Download - Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust

Prospectus2013/14

Information about the SponsorThe Sponsor of the City of Peterborough Academy (CoPA) is theGreenwood Dale Foundation Trust (GDFT). Information aboutthe Trust can be found on-line at www.greenwoodacademies.organd the Chief Executive and the Chairman can be contacted onadmin@greenwoodacademies.orgThe Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust is a not-for-profiteducational organisation. The Trust offers high levels ofeducational expertise and we seek to deliver long lasting andproductive relationships with the communities we serve.Barry Day Chief ExecutiveOBE, Hon DEd, MSc, BAThe Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust is also the sponsor ofthe Nottingham Academy 3-19, the largest school in the UnitedKingdom, the Nottingham Girls’ Academy 11-19, the SkegnessAcademy 11-19, the Stanground Academy 11-19 in Peterboroughand the Weston Favell Academy 11-19 in Northampton.In September 2012, the GDFT opened a further seven Academies,the Ingoldmells Academy 4-11, the Mablethorpe PrimaryAcademy 3-11, the Skegness Infant Academy 3-7, the SkegnessJunior Academy 7-11, the City of Peterborough Academy SpecialSchool 3-19, the Houghton Regis Academy 9-14 in Dunstable andthe Mansfield Primary Academy 3-11.The Corby Primary Academy 3-11 will open in September 2013.3David Shelton Chairman

A Message from the Chief Executive . . .Dear ParentWelcome to this prospectus for the new City of Peterborough Academy.Sponsored by the Greenwood Dale Foundation Trust, this mainstream Academy willopen in September 2013 in the Reeves Way premises that were occupied by the formerHereward Community College. It will be co-located with the City of PeterboroughAcademy Special School which opened in September 2012.Over the next year a £13.8m building programme, including £5m donated byPeterborough City Council, will create new and refurbished accommodation on this siteto provide exceptional resources for our pupils who will range in age from 11 to 19 years.This prospectus provides information for parents about the City of PeterboroughAcademy, the high standards expected, the curriculum and our new Academy uniform.I do hope this brochure answers all your questions.We are holding our Open Evening on Thursday 4 October 2012, from 5.00pm onwards.Members of the GDFT Central Team will be attending to meet you and answer anyqueries you may have.I very much hope you can attend and I look forward to seeing you then.Yours faithfullyBarry Day Chief ExecutiveOBE, Hon DEd, MSc, BA4

The Vision for our AcademyThere is no limit to what our pupils can achieveFor September 2013, the City of Peterborough Academy will havean intake of 180 pupils in Year 7 only. The Academy will then growby an additional year group, every year, over a period of sevenyears, reaching full pupil capacity by September 2019.The new City of Peterborough Academy will ensure pupils reachtheir full potential, with no limit to what they can achieve. We arecommitted to the highest of standards. We expect outstandinglevels of achievement in all areas of academic and personaldevelopment and excellent behaviour.Individual pupils will develop a sense of personal responsibilityso that they can make a full contribution to their learning and tothe community. The Academy will raise aspirations and activelychallenge low expectations.We want our pupils to be proud to belong to the City of PeterboroughAcademy and proud of their achievements. Whatever our pupils’backgrounds, we want them to be in the best possible position tomove on to a successful life beyond the Academy, whether it is ineducation, training or employment.The Academy promotes high-quality learning as an entitlement forall pupils, no matter which courses they choose. From September2013 the new and refurbished buildings will also create excitingenvironments which will stimulate and enrich pupils’ learning. TheAcademy will also have state of the art technology.The Academy will establish positive learning partnerships withparents and provide strong and effective welfare and guidanceservices, with individual mentoring, to support pupils’ academicprogress and all-round development.The Academy will offer high-quality curriculum opportunitiesthrough innovative approaches to learning.5

The New BuildingsAn Architect’s impressions of the new City of Peterborough Academy buildings6

