About the Academy
Our four houses are the proud names and watchwords for our Academy. The four words are everything we do. Every student wears their House badge proudly. The Houses compete for the House points in the Academy and on the sports field. They come together in assemblies to celebrate success.
House head boys and head girls are members of the Student Council and lead House Councils, made up of members from each year. Together they choose community projects to help others less fortunate than themselves.
Enterprise, Excellence, Integrity and Success: words we live by, homes for our students.
Enterprise
We are setting the pace with enterprise in secondary education. Our studio school, providing enterprise based education for 14-16s in a real business environment, the first in the UK.
Drawing on the expertise of Barnfield College, students develop and run proper businesses, building entrepreneurial skills and establishing valuable employer links. They meet and engage with leading business people.
We are setting the pace with a £30 million state of the art new build, scheduled for completion in 2011. It will feature cutting-edge IT equipment, the best computers and top class art facilities.
Excellence
As an Ac Academy, we enjoy world standard facilities. We have already spent £500,000 on cutting-edge teaching technology - digital and video cameras, whiteboards, voting sticks, computers. Our groundbreaking Learning Gateway opens all our extensive learning facilities at a mouse click for our students anywhere, any time.
We have carefully assembled a large teaching and support team whose relentless focus is on student achievement and welfare. Our staff are high achievers, experienced and hard-working. Staff numbers mean more tutor groups, personal attention and time for more innovative learning. We have a high number of Advanced Skills teachers.
As an integral part of the respected Barnfield Federation, we draw on the massive resources of Barnfield College, rated among Britain’s top 10% of FE colleges.
Barnfield was the first Beacon college in Britain and was recently rated as "outstanding" by Ofsted. Every Academy student with the right qualifications and commitment is guaranteed their college place at 16 under the ironclad Barnfield Pledge.
Winning Skills
We have pioneered a carefully focused foundation programme for our growing number of Year 7’s to smooth the transition from primary to secondary education. While our Year 9s can start early on their GCSE work in Arts, design technology and ICT. Our special expanded Gifted and Talented and Aim Higher Programmes are without peer.
The Academy’s selected specialisms of creative cultural industries, enterprise and new technologies offer exciting and innovative learning to develop character and creativity, employability and personal talents. The courses are crafted specifically to strengthen the skills, much in demand in today’s ompetivitve business world.
Integrity
Traditional values of respect, good behaviour and self-discipline are our bedrock. Students stand when adults enter a room, they enjoy wearing the new uniforms, bad language is unacceptable behaviour. We are committed to 100% attendance and punctuality.
Anti-bullying is our highest priority with students closely monitored at all times. Senior staff are on duty throughout the day and after school to deal with any issues. All students remain on site during lunch break.
Our three-way pact between students, parents and staff ensures student success and welfare. Parents/carers are involved through regular newsletters, open evenings and arranged meetings, school reports, and telephone calls.
Our parents’ focus group has contributed dramatically to the Academy’s success with innovative ideas, important parental perspective and much hard work.
Success
We pride ourselves in doing everything possible to ensure our students’ success and happiness.
Maths, English, Science and ICT are core subjects. We have employed the best teachers and invested heavily in technology to produce the best results. We’ve increased our vocational courses, special diplomas and work-related qualifications.
We go the extra mile with a daily student enrichment hour and 42 academic tutor groups, delivering daily personalised learning sessions. Like a family, older students mentor younger ones with studies and homework. We carefully monitor students’ progress and provide extra tuition for GCSE students. We are moving the timetable earlier when students are more receptive.
We believe in a holistic approach to education. We value success on the sports field with our committed and hard-playing teams winning cups and tournaments. Health is a top priority with more than 80% of students enjoying healthy school meals. The national average is 42%.
This year we have improved our GCSE results dramatically compared to the previous year. The table below shows just how much we have improved.
Attained |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
Notes |
5+ A*-C |
55% |
48% |
16% |
13% |
Includes English and Maths |
5+ A*-C |
100% |
93% |
48% |
43% |
Does not include English and Maths |
A* grades |
58% |
39% |
2% |
2% |
|
Painting a bright future:
Every student is actively encouraged to contribute to Academy life. Our results show the more that students contribute and become involved, the better their academic achievements.
A wealth of opening and opportunities have been developed – student and House Councils, a comprehensive prefect system, peer mentoring, student interviewers and tour guides and even student run businesses.
The Academy has firmly stamped its identity on the education map of Luton. It is well on the way to becoming an acknowledged centre of education excellence.
To view our latest Ofsted report please click here
