2021
Prospectus
Contents Principal’s welcome message Our mission, vision and values An enjoyable and challenging curriculum Outstanding learning at Key Stage 3 Top attainment at Key Stage 4 Our Sixth Form The City Experience Our partnership with parents and carers Pastoral care and primary transition Our staff, Trust and governors Applying to The City Academy, Hackney
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Open Evening Wednesday 29th September, 5 - 8 p.m. Meet the Principal, our teaching staff and students. Find out more about the academy and tour our award-winning building.
Open Mornings Thursday 7th & Friday 8th October. Booking required, via email communication@thecityacademy.org Our Open Mornings will comprise a studentled tour of the academy plus a presentation from the Principal, Mark Malcolm. * Where the term ‘parent’ is used in this document the academy recognises that this includes any adult who has legal responsibility for the child.
A warm welcome from our Principal, Mark Malcolm I am delighted to invite you to consider The City Academy, Hackney as your preferred choice of secondary school for your child. When we were established in 2009 we set out to build an exceptional academy for our students based on the highest expectations of academic achievement and personal development. Our students have always achieved excellent GCSE and A-level results and our sixth form students progress to university or high-level apprenticeships. Students at The City Academy, Hackney make excellent progress from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 4. It is our expectation that students make a minimum of one grade progress for every year at the academy. Teaching and learning is engaging, creative and challenging. Students enjoy learning and are proud of their success. In 2010 and 2012 we were judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in every Ofsted category. The City Academy, Hackney is built on five principles called the Foundation for Learning. All adults firmly believe that all students can achieve their potential and these high expectations are underpinned by a strong behaviour policy that enables students to access the learning and teachers to teach the lessons they have prepared. Students are assessed regularly to inform students, parents and their teachers so timely intervention takes place when required. A rigorous and challenging curriculum enables all students to aspire to further education at sixth form, college and university. This is an exceptional academy, please take some time to explore the website to find out more about our approach, our community and our very special ethos. Mark Malcolm Principal
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Staff, students and their parents and carers have all made a significant contribution to the academy’s vision and success. - Ofsted
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Our Mission
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Our aim is to provide an outstanding education for students in Hackney Our mission: to develop highly qualified and skilled young adults who achieve to the best of their individual ability and embrace a desire for lifelong learning in their chosen path when they leave. We will fully equip our students to deal with the challenges of the 21st century by displaying the highest standards of professionalism and supporting them to become ethical, active citizens fully committed to supporting their local and global community. The City Academy, Hackney offers all students an outstanding opportunity to learn and achieve in a purpose-built environment with access to the highest standards of teaching, support and challenge. We achieve those standards by promoting a working environment which pioneers innovation, professional development and the highest standards of teaching and support.
Values and success Our success is judged by excellence in examination results, standards of behaviour, sporting and creative achievement as well as the politeness, selfdiscipline and compassion of our students. It is important to us that students enjoy learning and feel safe and happy at school and we enable them to develop the confidence, independence and self-awareness required for their future success and well-being. Values
Success
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Lead by example
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Work together
Provide a high quality education for students in Hackney and pioneer educational innovation
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Respect individuals
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Provide a high quality education for students in Hackney and pioneer educational innovation
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Dedication to learning and achievement
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Enable students to fulfil their potential and participate fully in society
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Commitment to communities
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Raise standards and aspirations for young people
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Honesty, openness and fairness
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Build partnerships between local cultural organisations, business and educational communities
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An enjoyable, challenging and relevant curriculum The core purpose of the academy is to help students learn. We do this by developing comprehensive, detailed teaching and learning strategies that foster excellent academic progress. The City Academy, Hackney ensures all students have the essential skills to achieve in later life and opportunities to excel in every subject. The academy provides: a strong core curriculum that supports literacy, numeracy and oracy a range of learning pathways to offer support and challenge the more able innovative and stimulating learning experiences.
Additional Studies and the extended day The academy operates an extended day for all students; the libraries are open both before and after school and our staff offer a range of extra-curricular activities including our Additional Studies programme of enrichment classes, one evening a week. The PE department also run sports clubs all year round, alongside training sessions for the academy’s competitive squads, both before and after school.