The Care of PupilsWe will be a small Academy when first open and cantherefore ensure that each individual pupil is supportedwith an efficient and caring system of pastoral care.The Year 7 Year Group will be divided into differenttutor groups. Each of these groups is in the charge ofa Form Tutor, who plays a major role in the academicprogress and pastoral support for each child in thegroup.Each Form Tutor will have extensive knowledge ofevery pupil in the group and parents are asked tomake contact with him or her in the first instance ifany problems or questions arise involving their child.The Form Tutors are led by a Head of Year, whoseresponsibility is to co-ordinate and support the workof Form Tutors and to oversee the academic and socialprogress of the year as a whole.As the Academy expands, pupils in Years 10 and 11 willhave a much larger team of support staff. Directors ofAchievement and Learning Mentors will work with theHead of Year to provide exceptional levels of supportfor pupils in their GCSE, EBACC and A level years, toensure examination success.Learning SupportThe Academy will have a well staffedand well equipped Learning SupportDepartment. Their role will be tosupport pupils who are experiencinglearning difficulties and to help extendthe most able pupils to ensure theyreach their full potential. We will alsohave Learning Mentors employedthroughout the Academy.The support offered may take placein lessons or may be on a withdrawalbasis. For pupils with general EnglishLanguage difficulties or who speakEnglish as an Additional Language theAcademy will have specialist staff whosupport these pupils in all years.LunchtimesPupils will be expected to stay on theAcademy site at lunchtime. We willensure they are safe and have access toa healthy and nutritious meal.7

The Academy CurriculumThe City of Peterborough Academy will focus on Literacy and Languages foreducation, employment and pleasure. This focus would permeate the wholecurriculum and would include:• an early emphasis on literacy in order to drive up standards generally.• specific provision for new arrivals using intensive immersion techniques.• taking advantage of the wide range of community languages spoken inthe Academy.• extending opportunities through the teaching of new modern foreignlanguages, providing pathways to higher education, employment, businessopportunities and leisure.There will be a major emphasis on English literacy, mathematics, science, history,geography and modern foreign language development to ensure pupils achievethe brand new English Baccalaureate Certificates recently announced by theSecretary of State for Education when they reach the end of year 11.Our curriculum is differentiated by ability and pupils are set in every curriculumarea so that they can be challenged and supported in relation to their ability,gifts, needs and interests.For pupils with English as an additional language (EAL) there will be opportunitiesfor both stand alone teaching and support in lessons to ensure that pupils getthe challenge they need without being isolated from the mainstream school andother pupils.Gifted and Talented pupils will be identified, with a senior member of staff havingresponsibility for ensuring their needs and interests are met and that they areappropriately stretched and challenged.8

Year 7 BaseGrowing a new school around your childFrom opening in September 2013, with its first Year 7 intake, thenew City of Peterborough Academy will grow year on year toprovide a total of 900 places 11-16 and 200 post-16 by September2019. This steady year on year growth is by far the best way toopen a new school and means that this new Academy will growaround your child.With the GDFT being a very large organisation, this means we canprovide outstanding support for each individual pupil, includingspecialist staff and high quality resources.However, the move from a smaller primary school to a largersecondary school can be daunting for pupils and we recognise thatparents want their children to feel safe and secure. We achieve thisby setting up ‘bases’, or ‘schools within a school’.The base supports young people coming from a range of differentprimary schools to ensure they are safe, secure and make the verybest start to their secondary education.Education needs to be delivered on a smaller scale so that pupils andteachers establish positive working relationships which increasespupils’ confidence in their learning.This unique system has proved very popular with pupils and parentsalike and has been praised by Ofsted as an example of ‘NationalBest Practice’.As mentioned above, the Academy will only cater for 180 Year 7pupils in September 2013. This provides a unique opportunity tocompletely alleviate many of the worries new Year 7 pupils havewhen moving to secondary school and enables them to shape thedevelopment of the new Academy right from the start.Year 7 BaseYear 7 pupils are located in their own designated area of theAcademy complete with its own outdoor playground. In futureyears they will have a separate lunchtime to the rest of the pupils,allowing them to have a more relaxed meal and better access to ourresources, including the library. They would also leave ten minutesbefore the rest of the Academy at the end of the day.9

