Academy Information

Learning at Paddington Academy

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Subjects offered at Key Stage 3 include: English, Maths, Science, History, Geography, RE, Art, Music, Drama, Technology, ICT, PE, Modern Foreign Languages (Spanish and French), Media, Learning Guidance, PSHE.

Key Stage 4 Curriculum

The full range of subjects on the curriculum includes: English, English Literature, Maths, Science, Additional Science, Applied Science, Arabic, Art, Astronomy, Business Studies, Catering, Dance, Drama, Economics, Fashion, Geography, Graphics, Health & Social Care, Home Cooking Skills, History, Hospitality, ICT, Media Studies, PE, Performing Arts, Photography, RE, Resistant Materials, Sociology, Spanish, PE, Travel and Tourism and Social Enterprise.

Key Stage 5 Curriculum

At post-16 we recognise that students have different desires or designs. Some have clear ideas on careers they wish to follow at 17 or 18 whilst others have plans to move onto Higher Education. In order to meet these different demands we offer different pathways which lead to Advanced Levels, Applied ‘A’ Levels or BTEC qualifications. All students are expected to take advantage of the optional enrichment courses available.

AS and A2 Courses

A Level courses are now available in all major subject areas. Additional subjects such as, Dance, Economics, Law, Media, Photography, Psychology, Philosophy and Ethics have been introduced alongside more established courses. Present subjects available include English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, Geography, French, Spanish, Sociology, Economics, Law, Media and Drama. A Sixth Form student can achieve additional qualifications through GCSE subjects.

Learning Support

The academy has the additional benefits of a Learning Support department which provides individual help and classroom support for children with learning difficulties. It is important to recognise that children who experience education, social and/or behavioural difficulties require individual help. Wherever and whenever it is appropriate, children with learning difficulties are integrated into mainstream lessons. Their progress is carefully monitored. What will you learn at Paddington Academy? We welcome applications from students with physical disabilities, access for the disabled was an important consideration in the design of the new premises.

English as a Second Language Centre

This outstanding centre supports students who have English as an additional language. Again, following the Academy’s philosophy of inclusion and integration, the majority of support is provided in classes but intensive programmes are provided for beginners. The centre also provides a secure and understanding base for these vulnerable students to address their anxieties and to flourish.

Success Unit

In addition to the support offered by teaching staff, two Success Units provide outstanding tailored support for students at Key Stage 3 and 4. Student Support Mentors are able to offer tailored support to meet the needs of individual students and help with homework, coursework and preparation for exams.

Learning and Inclusion

In response to the DFE drive towards Social Inclusion and national concerns regarding the exclusion of students from Academies, this is the centre that supports students in Key Stages 3&4 who experience emotional and behavioural difficulties that disrupt their own and others’ education. The students remain in the Academy and, for a fixed period, are taught in a quiet, controlled setting. The students follow the mainstream curriculum, receive counselling and are helped to develop strategies that enable them to manage their own behaviour. At the end of this ‘Internal Support Period’ the students return to their mainstream classes and are closely monitored by the centre’s staff to ensure continued success.

The Best in Everyone

At Paddington Academy, we believe that all of our students are talented and we aim to bring out the best in everyone. All students will become an ‘expert’ in the area of their choice; we know that every student has a gift, and we are determined to help them to discover it, and make it flourish. This belief underpins the curriculum our students follow, the manner in which they learn in lessons, as well as our after school clubs, trips, performances and wider experiences. Our most talented students have opportunities to demonstrate their high calibre skills within the local community and at a National level.

Target Setting

A fundamental objective of Paddington Academy is that each child achieves the highest standards possible. We believe that target setting plays a crucial role in ensuring that students set themselves short and medium term targets which will stretch them and encourage them to go further. Consequently, each student’s progress is closely monitored throughout his/her Academy career. In so doing, under-achievement can quickly be addressed and proven success can be applauded. It is our policy during Years 10 and 11 to keep parents and students fully informed of syllabus content, assessment requirements and assignment deadlines. We are confident that a close working relationship between Home and Paddington Academy during these two vitally important years is an effective means of enabling students to achieve.

Homework

Regular home learning has been proven to increase the success of our students. All students receive a range of homework tasks every day from at least 2 different subject areas. KS3 students should spend approximately 30-40 minutes per subject each night, and KS4 and 5 students should spend approximately 1 hour per subject each night. KS4 and 5 students will also have coursework to complete. There is a daily homework club in school to support students with all subject areas, and all homework is posted on our website.

Careers and Guidance

Students of all ages are given the opportunity to learn about the world of work, to learn from experiences of work and to learn skills for work. Opportunities to learn are developed through the curriculum and through a varied programme of enrichment activities. Specific guidance is given to students at Key Stages 3, 4 and 5 about how to progress into further education, training or employment.

