The Academies

The Basildon Academies will replace the two existing co-educational, non-selective schools that operate with one federated governing body known as the Federation of Chalvedon and Barstable Schools. The Federation was established in January 2006 to address the concerns about the performance of Barstable School. The new Academies will have a corporate ethos and will cater for the needs of 11-14 yr olds and 14-19 yr olds on two sites.

The Academies will promote and develop an ethos of high aspirations and high expectations for all. Their curriculum will be characterised by a rigorous focus upon high quality teaching, student outcomes and the use of innovative practice to raise levels of student achievement, student self esteem and to encourage positive attitudes to learning. They will be places where relationships, celebrating success and shared responsibility really matter. As a result the students will leave with a sense of their own future, a pride in what they have achieved and an appreciation of the positive contribution they can make to the East Basildon community and to the local and national economy.

The Academies will raise standards of education for the students, provide a curriculum tailored to their needs and that of the region and provide improved facilities and services for the community. The level and impact of community and business involvement in the activities of the Academies will be a key indicator of progress. The Academies will open in September 2009; a £45m building programme is already underway.

CROSS-ACADEMY, ACADEMY, LEARNING COLLEGE, TEACHING AND PROGRAMME LEADERSHIP

The Academy curriculum and ethos is based on colleges for 150 students in KS3 and KS4. The College will require more personalised arrangements but will, again, be physically based on ‘zones’ of 6 rooms with a breakout space.

The Executive Principal’s “ExecutiveTeam” will comprise the Executive Principal, and the two Principals (Heads of School) who have direct responsibility for meeting the student achievement targets set for each Academy (Matrix 2). In addition, the Leadership Team will have in it the Vice Principals responsible for Curriculum and Personalised Learning (Matrix 1), Professional (ie intervention) and Stakeholder Services (Matrix 3) and Quality of Teaching, including ITT, CPD and teaching staff recruitment (Matrix 4), and the Directors of Support Services and Finance (Matrix 5).

Students will be registered by a ‘tutor’ in groups of 25, with a non-teacher working alongside enabling mentor groups of 12/13 students. Each College will accommodate 150 students in 6 rooms (3 general teaching rooms and 3 practical rooms) and a ‘break-out’ space. The curriculum will allow these students to remain together most of the time, thus identifying a cohesive ‘unit’. The Colleges will be led by a Head of College (not designated a teaching post), who will lead and manage all aspects of the conduct and ethos of the 150 students. The Head of College will be accountable for monitoring student progress towards targets across the curriculum, behaviour and attendance, celebratory events and consultation evenings; indeed, all welfare, engagement and progress issues. Curriculum Strand Leaders (Excellent Teachers; Leadership Spine) and Programme Leaders (middle Leaders meeting post-threshold standards) will be responsible for the quality of teaching and for achieving all student targets.

The Colleges of 150 students will be managed locally and,for day-to-day matters, by the Head of College. Each Head of College will be supported by a member of support staff providing administrative and technical support to ensure that students and staff have the materials required for practical activities. Other support, such as ICT technical support, will be provided centrally. SEN support staff will be based with students within the Colleges, will report to the SENCO for each site who will retain line management responsibility. The SENCO will report directly to the Vice Principal M3.