Specialising in Mathematics and Computing
Aston AcademyAughton Road, Swallownest, Sheffield S26 4SF
t: 0114 287 2171 f: 0114 287 6359 e: [email protected]: www.astonacademy.org
VERELST
PERSEVERANCEWISDOM • EXCELLENCE
DARCY
ENLIGHTENMENTFORTITUDE • EXCELLENCE
FURNIVAL
KNOWLEDGERESILIENCE • EXCELLENCE
MELTON
JUDGEMENTENDURANCE • EXCELLENCE
A S T O N
ASTON ACADEMY
Mr Chris Risley Y7 Learning Progress ManagerChris Risley is the Learning Progress Manager linked to Year 7. He is involvedin the transition visits to our contributory primary schools where he meetsprospective students and informs them about learning and life at AstonAcademy. He works closely with Year 7 students to ensure that they makethe best possible learning progress; feel valued and contribute positively tothe ACET learning community.
Aston Academy recognise the considerable valueof close working relationships with parents/carersand welcome regular communication betweenhome and school.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at:[email protected]@astonacademy.org
Striving for the best an individual can beis at the heart of Aston Academy.“
”
Mrs Lindsey BurginAssociate Vice PrincipalLindsey Burgin is the Associate Vice Principal responsible for Years 7, 8 and9. She oversees Lower School and works collaboratively with students,parents/carers and colleagues to ensure that the curriculum and learningopportunities meet the changing needs of our learners. The ethos of LowerSchool focuses on ‘Establishing Excellence’ with students being nurtured andencouraged to have the highest possible aspirations and expectations ofthemselves and each other.
Parent/Carer quote Year 7
MISSION STATEMENTAt Aston we are committed to providing high quality learning andteaching, enabling everyone to reach their full potential, whatevertheir age, ability, gender or ethnicity.
We believe that every person is unique and we work together in an inclusiveenvironment of mutual respect and consideration, valuing everyone’scontribution. Through our partnership with the local and wider community weaim to support our young people in successfully taking their place in society.
All adults in school have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfareof children.
SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
A S T O N A C A D E M Y S C H O O L P R O S P E C T U S
WELCOME TOASTON ACADEMY
Dear Parent/CarerWe are delighted to introduce this Prospectus which we hope provides youwith a real sense of the ethos and purpose of our school.
Aston Academy is a hardworking, friendly and open community where all peopleare treated as individuals and challenged to realise their full potential in allaspects of their development. We value respect, co-operation and courtesy, andstrive to promote effective relationships with all our students, their families andthe wider community. We want all our students to feel happy, secure andconfident, knowing that we will support them when they encounter difficulties,and that all their efforts and achievements will be affirmed and celebrated.
Students at Aston Academy enjoy high levels of achievement across thecurriculum in external examinations. We have a specialism in Mathematics andComputing which is a reflection of our high quality work and determination topromote the highest of expectations for all students. Aston also enjoys anexcellent reputation for PE and sport and expects all students to participate inthe wide range of opportunities made available to them. We are fully committed
to offering all our students a flexible curriculum tailored to meet their individual needs and to providing them with high quality learningand teaching opportunities which will enable them to experience success, regardless of their ability, gender or background.
We look forward to working in partnership with you in empowering your children to take maximum advantage from all the excitingopportunities that Aston Academy has to offer, so that they develop as fully rounded young people, enthusiastic and able to make apositive contribution to their school and wider community.
We hope this Prospectus encourages you to seek more information about Aston Academy, and supports you in reaching the veryimportant decision regarding your child’s future education. If you require further details about any aspect of our provision, please do nothesitate to contact us – we will be only too pleased to speak with you or to show you around our school.
Yours faithfully
Governing BodyAston Academy is the founding academy of Aston Community Education Trust (ACET),
currently a partnership of four academies: Aston, Lowedges, Springwood and Thurcroft.ACET is led by a board of trustees comprising John Barton (Chair), Paul Bennett, Roy Dyson,Jean Long, John Swift and Eunice Newton, our Executive Principal.
