Prospectus 2014
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Contents Principal’s welcome message Our mission, vision and values
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An enjoyable and challenging curriculum 7 Top attainment at Key Stage 4 9 Outstanding progress at Key Stage 3 11 The City Experience 13 Sixth Form 15 Our partnership with parents and carers Pastoral care and primary transition
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Our staff, sponsors and governors Applying to The City Academy, Hackney
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Open evening Thursday 11 September, 4.30 - 8 p.m. Meet the Principal, our teaching staff and students. Find out more about the academy, and tour our award-winning building. Please visit the events page on our website for further information.
* Where the term ‘parent’ is used in this prospectus the academy recognises that this includes any adult who has legal responsibility for the child.
A warm welcome from our Principal, Mark Emmerson 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, Hackney we are relentless in our pursuit of academic success for our students and as a result they excel in all curriculum areas. Our students’ exceptional results this year demonstrate the extent of the progress that we achieve with our young people. This summer 82% of students achieved five or more A*- C grades with English and mathematics, and 66% achieved the English Baccalaureate (an arguably more rigorous measure of exam results with students obtaining an A*- C grade in English, maths, science, geography or history and a modern foreign language) – the best in the borough and more than three times better than the national average. The results of our top attainers were particularly striking too with almost a third of all students achieving five or more A* and A grades. The quality of all we do is extremely high - there is no compromise. The importance we place on creativity and the expressive subjects mean that our standards and achievement in technology, drama, music, art and physical education are among the best in London. We also model and actively promote the broader personal development of students to adulthood and see those values as integral to our success. This is an academy where a child’s talent can flourish in tandem with the important personal characteristics of kindness, good manners and professional conduct. We believe that you will be impressed by the outstanding educational experiences we can offer, and would urge you to visit the academy to find out more. Mark Emmerson 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 2012
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Our aim is to provide a high quality education for students in Hackney and pioneer educational innovation Our mission: to develop highly qualified and skilled young adults who achieve to the best of their ability, display the highest standards of professionalism and are 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.
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. 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’.
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Teaching is skilled, creative and of consistently high quality so that students’ progress is rapid. - Ofsted 2012
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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 and numeracy 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, three evenings 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 (SEN), 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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The academy has very high standards and expectations. It is these which have provided the impetus for excellence.
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Top attainment at Key Stage 4 Our first cohort of students took their GCSE exams this summer; 82% of students achieved five or more A*- C grades (including English and maths), more than 20% above the national average. In addition to the headline figure of five good GCSE grades, 66% of students also achieved the English Baccalaureate (an arguably more rigorous measure of exam results with students obtaining an A*- C grade in English, maths, science, geography or history and a modern foreign language) - the best in the borough and more than three times better than the national average.
Whole school
By subject
91% five or more A*- C grades 66% English Baccalaureate 32% of all grades A*- A 30% five or more A*- A 12% of all grades A*
100% A*- C grade in art and music 91% A*- C grade in English 89% A*- C grade in MFL 86% A*- C grade in maths 86% A*- C grade in double science
2014 GCSE exam results compared to the borough and national averages from 2013.
75%
Five or more A*- C grades
Five or more A*- C grades incl. English and maths
33% Bor.
23% Nat.
TCAH
Borough
TCAH
National
20
66%
59% 61%
60 40
82%
National
80
TCAH
91%
100
English Baccalaureate
GCSE options All students study GCSEs in English, maths and science, and there is a wide selection of options across the remaining subjects. The vast majority of students follow the English Baccalaureate in Key Stage 4. Our GCSE options subjects include many of those taught throughout Key Stage 3 such as art, music and technology as well as additional choices including computing and economics.
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Outstanding progress 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.
PE
4
Crea ve St udi es
2
s/ ines Bus ICT
h. TCAH
National
TCAH
National
Humani es
TCAH
MFL
Te c Maths
3/4
National
2
70
English
30
hours
2
80
English & maths
4/5
Scie nc e
90
60
1
4
94%
93%
90%
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Eng lish
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Percentage of Key Stage 3 students achieving level 5 and above compared with the National averages. 100
E PHSCly/tutor emb Ass
hs Mat
All students follow a two-year programme in the core subjects and begin GCSEs in English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics in year 9. Foundation subjects are taught over three years, with the majority of students completing Key Stage 3 at the end of year 9. All students follow the national curriculum unless the academy (in consultation with students and parents) feels they would benefit from not doing so.
Outstanding progress In line with our vision for the academy, we aim to raise standards and aspirations through leading by example. With 90% of students reaching level 5 and above in English and maths at Key Stage 3, the progress our students make is well above the national average and is truly inclusive.
