The UCL Academy Guide for Parents

The
UCL Academy
A Co-educational School from Year 7 to Sixth Form
Year 7
Guide for Parents
‘Learning to make a difference together’

Our mission is that students at The UCL Academy
experience an inspirational world-class education built
on a culture of academic excellence, social responsibility
and a transformational curriculum. This work is
underpinned and inspired by the unique
partnership with our sponsor UCL.
It is important to us because we want:
Our students to leave the Academy with the tools, experiences, values,
knowledge and skills to fulfil their potential and play their part as global
citizens in the 21st century.
Our staff to be committed to exploring, testing and reviewing the most
effective teaching and learning to ensure that our pedagogy is the most
impactful, innovative, and transformational it can be.
Our curriculum to offer breadth, depth and balance for all our learners so that
they can go out into the world of work to make a difference.
Our community to be inclusive, supportive, open-minded and engaged and
for us to continue to make the most of the support of our sponsor UCL.
CONTENTS
03 Message of Welcome
04 Important Dates for Next Year
04 The Academy Day
Curriculum and Learning at The UCL Academy
05 The UCL Academy Connected Curriculum
05 Assessment and Reporting
07 Year 7
08 The Self Directed Curriculum
09 The House System
11 Tutor Support
11 Supporting the Individual
11 The Learner Attributes
More about the The UCL Academy
13 A Cashless Community
13 Medical Issues and Illness
13 The UCL Academy and Bullying
15 Family Support
15 The AOF
19 Attendance and Punctuality
19 Uniform
20 Uniform for Sporting Activities
20 Equipment
01

WELCOME
Transitioning into secondary school can be exciting
and daunting. This booklet is here to help you and
your child prepare for joining us at the Academy.
We will be working hard to meet you all and be in
touch with plenty of information and guidance to
ensure that this transition is positive. Any questions
at all, do get in touch with us. In the meantime, we
cannot wait to meet you all very soon.
Ms Andrea Pomphrey
Principal
02
03

Induction Day 2025
Wednesday 2nd July
IMPORTANT DATES FOR NEXT YEAR
Autumn Term 2025
Monday 1st September – Friday 19th December
Autumn Half Term: Monday 20th October – Friday 31st October
Spring Term 2026
Monday 5th January – Friday 27th March
Spring Half Term: Monday 16th February – Friday 20th February
Summer Term 2026
Monday 13th April – Friday 17th July
Summer Half Term: Monday 25th May – Friday 29th May
Planning Days 2025/26
Confirmed planning days: Monday 1st September, Tuesday 2nd September,
Friday 5th December, Monday 5th January, Friday 26th June and Friday 17th July.
CURRICULUM AND LEARNING AT THE ACADEMY
The UCL Academy Connected Curriculum
Partners in learning
Year 7 students follow a curriculum which is connected and interdisciplinary and is linked
through The UCL Grand Challenges.
The Academy designed this curriculum as it responds specifically to the needs of 11 to
14 year olds by providing independence, interdependence and motivation in learning.
It achieves this through discrete subject learning and shared themes which encourage
students to make links and connections that are relevant to their own lives.
Assessment and Reporting
The curriculum is rigorously assessed and prepares students for GCSE study and beyond.
Progress is assessed regularly, and students understand how they are making progress by
using ‘I Can’ statements across each subject. Throughout the year, we report their progress
and attainment to you through interim and end of year reports.
8.30-8.55am
8.55.9.45am
9.45-10.35am
10.35-10.55am
THE ACADEMY DAY
Monday and Friday
HOUSE TIME
Lesson 1
Lesson 2
RECESS
Tuesday - Thursday
Knowledge and
awareness
of how to learn
THE CONNECTED CURRICULUM
Facts, Information and understanding
students need to commit to memory in order
to develop subject expertise
METACOGNITION
KNOWLEDGE
LITERACY &
ORACY
READY, RESPECTFUL, SAFE
Using the power
of language to
stimulate and
extend pupils’
thinking
10.55-11.45am
Lesson 3
11.45-12.35am
12.35-1.25pm
1.25-2.15pm
2.15-3.05pm
3.05-3.50pm
Lesson 4
LUNCH
Lesson 5
Lesson 6
Tues: All year
Wed: Follows SDL Cycle
Thurs: Follows SDL Cycle
FEEDBACK TO
FEED FORWARD
Use of
meaningful
dialogue
that focuses on
future development
AUTHENTIC ASSESSMENT
AUTHENTIC
CHALLENGE
Personalised learning that has
real world applicability
COLLABORATIVE
LEARNING
PRAGMATIC REHEARSAL
Students working
independently
towards a
shared goal
04
05