Each academy has its own Local Governing Body which includes representatives fromparent/carers, staff and the local community. We hold half termly meetings at which all aspectsof our provision are monitored and evaluated, with a view to their improvement. We warmly
encourage students to make their contribution to decision making at Aston, not least throughengagement in Student Voice opportunities and participation in the Student Council.
On behalf of the trustees and governors, I wish all our new students a happy and successful career atAston Academy.
Mr J BartonChairperson of the Governing Body (Mr Barton and other governors can be
contacted through the PA to the Principal)
A S T O N A C A D E M Y S C H O O L P R O S P E C T U S
Eunice NewtonExecutive Principal
Josie SanigarAssociate Principal
Rebecca HibberdAssociate Principal
A S T O N A C A D E M Y S C H O O L P R O S P E C T U S
UPPER SCHOOL
Students in Upper School will have theopportunity to study the core curriculum ofEnglish, Mathematics, Science, Humanities,Religious Studies, Physical Education, PSHCEand a Modern Foreign Language.
They will also be guided to take one furtheroption choice from a broad range of subjects.
In Upper School, students study moretraditional GCSEs but other vocational andskills based courses are also offered,reflecting our commitment to personalisinglearning.
The school makes provision for parents/carersto exercise their right to withdraw theirchildren from religious education.
Post-16Aston Academy is also a provider ofexcellent Post-16 provision. Again, studentsare guided on their pathway in to Post-16,where they can study a complement oftraditional A-level courses, alongsidevocational, skills based courses. Post-16students take a leading role in theAcademy, providing outstanding rolemodels for our younger students. Studentsare also encouraged to play a wider role inthe school as a whole. (For moreinformation on our Post-16 provision,please request our Y12/13 prospectus).
LOWER SCHOOLStudents in Lower School will study theEnglish Baccalaureate curriculum consistingof English, Mathematics, Science, ModernForeign Languages, Humanities andComputer Science. The Computer Sciencecurriculum delivers lessons on e-safety andthis is linked to PSHCE (Personal, Social,Health and Citizenship Education) andassembly programmes.
Students will also study Physical Education,Religious Education, Citizenship, DesignTechnology, Art and Music.
Significant changes have been made to thecurriculum in secondary schools. The aim ofthis is to support students by personalising thecurriculum in order that it more closelymatches their needs, and strengthensprovision for the development of the skills andqualities that young people need if they are tobe effective lifelong learners able to meet thedemands of life in the 21st century. AstonAcademy is committed to high qualitylearning and teaching which will provideour students with the essential skillsneeded to progress effectively infurther/higher education, training andemployment.
Investorsin PupilsWithin Lower School, our studentsparticipate in the 'Investors in Pupils'programme. 'Investors in Pupils' is aninitiative that enables students to setpersonal targets and work together withtheir tutor groups to ensure that thesetargets are met.
It improves students' understanding of theirown role within the ACET learning communityand encourages everyone to make positivecontributions in and out of school.
In November 2014, Aston Academy achievedrecognised IIP status.
PROGRESSTHROUGH THE ACADEMY
House System
Students in Years 7-11 are part of our housesystem. There are four houses with each tutorgroup belonging to a specific house. Eachhouse is led by 2 members of Aston Academyteaching staff , with a coordinator overseeingevents. Students gain points for their housethroughout the year via excellence forattendance, academic progress, sports,resilience, community tasks or extra-curricular opportunities. There are furtheropportunities for house points through thetermly challenges students take part in.
The four house crests and names originate fromowners and inhabitants of Aston Hall. The greathouse Aston Hall stands in a hundred acres ofwood land. The Aston Estate comprised ofAston Hall, 11 farms and the whole of thevillages of Aston and Netherthorpe. Throughthis we hope to inspire pride and knowledge inour local area and its history.
Each of the four houses have 2 House Captainsand 2 sports captains, with additionalrepresentatives from each tutor group. Thesestudents gain opportunities to contribute toassemblies, take part in event organising, inputtowards student voice, and take leading rolesin school events. They wear a badge on theirblazers indicating this position of responsibility.