How are students supported? The City Academy, Hackney values students’ well-being, their opinions and their achievement. All students are individuals and have a variety of complex needs. Students with special educational needs and disability (SEND), those who are more able in a particular subject, and the majority of students who fit into neither of these categories all need support and challenge. All students have a Personal Adviser who meets with them regularly. Aspirational targets are discussed and agreed in partnership with parents.
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Teachers meticulously plan lessons to ensure that the individual learning needs are met - Ofsted
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Outstanding learning at Key Stage 3
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Our students’ learning and progress are at the heart of everything we do and this is evident, not only in our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted report, but also in the academy’s results. Key Stage 3 covers year 7 to year 9. Students study an engaging programme that covers all National Curriculum subjects. This includes: Art Computing Design & Technology Drama English
French or Spanish Geography History Maths Music
P.E. PSHCE R.E. Science
Targets and Progress In line with our vision for the academy, we continue to raise standards and aspirations with an expectation that all students make equal progress towards their challenging targets. The higher the starting point, the higher the target. When students join the academy we take their KS2 scaled score in English and Maths and convert this to a GCSE grade. In the example below a KS2 scaled score of 100 equates to a GCSE grade of 1. All students are expected to make one grade of progress per year. They review progress towards their targets for each subject every half term. KS2 scaled score
Target GCSE grade
100 = GCSE 1 2 3
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End of year target
Y9
Y10
Y11
Y7
Y8
Top attainment at Key Stage 4
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In Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11) students study for their GCSEs. Most students will study all the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects - English, maths, science, geography or history and French or Spanish. They must also choose two additional subjects for their GCSE programme, so that all students fulfill their potential.
2021 Results For 2021 GCSE grades were centre assessed grades rather than the results of public examination. Our grades were based on robust evidence collected in school. Over two months our staff carefully reviewed a combination of classwork, homework, mock exam results and an estimate of the progress that would normally be expected leading up to the final exams. All grades were moderated across departments and at a whole school level. Students gained outstanding results that reflected their hard work and effort. 79% five or more 9-4 grades 82% English 9-4 grades 74% maths 9-4 grades 55% at least one 9-7 grade 27% three or more 9-7 grades English Baccalaureate point score 4.84
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Highly effective strategies are put in place to ensure all students do as well as they can. - Ofsted
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79%
82%
74%
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55%
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27%
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5+ 9-4
Eng 9-4
Maths 9-4
1+ 9-7
3+ 9-7
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An enjoyable, challenging and relevant sixth form
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The City Academy, Hackney is a seven year journey from year 7 to Sixth Form. The aim of our Sixth Form is to develop young learners into independent, studious and professional young adults, by insisting on the same core values that characterise the work of the academy as a whole. The education we offer, and the standards we deliver are not the only reasons for choosing The City Academy, Hackney. We have established links with Russell Group universities including links with Clare College, Cambridge and Wadham College, Oxford. Our close association with financial services firm KPMG provides opportunities including subject mentoring. Our membership of City of London Academies Trust allows us access to access to unique facilities and work experience opportunities. Our dedicated University Support Programme and partnership with The Access Project are designed to help students prepare for university and guide them through the application process. Our hand-picked, experienced, Personal Advisers will support, guide, mentor and provide the help and intervention required for students to achieve the best possible grades in their chosen A levels.
