All Saints' Academy Prospectus 2015/16

Gateway toexcellence

97860 All Saints Prospectus 12pp A4 R03_Layout 1 05/09/2014 14:35

Welcome

“The governing body provides outstandinggovernance of the academy.”

“The Principal, senior team and governingbody are determined to provide all studentswith the best possible education.”

“All groups of students aremaking rapid progress.”

Ofsted 2013

“I have come that they may have life,and have it to the full.” – John 10

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All Saints’ Academy, Cheltenhaman 11-19 Church Sponsored Academy

An Introduction from the PrincipalAs Principal, I am delighted to welcome you to All Saints’ Academy and our newprospectus for 2014 – 2015. We are a unique Church Academy sponsored bythe Anglican Diocese of Gloucester and the Roman Catholic Diocese of Clifton.

At All Saints’ Academy there is a real desire to achieve excellence in all that wedo whilst living out our Christian values of love, peace, justice, respect,reconciliation and service to others. Our Academy has excellent modern facilitiesand a staff team who aim to provide a caring, enriching environment for ourstudents where their needs and personal growth are given utmost priority.

Indeed, All Saints’ Academy was recently recognised by Ofsted for having outstanding Governance,outstanding provision for students spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and effectiveleadership that is driving improvements forward since the Academy first opened in 2011.

It is our vision to build on our successes to achieve a reputation of educational excellence in delivering alearning curriculum that is enriched through collaboration with our local community of parents, localparishes, other schools, colleges, universities, business and industry, so that all our students andfamilies, in the community we serve, thrive and achieve their aspirations and God-given potential.

If you would like more information about All Saints’ Academy please visit our website www.asachelt.orgor do come and visit us by booking an appointment by emailing [email protected] or attending ouropen evening on 29th September 2014. You will find we are an extremely proud community of hardworking staff and students, focused on the enjoyment of learning, in a welcoming Christian environmentthat has the highest expectations of academic achievement for all.

Dermot McNiffePrincipal

Note from the SponsorsWe are delighted to be the joint sponsors of All Saints’Academy. Both our churches have a long history ofinvolvement in schools, with a good track record ofhigh standards and school improvement.

Embracing a Christian ethos in all that we do, we seethis as a unique opportunity to continue ourcommitment to serving the Anglican and Catholiccommunities in Cheltenham as well as the WestCheltenham neighbourhood and surrounding areas.

After a very successful initial three years we aredelighted to welcome experienced Principal DermotMcNiffe to lead us through the coming year.

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The Academy Vision Partners

All Saints’ Academy has been developed inpartnership with:

• Cheltenham Ladies’ College

• Gloucestershire College

• Dean Close School

• National Star College

• Pate’s Grammar School

• St Edward’s Secondary School

• UCAS

• University of Gloucestershire

• Cheltenham Festivals

We will continue to work with our partners, sharingexpertise and facilities.

“Provision for students’ spiritual, moral, socialand cultural development is outstanding.”Ofsted 2013

Outstanding: providing outstanding opportunities in an inspiringenvironment and outstanding education.

Christian: helping people to understand and live out the gospel values oflove, peace, justice, respect, reconciliation and service to others.

Inclusive: treating everyone as unique and enabling each person to fulfiltheir God-given potential.

Community: working in partnership to transform the aspirations of youngpeople and serve the Cheltenham Community.

We achieve this vision by creating a stimulating environment in which staff can deliver creative,challenging and imaginative courses. The curriculum will be relevant and tailored to the individualneeds of all students and be of the highest possible quality.

Our brand new, up-to-date facilities provides not only a place of learning and discovery but also acentre to support family learning and community activity. The Academy is outward-facing, buildingan expanding network of links locally, nationally and internationally with parents, parishes, schools,community groups, employers, colleges and universities.

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Transforming YOUR future

1. An inspirational and vibrant curriculumStudents at All Saints’ Academy experience a curriculum that respects and develops their skills,talents and beliefs. At all stages there is an emphasis upon exploration, creativity and celebrationof the whole child. Ofsted recognised and praised our curriculum offer.

