achieving beyond expectations

Shaping Lives, Transforming Communities

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Prospectus

Longfi eld Academy

2 Longfi eld Academy Prospectus

‘The curriculum enables pupils to pursue their

interests and prepares them well for their

next steps.’Ofsted 2018

Leigh Academies Trust is a medium sized multi-academy trust operating across Kent, Medway and South East London. It contains primary, secondary and special academies and is highly inclusive and successful. Our mission is to shape the lives of young people for the better through high quality education and in doing so, transform the communities in which they live.

2018 Celebrating 10 years of Leigh Academies Trust

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Welcome to

Longfi eld Academy

I am delighted to welcome you to Longfi eld Academy. Longfi eld is an amazing place to study and learn and we are proud of all our achievements. Our well-qualifi ed and dedicated staff are always on hand to guide students and ensure they achieve beyond expectations and make good progress. The inspirational building supports the understanding of modern day education; a £24 million new build in 2011 has allowed the academy to move forward in its quest to be ‘Outstanding’. Throughout their time at Longfi eld Academy, students of all abilities, interests and talents are off ered the opportunity to be part of an aspirational, challenging and well-disciplined community. They will be off ered experiences within and beyond the classroom that will form the foundations of and encourage a lifelong love of learning.

Alex O’DonnellPrincipal, Longfi eld Academy

‘Senior leaders and governors are ambitious for the school and its pupils.’Ofsted 2018

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‘Pupils’ behaviour is good. Strong relationships with staff help pupils to feel secure and promote their personal development well.’Ofsted 2018

Introduction

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We believe in high aspirations for the whole community and aim to off er opportunities for individuals to develop personally as well as academically. The college system underpins the values of community, empathetic relationships and mutual support. It allows us to guide the adults of the future to make informed decisions about their future. We know the journey through life is always beset with challenges; we aim to ensure our learners are curious, determined, creative, and able to work both independently and collaboratively, enabling them to be successful.

Additionally, we believe it is crucial to have an understanding and appreciation of cultures, especially our own. We will work collaboratively to ensure no student is left behind.

Above all, our strong moral compass will drive decision-making at Longfi eld Academy to ensure all achieve beyond expectations.

Our vision

As with all other Leigh Academies Trust secondary academies, Longfi eld is structured to embrace the ‘small school’ model of learning. The college structure seeks to foster the strong links that exist within a small community. Excellent communication between the colleges and home is a central part of this process.

The academy is led by the Principal, Alex O’Donnell. A Head of College leads each college of approximately 380 students from Years 7-13 together with a team of dedicated staff . All students are organised within a vertical tutoring system where students learn from and support each other to achieve the very best outcomes.

The building has discrete facilities for each of the colleges – Anderson, Matisse and Galileo, whilst also housing specialist resources accessed by the whole academy. Each college teaches mathematics, English, modern foreign languages, ICT and humanities on the fi rst fl oor.

On the ground fl oor of Anderson College is the specialist science facility and presentation space. The academy’s provision for some students on the autistic spectrum is also housed in this college.

In the middle of the academy building is Matisse College, which houses the

expressive arts classrooms as well as a large plaza area and indoor garden.

At the far end of the building is Galileo College which houses both a professional kitchen and technology rooms. In the centre is another indoor garden and ‘The Telescope Bistro’ which is open to the public. Most of the Academy’s community facilities are found adjacent to Main Road, including the sports hall, dance studio, multi-gym, learning resource centre, the Helix restaurant and a theatre.

Longfi eld Academy is a technology- rich environment. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards and the academy is equipped with three designated computer suites, one for each college. In addition, the college plaza areas have workstations allowing students to access their learning outside of normal lesson time. The academy embraces the use of iPads and Chromebooks as additional learning tools which allow students to access their learning from home, via online platforms such as Google Classroom.

Teachers use innovative approaches to engage students in their learning, promoting high standards of literacy, numeracy and communication skills in all subject areas. We fi rmly believe that developing students’ awareness and appreciation of the wider environment prepares them to be global citizens.

