The best advertisement for Archway Academy is its students and if you ask current parents, schools and education authorities, they will invariably speak of Archway Academy as a friendly, happy and well balanced education and skills facility. I hope the prospectus provides a helpful introduction to Archway Academy.
The best way to understand us however, is of course to visit Archway Academy on a working day and to see for yourself – please do not hesitate to contact us to arrange an appointment.
We pride ourselves on our commitment to the individual – every student is valued and encouraged to develop their own character and talents to the full. Confidence and maturity are nurtured by experienced academic and pastoral staff, along with an atmosphere of opportunity, enquiry, equality/diversity and excellent structures of care for our students. Our primary duty is safeguarding all our children and young people at Archway Academy.
Helping every student fulfil their potential has been the hallmark of Archway Academy and progress and success are fundamental to what we do. Education and skills is however, about so much more than qualifications, important though they are. The wide range of experiences and extra curricular provision on offer in sport, art, music and dance make for cheerful and self disciplined students who have an appetite for discovery and ambition for further education and employment. All students enjoy the benefits of a personal education and skills tutor who will monitor progress at frequent intervals, encourage good learning and challenge and affirm as appropriate.
Archway Academy provides
a good standard of education and care for its students,
and outstanding provision for their social and personal
development. The academy is particularly successful in
re-engaging troubled students in learning through well
planned, individualised learning programmes and through
high levels of adult support. The staff are highly
sensitive to the varying emotional, social and personal
needs of their students and carefully arrange learning
environments which are nurturing, supportive yet
stimulating and academically challenging for learners.
Students value being
treated as equals and appreciate the respect they
receive from everyone in the school. The school meets
its aims and all of the regulations for independent
schools, parents and other stake holders. He has a clear
vision for the development of the academy.
Quality of the Education
The Overall quality of
education provided is good. The quality of the
curriculum is good, because it focuses well on providing
a range of experiences accredited courses designed to
meet the specific needs of each student, all of whom
have experienced failure in other educational
establishment. The policy that underpins what is taught
and how it is taught, outlines a clear rationale for the
curriculum provision and is suitably linked to national
guidelines including the National Curriculum.
The good range of
accredited courses including Oxford and Cambridge
Registration, Award Scheme Development and Accreditation
Network, as well as vocational awards through City and
Guilds Foundation Craft, contribute to students
enjoyment of learning and help them achieve well as they
increase in confidence and self-esteem. Though not
provided as a discrete subject, pupils have
opportunities to explore some art forms in the painting
and decorating lessons. A number of them, for example,
have designed and painted murals, displayed on the
workshop walls.
Spiritual, moral, social and cultural development of the
pupils
Students’ spiritual,
moral, social and cultural development is good. Staff
treat students with respect and make every effort to
eliminate situations where they may fail or become
frustrated, this is achieved through careful research
into their previous experiences at school and at home.
Students appreciate the efforts made by staff and they
respond by working hard and cooperating with them.
Students’ enjoyment of school is reflected in their
relaxed attitudes in class and around the school and
through good attendance, which for many is 100%.
Students are encouraged to have their say on how the
academy could be improved. Their views are sought
through pupil questionnaires and through ‘student
representative forums’.
Currently the academy is
working in partnership with Aston University Business
partnership and Newman University to develop a portal
where students can access work from home as well as
confidently air their view about and aspect of the
provision including concerns or worries about bullying.
Welfare, health and safety of the pupils
The welfare health and
safety of students is good. All procedures for
safeguarding students are in place, and meet the
regulations. Risk assessments and fire evacuations are
carried out regularly and fire equipment is tested
regularly. Students are taught how to check for
potentially hazardous situations in the workshops. There
are good links with other agencies and parents to
coordinate the care and welfare of students. Bullying is
dealt with effectively and students report that they
feel safe and well looked after in school.
Suitable procedures for
first aid are in place and a number of staff are
suitably trained in first aid procedures. Provision to
encourage healthy living is good and enhanced by the
good range of healthy snacks available from the kiosk.
Students are offered free pieces of fruit at morning
break time. The health education programme includes
regular visits from a qualified nurse who holds one to
one interviews with students and offers further advice
for any personal or medical problems they may have. The
recent appointment of a sports coordinator has ensured
that all students will shortly have access to one or
more sports session per week. The school has a plan to
increase accessibility and will be drawing up a plan to
review the possibility of further improving access.