We have been innovative in supporting students to achieve their very best. Additional time is givento the teaching of Maths and English in Key Stage 3 because we expect all students to exceedexpectations by the time they complete Key Stage Four. Full, personal guidance is given whenchoosing options at both Key Stage Four and in the Sixth Form, through individual interviews forexample, so that all pupils are on the best routes to achieve their ambitions. Students cancombine vocational and GCSE courses, including the full range of English Baccalaureate subjectsat Key Stage Four. No matter what their future routes, whether a top university, apprenticeship oremployment with training, students can aspire and achieve.

Students with special needs receive a specialised curriculum that combines mainstream teachingwith targeted support. The Religious Education programme will provide students with anunderstanding of Catholic and Anglican beliefs and practices, together with that of other worldreligions.

2. Outstanding EducationOur highly skilled teachers and support staff use high quality teaching methods supported by thelatest technology, to create relevant, engaging lessons to guarantee that students enjoyoutstanding learning. Teaching will be accompanied by practical and effective assessmentsystems so that students know how to progress and teachers can shape their lessons to students’needs. There is a programme of regular staff development to ensure that teaching continues toembody best practice from around the world.

We guarantee an outstanding education for your child.

3. First-rate pastoral supportWe care for students as unique individuals made in God’simage. We listen to their views, develop their self-confidence and encourage their involvement in the life ofthe Academy. Every student is important to us and weprovide the best care that we can. Students join smallgroups where two staff members will be responsible fortheir progress and their social development. Thesepeople will be the main point of contact for parents.Mentors will provide additional advice, guidance andencouragement to small groups and individuals.

4. Active partnerships with parents/carersWithin a culture of high expectations, All Saints’ aspires tonurture and develop the individual gifts, talents andinterests of each and every student. In order to achievethis, we want parents and carers to be active partners intheir children’s education. A student welfare team willliaise with parents/carers on all aspects of students’progress. Parents will be provided with regular updates ofstudents’ progress and advice on how they can supporttheir child as they move through the Academy.

5. Exemplary behaviourWe expect students to take responsibility for their actionsand demonstrate high standards of conduct towards eachother, staff and the community. The working atmosphere

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of All Saints’ Academy will reflect the gospel values oflove, peace, justice, respect, reconciliation andservice. The codes of conduct for students and staffwill stem explicitly from these values. To achievethese aspirations, all of us, students, parents, staffand visitors, will embrace these values.

6. UniformThe highest standards of uniform are expected at alltimes. Full details are on our websitewww.asachelt.org.

The uniform has been designed to meet therequirements of being reasonably priced andpractical as well as looking very smart. All studentswill be required to wear the uniform proudly and inthe correct manner to, from and in the Academy.

7. ChaplaincyAll Saints’ is a Church Academy and we have aChaplaincy team that supports students. TheChaplaincy team is representative of the Catholic andAnglican traditions but, of course, is available tostudents of other Christian traditions and of none.Chaplains provide opportunities for prayer andworship, organise regular events of a spiritual nature,give spiritual advice, encourage charitable fund-raising and service to others and generally supportstudents in a caring and supportive way.


8. Collective worshipA collective act of worship takes place each day, which is designed to be relevant to students andthe world we live in. In addition at certain festivals and religious calendar events, special services,Mass and Communion will be celebrated as appropriate.

9. Religious education Religious Education is taught as an important, discrete subject for all students. Students willengage in a programme, which enables them to understand the beliefs, teachings and practicesof the Catholic and Anglican traditions and other world faiths, and recognise the importance of thespiritual dimension of life.

10. Sex education and Relationship policyAs we are a Church Academy, our policy reflects the teaching and beliefs of the Catholic andAnglican traditions. Parents have the right to withdraw their child from lessons that incorporatesex and relationship teaching if they wish. A full policy is available on our website.

11. Disabilities and special educational needsStudents with a Statement of Special Educational Needs are welcome to apply for a place in theAcademy. As we are a new building, we are fully accessible for any student with disabilities. Uponapplication we will work with you to consider how we can fully meet your child’s needs.

12. Gifted & talented studentsAt All Saints’ Academy we believe that every student is gifted and talented in some way. It is ourresponsibility to find and nurture these gifts and talents, and help students to excel. We recognise,of course, that some students are particularly gifted academically and as with other gifts andtalents, we will help students to stretch their academic potential.

