Hope Academy - Year 7 Prospectus 2011

Faithinour future2011 Prospectus

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Hope Academy Prospectus 2011

“A community of learners of all ages from thelocal area committed to mutual servicewhere each person can flourish, be their bestand work for the common good to the gloryof God and his creation.”Our Mission


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As an Academy, Hope is part of an innovative groupof schools, different from many other secondaryschools both locally and nationally. We are anindependent state-funded school and use thefreedom this brings to create a distinctive,outstanding education for your sons and daughters.

Hope Academy is a joint Catholic and Church ofEngland school, sponsored by both Churches andLiverpool Hope University in partnership withSt.Helens Council. We offer an inclusive approach toall young people in the area and are committed tomeeting their individual needs.

This is not simply a new name for an existing school– it is the result of a £33 million investment: a newbeginning. It is the chance to create a newgeneration of adults.

There is a strong investment here in an effectivepastoral system which focuses on the care andhappiness of pupils, creating an environment that issecure, stable and orderly, yet full of opportunities,challenge and activity.

Our passionate belief in young people is reflected inthe high expectations placed on all members of ourcommunity. We will combine hard work anddiscipline to provide our pupils with thedetermination and motivation to succeed. Pupils willgain much from their time at Hope Academy and inreturn we expect a high level of commitment andendeavour from them, as well as very highstandards of personal appearance and behaviour.

In turn we look to retain and attract highly gifted andcommitted teachers who are ambitious for thechildren they teach. Teachers who understand theimportance of engagement and relationships withina school community, and are prepared to go thatextra mile for the pupils and community they serve.

Our broad, flexible curriculum caters for all aptitudes,needs and aspirations. This includes additionalsupport where needed, and curriculum accelerationand challenge where appropriate. Our pupils havean outstanding curriculum on offer, with a wide andflexible choice of subjects, the option of early GCSEentry, and A level provision at Key Stage 4.

The Academy has adopted ‘sustainability’ as ourspecialism. At its heart is the responsibility we allhave for sustaining a viable future for our planet.This specialism is reflected both in the design of ourschool buildings and in the curriculum across theschool.

Hope Academy will open in brand new schoolbuildings and offers facilities that are trulyexceptional, comparing well with the best in Europe.Our outstanding ICT provision – which includespersonal laptops for Year 7 pupils – is just oneexample of the level of resources across the Academy.

Thank you for your interest in Hope Academy. I hopethe information we provide in this prospectusencourages you to make an application to theAcademy. Further information about how to make anapplication is provided on the back cover of thisprospectus.

A new beginning for our children

I offer you a very warm welcome tothe brand new Hope Academy.

John K Gannon BSc MA(Ed)Principal

At the heart of our visionand Christian ethosis the spiritual and moraldevelopment of ourcommunity; a communitywhere you will findconfident, engaged,moral and responsibleyoung people.


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• Hope is a caring Christian community, where allare welcome

• We focus on the care and happiness of our pupils,creating a safe environment where they can thrive

• We are a school with high expectations andstandards in terms of academic achievement,behaviour and personal appearance

• Hope has an outstanding, flexible curriculum,which caters for a wide range of needs andchoices

• We share innovative, research-based approachesto teaching and learning

• We employ high quality and committedteachers and staff

• Our school specialism is sustainability. Thebroader focus of our teaching here is on the futureof our planet, providing a global perspective toyour child’s education

• We offer an outstanding range of enrichmentand extra-curricular activities, including sport,performing arts, Duke of Edinburgh Awardschemes and the opportunity to help others byworking with local charities plus other voluntaryand faith based groups.

• Hope provides state-of-the-art ICT facilities,including laptops for all Year 7 pupils

• We are housed in brand new buildings withexceptional facilities, comparing well with thebest in Europe

A Message from the SponsorsThe Catholic Archdiocese and the Church ofEngland Diocese of Liverpool and LiverpoolHope University are proud to be the sponsorsof Hope Academy and to be working in closepartnership with St Helens Council.

Following over two and a half years of planningand consultation, we are now entering a busyperiod of activity to move the project into itsfinal stages ready for opening in our brand newand inspiring building which reflects theenvironmental specialism of the Academy.As sponsors we have the highest ambition forthe Academy and believe that our vision isambitious, innovative and challenging. We willcreate an Academy that provides exemplarystandards of teaching in an environment inwhich all students will be able to develop totheir full potential. The combination of thesponsors, together with a management teamled by an outstanding Principal in Mr JohnGannon will bring a unique blend of experience,knowledge, commitment and energy.

You will find more information about theAcademy in this prospectus but underpinningeverything is a Christian ethos that will welcomeand nurture students of all faiths and none.