Year 7
The first academic year at the Academy is a transition year, during which students adapt to
the unique learning environment, consolidate and build up on their prior learning, and learn
the skills vital to make progress now and in the future.
Students will learn:
English Mathematics Engineering
Combined Science
History
Geography
German
Spanish
Art and Design
Music
Drama
Physical Education
Computer Science
Food and Nutrition
RE and Ethics/Philosophy
04 06
07

The House System
The Academy operates a house system and has 5 houses, all named after constellations.
Students are allocated one of the 5 houses on entry into the Academy and will remain in
this house until they leave school. Each house has its own dining area and has 6 house form
groups. Students work together with the members of their house to compete in academic,
sporting, creative and cultural events. The aim of these houses is to support further
collaboration, a sense of belonging and to ensure that students mix with members of all age
groups within the Academy.
Equuleus
Vela
Lyra
Orion
Cygnus
The Self Directed Curriculum
The UCL Academy promotes a broad view of achievement and students are
celebrated for their success beyond the academic curriculum. The Academy offers a
full programme of enrichment activities, as part of our extended Academy day.
All students choose from a range of enrichment activities to study from
3.05 – 3.50 on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Current choices include (but are not limited to):
• 5D Diamond Painting
• Art Scholars
• Fitness Club
• Latin (L1)
• Mindful Colouring
• Disney Club
• Lego Club
• Discover Islam
• Draw Animals like a Pro
• Numeracy
• Mindful Colouring
• Scrabble
• Robotics Club
• School Production
• Mandarin
Cygnus Equuleus Lyra Orion Vela
CY1 EQ1 LY1 OR1 VE1
CY2 EQ2 LY2 OR2 VE2
CY3 EQ3 LY3 OR3 VE3
CY4 EQ4 LY4 OR4 VE4
CY5 EQ5 LY5 OR5 VE5
08 09

Tutor Support
In order to ensure that students feel they belong within the Academy, each student will be
part of a tutor group within the house – a group of around 24 students led by a member of
staff. These groups encourage individuals to build support networks with other students, to
be guided by the same member of staff across their school career, and to take responsibility
for their own learning and their place within the Academy.
The tutor is a key member of staff for your child, as they will get to know them very well and
very quickly. This person is the first point of contact for you at the Academy.
Supporting the Individual
The UCL Academy places high importance on the academic and pastoral well-being of all
students. We recognise that all students have a variety of individual and complex needs and
will fully encourage and support all of our students.
The Academy curriculum and building have been specifically designed to support this. As
a result, students who have been identified as having special educational needs, or those
who require particular stretch and challenge, will take part in a tailored programmes of
study which accommodate those needs, and may mean that they have access to specific
interventions, support or extra academic or pastoral coaching. All students’ progress
is carefully monitored, and students work with their staff or student mentor and other
colleagues to ensure that their programmes of study are challenging and appropriate.
The Learner Attributes
The UCL Academy values the importance of developing the whole person. We have
developed a series of learner attributes, against which students are assessed and rewarded.
We strongly believe that these attributes are the key parts that make up ‘the whole person’
and actively encourage students to develop in each area:
Resilience Leadership Creativity
Collaboration
Positivity
Community
Excellence
08 10
11

