength so that they are persistent and determined in their goals and can overcome mistakes and setbacks.
Integrity – we want everyone to be honest and honourable, to build a strong sense of character and moral compass that can direct them through life.
Self-Reflection – we want everyone to build the capacity for self-discipline, self-control and mastery. This comes from being able to reflect on successes and failures and learn from every experience.
Purpose – we want to develop aspirations and dedication so that everyone can find focus and energy in all their endeavours.
"Students are happy in the academy. Their behaviour in classrooms is good overall because they focus on their learning and show respect for teachers and one another.” Ofsted
5
6
Empowering all to excel
THE GUILD SYSTEM Every student and staff member at Winterbourne International Academy is a member of one of the five Guilds: Aquila, Griffin, Lion, Pegasus or Phoenix. The Guilds encourage a sense of pride and belonging, whilst each child has his or her own personal identity, all Guilds endorse a set of core values that affect student aspiration; a sense of belonging. A sense of accomplishment; opportunities for fun and excitement; a spirit of adventure; curiosity and creativity; confidence to take action and opportunities for leadership and responsibility. Each Guild has a Head and Deputy Head of Guild to encourage the Academy ethos and its own set of values. Each Guild also has a dedicated Pastoral Manager. Each of these teams work tirelessly to support students and develop strong relationships with whole families in order to maximise a child’s potential. Year 7 students also benefit from an experienced Head of Year 7 who ensures a seamless transition from Primary School. Incoming students are put into tutor groups within their Guild and year group. In later years, we run a vertical tutor group system where Years 8 to 9, 10 to 11, and 12 to 13 are encouraged to work together during their 20 minute tutor sessions. This current structure was developed in response to key parent and student feedback.
RESILIE Each Guild organises and participates in fundraising events throughout the year to support their nominated charity. Students will have the opportunity to be awarded Guild Points and each point that a student earns will contribute to the overall Guild Point Competition.
WIA PROSPECTUS
7
“I am looking forward to watching you soar to achieve academic and personal success” Head of Aquila
“Griffins have the strength and courage of lions, and the agility of an eagle. A force to be reckoned with” Head of Griffin
“Be strong in the belief that you can succeed” Head of Lion
“I hope you fly and reach for the stars” Head of Pegasus
“We strive for courage, both inside and outside of the classroom”
IENCE Head of Phoenix
8
Empowering all to excel
YEAR 7 TRANSITION It can be daunting for a student starting a new school, but we pride ourselves on making this transition as smooth as possible. Our Head of Year 7 works closely with Guild Heads, Parents, and the Pastoral team to deliver a range of initiatives that will support every child joining our Academy. In March, parents will receive confirmation of their child’s place at the Academy. From then onwards we will provide important communications such as a Welcome Booklet and an Information Evening so parents, as well as children, are prepared for this exciting new chapter. During the last term of Year 6, WIA staff visit all students at their primary school to discuss the exciting opportunities that await them. We also discuss their needs with existing teachers to ensure that the best provision can be made for our incoming students. In July, Year 6 students spend a ‘taster day’ at the Academy where they meet their new tutor and classmates in preparation for their start in September. During the summer holidays, the Academy offers a ‘Summer School’ and a ‘Multi-Sports Week’ specifically for new Year 7 students to help them further develop new friendships and to familiarise themselves with their new surroundings. Students rave about these weeks and by September they are desperate to start Year 7 to see the new friends they have made!
WIA PROSPECTUS
9
STUDENT FEATURE
INDIA PROJECT A group of fifteen students from Winterbourne International Academy travelled to India in October 2015 to partake in our ongoing exchange and community charity project with schools in India. Four thousand pounds was raised for the Shri Harsha Mishra Memorial School for the Deaf in order to support the essential work that they do, providing education for children who may otherwise be left without any schooling. The India Exchange Project is a great way for our students to experience a culture that is very different to their own. Lasting friendships are forged during the exchange and our first cohort of students are still in touch with their Indian friends even now they are at university. It is a fantastic experience which makes a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children in Orissa, North East India. Overseas projects like this one, run every year - it truly puts the “International� in Winterbourne International Academy!