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In the Sixth Form, our commitment to excellence extends to our enrichment offer, where we provide an extensive sports, arts and community enrichment programme certified through the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
It is a pleasure to work in such a fantastic school and amazing to see not only students reaching their full potential but also becoming such mature and polite young adults. - academy teacher
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Outstanding Attainment at Key Stage 5 in 2021 Our A Level students at The City Academy, Hackney gained the best ever results this year. This outstanding outcome is evidence of the hard work of our students and dedication of our staff driving forward the consistent approach of the academy. Our students have achieved: 66% of grades A* to B 47% of students achieved A* to B in all of their subjects 13% of students achieved A* to A in all of their subjects Top apprenticeships including KPMG, BT, Vodafone and TfL
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The quality of teaching at the academy is outstanding. Lessons are interesting and always informative and clear. - academy student
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The City Experience: opportunities to enjoy and achieve Students at The City Academy, Hackney are taught in an environment that promotes academic, creative, sporting, linguistic and personal achievement: this is ‘The City Experience’. Academic - we will not compromise on students achieving exceptional levels of academic progress. We are rigorous in our teaching whilst ensuring that we engage students’ interest and inspire them to achieve the highest academic standards. Behaviour is exceptional, classrooms are focused and students are required to complete their classwork, and the regular homework we set them, to the best of their ability. Creative - Creative learning experiences are promoted across all subjects and the creative subjects themselves are highly regarded in our school. Every student has access to a wide range of creative opportunities through the formal curriculum, Additional Studies, trips, concerts and productions. In addition, every student in year 7 is given access to free musical instrument tuition. Sporting - our commitment to healthy lifestyles means that we encourage wide participation in sports and fitness. We have regular fixtures for all sports teams ranging from football to netball to trampolining. Students take pride in representing the academy and the academy takes pride in nurturing their individual talents and collective success. Linguistic - speaking another language is an invaluable life skill in the 21st century, globalised economy. For that reason every child is expected to study at least one foreign language and they are all given the opportunity to travel to Spain or France as part of their studies; these trips are subsidised by, The City of London Corporation, widening access to an enriching education. Personal - we believe that academic success and the wider personal development of students go hand in hand. Any school should play a vital role in allowing students to develop a range of wider personal attributes which will help them to succeed in later life. The academy places a great deal of importance on politeness, kindness, responsibility and respect. We promote these values through our high expectations.
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Brilliant achievement in supporting a continued enthusiasm for learning... and developing a very happy child. - academy parent
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Our partnership with parents and carers plays a crucial role in ensuring students achieve at the highest level Often parental involvement in a child’s education reduces when they reach secondary school. We are committed to ensuring that does not happen. Regular communication with parents is incredibly important to us.
Communication The academy regularly provides parents with information and data to ensure they are informed of their child’s progress: reports are compiled four times a year. The academy does its utmost to support parental engagement. You can expect regular updates by email, text message and telephone, as well as post such as praise postcards.
Consultation Every year we host parent days where you have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and discuss their progress. In key years you will also be invited to a consultation evening with your child where you will meet with your child’s tutor or personal advisor to discuss their targets and wellbeing.
Participation We understand the challenges parents face while supporting their child’s education and we know that many parents, in similar situations, have benefited from talking to one another. The academy has a well-established Parent Staff Association (PSA) whose primary aim is to support communication between parents and the academy, and between parents themselves. The PSA hold open meetings every half term and also run a range of events including taster classes and social events, as well as running a second hand uniform shop.
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Behaviour in lessons and around the academy is excellent, reflecting the academy’s high expectations and professional standards. - Ofsted
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The positive impact of pastoral care Primary Transition
Our aim is to make the transition from primary to secondary education as smooth as possible. Students offered a place are invited to the academy with their parent/carer(s) to have an individual meeting with a member of staff, discuss expectations and answer any questions they may have. This meeting ensures we have the early parental support that is crucial to a child’s academic success. In addition to this we offer a summer school at the end of August and a full transition day, at which students learn more about life at the academy with their peers.
Tutor Groups
Students have tutor time every Monday morning. Tutors check on their student’s progress, monitor their planners, give notices and lead discussions on the theme of the week. They keep an eye on student’s levels of organisation, punctuality and attendance. Your child’s tutor is your first point of contact for any questions or concerns you may have.
House System
The House System is used to motivate students to achieve. There is a range of house activities and competitions, from reading to sport.
Behaviour and Expectations
The academy expects the kind of standards of behaviour that would be displayed in any professional workplace. It is our students’ responsibility to be well presented, polite and courteous at all times, and we expect parents to uphold our rules so that every child can succeed. We believe that children should understand that there are always consequences associated with good and poor behaviour. With this in mind, we have a simple and consistently enforced system of rewards and sanctions and a strict behaviour policy to support high standards of behaviour. This encourages hard work, rewards good behaviour and promotes success.