Longfi eld Academy Prospectus

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Longfi eld Academy is part of Leigh Academies Trust. The academy is structured to embrace the ‘small school’ model of learning. This ensures that all students are understood as individuals whilst embracing the facilities and opportunities available within a larger school context.

Our building has discrete facilities for each of the three colleges - Anderson, Galileo and Matisse, whilst also housing specialist resources accessed by the whole academy. A Head of College and Assistant Head of College lead each college of up to 380 students from Years 7-14, together with a team of dedicated staff overseen by the Principal.

Excellent communication between each of the three colleges and home is a central part of the academy’s work. Students are organised within a vertical tutoring system where they learn from and support each other to achieve their very best.

Learning is organised into six modules per year. Regular and detailed feedback on academic progress at the end of each module is key to ensure outstanding outcomes for all students.

Our colleges

Our college is named after Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the fi rst woman in Britain to qualify as a doctor and surgeon. She demonstrated immense determination to overcome many social and academic obstacles placed in her way prior to qualifi cation in 1870.

Anderson College promotes high values and expectations for all learners, encouraging and supporting each other in a collaborative environment. Anderson learners aim to break down barriers, search for opportunities and aspire to greatness.

Our community of staff , families and students work together to celebrate, reward and achieve these goals with respect and resilience at every stage of our lives.

Our college is named after Galileo Galilei, a hugely infl uential Italian astronomer, physicist and philosopher, focusing much of his work on the study of the universe.

Within Galileo College, we have developed a learning environment where hard work, resilience and working collaboratively is promoted and expected. Our motto is ‘Reach for the Stars’, believing that every student should have high aspirations and strive for the very best outcomes for themselves.

Our highly-skilled and talented staff are committed to providing the support and guidance that all our students need to help make their dreams a distinct possibility.

Named after artist Henri Matisse, our college is proud to sit at the heart of Longfi eld Academy. It houses the expressive arts faculty and encourages creativity throughout.

Matisse College aims for the best for all its students by providing a family ethos lead by a committed and driven set of staff . We believe in celebrating success and strive to achieve this as much as possible in everything we do. For a fortunate few this results in The Matisse Award, a culmination of their enormous dedication, passion and determination.

Anderson Galileo Matisse

‘There is a very eff ective safeguarding

culture in the school. The college system

provides good pastoral care and helps to build

eff ective links with parents and carers.’

Ofsted 2018

At Longfi eld Academy we off er a high-quality, broad and balanced education for all students.

In Year 7 students are taught in college groups to support a smooth transition from their primary experience.

In Year 8, we introduce the express band where streaming of the top third for academic subjects begins. During Year 8, students will select their options for Key Stage 4.

In Years 9, 10 and 11 students will follow examination specifi cations with targeted teaching and learning to maximise outcomes in the public examinations.

By collaborating with our fellow academies within the Trust we can off er a wide range of courses, whether academic, vocational or technical.

At Longfi eld Academy we off er a wide range of extra-curricular activities and believe that by taking advantage of these opportunities our students broaden their perspective on life. Clubs at the end of each day include sport, art, science, and gardening to name but a few. We off er a range of evening, weekend and longer residential trips including theatre experiences, sports tours, a well- established ski trip, and an annual school exchange trip to Denmark.

Curriculum

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Extra-curricular activities

‘The curriculum enables pupils to pursue their interests and prepares them well for their next steps.’Ofsted 2018

Students make greater progress if they have clearly-defined targets that are challenging, yet achievable. Consistent monitoring and a powerful mentoring scheme provide the necessary support, advice and guidance for every student to achieve their potential.

Creating a safe, positive and challenging environment is of the highest priority at Longfield Academy. Each college has a dedicated Support Mentor and College Leadership Team to support students in all aspects relating to attendance, behaviour and wellbeing.

The Special Needs Team work across the academy with individuals and small groups. They engage with external agencies to ensure that all students are supported to make good progress both academically and pastorally.

Student support

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Longfield Academy is a technology-rich environment. All classrooms haveinteractive whiteboards and the academy is equipped with cutting-edgetechnology throughout. Students access their learning using iPads/Chromebooks and Google Classroom.

