dyca prospectus 2014-2015

BELONGING LISTENING

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David Young Community AcademyA LEAF Academy Trust School

PROSPECTUS

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CONTENTS

Welcome 1

Values 2-3

Curriculum 4-5

Extra Curricular 6-7

Support for Learning 8-9

Transforming Lives 10-11

Way of Life 12-13

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WELCOMEWelcome to our Prospectus for 2014-2015. We hope you enjoy reading about

the David Young Community Academy. We have been open for seven years

and have achieved outstanding results of which we are very proud. We hope

that you will come and visit us on our Open Evening from 6pm on Thursday

12th September 2013. If you are unable to attend on this date, please do

arrange to make an appointment. As a centre of educational innovation and

excellence we are well used to receiving visitors on most days.

Our achievements at the DYCA are due to the support of all in our

community. We demand that our students and their parents aim high, and

we work hard to ensure that our families are supported in encouraging young

people to achieve at the highest levels.

DYCA is a safe and happy environment. We do not allow anyone to damage the security and happiness of

any other individual. Every member of our community understands this and accepts their responsibility to

create the right learning environment for themselves and others.

As an academy we are an independent school and we organise learning differently from the traditional

secondary school. The structure of our academic year, our student groupings, our curriculum and our lessons

are all tailored to ensure that we are able to deliver exactly what our students need to become successful

adults. The Academy has a calm, business-like atmosphere with smart, disciplined staff and students. We do

hope you enjoy reading about us and we look forward to meeting you.

Ros McMullenCEO LEAF Academy Trust and Principal DYCA

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BISHOP DAVID YOUNGDavid Young Community Academy is named in recognition of Bishop David Young’s extensive work in education both

nationally and here in Leeds. He was a great supporter of educational initiatives and institutions, especially those that

fostered personal responsibility together with creative thinking and action.

In 2005 when Bishop David laid the foundation stone of the Academy he said, “our future lies in the hands of our

children and we owe it to them, to ourselves and to the world to give them the best possible preparation…In years to

come we shall be able to look back and thank God for the abilities, the commitment, the hard work, the inspired teaching

and creative learning which we know will be part of this enterprise. May God bless you in this undertaking”.

Bishop David was very proud of the DYCA and saw in its development and growth the principles, values and challenges which were close to his

heart and had nurtured his life and ministry. Furthermore, he was proud to see these values taking root in the work and life of the Academy, its

staff and students and their concern and care for each other.

Bishop David died in 2008 but in the words of one of the students, “his life and work continue to inspire the entire Academy”.

MISSIONThe DYCA is a safe and secure environment underpinned by Christian

values. We work within the wider community, promoting lifelong learning,

benefiting all learners and contributing to local regeneration by:

• Valuing all faiths and actively celebrating diversity.

• Appreciating the uniqueness of every person and working to build self-esteem.

• Ensuring that each student receives the highest possible quality of

education suited to their individual needs and aptitudes.

• Focussing on excellence and challenging everyone to achieve their best.

• Nurturing supportive and productive relationships based on mutual

respect and trust.

• Valuing and fostering creativity, imagination, responsibility and a love of

learning.

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ETHOSThe ethos of the DYCA, in keeping with the mission set out and

the values embodied therein, is demonstrated in its daily life. In

the Academy we:

• Actively seek to develop a love for learning.

• Promote inclusive learning for all.

• Work within a framework of discipline which is also confident

of forgiveness.

• Value worship as a part of daily life.

• Respect the faith of all members.

• Encourage an appreciation for the beauty of creation and

recognise our responsibility to care for the environment.


LOVE ENTERPRISE ASPIRATION FAITH (LEAF)DYCA is part of LEAF Academy Trust. The trust consists of primary and secondary academies and the Diocese of Ripon and Leeds, who work together to

serve local communities by providing innovative educational practice within traditional values.

The LEAF Academy Trust believes that every child in our care is unique, a child of God, and that our mission is to serve them by providing the highest

possible standard of education, suited to their needs and aptitudes, within an atmosphere of trust and love. Our academies nurture productive and

supportive relationships based on mutual respect, dignity and love, and work within a framework of discipline which is confident of forgiveness.

LEAF Academy Trust is based on a set of principles that we follow in all aspects of school life:

LOVE ENTERPRISE ASPIRATION FAITH

“At DYCA as part of LEAF Academy Trust we are committed to providing an education for young people built on love, enterprise, aspiration and faith.”

Ros McMullen

CEO of LEAF Academy Trust and Principal of DYCA

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KEY STAGE 3At Key Stage 3, Freshers and Preps at the DYCA

(years 7 and 8) study the National Curriculum

core subjects and significant emphasis is placed on

numeracy and literacy. We are dedicated to

creativity and innovation in teaching; we develop

students’ skills portfolio and introduce our learners

to other specialist areas of the curriculum.

