www.churchill-academy.org

WAY AHEAD

CHURCHILL IS AN OUTSTANDING SCHOOL

WELCOME TOCHURCHILLACADEMY

May we extend a warm welcome to you from the Churchill Academy community – students, staff and governors.

One of the most important decisions you will ever have to make is choosing the right secondary school for your child and at Churchill we believe we offer you a first class option.

As parents, we all wish to see our children thrive and succeed. Churchill has a dedicated team of teaching and support staff who work hard to secure the best from every student, offering varied opportunities for them to grow in skill, knowledge and confidence. We know we will only achieve this with a mutually supportive partnership between school and home.

Care | Inspire | Challenge | Achieve

These are the Academy’s values – but they are also our promise to parents. We will care for your children, inspire and challenge them and help them to achieve the very best they can.

Churchill has a long and impressive record of high attainment and a rich extra-curricular offer for its students. The quality of teaching and learning is consistently high. The generosity of the staff in running clubs and activities is hugely valued, especially by the students and their parents. The culture and ethos of the school is positive and busy. It is with a strong commitment to these things that we look forward to welcoming you to the Academy and to working with your son or daughter in the future.

The foundations for every student’s achievement at Churchill are strong and deep; together, we will build on them so that their experience of secondary education is as full, challenged, happy and successful as those who have preceded them.

WAY AHEAD

CARE | INSPIRE | CHALLENGE | ACHIEVE

WELCOME FROM DR BARRY WRATTEN AND MR HILDREW (HEAD DESIGNATE)

THE AIMS OFCHURCHILL ACADEMY

Our primary goal at Churchill is to offer the best education for your child. We want to help them to achieve their best and support them in becoming confident individuals, successful learners and responsible citizens.

A wide range of knowledge and skills

A broad set of subjects and ways of study

Different ways to meet the individual interests, abilities, aptitudes and needs of all students

Encouragement of all students to aim high, to appreciate ambition and enterprise and to recognise the value of all their achievements

We believe it is important that students develop into rounded individuals. Our support extends past the academic, helping students on their journey towards adult hood, preparing them for life beyond school

Express themselves confidently

Respect and tolerate the views of others

Give of their best in all activities

Be tolerant, self-disciplined, sensitive and caring towards others

Accept responsibility for the consequences of their actions

“The highly inclusive culture of the academy is characterised by the exceptionally strong support and guidance offered to all students.” Ofsted July 2015

WE OFFER THE FOLLOWING TO ALL STUDENTS WHO CHOOSE CHURCHILL ACADEMY:

WE DO THIS BY ENCOURAGING THEM TO:

CAREWORKING TOGETHER - STUDENTS, PARENTS & SCHOOL

TRANSFER TO ‘BIG SCHOOL’

We understand that the transfer to ‘big school’ can be daunting for both parent and child. We work hard to ensure that your child is confident about joining Churchill. Our excellent links with all the primary schools in the Churchill catchment area and beyond help to smooth the way. Senior staff work closely with our ‘feeder’ schools to support the children as they prepare for that important next step. The Year 6 pupils attend a ‘taster day’ with us in the summer term and parents and children are invited to a ‘New Year 7’ parents’ evening as we begin to work together for a successful transfer. Tutors and older students are on hand to help new students adjust and to be organised and find their way around.

A HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE PASTORAL SYSTEM

Our Pastoral System supports students to make a successful move to their new school. Each student is placed in a Vertical Tutor Group with students from other year groups. The Tutor is the central figure and is the first point of contact. Tutors are supported by their Head of House and these are led by our Director of Student Welfare, Mrs L McKay. Each House has a House Mentor to help those students who may require extra support.

“Student’s behaviour in lessons and around the academy is exemplary.” Ofsted July 2015

GUIDANCE AND PROGRESS

Churchill is a friendly Academy that has a real sense of purpose. We foster in all our students a sense of belonging – to the Academy community, to House, to Tutor Group, to Sixth Form. Our Pastoral structure develops a shared set of values, values we as adults admire:

Respect and honesty

Tolerance of each other and of those who may be perceived as different

Skills to help deal with tension and anxiety

Caring attitudes to other members of the community and to the environment

We understand the importance of keeping parents well informed. We share a common goal of wanting the best for your child and ensure you are kept up-to-date with their progress. Each year parents receive an annual report and are invited to discuss progress with the teachers. Further ‘snap-shots’ will be sent home as well; these will show the progress being made and whether this is on track. All this is available to parents via our own portal on the school website: SMILE. We regularly monitor performance and we will contact home if there is any concern. Parents can also see their child’s behaviour record, again via the website through SMILE. Parents of Year 7 students are invited to meet Tutors before Christmas to discuss how they have settled and their initial progress.