A Cashless Academy
UCL Academy students have access to a variety of options for food and drink at recess and
lunchtime. Healthy eating is vital in preparing the mind and body for learning. Please try to ensure
that your child eats a healthy breakfast before arriving at the Academy.
Students eat in the 5 house areas in the Academy and are able to choose between a selection of
main meals, vegetables, salads, desserts and healthy snacks. Students may also bring a packed lunch
to eat in the house dining areas if they wish.
The UCL Academy uses a cashless card system for students to pay for their meals. This system
removes the need for students to bring cash into the Academy and provides parents with the ability
to top-up student accounts, check balances and oversee transactions. Parents can complete all
transactions online via the secure system, Parent Pay.
Students are also welcome to arrive at the Academy at 8am to eat at the Breakfast Club.
Medical Issues and Illness
Student medical conditions, no matter how small, should be communicated to the Academy as
soon as possible via the Student Information Form. The welfare room and appointed Welfare Officer
are available to support students during the Academy day.
If your child is absent, or if they have a medical appointment, please inform us promptly by either a
call or email to the Attendance Officer at attendance@uclacademy.org
Students must sign out at reception if attending a medical appointment. If a student needs to leave
the site during the day, prior permission must be sought.
If your child is currently taking medication or requires long-term medication (inhalers,epi-pens...
etc…), please let us know on the medical form and provide us with a spare to keep on
Academy premises.
The UCL Academy and Bullying
Central to the ethos of the UCL Academy is the core belief that all students have the rights,
responsibilities and duties to ensure that the Academy is a community of learners who are
comfortable, happy and able to enjoy their learning. Bullying, in any of its forms, will not be accepted
at the Academy. We encourage students to report incidents to staff, who will tackle it swiftly and
appropriately. Our anti bullying champions join staff in leading interventions and learning and the
academy has the Rights Respecting Schools Bronze Award.
This is inclusive of and not limited to:
Emotional Bullying Physical Bullying Racist Bullying Sexual Bullying
Homophobic Bullying Verbal bullying Cyber bullying
The Academy’s Safeguarding Team consists of:
Designated Safeguarding Lead and LAC Teacher: Mr T Bowen
Designated Deputy Safeguarding Manager: Miss Simone Belgrave
Designated Safeguarding Governor: Ms Val Russell
12
13

Family Support
Here at The UCL Academy, Family Liaison offers a free one to one, confidential service,
providing support and advice to all our families. If you require help with accessing relevant
services and information, completing forms or guidance around family support, please feel free
to contact us directly: inclusion@uclacademy.org
Parenting Support
£
Housing
Welfare Benefits and Financial Support
Emergency Food Assistance
Completing Forms and Applications
SEN
Special Educational Needs
Signposting
Parent Learning Programmes
UAPA
UAPA
Current Heads of Year:
Year 7: Ms Biswas (pbiswas@uclacademy.org)
Year 8: Ms Peo (apeo@uclacademy.org)
Year 9: Ms Green (rgreen@uclacademy.org)
Year 10: Mr Bhunjun (jbhunjun@uclacademy.org)
Year 11: Mr Asare (dasare@uclacademy.org)
Year 12: Mx Blanda (pblanda@uclacademy.org)
Year 13: Mr Chivers (cchivers@uclacademy.org)
10 14
15