KEY STAGE 4Unlike most schools, Key Stage 4 learning

commences in Senior 1 (Year 9) at the DYCA. We

consider the last three years of compulsory

schooling to be fundamental preparation for adult life and understand that students require a personalised approach to suit their

individual abilities and talents. Students study a combination of traditional GCSEs and level 2 BTECs and have the option of

following the English Baccalaureate.

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KEY STAGE 5Students who choose to continue to Key Stage 5 (years 12 and 13) can complete the International

Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma which is a rigorous programme of study that not only deepens learning

but also gives a wider breadth of knowledge. Students studying the IB Diploma are expected to

progress to Russell Group universities or Oxbridge. In our first cohort of IB students several obtained

places at top universities; two to study medicine. Alternatively, they may choose the IB Career-

related Certificate which includes Level 3 BTEC qualifications and offers a unique combination of

vocational and academic studies.

LIMEWOODLimewood is a state of the art technology and arts facility that demonstrates the commitment

the DYCA has to excellence in learning. Students have access to resources and training in various

specialist areas, such as: construction, engineering, ICT, and art and design. There are also product

design suites to be enjoyed. Limewood offers our students educational opportunities that

classroom-based learning alone cannot provide.

EXCELLENCE IN LEARNING

CREATIVITY & INNOVATION

STATE OF THE ART

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ENRICHMENTAt the DYCA we understand how important it is for young people

to explore different avenues of learning which extend far beyond

the traditional curriculum. From Monday to Wednesday the

Academy day finishes at 4.35pm, enabling time for enrichment

activities to take place. It is compulsory for all Fresher and Prep

students to attend on their designated day.

We have a diverse range of activities for our students to choose

from, including: architecture, astronomy, beat boxing, business

enterprise and fashion. There really is something for everyone to

enjoy. To allow all students to attend, the Academy buses arrive at

3.00pm and 4.35pm on these days.

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ACCELERATED READERWe believe reading for pleasure is crucial, not only for academic

development, but to develop our students as well-rounded

individuals. At the DYCA all Freshers and Preps take part in the

Accelerated Reader (AR) scheme. Students choose their AR books

from the Learning Resource Centre, where there is a wide range of

all levels of fiction and non-fiction covering a huge range of interests.

Once they have read their book, the students take a fun on-line quiz

which checks their comprehension. Students quickly build up points

as part of the rewards system, whilst increasing their reading

stamina and ability.

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As a direct result of this, students involved increase their abilities

and enhance their educational experience. Teamwork, comm-

unication and citizenship skills are developed and students are given

the opportunity to create and really influence the community they

are part of.

STUDENT VOICEOur student body has the important role of helping to shape the

lives of all at DYCA. Our students have established a variety of

groups where suggestions are heard then acted upon. Some of these

groups are the Student Senior Leadership Team, Sixth Form Prefects,

Sport Leaders, Food Ambassadors and the Academy Council; their

leadership skills are an example for all to follow.

SENIOR STUDENT LEADERSHIPTEAM (SSLT)Ensuring our students are given the opportunity to openly voice their

opinions is an integral part of the Academy’s philosophy. The SSLT consists

of Senior 3 (Year 11) students who liaise with staff to offer perspectives

on how the Academy is managed and how it can improve. The group, who

represent the interests of all students, is created following a professional

application and interview process, giving students valuable experience

which helps to prepare them for successful futures. The main purpose of

the SSLT is to give our students a voice, to ensure their opinions are valued

and utilised in the Academy’s continuous development and improvement.

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HOUSE PARENTSThe DYCA has a unique pastoral care system in the form of House Parents. We believe it is essential to nurture our students’ pastoral and

social growth, alongside supporting and encouraging their educational development and academic achievements. This is the role of our House

Parents.

Your child’s House Parent will be their best friend at the Academy and a personal guide for you and your family throughout their time here.

They will help fix problems, remove any barriers to learning and encourage all our students to become the very best they can be. Families

have their House Parent’s mobile phone number for direct contact and students from the same family have the same House Parent to look

after them.

CHAPLAINMark Umpleby, our Chaplain, works

with our whole Academy family:

students, parents and staff, of all faiths

or none. Mark provides a supportive,

listening ear and ensures we maintain

the Academy’s mission and ethos in all

that we do.

DYCA has a multi-faith worship room

which is available to students of all faiths

and none, for group and private prayer or

quiet reflection. Our Chaplain manages

the worship room and our contact with

other religious leaders. Mark also co-

ordinates the daily house assemblies and

the whole school assemblies which take

place at the end of each block.

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HOUSESStudents at the DYCA belong to one of six houses; each house is a family consisting of students from all year groups and members of staff.

The DYCA follows the vertical tutoring model, whereby each house is divided into form groups containing students of all ages. This approach

encourages cohesion and improves relationships between different year groups. It serves the dual purpose of enabling senior students to

develop their mentoring skills whilst providing younger students with positive role models.