“Relationships between the academy and parents are highly positive.” Ofsted July 2015

REGULAR COMMUNICATION WITH HOME

INSPIRE

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTOne of Churchill’s greatest strengths is the quality of our teachers and their passion for their subjects. Working alongside the many support staff who work with them, they provide challenge and variety, support and encouragement and that rarest of jewels – inspiration. We create a positive atmosphere in which students and staff work effectively together. Students are expected to do their work to the best of their ability, take pride in their work, to get involved in the life of the Academy and to enjoy working with others. We encourage all of the students to express themselves and be creative. Every student is an individual and we treat them as such. We show them respect and give them responsibility to encourage their growing maturity.

“Teaching is outstanding.” Ofsted July 2015

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENTChurchill provides many opportunities for personal development. There is a high emphasis on Employability Skills and SMSC – Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education. We emphasise the need for students to share, take turns and co-operate and we encourage students to discuss issues relevant to their age and maturity.

“The promotion of students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development is exceptionally strong. Students are welcoming of differences for life in modern Britain.” Ofsted July 2015

CELEBRATING SUCCESS

We are proud of every student’s successes. Praise, celebration, recognition of achievement, effort, progress and perseverance are all embedded into our way of life at Churchill.

We know the importance of acknowledging children’s triumphs in developing self-esteem and outstanding individual achievements feature in our weekly Newsletter.

Speech Day and our Celebration of Success Assemblies give further opportunities to reflect on the achievements of both individuals and groups, as do our Rewards Assemblies.

SUPPORT TO SUCCEEDWe know that education doesn’t stop when students leave us. Students are supported for their future pathway and next steps in life through a variety of activities during their academic career.

We have excellent links with local employers and businesses to enable students to understand the workings of industry, business, commerce and voluntary services. These partners provide support for our Year 10 and Post-16 Careers Conventions, input to our School-to-Work Conference/Enterprise Day and offer valuable work experience opportunities.

Students have an outstanding, top performing Sixth Form at Churchill as an option to continue their education and we are delighted so many decide to stay with us for their Sixth Form studies. The vast majority progress from Churchill onto degree courses at university.

CHALLENGE

TRACKING PROGRESS, SETTING TARGETS

Teachers and students track progress and record achievement – and this helps keep parents informed too. We use students’ prior and current attainment data to set appropriate but challenging targets. We compare Target Grades/Levels against Current Attainment Grades/Level and keep track of their progress. Staff can then highlight the practical steps students need to take to improve what they do. We have a strong ‘value added’ effect on student progress.

“The proportion of students attaining five or more GCSE grades at A* to C, including English and mathematics, has been significantly above the national average since the Academy opened.”Ofsted July 2015

HOMEWORK

At Churchill homework is an integral part of the learning experience. We set high standards and expect all homework to be completed to the best of a student’s ability and to be handed in on time. With the development of the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), students can access the school systems from home in the evenings and at weekends so that learning can continue outside the classroom setting.

EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES AND OTHER ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Churchill has an outstanding reputation for offering its students a wide choice of extra-curricular activities. Lunchtimes are packed with activities, as are after school sessions, all run by our staff who constantly strive to offer the best opportunities for all students. Clubs give students further chance to participate in a range of activities – a list is sent home early in the academic year to encourage participation.

SPORT

At Churchill there is a rich tradition of extra-curricular sport and we have good relations with local clubs. Sports on offer include rugby, soccer, swimming, tennis, rounders, hockey, netball, athletics, cricket, basketball, badminton, golf, etc. As students grow through the school, more variety is added and the emphasis shifts to include physical well-being and healthy living.

TRIPS, TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE

Travel is an important component of every child’s growing up, giving a chance to be away from home and to develop a greater sense of independence. From the residential trip in the first term of Year 7 to major expeditions for the older students there are a great many opportunities for students to enrich their learning and widen their horizons.

“Additional enrichment activities extend students’ love of learning beyond the classroom.”Ofsted July 2015

CHURCHILL IS A SPECIALIST CENTRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

The Performing Arts play a very important part in the lives of everyone at Churchill. In Music, our own talented staff work closely with North Somerset’s Music Service. Even with our very high standards, we do not lose sight of the joy of music making. We have choirs – including our internationally renowned senior Gospel Choir – orchestras and ensembles and jazz groups covering a wide range of genres from the classics through to modern, rock and pop.

There is a strong tradition at Churchill for first rate Drama – especially our major productions staged at The Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare. Students studying Drama or Theatre Studies perform their work in front of invited audiences and there are plenty of opportunities for students to be on stage, behind the scenes or working in the technical aspects of theatre.

One of the most exciting aspects of our Performing Arts status has been the development of Dance. Each year there are shows involving students from Year 7 to the Sixth Form and in recent years Churchill has had great success in national competitions.