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The City Experience: opportunities to enjoy and achieve 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 focussed 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 8 is given access to free musical instrument tuition, funded by our joint sponsor, KPMG.
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
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football to netball, taekwondo 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 our joint sponsor, 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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An enjoyable, challenging and relevant sixth form. The academy’s sixth form opened in September, extending our outstanding educational provision to post-16. 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 also have highly developed links with Russell Group universities and a unique link through our sponsors, The City of London Corporation and KPMG, with Clare College, Cambridge. KPMG also provide an Access course for A level students as well as paid alternatives to higher education, where degree standard training courses are offered for successful applicants who are employed by KPMG while they train. Our sixth form provides our students, and those who join the academy at 16, with the best opportunities to achieve in a supportive and challenging environment where the highest expectations are reflected in all we do. For more information about our A level courses, please refer to the Sixth Form section of our website or pick up a copy of our Sixth Form Guide.
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Stephen Webster, Chair of the Parent Staff Association The City Academy, Hackney has a deserved reputation for the excellence of its teaching, its calm atmosphere and the sure progress of its students. From the very first day it is obvious to new parents and carers that every student is expected to do well and will be supported and encouraged. Both in and out of lessons, the staff have developed a great range of interesting and creative opportunities, allowing children to flourish in their own individual way. Stephen Webster Chair of the Parent Staff Association
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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: newsletters are posted home every half term; reports are compiled five times a year; progress, behaviour and attendance can be monitored online, and the academy does its utmost to support parental engagement by offering numerous opportunities for parents to meet with staff throughout the year.
Consultation We offer an opportunity for parents to meet their child’s Personal Adviser in the first half term at the school as well as at scheduled meetings, at which parents can meet with subject teachers, discuss their child’s progress and set targets.
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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The academy’s core values which emphasise achievement, enjoyment and respect are also having a positive impact on students’ lives. - 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(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 full transition day, at which students learn more about life at the academy with their peers.
House system and vertical tutor groups Students are grouped into four Houses with a Head of House - who is responsible for having an overview of students’ attainment, welfare and behaviour - and elected student House Captains. The House system is used to motivate students to achieve through a range of activities and competitions, from reading to sport. The academy operates vertical tutor groups. This means that tutor groups include a mix of ages. In schools that use this system, tutors have much more contact with individual students and there are fewer instances of bullying as students create friendships across and between year groups.
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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Dawn Elliott, Chair of Governors Having access to a high standard of education is essential in helping young people to achieve their goals in life, and also to help employers who need talented young people in their organisations. Our decision to sponsor the academy was based on our belief that we could help to make a difference by raising levels of achievement and lifting the horizons of young people. As noted by Ofsted, the founding team of teachers and sponsors, “provided the early vision and direction for the academy.” Five years on and we remain fully committed to the achievement and well-being of our students. Employees from both sponsors volunteer as Personal Advisers to our students, providing individual support. Other initiatives range from the Access Project – a one-to-one tutoring programme – to creative collaborations with the Barbican and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. It goes without saying that the sponsors and governors are absolutely delighted with the academy’s first set of GCSE results. Dawn Elliott Chair of Governors
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Our staff, sponsors 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 and sponsors Students say they greatly appreciate the way all staff support and help them, whilst Personal Advisers 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. We have two excellent sponsors: financial services firm KPMG and the City of London Corporation, who both have first class track records in supporting education. Our shared vision is to provide a professional ethos that gives students the confidence, skills and ambition to move on to the wider worlds of higher education and work.
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. Please see our website to read the report in full.
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All aspects of the academy’s work are outstanding, its vision encompassing the whole community. - Ofsted 2012
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Applying to join The City Academy, Hackney. Applications for places at the academy will be made in accordance with Hackney Learning Trust’s coordinated admission arrangements. All children applying to the academy, including children with statements of Special Educational Needs and looked after children, will be required to take the GL Assessment, CATS3 Level C test. 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. Approximately the same number of children will be admitted in each of the four bands so that each band represents 25% of the applicants. Children with statements of SEN and looked after children are placed in a 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 statements of SEN 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 nine students resident in the City of London (if more than nine students apply, selection within fair bands to be determined by drawing lots) 5. 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.
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The City Academy, Hackney, Homerton Row, London, E9 6EA 020 8525 5440 admin@thecityacademy.org
Principal: Mark Emmerson
The City Academy, Hackney is sponsored by KPMG and the City of London Corporation. The City Academy, Hackney is a registered charitable company. Registered office: The City Academy, Hackney, London, E9 6EA.
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www.thecityacademy.org