Through the house system we hope ton Inspire and extend students through
faculty competition.n Increase the sense of well-being and
belonging.n Develop pride in school, extend
friendship groups and offer anopportunity to celebrate success.
MELTON
JUDGEMENTENDURANCE • EXCELLENCE
VERELST
PERSEVERANCEWISDOM • EXCELLENCE
FURNIVAL
KNOWLEDGERESILIENCE • EXCELLENCE
DARCY
ENLIGHTENMENTFORTITUDE • EXCELLENCE
Caring for our StudentsWe offer outstanding care, guidance and support. Each student isplaced in a tutor group and the group tutor is responsible for day today things such as attendance and uniform.
Each year group also has a Learning Progress Manager. LearningProgress Managers do not have a teaching commitment and areavailable throughout the school day to support students; resolvingproblems and concerns as they arise. They work closely with grouptutors and others in school providing all aspects of student welfare andsupporting students to ensure they are reaching their full potential.
Academy Uniform
At Aston Academy we have high expectations of our studentsregarding uniform. All of our students in Years 7 to 11 wear fullschool uniform. This reflects an important sense of belongingto our school community. Our aim is to encourage the higheststandards in all that we do as an academy and part of this isthat our uniform reflects these standards. Our Post-16 studentsare not required to wear a uniform.
The uniform is:n Black blazer with school badgen White shirt, long or short sleevedn School tien Black, loosely tailored trousers or black skirt
(approx. knee length)n Plain black footwear
All students must have a bag to carry books and equipment. Weregard this as being part of the uniform requirement for Aston. Nojewellery or make up is to be worn with the exception of one pairof plain studs for students with pierced ears. Mobile phones can bebrought to school but they must be switched off during lessonsand when transferring between lessons.
A S T O N A C A D E M Y S C H O O L P R O S P E C T U S
The SCHOOL DAYStudents should arrive on site no later than 08.30
Period 1 08.40 - 09.40Registration 09.40 - 09.55BreakPeriod 2 10.15 - 11.15Period 3 11.15 - 12.15LunchPeriod 4 13.00 - 14.00Period 5 14.00 - 15.00
A range of snacks are available during morning break and we havetwo cafeterias providing a wide choice of meals at lunchtimes.Students leaving the school site at lunchtime must be going home forlunch, otherwise it is expected students will remain on site through-out lunchtime.
A S T O N A C A D E M Y S C H O O L P R O S P E C T U S
Inclusion
It is the objective of Aston Academy to provide an inclusive educationalenvironment for each student with the opportunity to fulfil his/herpotential using our best endeavours to secure special educationalprovision. Our staff hold high aspirations and expectations for allchildren regardless of any special educational need, disability ormedical need. We are committed to supporting our students ‘toachieve their best, become confident individuals and make a successfultransition into adulthood’.
The culture, practice, management and deployment of resources aredesigned to ensure that all students’ needs are met, and their targetsachieved. Access to the curriculum at the most appropriate level is ensuredthrough quality first teaching, differentiated for individual students.
We are guided by current statutory guidance including the SpecialEducational Needs and Disability Code of Practice: 0-25 years (January2015), Section 19 of the Children and Families Act 2014, SupportingPupils at School with Medical Conditions (2014) and the Equality Act2010, to meet the identified additional needs of students who attendAston Academy. Prior to their transition to Aston, information will begathered about the individual needs of students. This process will involvemembers of our Inclusion team, members of staff from the contributoryprimary school, parents/carers and the student. It may also involve anyof the following; representatives from the local authority (LA) and itssupport services, other schools, educational psychologists, health andsocial care professionals and independent or voluntary bodies. Anystudent with a medical need will have an Individual Health Care Plancompleted and copies of the plan made available to all parties involved.The IHCP will be updated annually, or before, as new information is received.
The Academy and the Local Governing Body is committed to ensuringthat students with a disability will not be treated less favourably thanother students. We also remain committed to improving provision forstudents and adults who may find access and movement around thesite difficult.