Paddington Academy works in partnership with employers to give students at Key Stage 4 a work experience programme which matches their skills and aspirations. In addition, opportunities are developed to link vocational programmes of study to local employers. A wideranging careers programme, together with links to external organisations such as Connexions, means that all students have access to high-quality guidance and are able to make a successful transition to higher education, training or employment. 6

Other opportunities for learning at Paddington Academy

Holiday Academy

During half terms and the Easter break the Academy organises a comprehensive programme of exam revision and intervention classes aimed at ensuring students fulfil their true potential in the public examinations. In the summer holiday the Academy organises a whole range of activities and trips that students can sign up for. These have included day trips on Eurostar to Paris, visits to see football matches at the Emirates Stadium, visits to museums and horse riding. After the hard work of the Academic year, the summer is firmly based on fun and exciting new experiences giving students a chance to sample a whole range of cultural and sporting activities during the long summer break. At Paddington Academy we are dedicated to the promotion of global awareness among our students, this is with a view to broadening their horizons, encouraging tolerance and preparing them for the social, economic and environmental challenges of the future. Staff and students alike have opportunities to become involved with international education projects. This is to enrich our educational experiences by sharing our knowledge and understanding at a global scale.

Work Related Learning

During Year 10 students can benefit considerably from participation in work experience programmes. Apart from the time actually spent in work, a considerable amount of time goes into preparation and evaluation. Strong links have been developed with a variety of local industries and businesses as a direct result of these programmes. There are also good links between the curriculum and work related learning opportunities.

Sport

Our facilities provide ample opportunity for activities at lunchtime and after lessons. Sports include football, badminton, basketball, hockey, athletics, cricket, tennis, netball, dance and rounders. The Academy enjoys a good deal of success in a wide range of interschool competitions. We also have a multi-purpose sports hall, and a Trim Trail in the playground

How will we care for you at Paddington Academy?

Starting at the Academy

We know that many of your children will have already visited the academy for dance and drama workshops or because you have other family members already attending. Some may have been involved in sports activities or come to see our very popular school pantomime. However, although moving from primary to secondary school is very exciting, it can also be a stressful time for students (and parents!). We aim to make this a happy time by doing all we can to make our new students feel secure and comfortable and to ensure that you have all the information you need to make a smooth start. In Y6 students can expect some visits from us to say hello, see how you are progressing and to plan for your child’s start at the academy. You will then be invited to an interview with a member of the senior leadership team. This helps us get to know you and your child, to start building the all important relationship between home and discuss any concerns you may to ensure that your child makes the best possible start. In June, our fun transition evening led by student ambassadors from the current year 7 is followed by a full day of activities which allows our students to experience a full day in the life of the academy, start to find their way around the building, make some friends and try out the all important school lunch!

Our Pastoral System

The Pastoral system is organized into Key Stages as follows: KS3 – Years 7,8,and 9 – cared for by Assistant Principal Ms Sheel KS4 – Y10 and 11 – cared for by Assistant Principal Ms Wells Each year has a Head of Year. The students in each year are divided into tutor groups of about 25 students which meet together every day with their tutor. The tutor will work with students on extra literacy and numeracy and will monitor progress and attendance. Once a week the year group will meet together for an assembly. Each year group also has a Student Support Mentor who looks after day to day issues of student wellbeing.

Code of Conduct

Our expectations of student behavior are very clearly laid out in the Paddington 10. These are on the wall in every classroom, in the student planners and part of the everyday language of the academy. We need your support if we are to be successful in maintaining the highest standards of work, behavior and appearance. The academy Blue Book outlines all our procedures and expectations in detail and is sent to parents each year. Please read it carefully. Our behaviour policy is clear and applied consistently around the academy by all members of staff. It also applies on school trips, and as students are travelling to and from the academy.

Anti Bullying

Every student has the right to learn and to feel safe, happy and secure in their learning environment. Therefore, we have a zero tolerance policy towards bullying. All incidents of bullying will result in immediate action and contact with home. Persistent bullies run the risk of permanent exclusion. Please let us know immediately if you have any reason to suspect your child has been the victim of bullying. Please also be aware that bullying may take place through text messages and social networking sites. Make sure you know who your child is making contact with in this way.

Attendance

We are proud that our attendance is consistently above the national average. However, our target for attendance is always 100%. Particularly at KS4, anything less that this will impact negatively on GCSE results at the end of Y11. Student learning is our absolute priority, so leave for students in term time is never granted except in cases of real and evidenced emergencies. We monitor attendance very carefully and will make lots of contact with home to improve standards and to celebrate success.

Learning Support Unit

The Learning Support Unit continues the education of students who are experiencing difficulties which mean they would otherwise be failing to learn. It helps student develop strategies to help them in the classroom and around the school and acts as a supportive base for the reintegration of students who are experiencing medical or personal and emotional difficulties.

Student with Medical Needs

Paddington Academy is an inclusive academy and has full accessibility for students with illnesses and disabilities. In order for us to take the best possible care of your child, parents of students with medical conditions are asked complete a Health Plan outlining the condition and any precautions which need to be taken in school. Medication that needs to be administered in school is stored in the school medical room and only given by a qualified first aider. We do not administer any medication which has not been prescribed by a doctor. Our school nurse Maeve Nolan is in school several times a week and is available to students who have questions or concerns. 10