Visiting India was an incredible experience, exceeding every expectation I once had of the country and is a place I sincerely hope to return to. Anna Ley, Student
10
Empowering all to excel
LIFE AT WINTERBOURNE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY Overseas Trips
Educational visits help develop new skills and a strong appreciation for friends, teachers and other cultures. While some of these trips are subject related, others are open to all students. Regular overseas trips include New York, Germany, France, Iceland, India, and Mexico; along with activity based trips like Watersports and Skiing!
Extra-curricular activities
From Creative Writing Club and Gardening Club through to our award-winning French Drama Club and Magic Club, there is something for everyone! Our Arts Learning Area is particularly active with choirs, jazz groups, bands and orchestras.
Sport
The Winterbourne International Academy Sports Village has an enviable provision of facilities including an all-weather pitch, a large sports hall with basketball and cricket nets, netball courts, sports pitches, and an indoor swimming pool. Our passionate PE teachers and support for sporting excellence has helped many students achieve professional contracts, international appearances and even Olympic medals!
The Arts Centre
This is a multi-purpose venue that brings the education of students to life with a mixed programme of events from Classical Music to Rock Concerts, Pantomime to Shakespeare.
Charity and themed days
Throughout the year, the Academy runs many themed days and events, designed to bring students together for a common goal and understanding. Recent events include Wear Something Pink (for breast cancer), cake sales, sports relief events and numerous Guild charity days.
WIA PROSPECTUS
WIA nurtures academic excellence and encourages students to participate in a huge range of other experiences to maximise their time at the Academy.
Academic Support and Guidance
Although being part of a large Academy has many benefits we also know that students need dedicated focus and attention both inside and outside the classroom. In addition to tutor group and Guild Head support, students can also rely on a strong Pastoral and Special Education Needs and Disabilities team.
The Bourne Performers
Combines the talents of staff and students across the Arts department for street and contemporary dance, media documentaries and programme design.
Duke of Edinburgh Award
With over 150 students participating, WIA are the largest non private school provider of the DofE Awards in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. The Award is a challenging programme which helps students to learn new skills, encourages social commitment and allows them to experience adventure whilst giving them a great sense of achievement.’
Our facilities
Thanks to our ÂŁ19million new building we boast some of the best facilities in South Gloucestershire including a 350 seater auditorium, interactive theatre, technology block, learning resource centre, computer rooms.
Special visitors
The Academy sees a number of special guests throughout the year delivering important messages about achievement, bullying, politics and other world affairs. Recent visitors include Olympian Jenny Jones, writer Nathan Filer, Marathon runner Ben Smith, many local MPs and even HRH The Princess Royal!
11
12
Empowering all to excel
COMMUNICATING WITH STUDENTS AND PARENT/ CARERS Daily notices
Students will be kept up to date with important daily notices in class and via assemblies and their tutors.
Internal Display Screens
There are TV screens around the Academy and these are updated regularly with important news, events, extra-curricular activities and educational messages.
Letters
Letters and reports will be sent home during the year. These will often require a response, such as a permission slip for an educational visit.
www.trfwia.org.uk
The Academy website is kept up to date with the latest news, essential information and copies of letters home. There are also links to the VLE (Virtual Learning Area), SIMS Learning Gateway and the online payment system.
WIA:Insight parent newsletter
This online newsletter is produced once a term and informs parents about all the exciting things that have been happening at the Academy.
Text and Email
Emails or SMS messages will be sent to parent/carers when information needs to be communicated quickly. It is therefore important to ensure all contact details are correct.
WIA PROSPECTUS
My Ed app
Our smart phone app allows you access to their child’s timetable and attendance record. It also communicates messages to parent/carers; from the Academy and provides other useful links.
Social media
We use social media to post reminders, announce important information and provide daily curriculum updates. We encourage students, parents and carers to follow the pages below: www.facebook.com/winterbourneinternationalacademy www.twitter.com/TRFWIA www.vimeo.com/ridingsfederation
SIMS Learning Gateway
Parents and carers can access real-time information on their child’s timetable, attendance, and behaviour records. A link to the SIMS Learning Gateway is available on the home page of www.trfwia.org.uk To request login details please email:anthe.evans@trfwia.org.uk
Meetings and events
Winterbourne International Academy regularly hosts information evenings for parent/carers. The calendar on the Academy website lists the latest events.