The AOF
THE ADELAIDE
OPPORTUNITIES
FOUNDATION
The Adelaide Opportunities Foundation’s purpose is to provide transformational enrichment
and development opportunities for students and staff in schools.
Schools and their staff in the state maintained sector support young people inside and outside
the classroom with their education. Staff working in schools across the country are deeply
committed to the welfare and education of our young people.
However, too often schools are limited in delivering a broader transformational enrichment
curriculum because of lack of funding or limited facilities and resources.
The Adelaide Opportunities Foundation has been established to work in partnership with
The UCL Academy and UCL IOE. The Foundation builds on the Academy’s strong partnership
strategy to provide businesses, local partners, and individuals committed to philanthropy with
a means to establish sustainable impactful partnerships that transform the lives and
opportunities of children at The UCL Academy.
Every child, whatever their background, should have access to opportunities for
transformational educational experiences inside and outside the classroom.
Working with the UCL Academy, the foundation has identified 4 pathways through which
schools can be supported to deliver these aims:
Scholarships, Mentoring and Careers
Staff Development and Wellbeing
Curriculum Enrichment and Experience
Facilities and Equipment
To learn more about The AOF, please visit the website: www.theaof.org
16
17

Attendance and Punctuality
The Academy attendance and punctuality target for all students is 100%. Students should be
in their learning space and ready to learn at 8.30am, so we advise that all students arrive no
later than 8.20am. If a student is absent, parents should communicate with the Academy by
07:30am on the morning of the absence, or before if it is a known absence.
Holidays cannot be taken in term time. Authorisation of all absence is at the discretion of the
Principal.
Uniform
On the first day and on every day, students should arrive in full Academy uniform. This is
available from our uniform suppliers at www.uniform4kids.com
Boys
UCL Academy Blazer with UCL Academy badge;
White shirt with collar and long or short sleeves;
UCL Academy tie in house colours;
UCL Academy grey jumper with logo;
UCL Academy dark grey trousers;
Black socks;
Plain black formal leather or leather style shoes with closed toes, no boots;
Black, navy blue or dark grey school bag with minimal logo;
Black, navy blue or dark grey coat with no visible logos.
Girls
UCL Academy Blazer with UCL Academy badge;
White blouse with collar and top button, long or short sleeves;
UCL Academy tie in house colours;
UCL Academy grey jumper with logo;
UCL Academy dark grey trousers or dark grey skirt;
Black ankle socks with no pattern or plain black 70 denier tights;
Plain black formal leather or leather style shoes with closed toes. No high heels, wedges or
boots;
Black, navy blue or dark grey school bag with minimal logo;
Black, navy blue or dark grey coat with no visible logos.
For a detailed list of the uniform requirements, please visit our website uniform page:
https://uclacademy.co.uk/parents/uniform/
Photos © www.uniform4kids.com
14
18
19

Uniform for Sporting Activities
Compulsory uniform:
The UCL Academy PE Girls or Boys polo shirt;
The UCL Academy PE tracksuit bottoms or shorts or skirt;
The UCL Academy sports socks or plain white sports socks;
Sports trainers with non-marking soles and minimal branding (compulsory for all activities,
except where football boots are needed);
Hair band to tie up long hair.
If it is cold or inclement or for the purposes of covering up, the following may also be
worn:
The UCL Academy PE midlayer;
The UCL Academy ski hat;
Students are permitted to wear as many base layers (UCL Academy branded top or leggings
or non-branded black or navy equivalents) as they wish to keep warm, but must wear UCL
Academy PE uniform on top;
Black, navy or dark grey religious head covering.
For a detailed list of the uniform requirements, please visit our website uniform page:
https://uclacademy.co.uk/parents/uniform/
Equipment
The Academy expects every student to arrive with all of the necessary equipment to enable
them to learn and progress effectively. Students should ensure that they bring the following
equipment every day:
• Dark coloured school rucksack or satchel
(appropriate for carrying school work)
• Pencil case
• Glue stick
• Eraser
• 2 black or blue ball point pens
• Colouring pencils
• Sharpener
• 2 HB pencils
• Ruler
• Calculator
• Pair of compasses
• Collins pocket English dictionary (optional)
• Reading book
Photos © www.uniform4kids.com
07 20
21

The UCL Academy
Adelaide Road
NW3 3AQ
www.uclacademy.co.uk
0207 4493080
enquiries@uclacademy.co.uk
@UCL_Academy
theuclacademy