Annual Report 2012 - Highbury College

Highbury Academies
Highbury’s Academies serve to increase motivation,
participation and success, and offer students a chance to
develop their skills, widen their experience and take part
in a range of activities including national competitions,
internships and voluntary work.
6th Form Academy
We launched the 6th Form Academy in September 2011,
offering 16-19 year olds a choice of A Level subjects, which
can be taken alongside vocational Level 3 BTEC Diplomas.
The purpose of the 6th Form Academy is to provide a
stimulating environment in which young people can gain
the skills and qualifications needed for university or
employment. In 2012 we increased the number of A Level
subjects on offer and created a new centre providing
dedicated common rooms and study spaces.
Skilled & Talented Academy
The Skilled & Talented Academy demonstrates our
commitment to vocational excellence. Membership of the
Academy is open to all students who wish to compete in
internal, regional, national and international skills
competitions.
During 2012 more than 45 students entered vocational
skills competitions and, through the Skilled & Talented
Academy, received coaching and guidance as well as
financial support in order to compete. Vocational skills
competitions, many of them WorldSkills UK events, took
place in a wide range of areas including accounting,
automotive, bricklaying, hair and beauty, performing arts,
plastering, plumbing, wall and floor tiling and web design.
All students (100%) taking part in vocational skills
competitions went on to achieve their qualifications.
University Academy
Membership of the University Academy is open to all
full-time students who wish to progress to Foundation
Degrees at Highbury or Degrees and Higher National
Diplomas at university. All members of the Academy have
a guaranteed interview for Highbury’s Foundation Degree
courses and receive impartial advice about applying for
higher education courses elsewhere. Activities in 2012
included visits by students to a local higher education fair,
higher education ‘drop in’ clinics, a higher education
evening for parents and the College’s own higher
education fair, providing students with an opportunity to
speak to representatives from local universities.
Leadership Academy
Membership of the Leadership Academy enables students
to develop their leadership skills and represent their fellow
students in a variety of roles including Student Union
Officer, Student Governor, Course Representative and
College Ambassador. In addition, Academy members are
encouraged to make a contribution to the local community
through voluntary work.
Projects in 2012 included Business and IT students
delivering workshops on marketing and brand awareness
for school pupils, Hair & Beauty students providing
face-painting and pampering sessions in local schools
and students from the College’s Moving On programme
decorating a local youth centre.
Sports Academy
Highbury’s Sports Academy provides an opportunity for
young people to develop their talent and work towards a
career in the sport and leisure industry. Through the
Academy, students can take part in a wide range of sport
and fitness activities and classes, from Cheerleading to
Zumba. Events in 2012 included a five-a-side football
tournament at Fratton Park, a Royal Navy Junior Leaders
Field Gun Competition, an inter-college sports competition
sponsored by Sport England and a nail-biting game of
Boccia, a Paralympic sport, between Highbury students
and students from a nearby college.
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