Further details can be found in the Academy’s Special Educational NeedsPolicy, SEN Information Report, Access Plan, Equality Policy andSafeguarding Policy.
Extra CurricularActivities
Students have the opportunity to follow a wide variety of activitiesoutside of lesson time. These include sporting and musical activities,residential visits and numerous other exciting and valuable experiences.
In Partnership withPARENTS/CARERSIf our students are to achieve their best at school they must have highstandards of attendance and punctuality. Further details regardingour standards and expectations can be found in the Home-AcademyAgreement.
We expect all students to attend school regularly and encourageParents/Carers to avoid making medical appointments during school hours.We also request that holidays are not taken during term time, since thereare no periods of the year when students will not be affected by such anabsence. We also request that you avoid taking time out of school for anyother activities. Should there be an occasion when such a request needs tobe made then we ask that you look carefully at our ‘Attendance’ and ‘Leaveof Absence’ policies which can be found on the Academy website. Thesewill give you all the information and guidelines about how any requests canbe made. At Aston Academy we always encourage 100% attendance fromall our students.
We have a clear Code of Conduct which sets out our high expectations ofstudents regarding standards of behaviour. We aim to ensure that studentsin school feel safe and secure and they can work in an atmosphere oftolerance and respect. This helps to create the right climate for learning andwe will not tolerate behaviour that disrupts the learning and teaching ofother students. We believe it is important to work closely withparents/carers and are keen to keep you informed not only when problemsarise but also when students' behaviour warrants praise.
The support that Aston Academy has providedto our child throughout transition has beenflawless. The support continues to this day.“
”Parent/Carer quote Year 7
Mr Chris Risley Y7 Learning Progress ManagerChris Risley is the Learning Progress Manager linked to Year 7. He is involvedin the transition visits to our contributory primary schools where he meetsprospective students and informs them about learning and life at AstonAcademy. He works closely with Year 7 students to ensure that they makethe best possible learning progress; feel valued and contribute positively tothe ACET learning community.
Aston Academy recognise the considerable valueof close working relationships with parents/carersand welcome regular communication betweenhome and school.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at:[email protected]@astonacademy.org
Striving for the best an individual can beis at the heart of Aston Academy.“
”
Mrs Lindsey BurginAssociate Vice PrincipalLindsey Burgin is the Associate Vice Principal responsible for Years 7, 8 and9. She oversees Lower School and works collaboratively with students,parents/carers and colleagues to ensure that the curriculum and learningopportunities meet the changing needs of our learners. The ethos of LowerSchool focuses on ‘Establishing Excellence’ with students being nurtured andencouraged to have the highest possible aspirations and expectations ofthemselves and each other.
Parent/Carer quote Year 7
Specialising in Mathematics and Computing
Aston AcademyAughton Road, Swallownest, Sheffield S26 4SF
t: 0114 287 2171 f: 0114 287 6359 e: [email protected]: www.astonacademy.org
VERELST
PERSEVERANCEWISDOM • EXCELLENCE
DARCY
ENLIGHTENMENTFORTITUDE • EXCELLENCE
FURNIVAL
KNOWLEDGERESILIENCE • EXCELLENCE
MELTON
JUDGEMENTENDURANCE • EXCELLENCE
A S T O N
ASTON ACADEMY
Mr Chris Risley Y7 Learning Progress ManagerChris Risley is the Learning Progress Manager linked to Year 7. He is involvedin the transition visits to our contributory primary schools where he meetsprospective students and informs them about learning and life at AstonAcademy. He works closely with Year 7 students to ensure that they makethe best possible learning progress; feel valued and contribute positively tothe ACET learning community.
Aston Academy recognise the considerable valueof close working relationships with parents/carersand welcome regular communication betweenhome and school.
