Our central purpose at the Academy is to help students, whatever their abilities, to learn and achieve to their full potential, leaving as well-rounded, highly qualified individuals. These goals apply to all students, whether gifted and talented or with special educational needs. We believe in including SEN students as far as possible within the Academy’s normal provision, with early intervention, extra teaching and individual attention provided for students who are having difficulty reaching the expected standards.
To this achieve these goals, at the Academy, there is:
- a clear focus on self-discipline, independent learning and celebrating student achievement
- a common approach to learning using known effective learning strategies
- creative, imaginative teaching using ICT as a learning tool
- regular homework, marking and follow-up to extend and reinforce learning
- frequent learning reviews and assessment to improve achievement
- regular communication with parents/carers about how their child is progressing.
Curriculum
The City Academy offers a strong core curriculum that supports literacy and numeracy and equips students with the skills they need to succeed in later life. It has been designed to encourage creativity, innovation, team-working, social and moral development, aspiration and achievement. Core subjects include: English, Mathematics, Science, Religious Education, Physical Education, Physical Health, Social and Career Education. All students follow the National Curriculum unless the Academy (in consultation with the student and his/her parents) feel it isn’t in the student’s best interests.
The specialisms
The Academy’s specialisms in Business and Financial Services helps develop confident, ambitious young people with many skills including goal-setting, team-working and leadership. It also fosters a sense of professionalism and independence that equips students for higher education and the world of work. The Academy’s specialisms are taught through the Key Stage 3 and 4 curriculum as part of the core offer in ICT and through our links with local business and educational organisations we offer our students the chance to take part in enterprise activities and workplace learning.
As part of our commitment to healthy lifestyles, we also encourage students to take part in sport and fitness programmes. We have regular fixtures for all sports teams, nurture talented students to compete at school and borough level, and our links with local clubs enable students to enjoy a diverse range of sporting activities.
How we learn
Personal learning - All students have a personal adviser who meets with them regularly one to one or in larger groups. Challenging learning targets are discussed and agreed with parents/carers and students to form an individual student learning plan, which is reviewed three times a year.
Vertical tutor groups - After the first year, tutor groups include a mix of ages. This encourages friendships between year groups, more individual attention and helps to counter bullying. The Academy has a strict behaviour and anti-bullying policy, and we place as much importance on developing young people’s personal and social skills as their academic ones.
Homework - Every student is expected to do at least one hour of homework each night; this is recorded in their homework diary and set in accordance with a homework timetable. Voluntary and compulsory homework sessions are provided every evening by the Academy. Students who fall behind with their work are required to attend and are provided with the resources and support to ensure that they keep up to date. We expect parents/carers to encourage and support their child to complete homework assignments.
Key Stage 3 and accelerated pathways (11-13)
In Years 7 and 8 all students are offered the same curriculum while in Year 9 more able students begin GCSEs in Maths, English, Chemistry, Physics and Biology. Other subjects are taught over three years – with most students completing KS3 at the end of year 9 – these include:
- Art
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- Geography
- History
- Information and Communication Technology
- Languages, including French and Spanish
- Music
Key Stage 4 curriculum (14-16) - All students study GCSEs in Maths, English and Science. There is a wide choice of GCSEs in other subjects and a range of other qualifications including AS which should be available in 2012. The Academy is an active member of Hackney’s 14-19 provision which offers academic and vocational qualifications as well as
14-19 diplomas in Business, Construction, ICT, and Creative and Media Studies.
Sixth form - As an 11-18 school, The City Academy gives Year 7 students who have completed their GCSEs the automatic right to a sixth-form place. Through our links with other schools and local colleges, our sixth form students are able to access a wide range of both academic and vocational courses and learning experiences.
Additional activities
All students can choose three Additional Studies which will take place between 3.50pm and 4.45pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. They can choose from Homework Club, Literacy, Numeracy and a range of other activities including Art, Drama, Environment, French and Spanish, Gymnastics, Swimming, Technology and Book Club. Click here for a full list of available options and more details.
