2024 - 25 Prospectus
A warm welcome from our Principal, Anna Sarchet
I am delighted to invite you to consider The City Academy, Hackney as your preferred choice of secondary school for your child.
At The City Academy, Hackneywe are dedicated to providing all of the students in our community with the best possible educational opportunities. We believe excellence is achieved through three key ingredients: clear structures, high expectations and strong relationships. Our outstanding curriculum is built around ‘The City Experience’ which places equal value on academic, creative, sporting, linguistic and personal development.
We pride ourselves on being a school which offers young people a warm and supportive environment, enabling them to meet our very high expectations. Our inspirational staff are highly skilled and committed, and we are generously supported by The City of London Academies Trust. As a result of this, our students make exceptional progress and leave our school as committed and high achieving young adults.
Academically our students go from strength to strength. Year on year, we achieve above average outcomes at both A-level and GCSE. This year we achieved our best ever set of GCSE results ensuring that our students can go on to study in our outstanding sixth form. Our academic success is only part of the story however: our sports teams compete at regional level, our music concerts and end of year shows are renowned throughout Hackney and our students past and present advocate for their community on local and national platforms.
We are an exceptional academy. We invite you to take the time to read our prospectus to find out more about our approach, our community and our very special ethos.
Anna Sarchet Principal
Mission and Values
Our aim is to provide an outstanding education for students in Hackney.
Our Mission
We want 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.
Our Values
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.
My
child was offered a challenging and broad choice of subjects, which was suited to them and enjoyable.
-KS3 parent ” “
Our curriculum - enjoyable, challenging and broad
The core purpose of the academy is to facilitate students’ learning. We do this by developing a challenging curriculum delivered by supportive, expert teachers.
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 which o ffer support and challenge the more able
Skilled and thoughtful teaching
Additional Studies
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. This includes our compulsory Additional Studies programme of enrichment classes. 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?
We value students’ well-being, their opinions and their achievement. All students are individuals and are treated as such. 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 tutor or Personal Adviser who meets with them regularly. Aspirational targets are discussed and agreed in partnership with parents.
Teachers demonstrate excellent subject knowledge. They use this to deepen pupils' learning effectively -Ofsted 2023
Outstanding learning at Key Stage 3
Our students' learning and progress are at the heart of everything we do and this is evident, not only in our recent 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
Science
In year 9, students on track to achieve at least a grade 5 in core subjects are given the opportunity to start one GCSE a year early.
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 term.
Top attainment at Key Stage 4
In Key Stage 4 (years 10 and 11) students study for their GCSEs and BTEC courses. Many of our students will study the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) - English, maths, science, geography or history and Spanish or French. There are a range of additional subjects that they can also choose from for their GCSE programme such as art, music, drama, business, hospitality and catering, RE, sociology, computer science, PE and DT. The breadth of courses ensure that students have a range of well-regarded qualifications to equip them to take the next step in their education.
2024 exam results
The Academy achieved some of its strongest GCSE results this year, with grades once again bucking national trends. Students continued to achieve above average outcomes in all national measures. This exemplifies our ongoing pursuit of excellence and represents the hard work and dedication of both our teachers and students.
59% of students achieved grade 5 or more in both English and Maths
81% of students achieved grade 4 or more in both English and Maths
80% English grade 9-5, with 87% achieving grade 9-4
59% maths 9-5, with 81% achieving 9-4
20% of our students achieved 5 or more grades 7-9
Please see the chart below to give a sense of National comparisons:
Sixth Form - fostering independence & high expectations
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. The Sixth Form is based on the same core values that characterise the work of the academy as a whole.
The holistic 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 such as Imperial College for STEM tuition. 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 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. We have a dedicated EPQ Coordinator who provides students with the opportunity to experience a research project at university level with 38% of students receiving A/A* and 100% recieving B-A*.
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.
Outstanding results at Key Stage 5 in 2024
A Level students at The City Academy, Hackney gained the best ever (publicly sat) results this year. This is evidence of the hard work of our students and dedication of our staff. Our students have achieved:
30% of grades A*/A
60% of students achieved A*-B in all of their subjects
88% of BTEC Grades D*- D
95% of year 13 students went on to university or a degree level apprenticeship with companies including Ernst & Young, Bentley, Bloomberg or BT.
The quality of teaching at the academy is outstanding. Lessons are interesting and always informative and clear.
-KS3 academy student ”
-Current academy teacher “ ”
The school has high standards and expectations, but it genuinely prioritises building positive relationships with students.
TheCityExperience-opportunitiesto enjoyandachieve
Students at The City Academy, Hackney are taught in an environment that promotes academic, crea tive, spor ting, linguisti c and personal achievement: this is ‘The City Experience’.