ACHIEVE

A FIRST RATE EDUCATION FOR THE 21ST CENTURY

Churchill is a successful and high attaining Academy – but we are always looking for ways to improve what we do and how best we can prepare young people for the 21st Century world. We have invested heavily in our Information and Communication Technology provision to bring both curriculum and administration IT systems together. Our website and our portal (SMILE) have allowed us to develop our Virtual Learning Environment. This improves our interactivity with web-based learning, home-to-school communication and on-line education. Students can submit work via email and parents can check on student progress, behaviour and work via our website.

The future potential of IT in schools as a tool for learning is awesome. Through secure internet links and many in-school software packages, our children’s learning reaches well beyond the school site.

THE CURRICULUM

The curriculum on offer here at Churchill is broad, balanced and relevant and it affords appropriate progression according to the students’ needs. The Schemes of Work are sensitive to prior attainment and on-going assessments and are differentiated by resources, tasks and styles of learning. Our Student Support team deploys Teaching Assistants to support individuals or groups as required. There are elements of alternative curricula in years 9, 10 and 11 and we also offer some work related provision for students if this is more appropriate.

‘Appropriate’ means that students in Year 11 are ready to choose the next step in their young lives with confidence and in line with their abilities – to study in our Sixth Form or to follow other courses, training or work.

One of our principles is that subjects will be taught by specialists in specialist accommodation. Groups are largely mixed ability, although some setting does occur. Work is set to challenge, support and extend learners. We have a two year Key Stage 3 Curriculum, enabling students to maintain the momentum of their Primary years and spend more time on their GCSE courses.

“The curriculum has been expertly designed.” Ofsted July 2015

OUTSTANDING SIXTH FORM

Churchill Sixth Form offers a quality post-16 experience for students, consistently producing top results. The Sixth Form has an enviable record of success over many years and is a very reliable springboard for young people with ambition. Each year, most students move on to their first choice University course – speaking volumes for the excellent levels of achievement and the outstanding support and guidance at Churchill.

We provide an open access post–16 option for young people who are keen to progress in the world. A simple but successful formula ensures best results – treating students as young adults, giving them a chance to take responsibility, high commitment and challenge from excellent teachers, careful guidance and support and a strong partnership with parents – a rounded, supportive and challenging environment to prepare students for the world beyond school.

A winning formula – yes, but we have some fun on the way!

“The Sixth Form is Outstanding. Students make excellent progress and act as highly positive role models for younger students.” Ofsted July 2015

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

We offer great flexibility for students in the Sixth Form so they can put together the combination of A-Level courses they need – we have over 30 GCE A-Levels on offer. We have a track record of examination success with very high pass rates and high percentages of A, B and C grades at A-Level. We have dedicated Sixth Form facilities with a Common Room, ICT facilities, catering and dedicated Sixth Form teaching rooms.

Music, Dance and Drama, Sport, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Travel – recent trips include USA, Africa, France, Austria, and the list goes on ...

EXTRA CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES

OUTSTANDING SIXTH FORM PASTORAL SUPPORT

We have a highly successful and skilled Pastoral Team who set targets for the students, monitor their progress and give regular updates to parents. There is a development programme for independent learning skills and preparation for life after Sixth Form and a well organised UCAS application programme, including visits to Higher Education ‘Fairs’.

QUOTES

“It was particularly encouraging to hear from the students we met that they have learnt from, enjoyed and benefitted from the wide range of initiatives available that are designed to develop their employability skills. We were particularly impressed by the students’ ability to articulate their employability-related experiences and aspirations with such courtesy, clarity and confidence.” Employability Charter Mark

“A comprehensive and succinct outline of the Academy STEM programme of activities, and is the best summary of STEM that we have experienced to date.” Employability Charter Mark

“A loyal and committed staff group who love working at Churchill and are very focused on delivering the very best education for the children.” Investors In People

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the celebration of success evening yesterday. Children these days get such bad press that I think it is vital to celebrate the fact that the majority of students actually deserve a whole lot of praise.” Parent

“It was a great experience for all of us meeting such extremely sympathetic students and great colleagues! And such wonderful music!!” Rosemarie Schinzel, Gymnasium Himmelsthür (Gospel Choir tour 2015)

“I just wanted to thank you for the fabulous day. The children had an eye-opening experience through playing games with those outside the school. They said that they learnt 10 times more on that day alone than all the practice put together.” School participating in Churchill’s Chess Competition 2015

CARE | INSPIRE | CHALLENGE | ACHIEVE

Churchill Academy & Sixth Form

Churchill Green, Churchill, North Somerset, BS25 5QN

Telephone: 01934 852771 Fax: 01934 853202

Email: churchill@churchill-academy.org

www.churchill-academy.org

A Centre for thePerforming Arts/Arts Colleges