Please do not hesitate to contact us at:[email protected]@astonacademy.org
Striving for the best an individual can beis at the heart of Aston Academy.“
”
Mrs Lindsey BurginAssociate Vice PrincipalLindsey Burgin is the Associate Vice Principal responsible for Years 7, 8 and9. She oversees Lower School and works collaboratively with students,parents/carers and colleagues to ensure that the curriculum and learningopportunities meet the changing needs of our learners. The ethos of LowerSchool focuses on ‘Establishing Excellence’ with students being nurtured andencouraged to have the highest possible aspirations and expectations ofthemselves and each other.
Parent/Carer quote Year 7
ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS
For September 2015 our Year 7 allocation was 300 students. In September 2015 Year 7 admissions were as follows:
204 in catchment applications
117 applications from out of area
321 students admitted in September 2015 Outlined below is the Local Authority’s policy on admissions. This information applies to all students who are due to transfer to Secondary School in September, 2015. Any questions can be answered by the Admissions Team in Rotherham:
01709 822626 or 01709 822508 Parents/carers have a right to express a preference for any school for their child. The Authority enables parents/carers to apply for up to three schools. Information about each school is given in the school’s prospectus which is published annually. These documents are available directly from each school. Parents/carers will receive a booklet setting out the Authority’s policy for admission of children to secondary schools in July, as their child leaves Year 5 in Primary School. This booklet explains the procedure for expressing a preference (s) for a school. The relevant forms can be found in the booklet. All parents/carers wishing to apply for a place will need to complete the appropriate form and return it to the Local Authority by the required date. The Local Authority deals with all admissions to community schools within Rotherham. Aston Academy cannot allocate a place to a particular child. The Local Authority has a responsibility to publish guidance and criteria setting out the details of its Policy on Admissions. This forms part of the booklet issued by the Local Authority in July.
COMMUNICATING WITH PARENTS/CARERS
A FRIENDLY EFFICIENT SERVICE FOR PARENTS/CARERS AND VISITORS
It is our aim to greet all visitors with a warm welcome and to respond as quickly as possible to requests.
Due to the constraints of staff to be with their classes, it is usually necessary to make an appointment to see a particular member of staff.
Contact with school can be made via telephone, letter or in person via school reception. We also welcome communication by e‐mail. Our e‐mail system is very easy to use and all staff can be contacted using this method.
We aim to involve parents/carers as much as possible in the education and welfare of their children. We will communicate with parents by a range of methods including:
1. Via the student planner 2. Contact home ‐ phone calls, letters, e‐mails and text messages 3. Meetings with parents/carers – consultation/information evenings and one‐to‐one
meetings. INFORMATION FOR PARENTS/CARERS AND THE WIDER COMMUNITY
A newsletter is sent out to parents/carers each term featuring the latest news, notices, events and achievements.
The school website features lots of information which can be accessed by anyone. www.astonacademy.org
Consultation Evenings are held for students in years 7‐13 where parents can discuss the progress of students with subject teachers.
CONSULTATION WITH PARENTS/CARERS
The Governing Body has parents/carers as elected members who are able to represent the views of other parents. They are involved in helping to formulate policy and monitor performance.
Questionnaires are sent out to varying sample groups of parents/carers to gather views and opinions on a range topics relating to the school.
EXAMINATION EXCELLENCE IN 2015
In 2015, Aston Academy again achieved excellent examination success at KS4. Once
again the Academy achieved well above the national benchmark of 5 or more A*‐C grades including English Language and Mathematics. This follows the pattern over the last 6 years. This fantastic achievement placed Aston Academy as one of the top performing Rotherham schools for the sixth year in succession.
99.6% of our students achieved 5 or more level 2 qualifications. This academic success enabled our students to successfully progress into Post‐16 provision, college, apprenticeships and employment.
The school community is very proud of this achievement but we are already looking to the future and have our sights set on achieving even higher in the next academic year.
We also celebrated further success at KS5 with 99.6% of students in Y13 achieving passes in their A levels. Within this, 31% of students achieved an A* or A grade. Over 88% of students have gone on to enrol onto university courses, whilst others have successfully moved on to further education, employment or training.
We are extremely proud of this performance and believe it reflects the school’s commitment to ensuring that all students achieve their full potential.