Academic-wedonotcompromiseonstudentsachievingexceptionallevelsofacademic progress.Wearerigorousinourteachingwhilst ensuringthatweengagestudents’ interestandsupportthemtomakethemostpossible progress.Behaviourisexceptional, classroomsarefocusedandstudentsarerequiredtocomplete theirclasswork,andthe regularhomeworkwesetthem,tothebestoftheirability.
Crea tive -Creativelearning 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 provided with free musical instrument tuition.
Sporting-ourcommitmenttohealthylifestylesmeansthatweencouragewideparticipation insportsandfitness.Wehaveregularfixturesforallsportsteamsrangingfromfootballto netballtobasketball.Studentstakeprideinrepresentingtheacademyandtheacademy takesprideinnurturingtheirindividualtalentsandcollectivesuccess.
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, ensuring as many students as possible can access these opportunities.
Personal - webelievethatacademicsuccessandthewiderpersonaldevelopmentof studentsgohand inhand.Anyschoolshouldplaya vitalroleinsupportingstudentsto developarangeofwiderpersonalattributeswhichwillhelp themtosucceedinlaterlife. Theacademyplacesagreatdealofimportanceonpoliteness,kindness,responsibilityand respect.Wepromotethesevaluesthroughourhigh expectations.
Our partnership - parents and carers play a crucial role in ensuring students achieve at the highest level
O ften parental involvement in a child’s educa tion reduces when they reach secondary school. We are commi tted to ensuring that does not happen. Regular communica tion with parents is incredibly important to us.
Communica tion
The academy regularly provides parents with information to ensure they are informed of their child’s progress: reports are compiled three times a year. The academy does its utmost to support parental engagement. You can expect regular updates via the PAM Parent app, as well as post such as praise postcards.
Consultati on
Every year we host parent days where you have the opportunity to meet your child’s teachers and discuss their progress. You will also be invited to our annual 'Meet the Tutor' event where you will find out key information and how to support your child throughout the year.
Par ticipati on
We understand the challenges parents face while supporting their child’s education and we know that parents 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
Pastoral Care
Primary Transi tion
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 start their day with tutor time. Tutors check on their progress, monitor their planners, give notices and lead discussions on the theme of the week. They keep an eye on 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 are a range of house activities and competitions, from reading to sport.
Behaviour and Expectations
The academy expects the 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.
Steve Goodman, Chair of Governors
Our governing board is committed to supporting the Principal and her staff as they continue to maintain and improve the high academic and behavioural standards that the academy is famous for.
We are part of the City of London Academy Trust and share their aspirations and values. We have high expectations of all of our students and see it as our duty to help everyone who attends to reach their potential..
We promote creativity, innovation and enterprise offering opportunities for all and helping students become confident, resilient and compassionate members of society. We have developed a strong partnership with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and are very proud of the opportunities we provide students in the creative arts.
Our next step is to develop opportunities for our students to participate and excel in sport at both groundroots and elite levels.
Our core purpose will remain providing an excellent academic education from year 7 all the way to year 13, enabling our students to move on to exciting and rewarding futures.
Steve Goodman Chair of Governors
Our staff, CoLAT Trust 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 determinati on of our sta ff, 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, a rich and varied curriculum, and consistency in behaviour management, rules, routines and quality of teaching.
City of London Academies Trust
As a member of The 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
Our most recent OFSTED inspection in March 2023 took place after an eleven year gap and therefore under a different framework. The academy was awarded "good" judgements in every category and an "outstanding" judgement in the 6th form. OFSTED praised the "calm, orderly behaviour", "ambitious curriculum" and "wide range of enrichment opportunities" amongst many other things. The full report can be read on our website or at https://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/
“ ”
Leaders have developed an ambitious curriculum... and have high expectations of behaviour both inside and outside the classroom.
-O Offstested d 2023
Applying to join The City Academy, Hackney
All children applying to the academy, including children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) 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 an 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 an EHCP 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
2. A child subject to a child protection plan
3. Students whose siblings currently attend the academy and will continue to do so on the date of admission
4. 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).
5. 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 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.
Please refer to our website where you willfind a wide range of supporting material and useful informa tion including:
• An up-to-date events calendar including Open Evenings, Open Mornings, admissions and appeals deadlines
• Guidance of how to apply for a place through Hackney Education
• News of individual student achievements, whole-school successes, photographs and videos from recent events, trips, concerts and sports fixtures
• A link to school performance tables and the academy's full OFSTED report (March 2023)
• Our SEN information report detailing the academy’s provision for students with special educational or disability needs.