We look forward to September 2011 and theopening of our Academy, and beyond that, tofulfilling the vision we all share for enhancingthe lives and education of the local communityin Newton-le-Willows.

Why Choose Hope Academy?


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Our SpecialismThe Academy has adopted ‘Education forSustainable Development’ (sustainability) as ourschool specialism.

Sustainability is more than just consideration for theenvironment – it is our responsibility for sustaining aviable future for humankind. Internationally, peopleincreasingly recognise that we need to change ourlifestyle and habits to make sure that we take care ofour planet and its resources.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Academy,and forms a powerful combination with ourChristian ethos.

Hope Academy will help our young people todevelop the skills, understanding, knowledge andattitudes to have a real influence and impact on boththeir local environment, and world beyond it, helpingcreate a more sustainable future.

We look to our students to make a personalcommitment to promoting a sustainable future; to beoutward looking and dedicated to supporting theirlocal communities and to develop an internationaland global perspective on the issues that face theworld today.

We also believe schools can demonstratesustainable development through the way they arerun, as much as through their teaching. Here atHope Academy we have designed and built one ofthe most sustainable school buildings in the country– we will generate our own electricity through theuse of wind turbines, use biomass boilers to reduceour carbon footprint and recycle rain water, saving500,000 litres of water a year.

We recently won a national ‘Innovation inSustainability’ award, as part of the Building Schoolsfor the Future Excellence Awards. Hope Academyalso looks to be the first school in country to achievea rating of ‘outstanding’ in the Building ResearchEnvironmental Standards.

Sustainability is at theheart of the Academy,and forms a powerfulcombination with ourChristian ethos.


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Prayer andWorshipOpportunities for personal and community prayerand reflection will be provided in many formsthroughout the year. In addition to the daily act ofworship, weekly assemblies provide opportunitiesfor reflection and prayer.

A range of liturgical celebrations will be celebratedthroughout the year, with key feast days celebratedcollectively, as they reflect the mission and religiousnature of our Christian school. Opportunities will alsobe provided for religious retreat to foster reflectionand personal development.

Religious EducationAt Key Stage 3 all pupils will follow two hours ofReligious Education each week, approved by theCatholic Archdiocese and Church of EnglandDiocese.

At Key Stage 4 all pupils will follow a GCSE coursein Religious Education.

Sex EducationThe Sex Education programme is supported by theteaching and guidance of both the Catholic andChurch of England churches. The programmereflects the appropriate ages and levels.

While parents have the right to withdraw their son ordaughter from Sex Education and ReligiousEducation lessons, we believe these topics are animportant part of a young person’s moral, spiritualand social development.

If you’d like more information, full details of our SexEducation Policy and Religious Education Policy areavailable on request.

Advice, Information and Guidance (AIG)All of our pupils will be offered appropriate andtimely advice, information and guidance. We work inpartnership with external career guidance servicesto help our students make the very best decisionsabout their future.

A programme of careers education is provided forstudents to raise aspirations and awareness ofcareer opportunities and educational transition. Ourpupils will also be offered up to two weeks’ workexperience during Key Stage 4 to broaden theirunderstanding of opportunities available in the worldof work.

Our VisionWe seek to promote the growth of the whole persontowards the fullness of life, which comes from God.We therefore are committed to:

• Nurturing the spiritual and moral development ofour community.

• Providing an experience of learning and lifefounded on the values of the Gospel.

• Raising awareness of, and response to, the needsof others locally, nationally and globally.

• Providing a secure and caring environment wherethe uniqueness, dignity and worth of all arerecognised and developed.

• Being a beacon of best practice and excellence,where everyone is known and achieves to theirhighest potential.

• Sustainability as a school specialism andpromoting sustainable approaches for the benefitof current and future generations.

• Being outward looking, working in partnership withothers to provide opportunity and provision forlocal families and adults.

• Working closely with parents and carersrecognising their primary importance towards theeducation of their children.

At Hope Academy we are looking to create an inspirational andunique Christian learning community for everyone.


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A place where everyone is knownand belongs...At Hope Academy we invest strongly in the care,welfare and happiness of our community.

To ensure outstanding support and care, we haveadopted a Schools within Schools model oforganisation, which creates a sense of family andbelonging.

The Academy will be divided into five separateschools of 270 pupils. Each school is further dividedinto three houses of 90 pupils who, in turn, will beplaced in four family/tutor groups of around 22pupils. Our tutor groups will be of mixed ages,helping to foster a sense of family and support.

Each school will be led by staff teams which willfocus on the day-to-day welfare needs of pupils andcarefully monitor their academic progress.