At Aston we are committed to high quality learning and teaching, and to ensuring that all members of our community reach their full potential. We continue to work hard at further developing successful partnerships, making a difference to the lives of our young people and ensuring Aston is a ‘centre of educational excellence’.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Ready to learn Engaged Suitably dressed and equipped Progress is made Excellent standards of behaviour Consideration for others Tidy environment
Our code of conduct is there to remind students that we expect high standards in everything we do. This helps to create a productive environment for learning and supports positive behaviour management.
The Home‐Academy Agreement (page 5 of the student planner) clearly identifies what we expect from students and we value the support of Parents/Carers in ensuring that students are meeting these requirements.
We value highly our praise and reward ethos and culture at Aston Academy. We recognise the achievements of students regularly and in a variety of ways across the curriculum. Students are recognised for academic and sporting achievements as well as wider contributions to our school community.
This environment encourages students to maintain high standards of behaviour and on the occasions when these are not maintained, students understand there is a formal system of sanctions that are consistently applied.
PREPARING FOR TRANSITION
Aston Academy has well established links with its contributory primary schools. This process of liaison is seen as being especially important in helping students to adjust to their new school.
Curricular and sporting activities are arranged and teachers visit and teach classes in primary schools. Our aim is to give Year 6 students a first‐hand experience of life at Aston well before they join us in Year 7.
Staff responsible for liaison meet with students in their primary school. These visits take place towards the end of the autumn term and again in the spring and summer terms.
Year 6 students are invited to spend a day at Aston Academy on Monday 27th June 2016 and new parents/carers are invited to attend a Parents/Carers Evening for incoming Year 7 students on the evening of Monday 27th June 2016.
We hold an additional Induction Day for students who are transferring to Aston from some of the out of area schools. This is before the main Induction day so students will see some familiar faces on the 27th June.
During the last week of the summer break students are again invited into school to spend the day with other students in their House. Students will receive their student planner and new timetable and they have the opportunity to explore the site and find some of their classrooms before the start of term.
We know that the transition between a relatively small primary school and the much larger Academy can be a mixture of both excitement and anxiety. Our liaison ensures that this transition is as smooth as possible for new students, minimising the anxiety and maximising the learning benefits brought about through the new challenges and opportunities ahead. KEY DATES
MONDAY 27th June 2016
Y6 students spend the day at Aston
MONDAY 27th June 2016
Y6 Parents /Carers information evening
LAST WEEK OF THE SUMMER BREAK 2016
One day Summer Induction at Aston
STUDENT WELFARE AND GUIDANCE
ATTENDANCE
For students to gain the most out of their time in school they must attend regularly and arrive punctually. Please actively ensure that your child arrives on time for morning school by 8.30 am.
Genuine illness and exceptional circumstances are the only acceptable reasons for absence. In all cases of absence we operate a policy of first day contact. A telephone call indicating the reason for absence will help us considerably. If we do not receive a message, Parents/Carers will be contacted to establish the reason for any absence. Please try to make medical and dental appointments out of school hours.
If we are unable to secure a reason for any particular absence it will be recorded as unauthorised. This will lead to further investigation and a referral to our Educational Welfare Officer.
Under no circumstances should any student leave the school premises during session times without the permission of their Learning Progress Manager or a senior member of staff. All students should remain on the school site during lunchtime unless there are specific reasons why they need to go home for lunch.
We do not normally expect that students are taken out of school during term time. If this becomes unavoidable, parents/carers must make a written request, identifying specific reasons. This request should be forwarded to school as soon as possible, prior to the event. Aston Academy has a policy of working from the first to the last day of each term. There are no periods of the year when students will not be affected by an absence. Important work will be missed and this will disadvantage your child.
We welcome the latest DFE guidance on leave of absence during term time which clearly states that for any absence to be authorised the circumstances should be EXCEPTIONAL. The decision of what constitutes exceptional, and how many days are granted as authorised, lies with the Executive and Associate Principals.
Students at Aston Academy have an excellent attendance record and we will continue to work with Parents/Carers to ensure these standards are maintained.
