About the Academy
Why come and work at John Madejski Academy?
Working at John Madejski Academy presents staff, both teaching and support, with an opportunity to be in a working environment which:
- is exciting and innovative
- will make a difference
- is successful
- has high expectations
- has strong leadership and management
- already has a strong and committed team of professionals
- uses peoples strengths to develop them and the organisation
- has state of the art facilities and resourcing
Most of all working at John Madejski Academy gives staff the chance to be part of something special and innovative, providing an excellent opportunity to play a significant part in transforming the lives of young people.
The staff are exceptionally committed and dedicated and most have invested a lot time to ensure John Madejski Academy is successful. There is a strong sense of purpose within the academy and a strong support structure for staff with performance management, staff development and the induction of new teachers seen as major priorities. We are committed to supporting and challenging staff with their career aspirations and encourage innovation and creativity.
Since opening in 2007 the academy has made incredible progress, with a growing reputation in the local community for high expectations, an innovative curriculum, and firm discipline. The young people who attend the Academy are fiercely proud of their achievements and are extremely committed to the shared vision of the academy and its future progress.
Our intake is truly comprehensive with high-flying students throughout the academy but also with a number of children with more specific learning difficulties. The vast majority of our students have initiative and drive and are keen to be involved in the development of the Academy. We have worked hard to ensure that all students behave appropriately and have a strong and clear discipline policy in place that deters bad behaviour and celebrates success.
About the Academy
The John Madejski Academy, Reading is part of the DFCS Academies Programme which is designed to raise the level of attainment in England’s inner cities. Academies are a new type of school – they bring a distinctive approach to school leadership which draws on the skills of sponsors and other supporters.
The Academy provides a first-class learning environment for local students, bringing together teaching staff of the highest quality, state-of-the-art building design and the very latest in new technologies. The Academy has capacity for approximately 1100 students aged 11–18, and it offers a broad-based curriculum centred around its specialist field – sport. The Academy provides a first-class teaching environment.
Curriculum Innovation
The ethos, values and aims of the John Madejski Academy are underpinned by the Every Child Matters agenda and by sporting excellence. The overall design of the curriculum reflects the character of the Academy and supports its aims and values.
The Academy provides a broad, balanced curriculum for all students, while developing innovative and creative approaches to both teaching and learning, making education more relevant and interesting. New and exciting learning opportunities plus personalised learning programmes that recognise individual needs, aptitudes and interests all build towards maximising
student success.
The curriculum also supports one of the Academy’s main aims – equipping students with the knowledge and skills required for successful living in the 21st century. The teaching and learning experiences offered will help to foster a range of personal qualities – problem solving, self discipline, trust, responsibility, cooperation, self confidence, independent learning – in a drive to raise achievement across the ability range.
The curriculum is organised into seven learning areas, known as Directorates:
- Language and Communication (English, Modern Foreign Languages)
- Maths and Science
- Technology (Food, Resistant Materials, Design and Graphics)
- Vocational and IT
- The Arts (Drama, Art, Media and Music)
- Anthropology
- Physical Education and Sport (including Dance)
The curriculum framework allows Directorates to be flexible and creative in their use of time and facilities. A two-hour session could contain several short sessions or a longer session. Alternatively, it could involve a whole-group session, with students then breaking into smaller groups and different areas. This depends very much on the content covered within a module of work.
The innovative design of the new Academy building provides flexible learning spaces that facilitate a move away from traditional classroom sessions. Extensive new technologies throughout the Academy support this type of curriculum in conjunction with the Learning Resource Centre.
The Directorates are working towards a modular curriculum. This will maintain a brisk pace of work and provide regular end-of-module assessments to inform planning, monitor student progress and set targets.
The Academy specialism of PE and Sport is used to facilitate a culture of achievement and success among the students. The Academy will become a recognised centre of excellence in this chosen specialism.
Pastoral Organisation
The Academy prides itself on the comprehensive support offered to all students through the academic tutoring programme. A highly-qualified and experienced team of academic tutors, led by four Heads of Schools, provide day-to-day contact and support for all students. An extended tutor period of 40 minutes is timetabled at the end of each day with two adult tutors supporting small groups in a vertical tutor system.
Students are placed in one of four Schools upon arrival at the Academy, each School has a name associated with a Greek theme. There is an essential element of healthy competition developed through regular internal sporting fixtures and other events, which provide all students with an opportunity and responsibility to represent their School.