13. Admissions As we are an Academy, any young person can apply to join the Academy. Our full admissionspolicy and forms are published on the Academy Website www.asachelt.org

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The All Saints’ Enrichment Programme

All Saints’ Academy enrichment programme is about enjoyment, challenge and development of ourstudents’ God-given talents.

It is important that everyone’s education is enriched through the enjoyment of exploring differentexperiences and developing skills and talents through a wide range of activities offered outside theusual timetabled curriculum. At All Saints’ Academy we encourage all our students to participate inextended activities that they enjoy or wish to get involved in to challenge and develop themselves.

Our students have many opportunities to gain life-changing experiences, stretch themselves andhave fun. Whether it’s Duke of Edinburgh, creating the All Saints’ Student Newsletter or RadioStation, fundraising, making up for lost time in an area of study or wanting to join an All Saints’ visitto a developing country such as Tanzania or a trip to New York.

Employers and Universities have praised the All Saints’ Enrichment Programme saying “it is anasset with a range of fantastic opportunities for all.”

The Combined Cadet Force

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a military cadet organisation based in schools and collegesthroughout the UK. It is funded by the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force and it is one of thelargest Youth Movements in the UK. The role of the CCF is to help boys and girls aged 14-18 yearsdevelop their leadership, confidence, self-reliance and discipline skills as well as to get a taste of lifein the Armed Forces.

The CCF at All Saints’ is run in partnership with Dean Close School where the cadets take part in themajority of their normal week time activities. There are opportunities each week, and during the yearto let cadets stretch themselves, finding out how much they can achieve whilst having fun in theprocess.

Military training is designed to demonstrate why defence forces are needed and how they function.Cadets also do non-military training which includes activities such as kayaking, rock climbing,orienteering, etc. For more information please visit our website: http://www.asachelt.org/CCF/

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Individual Learning Tasks (ILT)

ILT - The All Saints’ Version of Homework

At All Saints’ we will have a different style of home learning called ‘Individual Learning Tasks’.Each ILT is designed around the learner.

Each subject will require students to undertake different assignments outside of the taughtlessons. These are spread out throughout the year with clear deadlines.

In addition to assignments set by subjects, your child will be encouraged to set upassignments that develop citizenship skills through taking part in community activities.Perhaps it will be first aid, an environmental project, helping in an organisation, Air Cadets,organising a charity event etc.

ILT aims to:

• Improve students’ attitude towards learning outside normal Academy hours.

• Develop students’ skills in lifelong learning.

• Allow students to take more responsibility for their own learning.

• Teach the necessary planning skills.

• Personalise home learning more than traditional homework.

The All Saints’ Academy Enrichment Programme and ILT will support and develop thenecessary skills for future learning, university, employment and life. “Very positive working

relationships betweenstudents and staff.”Ofsted 2013


Trips We support your child’s education by offering them fantastic opportunities to go on trips around the world. Last academic year we heldtrips to: New York, Berlin, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain and the mission trip to Tanzania.

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“As a result of strong leadership from the principal and senior staff, the workof the academy is motivated by Christian love and service to its community.”

“The growing success of the academy is inextricably linked with itsdistinctively Christian ethos.”

“Students are clearly growing into reflective and compassionate young peoplewho take faith seriously.”

“Students say this school is non-judgemental. It is interested in your needs asmuch as your results.”

Section 48 Inspection Report 2013

What other people say about All Saints’ Academy

SSAT EducationalOutcomes Award 2014Top 20% of schools nationally for pupilprogress

“All Saints’ Academy, Cheltenham should becongratulated for their exceptional achievement.They have proved themselves to be leading thefield in improving GCSE outcomes for theirstudents. There is so much good practice thatthis school could share.”

Sue Williams, Chief Executive of SSAT, 2014

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All Saints’ AcademyBlaisdon WayCheltenham GL51 0WH

For more information please contact:T: 01242 711200E: [email protected]

“Students say they feelsafe in and around theacademy and, if theyhave a problem, theyknow whom to turn to forguidance and support.”Ofsted 2013

All Saints’ Academy

asachelt

@asachelt

asachelt


All Saints' Academy Prospectus 2015/16

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Transcript of All Saints' Academy Prospectus 2015/16