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Randall Anderson, Chair of Governors ‘September 2020 saw The City Academy, Hackney become a full member of City of London Academies Trust (COLAT). This move strengthens a relationship with City of London Corporation that has been in place since the academy’s foundation in 2009. We share many common aims and values with COLAT including the belief in: • high expectations, aspirations, excellence and a belief that all can succeed • combining creativity, innovation and enterprise, alongside tradition and continuity • developing people who are confident, resilient, compassionate and democratic We are pleased that KPMG have committed to continue their support of the academy. This means our students continue to benefit from a wealth support and work-related learning opportunities throughout the year. The Governing Body is made up of Governors appointed by the City of London Corporation and by KPMG, as well as parent, staff and local community Governors. It is our role to set the strategic direction for the academy, working with the Principal and Senior Leadership Team in helping to create a vibrant culture of high expectations, aspirations and overall excellence.’ Randall Anderson Chair of Governors
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Our staff, COLAT and governors share a strong commitment to the ethos and values that support our success A clear vision from the outset coupled with the enthusiasm and determination of our staff have been fundamental to the development and ongoing success of the academy.
Our staff All staff help support and guide students. Tutors and Personal Advisors play a significant role in monitoring progress and wellbeing. We believe the success of the academy is dependent upon providing a structured and safe environment, rich and varied curriculum, and consistency in behaviour management, rules, routines and quality of teaching.
City of London Academies Trust As a member of City of London Academies Trust (COLAT) we benefit from the support of a trust that shares our founding principles. Our strong relationship has grown since the foundation of the academy in 2009. We also continue to benefit from our ongoing association with financial services firm KPMG, who co-sponsored the academy for over 10 years.
Ofsted Since opening in 2009 we have achieved two ‘Outstanding’ grades from Ofsted. We were judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in every category and Ofsted were so impressed that our work has been promoted as best practice in a national publication.
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Applying to join The City Academy, Hackney
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All children applying to the academy, including children with statements of Special Educational Needs and looked after children, will be required to take the Cognitive Ability Tests (CAT4 Level C) designed by GL Assessments. Children who do not sit the test will be considered after those who sit the test. Applicants will be placed in one of four bands, based on their performance in the test. An equal number of children will be assigned to each band (where possible) based on the range of ability of the applicants. Each band represents approximately 25% of the applicants. Children with EHCP identifying SEND and looked after children are included in the appropriate band. If they are unable to take the test, their band allocation will be based on their primary school teacher assessments. The academy will consider all applicants for places. Where fewer than 180 applications are received, the academy will offer places to all those who have applied. After the admission of pupils with EHCP identifying SEND where The City Academy, Hackney is named and the number of applications for admission is greater than the published capacity, applications will be considered within each band against the following criteria: 1.
Children in public care
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A child subject to a child protection plan
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Students whose siblings currently attend the academy and will continue to do so on the date of admission
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Up to a maximum of nine children (across all bands) resident in the City of London (if more than nine students apply, selection within fair bands to be determined by drawing lots).
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Children of staff employed at the academy, where a member of staff has been employed for two or more years at the time at which the application is being made, and/or the member of
All aspects of the academy’s work are outstanding, its vision encompassing the whole community. - Ofsted
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staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage. 6.
Students will then be offered places on the basis of the proximity of their home (permanent residence) to the main entrance of the academy measured in a straight line on a map or using a GIS system (proximity is measured using a straight line measurement from the main entrance of the academy to the main entrance of the child’s home).
Tie break
Random allocation undertaken by an independent body will be used as a tiebreaker in categories 2-6 above to decide who has highest priority for a place if the distance between a child’s home and The City Academy, Hackney is equidistant in any two or more cases.
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Visit us online at: www.thecityacademy.org
Please refer to our website where you will find a wide range of supporting material and useful information including: •
an up-to-date events calendar including Open Evenings, Open Mornings, admissions and appeals deadlines
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guidance of how to apply for a place through Hackney Learning Trust
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news of individual student achievements, whole-school successes, photos and videos from recent events, trips, concerts and sports fixtures
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a link to the school performance tables and the academy’s full Ofsted report, graded ‘Outstanding’ in all categories in January 2012
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our SEN information report detailing the academy’s provision for students with special educational or disability needs.
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The City Academy, Hackney, Homerton Row, London, E9 6EA 020 8525 5440 admin@thecityacademy.org www.thecityacademy.org Principal: Mark Malcolm
Member of City of London Academies Trust The City Academy, Hackney is a registered charitable company. Registered office: The City Academy, Hackney, Homerton Row, London, E9 6EA.