Alongside first class care and support, the Schoolswithin Schools approach offers excellentopportunities for pupils to participate in a range ofactivities, and develop their leadership andteam-building skills.

Our pupils will be setchallenging but achievablelearning targets which willbe carefully monitoredand, where necessary,appropriate support andhelp given.


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CurriculumIn Year 7, pupils will be placed in one of the fiveschools and experience a curriculum which reflectsour vision to create a ‘small school feel’, whilemaintaining the advantages of a large school interms of our range of expertise, subjects andresources available.

This approach includes a home base for students,where teachers come to the pupils, reducing theneed for constant movement around the school.Pupils will, of course, move around to access to awide range of specialist facilities including science,PE and art.

Key Stage 3Pupils follow a broad range of subjects based on thenational curriculum, including religious education. Acompetency-based curriculum has also beendesigned, to make sure pupils have the opportunityto develop key skills – such as learning to learn,problem solving and thinking skills – alongside theirsubject-based curriculum.

LanguagesThe Academy will formally offer French and Spanishas modern foreign languages. All pupils will followone of these languages on entry, with the option ofselecting a second language in Year 8. Pupils willalso have a range of options through our enrichmentprogramme, where an extra 50-minute and two hourperiod will be set aside for chosen activities.

TechnologyThroughout Key Stage 3 pupils will experience arange of technology subjects, including food,resistant materials, graphics and textiles.

Key Stage 4At Hope Academy we believe in stage, rather thanage – basing education on a pupil’s ability ratherthan age. This means that many of our students willbe able to progress to follow GCSE /Level 2programmes in Year 9, rather than waiting until Year10. Students will begin a range of core subjectsincluding English, maths, sciences and ICT in Year9, before adding a range of further subjects at thestart of Year 10.

All pupils will follow a GCSE in Religious Education.

Many pupils will also have the option of startingA level studies in Year 11, or look to improve theirgrades if necessary.

Fundamentally, we offer a wide, flexible range ofsubjects and pathways for pupils, making sureeveryone has their needs and aspirations met.

We have developed a forward-looking curriculum that isinnovative, personalised and global in scope. It is designed toprepare our young people for the world in which they will live.


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Homework and Independent LearningAt Hope Academy we understand that school is notthe only place young people learn.

Young people study and learn in many differentways today – we live in a knowledge-based societywhere information is easily accessible. We believethe work and learning that young people experienceoutside school makes a significant contribution todeveloping the skills all school-leavers need in arapidly changing world.

At Hope Academy we are committed to providinghigh quality homework, which includes plannedassignments in the form of a series of independentlearning projects provided across the school year.

Alongside knowledge and understanding, we look todevelop a range of values and social skills in ourpupils, and provide a real opportunity for parents toengage and support their children in their learning.

We will provide 24-hour access through our virtuallearning environment to a wide range of resourcesand support.

Home/School ContactWe place a high priority on communication withparents. Regular reports and early contact whendifficulties occur will be the cornerstone of ourapproach. There will be a full programme ofparental consultation meetings which will be wellpublicised and we encourage all parents to attend.Written reports from each subject area will be sentannually with interim reports in between. You areinvited to contact the school at any time if you haveconcerns regarding your son or daughter.

Charity and Community WorkThe Academy is committed to undertaking a rangeof charity and volunteer work locally and globally.This could be through links with Liverpool HopeUniversity’s registered charity, Global Hope, whichsupports the Academy’s themes of service to othersand encouragement of sustainability. Or it couldinvolve providing support for local aged and/orneedy members of the community.


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Enrichment ActivitiesAt Hope Academy we will offer pupils anoutstanding range of enrichment activities.

This will include one 50-minute compulsory activity(between 3.05 and 3.55 pm) and a two-hourvoluntary activity each week. Pupils can select froma wide range of activities including sport, dance,drama, music, instrumental tuition, photography,languages and activities designed to learn furtherabout the Academy’s specialism. Extra sport andperforming arts provision will also be offered everySaturday morning.

Exceptional PupilsAt Hope Academy we believe all of our pupilsshould be challenged and stretched. Pupils who areoutstanding either in terms of their academic ability,or a talent such as sport, music or drama, will findtheir needs met here. Special provision – includingfast tracking to early examinations, a widening ordeepening of pupil learning and mentoring – willensure their potential is met.

International Learning Experiences andExchangesWe believe that participation and engagement in awide range of international experience contributeshighly to the personal development of our pupils andencourages understanding of how they can helpothers around the world. We will engage in severalholiday and exchange visits each year todestinations around the world.