Teachers use innovative approaches to engage students across all subject areas. Learning is organised according to a highly flexible timetable. Open learning spaces ensure a mature and businesslike environment which prepares students exceptionally well for life beyond school.

Learning and technology

‘Teachers’ subject knowledge is a major strength of the provision and enables teachers to deepen students’ understanding through highly insightful and effective questioning.’Ofsted 2018

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‘Teachers have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour, and pupils

respond well as a result. They are proud of their school and the

work that they do.’Ofsted 2018

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Longfi eld Academy is very proud of the opportunity for our students to access a Professional Catering Course (City & Guilds) at Post 16. Our students complete Level 1, 2 and 3 courses covering all aspects of food preparation, handling, planning and costing menus as well as front of house service.

The Telescope Bistro is a fi ne dining experience open to the public on two days each week. We seat up to 35 diners in each sitting with a menu planned by the students. Our guests are amazed at the quality of food and service and enjoy dining during the academy day.

Enterprise: The Telescope Bistro

‘I have recommended this unique dining experience to my

friends and family.’Mr G Glover

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‘Provision in the sixth form is outstanding...students have

study programmes very well suited to their needs, resulting

in excellent progress.’Ofsted 2018

Longfi eld Academy are proud of their comprehensive career education programme which incorporates work- related learning throughout their education.

A student at Longfi eld Academy will be prepared for the world of work through education, careers education and work-related learning. We will work with the students to improve self-awareness and challenge their ideas.

As part of Leigh Academies Trust all of the academies are committed to the Investor in Careers Award and Longfi eld Academy are proud to have achieved the full award in 2014. This award demonstrates the comprehensive Careers Education Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) that the students receive throughout their journey at Longfi eld Academy.

As an academy we are judged on the destinations of our students. Our students achieve positive destinations by continuing in education, entering the workplace by way of an apprenticeship or going into training.

Our students all have the opportunity to have a careers interview at any stage of their education. The careers section of the website clearly outlines our students’ entitlement and the timescales of the careers education.

Careers education and work-related learning

ITC Avant Garde Gothic ProBook

“We are justi� ably delighted to have one of the top-performing sixth-form provisions in Kent and receiving the ‘outstanding’ recognition from Ofsted is the ultimate accolade. The report has recognised that our focus on ensuring that students are on the post-16 courses best suited to their speci� c needs results in their making excellent progress.” Mrs Alex O’Donnell, Principal of Longfi eld Academy.

During our most recent Ofsted inspection the inspection team were not the only people to recognise the exceptional quality of our sixth form. The post-16 students that they spoke to during their visit were ‘highly positive about their sixth form and would wholeheartedly recommend

it to others’. This refl ects the positive culture developed by leaders and sixth-form staff , who are consistently supportive of students and prepared to ‘go the extra mile’ whilst also having very high expectations. In return ‘students’ behaviour in the sixth form is exemplary. They are punctual, attend well and have excellent personal and social skills’.

The report recognises that leaders of the Academy are highly ambitious for all of the students but also that they do not limit that ambition to the outcomes of public examinations: preparing our students for life is equally important to everyone at the Academy.

Simon Beamish, CEO of Leigh Academies Trust, “we are especially pleased with the top marks Ofsted awarded Long� eld for its sixth form. Post-16 results at Long� eld have been among the best of any non-selective school in Kent for several years so this accolade is much deserved.”

Post-16 at Longfi eld Academy

Longfi eld AcademyMain RoadLongfi eldKentDA3 7PH

t: 01474 700 700e: info@longfi eldacademy.orgw: www.longfi eldacademy.org

Longfi eld Academy is part of Leigh Academies Trust

Chief Executive: Simon Beamish BA (Hons) MSc PGCE NPQH NLE

Carnation Road, Strood, Rochester, Kent ME2 2SXt: 01634 412200 | f: 01634 412201

e: info@latrust.org.uk | w: www.leighacademiestrust.org.uk

Leigh Academies Trust is a registered company, company no 2336587. An exempt charity.

Designed and produced by LAT Creative | e: creative@latrust.org.uk | t: 01634 412227

v.3. 06/2018