13
14
Empowering all to excel
STUDENT FEATURE
ENGLISH TOURING OPERA Fifty Students across Woodlands Primary, Winterbourne and Yate International Academies joined forces with the English Touring Opera (ETO) to stage their very own opera. The students worked on the production from scratch over the course of a week and performed twice on the fifth day to packed audiences from across the Federation and the local community. It used original material the students came up with themselves based on the dangerous journey child migrants make from the Middle East as they try to enter Europe and featured students as performers, technicians and members of the band.
This project has brought a whole new dimension of performance work to the students across our academies. Mrs Andrea William-Jones, Assistant Principal (Expressive and Performing Arts)
WIA PROSPECTUS
15
LIFE POST-16 Winterbourne International Academy is a centre of excellence in Post 16 education, boasting excellent A Level results and more students reaching their first choice universities than any other local Sixth Form. We foster exceptionally high academic achievement with a 100% pass rate and 61% of students achieving A*-B Grades at A-Level.
"As the highest achieving
Our Sixth Form is a wonderful place to be - it offers a vibrant and supportive community with many wonderful opportunities such as overseas community projects, excursions, dedicated sixth form areas and real-life work experiences.
Winterbourne Sixth
Our aim is to empower all students to excel while feeling valued, happy and challenged. The WIA Sixth Form Centre has been recognised by Ofsted as ‘Good’ with some outstanding teaching. Our Oxbridge support programme has ensured that our students have gained places to study at these prestigious selective institutions and our careers advice and guidance has been recognised by Ofsted as ‘high quality’.
Sixth Form in South Gloucestershire, our students leave Form Centre as well-rounded adults with excellent results." Miss Lucy Kirkbright, Head of Sixth Form
16
Empowering all to excel
We are proud of Winterbourne our alumni really demonstrates
ALUMINI XINYU SHEN:
During her time at Winterbourne International Academy, Xinyu achieved A in GCSE Maths at the age of 14 and an A in A-Level Maths at the age of 16. Her four A* results earned her a place at a top London University to study economics.
LEVANNA MCLEAN:
Levanna became a YouTube sensation in 2013 thanks to her Northern Soul dance video to the tune of ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams. Her success has led her to perform on stage at the Brit Awards and she has recently released her own mixed CD.
Nathan Filer
Won the Costa Book of the Year Award for his debut novel, The Shock of the Fall. He also won the BBC Best New Film Maker Award for the short film, Oedipus.
WIA PROSPECTUS
e's rich heritage. Our "empowering all to excel" vision maybe new, but s how we've been empowering and supporting students for years! JESS HOPTON:
Jess was awarded the Under-17 English National Badminton Champion, she was also an Olympic Torch Bearer for the London 2012 Olympics.
JENNY JONES:
Jenny left Ridings High School in 1996 and since has become the UK’s most globally respected snowboarder. She has won countless competitions, including an Olympic Bronze at the 2014 Winter Olympics. Jenny has since returned to the Academy to speak to students.
Joe Paddon
Joe achieved A*AA to secure a place at the London School of Economics to read Law. He also won a ÂŁ2,500/year bursary to support his studies thanks to an essay, assessment day and interview with a law firm. He thanks his Head of Year and Head of Sixth Form in particular for their support.
17
18
Empowering all to excel
HOW TO APPLY
COURTESY
WIA PROSPECTUS
Year 7 Admissions
Applications to Winterbourne International Academy for a place at the start of Year 7 should be made through the Local Authority for the area that you live and in line with their current processes. For those living in South Gloucestershire, full details on the admissions process are available from online: www.southglos.gov.uk/admissions or through South Gloucestershire Council’s Childrens Information Service on 01454 868008. Please pay careful attention to your home Local Authority’s applications deadlines (usually around the end of October) as late applications cannot always be considered.
In-year admissions
For admissions partway through Year 7, or during Years 8 to 11, applications should be made directly to the Academy using the ‘In-Year’ application form which can be downloaded from the Academy website.
Winterbourne Sixth Form Centre Admissions Applications should be made directly to Winterbourne Sixth Form Centre. Application forms are available at www. trfa.org.uk/sixthform. Further information is available in the Sixth Form prospectus.
Y
19
CONTACT DETAILS
High Street Winterbourne Bristol BS36 1JL Telephone 01454 252000 Email office@trfwia.org.uk Website www.trfwia.org.uk Social media: www.facebook.com/winterbourneinternationalacademy www.twitter.com/TRFWIA www.vimeo.com/ridingsfederation Smart App: www.myedschoolapp.com
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.