Our students take great pride in their houses and a good-natured rivalry exists between them. The house system celebrates our students and

their achievements and encourages them to develop as team players. The houses are named in dedication to inspirational figures whose lives

and work enthuse and motivate the students to achieve excellence.

Innovative and hugely influential Britishengineer

Intelligent and inquisitive American whodeveloped a computer language for the

whole world to use

Father of civil engineering whose workbettered the lives of ordinary people

Internationally acclaimed architect andwinner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize

Greatest aero-engineer of thetwentieth century

Talented artist, musician, engineer,inventor, scientist and mathematician

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CADETSThe Combined Cadet Force and Junior Cadets provide opportunities for adventure and service. Flying, horse riding, rock climbing, orienteering

and shooting are just some of the adventurous activities in which our Cadets have been involved. They also support community events on

a regular basis including the Remembrance Day Parade each

November.

We are now exploring a link with Leeds Sea Cadets and the

opportunity for off-shore sailing.

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MOYES CENTREOur Support for Learning department extend their services into the community through the Moyes Centre at the DYCA. Situated next to the

school, the Moyes Centre provides a wide range of family support and opportunities for fun family learning in a modern environment.

FURTHER ACTIVITIESAt the DYCA we are dedicated to sustaining strong and positive relationships within the community that we serve. In order to create a

harmonious environment, the DYCA believes that a common vision and sense of belonging must be shared by all.

To achieve this, we have developed a rich programme of activities which include:

• Summer school.

• Various community workshops.

• Fun and educational visits including horse whispering, canal boat trips and archery and fencing.

• Seasonal family events.

• Primary school activity days.

These successful and popular activities are a great example of the DYCA’s commitment to our community.

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A HEALTHY, ACTIVE LIFESTYLEHappy, active children and young people require wholesome food and regular meals; at the DYCA we are dedicated to fulfilling this necessity.

Our professionally managed restaurant offers varied, healthy and delicious meals of the highest quality; there is a wide selection of fresh fruit

and vegetables available and our salad bar provides a nutritional alternative to the meals of the day.

All students are provided with a free breakfast at the DYCA; cereal and fruit are offered to prepare our students for a productive day of learning.

This innovative approach has been documented by the BBC’s Inside Out programme, which visited the Academy in February 2013.

Our restaurant fosters the ethos of community eating; it provides a relaxing environment where students can unwind with their friends and

prepare for the afternoon’s learning. We operate a cashless catering system whereby each student is issued with a dinner card which can be

loaded with cash through the ParentPay on-line system and PayPoint for cash at your local convenience store. This is an important part of

our support to students and their families in ensuring students are focussing on achievement and learning, whilst families can be confident

that money for lunch and trips is used for those purposes.

We believe our students’ opinions are paramount to the success of our restaurant and invite them to comment on our menus and service via

the Academy Council and the Food Ambassadors. The latter of these two has been introduced for this purpose and serves to encourage students

to contribute ideas for the restaurant and our menus.

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OUR DAY8:25 Students to arrive

8:30 – 10:30 Session 1 including breakfast

10:30 – 12:00 Session 2

12:00 – 13:20 Tutorial time, assembly and lunch break

13:20 – 15:00 Session 3

15:00 – 16:35 Session 4 including intervention,

enrichment and extra-curricular activities

(Monday to Wednesday only).

ADMISSIONS180 new students will be welcomed into Fresher (Year 7) at the DYCA in June 2014.

Students are admitted in accordance with the DYCA Admissions Policy and admission is coordinated through the local authority Coordinated

Admissions to Secondary Schools process.

To apply for admission students should complete the common preference form which is distributed by the local authority. All applicants will

be required to take the Fair Banding Assessment at the Academy on Friday 29th November or Saturday 30th November 2013 at 09.30am.

Only students who have taken this assessment will be considered for admission.

A fair representation of students from each band of ability will then be admitted; priority will be given to students within each

band according to published DYCA criteria.

ACADEMIC YEAR 2014 – 2015Block One: Monday 9th June – Friday 18th July 2014

Block Two: Monday 18th August – Friday 26th September 2014

Block Three: Monday 6th October – Friday 7th November 2014

Block Four: Monday 17th November – Friday 19th December 2014

Block Five: Monday 5th January – Friday 13th February 2015

Block Six: Monday 23rd February – Friday 27th March 2015

Block Seven: Monday 13th April – Friday 22nd May 2015

w/c 1st June 2015 is the week which will contain the New Intake Events

INSET DAYS: yet to be set

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David Young Community Academy, Bishops Way, Leeds LS14 6NUTel: 0113 273 9100 Website: www.dyca.org.uk

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David YoungCommunity Academy


dyca prospectus 2014-2015

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