Academy Newsletter Edition 5, May 2012
Welcome from the Academy Principal, Mr R Gilbert Dear Parents/Carers, Welcome to this newsletter for May 2012. During this term, the most significant event that has taken place was our expected Ofsted inspection of the 4-19 All Through Academy. By now you should have received a covering letter and a copy of the Ofsted report that is also published on the Academy and Ofsted websites. I hope you have been able to take the time to read through the main part of the report itself. Overall I am very pleased with the outcome of the inspection, and particularly the written report that we have received. From a secondary perspective, it really does show that the progress made in recent years has been regarded as ‘Good’. This has been borne out by the improvement in examination results, as you know, but I also feel that there are other elements of our success that contribute hugely to the experiences that children are now receiving at Yate International Academy. Recognition of improved behaviour, positive attitudes to learning and the Academy being a calm and pleasant place to work, for me, are key indicators of the improvement made. High attendance has also been recognised as well as our continued work with our parents/carers. The report also shows that we are not complacent, in any way, and that, through our systems and processes, we are in a very strong position to take the whole 4-19 All Through Academy further in providing very good education for all of the students we serve. The three points for us to consider, in terms of further improvement, did not come as a surprise. We flagged up these issues to Ofsted, through our own self evaluation, and the fact that they agreed with us is a clear indication that we are moving in the right direction. These areas for improvement will form the basis of our development planning for the next twelve months, in the short term, as we look to moving from ‘Overall Satisfactory’ to at least ‘Good’ with the potential to become an ‘Outstanding’ Academy in the next few years. I am very confident that we will achieve this. I could not write this editorial without making reference to the successes that students from the Academy, along with students from Culverhill School, had at Rock Challenge 2012. It was a privilege to be part of the audience that watched the Academy perform in Portsmouth on the very first day in Term 5. The work and commitment that have been put in by students, alongside staff, parents/carers, volunteers and former students, was nothing short of remarkable. The performance itself was of such a high standard, with the choreography being both challenging but also exact and precise in its nature. This was complemented by outstanding costuming, along with good quality staging and lighting, making the whole experience a wonderful occasion. To achieve second place in this heat was excellent and we now look forward to their successes in the Area Final on 8th June 2012, during the half term break. My sincere thanks go to Mrs Bell and her large team of supporters (too many to mention by name). Once again they have all shown that, by generating a real sense of community spirit amongst our students, the outcome is that they can excel in an area of performance that they not only enjoy, but are entirely at one with. On 14th May 2012, the GCSE/AS/A2 examination season got underway and by the end of June, the exams will have all been completed. I would like to particularly pass on my best wishes to all Year 11 and 13, especially Year 13 leavers, who are moving on to university or the beginnings of their chosen career path. I am sure that they will have fond memories of Yate International Academy (and its predecessor, King Edmund Community School) and we look forward to hearing about their successes in the future.