Extra Curricular ActivitiesClubs, Societies and TeamsWe recognise the importance of offering pupils a rounded education. To this end we willoffer a wide range of activities beyond lesson times. We also believe in the benefits ofcompetitive sport and in giving opportunities for many additional activities, includingoutdoor pursuits, music and drama.For example:Performing Arts including productions, concerts, music tuition and choirs.Sport including competitive fixtures and leisure activities using our impressive facilities.Visits including curriculum-based activities and educational trips.Residentials including Outward Bound activities. We aim to have a very successful Dukeof Edinburgh Award Scheme, as we have in all our other secondary Academies.Curriculum Activities including homework clubs, extra help sessions, access to the libraryand IT facilities.10

Admissions to the Academy1. Pupils are admitted at the start of, and during, two main stages:• secondary year 7 (age 11)• secondary post-16 (age 16) from September 20182. Admission numbers:a) 180 full time places - year 7b) The Academy will then grow by an additional group year on year, over aperiod of 7 years, reaching full pupil capacity by September 2019To apply for a place at the City ofPeterborough Academy1. For admission to year 7, in the year preceding admission, parents shouldapply on-line or on paper using the Peterborough City Local Authority SchoolsAdmissions process.For admission in September 2013, these forms can be accessed on-line from10 September 2012 and all forms should be returned to Peterborough City LocalAuthority by midday on 31 October 2012 for secondary year 7.112. Please contact the Peterborough City Local Authority on www.peterborough.gov.ukto download an application form or telephone the Admissions and Exclusions officeon 01733 747474.

Admissions CriteriaWe want our Academy to serve local children and our admission criteria are publishedin full as a supplement to this prospectus.When the City of Peterborough Academy is oversubscribed, after the admission ofpupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs where the Academy is namedin the Statement, priority for admission will be given to those children who meet thecriteria set out below, in priority order:1. All ‘looked after‘ children and children who were previously ‘looked after’.2. Children where recognised professional opinion (a letter from a GP, Consultant,Educational Psychologist or Social Worker explaining why the child cannotattend any school other than the Academy) shows that circumstances present aparticularly strong case for taking in a child.3. A child with a sibling currently attending the Academy and who will continue todo so after the date of admission.4. Children who attend our partner schools as listed below in alphabetical order:• Abbotsmede Community Primary School• All Saints C of E Junior School• Bishop Creighton Academy• Dogsthorpe Primary School• Newark Hill Primary School• Parnwell Primary School• Welland Primary School5. Proximity to the AcademyIn the event of oversubscription in any of the above criteria, priority will be given tothose living closest to the Academy.12

Basic StandardsWe expect our pupils to respect themselves, other members of theCity of Peterborough Academy community and the Academy site.We ask our pupils to wear their uniform properly on site and ontheir way to and from the Academy. They are ambassadors for theirAcademy and we expect them to represent the Academy in thecommunity in the best manner.HairLong hair must be tied back at all times. Excessive hair styles arestrongly discouraged. In particular, pupils should not have ‘cuts’ ofany shape or design or bright/unnatural hair colours.JewelleryPupils may wear a pair of small, plain gold-coloured ear studs. Noother jewellery is allowed. We would encourage pupils not to wearanything valuable to the Academy.Make-UpMake-up, including nail varnish, is not allowed. Pupils will be askedto remove it.13

Uniform PolicyWe have strict guidelines on school dress and all pupils are expectedto wear the full Academy uniform properly. We believe that this helpsto give our pupils a sense of ‘belonging’ and helps foster pride in theAcademy.As this will be our first year in operation as an Academy we are providinga package of uniform and sportswear items for every new pupil, free ofcharge.For 1 September 2013, the Academy will provide for each pupil:• Two Academy pullovers, in purple with the Academy logo.• One Academy tie.• One Academy short-sleeved sports polo shirt.• One Academy long-sleeved, reversible sports shirt.• One pair of black tracksuit bottoms with grey stripe.Some pupils may wish to wear a Salwar Kameez, in Academy purple. TheKameez must be at least knee length.Parents are asked to provide:• Suitable black trousers or skirt (jeans are not allowed, skirts to be noshorter than knee length).• Black or grey socks with trousers, neutral or black tights with skirts.• Sensible black shoes (not trainers).• Suitable footwear for PE (not black soled).• A warm coat (not denim) for travelling to and from the Academy.• A rucksack style bag for carrying books and equipment.14