Students with Learning Difficulties orDisabilitiesHope Academy is committed to educationalinclusion and welcomes applications from pupilswith learning difficulties or disabilities. The Academyhas been designed to ensure all pupils have accessto a wide range of educational provision.

The Academy complies with the Special EducationalNeeds Code of Practice. Support will be providedaccording to individual need – this may include arange of support, including part time attendance atthe learning support centre, in class support fromteaching assistants or provision in small groups.

Hope Academy is committed to working inpartnership with outside agencies and workspositively and effectively with special needs servicesand specialist support groups to make sure pupilshave access to extensive and appropriate help.

Applications will be subject only to the admissionscriteria, but will regard the relevant guidance issuedby the Secretary of State to maintained schools.

Hope Academy is committed to educational inclusion and welcomesapplications from pupils with learning difficulties or disabilities. TheAcademy has been designed to ensure all pupils have access to a widerange of educational provision.


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Innovative Learning SpacesHope Academy’s building is one of the mostsustainable and highly specified education buildingsin the country.

Wind turbines provide off-peak electricity, theheating and hot water is to be generated byrenewable sources on site and 20% of the buildingand 70% of the external landscaping will be madefrom recycled materials.

The main features include:

• An innovative science suite of laboratories andflexible learning areas

• An outstanding technology suite that includes agraphics and product design studio, foodtechnology room and specialised resistantmaterials area for design and technology students

• Our learning support suite

• Five modern foreign language laboratories withthe very latest interpretation equipment.

• Superb performing arts facilities, including adrama suite and dance studios, and a music suitewhich includes a recording studio

• Fully-equipped art and design area includes atextiles suite, 3D/ceramics suite, digital art studio,media studio and outdoor art terrace

• Cutting-edge ICT equipment, including a wirelessnetwork, high-speed internet, a 24-hour schoolthrough remote access to resources and support,and laptops for all Year 7 pupils

• Outdoor classrooms

• Lake with outdoor gardens

In addition, pupils will have access to the physicalresources of Liverpool Hope University, e.g.advanced laboratories, theatre and field centre.


Our brand new, state-of-the-art building and facilities are the result of£33 million of investment.We compare well not just locally or nationally,but with the best in Europe.

Lake with Gardens

Faith Space

Drama Studio

Learning Resource Centre Art & Design Studios

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Faith SpaceA piece of inspirational artwork has been created atthe main entrance to the Academy. As well as awelcoming statement, it will also give a strong senseof identity to the Faith Space.

The inspiration for the design was the Hope Gardenwhich will be planted directly outside the FaithSpace. Created by architectural glass artist, KateMaestrii, the design for the window reflects thecolours and patterns of the plants that will begrowing there. The colour palette for the stainedglass reflects the blues and greens of the flowersand plants, and the patterns are taken from theshapes created by the stems and branches of thetrees, bushes and grass. Throughout the year thewindow will represent a rich and lush landscape fullof colour, growth and hope.


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We look to develop a physical awareness,competence and skilled achievement in sport in allpupils at Hope Academy. We also foster itsenjoyment, and develop awareness of the socialbenefits and healthy lifestyle gained fromparticipation in sport.

All pupils at Hope Academy will undertake twohours of PE-related activity each week. In addition,at Key Stage 4 pupils will be able to followaccelerated programmes in GCSE PE or sportsstudies.

There will be wide-ranging opportunities for allpupils to be involved in sporting activities and bechosen to play sport at house, school and wholeAcademy level.

The outstanding sport and performing arts facilitieswill also be able to be accessed by the community.

Hope Academy prides itself on outstanding sports facilities. Theseinclude a wide range of sports pitches, tennis courts and all-weatherpitches, as well as a sports hall and activity studios.We also benefitfrom a sports and leisure centre on our campus, where we are able toaccess additional facilities on site, including a swimming pool.


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Pupils who are outstandingeither in terms of theiracademic ability, or atalent such as sport, musicor drama, will find theiraspirations met here.


Hope Academy is a joint Catholic andChurch of England Academy, whichwelcomes students of all faiths, and none.The support, care and education of yourchild are our only priority, creating aneducation for them, which is distinctive,outstanding and individually tailored.

To apply for a place in September 2011 you will needto state Hope Academy as a preference on your homeLocal Authority Common Application Form.

Further information on our admissions procedures andpolicy can be found at www.hopeacademy.org.uk

For further information or queries please contact:

The Admissions SecretaryHope Academyc/o Newton-le-Willows Community High SchoolAshton RoadNewton-le-WillowsMerseysideWA12 0AQ

www.hopeacademy.org.uk


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Hope Academy - Year 7 Prospectus 2011

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