15Uniform for Years 7, 8 and 9

DisciplineFor the Academy to run efficiently and for pupils to gain the mostout of the education offered, a high standard of discipline will beexpected at all times. Anti-social or disruptive behaviour will bedealt with promptly and sanctions imposed.All staff will be expected to encourage high standards of behaviour,work and dress. Staff will be vigorously supported to achieve theseexpectations by Heads of Year, Heads of Department and the SeniorLeadership Team, led by the Principal. Parents will also be involvedas quickly as possible, so that home and the Academy can work inpartnership to solve problems which may arise.We are proud of the high standards of discipline we set andachieve in our Academies. All pupils are encouraged to develop anenquiring mind, a sense of purpose and a determination to workhard. At the centre of this Academy’s Code of Conduct is respectand consideration for other people and their property.The Code of Conduct will be brought to the attention of pupilsthroughout the school year. Parents will be informed of this Codeat meetings, by letters home and on the Academy website.17

The Academy DayYear 75 minute warning bell7Registration/Assembly7Period 17Period 27Morning Break7Period 37Lunch75 minute warning bell7Period 57Period 67Period 77Academy Ends78.35am8.40 – 9.00 am9.00 – 9.55 am9.55 – 10.50 am10.50 – 11.05 am11.05 – 12.00 pm12.00 – 12.45 pm12.45pm12.50—1.45pm1.45 – 2.40 pm2.40 – 3.35 pm3.35 pm18

19Academy Calendar 2013/2014Bank HolidaysSchool 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 2013November 2013February 2014May 2014September 2013December 2013March 2014June 2014October 2013January 2014April 2014July 2014There will be five Staff Trainingdays throughout the academicyear which will be set before thestart of term in September.

Working with OthersPartnerships that make a differenceThe City of Peterborough Academy is determined to build strong andlasting relationships with other organisations.This will include:• working closely with our local partner primary schools toshare resources and expertise, as well as enhancing transitionarrangements.• making our facilities, especially sporting facilities, available tolocal community groups at little or no cost.• establishing links with local Further Education colleges anduniversities to ensure our pupils understand the opportunitiesfurther study can offer.• working with local employers to offer our pupils the chance toundertake a meaningful work experience placement and, forsome, improved access to apprenticeships.• promoting closer ties with charities and other community groups.20

The City of Peterborough Academy CouncilThe City of Peterborough Academy will have a local ‘Council’,which is similar to the Governing Body of a maintained school.This Council will have four key roles in terms of the developmentand success of the City of Peterborough Academy:1. To advise and act as a critical friend to the Principal ofthe Academy and to advise the Board of Directors of theGreenwood Dale Foundation Trust about local issues theyneed to consider that affect the City of Peterborough Academy.2. To represent the interests of the City of PeterboroughAcademy community in the running of the Academy and torepresent the Academy in its community.3. To provide support to the Principal in undertaking appropriateday to day procedures that are essential to the life of theAcademy, such as disciplinary and complaints procedures.4. To consider budget monitoring information and makerecommendations to the Principal in relation to potentialoverspending.The Council will have eleven members which will include staff,parent and sponsor representatives.21

Contact us:Chief ExecutiveBarry Day OBE, Hon DEd, MSc, BAThe Greenwood Dale Foundation TrustGreenwood HousePrivate Road No 2Colwick Quays Business ParkNottinghamNG4 2JYTelephone: 0115 822 9798email: admin@greenwoodacademies.orgThe information in this brochure is correct at the date of going to press, September 2012.22

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