Mr J Patino Executive Principal

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2 I am delighted to welcome you to the latest prospectus for THE DISCOVERY ACADEMY and hope the information provided here will give you a flavour of the exciting educational opportunities we provide for all our students. The opening of the brand new 21 million building in 2013 has provided world class facilities and an environment which inspires students of all abilities and interests to achieve and succeed. Our highly qualified and professional staff are committed to delivering the highest standards of teaching and learning and our pastoral support team ensure that the needs of every individual child are catered for. Our aim at the Academy is to encourage students to DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER in an atmosphere which encourages pride in themselves and respect for others, and as part of the College Academies Trust, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent College, a key focus is to prepare our students for the world of work. Links with local employers, post 16 provision, educational visits and work experience are integral parts of a curriculum which is designed to provide a broad range of experiences and encourage students to aim high. I hope that after reading this prospectus you will agree that The Discovery Academy is the ideal choice of secondary education for your son/daughter and would encourage you to visit our impressive building on Discovery Drive. I look forward to meeting you and your child and the opportunity to discuss the exciting opportunities available. Mr J Patino Executive Principal All students are equally valued and included in what the academy has to offer PAGES 2 3 AND OFSTED

3 Our Aims The Discovery Academy is an exciting place to be and we encourage and support students to DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER by: Discovering themselves - to become confident and motivated young people with a positive outlook and strong respect for themselves and others. Discovering a love of learning - to enjoy the challenges, creativity and fun of a vibrant learning environment Discovering their potential - simply to be the best they can be and achieve more than they ever knew was possible. Discovering success -all of our students are encouraged to aim high, secure in the knowledge that they have the best teaching and the best learning environment possible. DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER

4 Our highly motivated teachers see learning as a skill for life, opening the door to a world of opportunities and success. Personalised programmes: Every student is treated as an individual and we support your child with personalised programmes to enable them to achieve their full potential. We identify your child s preferred learning style, support needs, enrichment and the pace of their development. Extended learning: our extended learning team ensure students enjoy learning. They challenge as well as nurture your child with a range of support mechanisms such as buddying, working with a learning mentor, in-class support workers, specialised intensive support and enrichment programmes. Extra-curricular opportunities: Outside the classroom the Discovery Academy is alive with opportunities to ensure we create a vibrant environment and young people who live life to the full. DISCOVER a love of learning PAGES 4 5 AND

5 Our curriculum The Discovery Academy treats students as individuals - young people with different needs and different ambitions. Our curriculum is designed to help your child achieve their ambitions. We aim to equip your child with the knowledge and skills for future success, which is why we work across the entire curriculum to develop the personal qualities of problem-solving, selfdiscipline, trust, responsibility, co-operation, self-confidence and independent learning. Each curriculum area is proud to have adopted an innovative and creative approach to teaching and learning, while excellent facilities and technology throughout the new Academy campus mean young people find learning exciting and enjoyable. To ensure students have a head start when they enter the world of work, we have also developed a wide range of vocational courses. Industry-leading work-based learning programmes are offered in association with Stoke on Trent College. An important part of the curriculum is exploring beyond the classroom, with residential and day field trips, visits to local business and industry, leisure activities such as trips to Italy & Germany and partnerships with other national and international schools. In The Discovery Academy there are a wide range of academic and practical subjects, all with magnificent teachers. YEAR 10 STUDENT The Academy is committed to ensuring all our students leave with confident and secure literacy skills so they can thrive as adults. We do this through Quality First Teaching, intervention and individual programmes of support. DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER

6 Rigorous teaching programmes and robust assessment give students every opportunity to succeed. Students are continuously tracked through their time at the Academy to promote awareness and ownership of their own learning. There is a continuous live 24/7 progress check for parents via the parental portal. Five snapshots are taken throughout the academic year for achievement and reports are sent home termly. Young people across Stoke on Trent deserve a learning environment that instils pride and enthusiasm to gain skills and knowledge for a bright future. We believe that The Discovery Academy campus will give them exactly that. DISCOVER success Opened in September 2013, the new Academy campus delivers the ultimate in modern, innovative design and state of the art facilities which will enhance every student s learning. The visionary design is classed as an exemplar academy building and sets a new educational standard and boasts: Flexible working areas and new technologies throughout to open up multi-media dimensions for all learning First class sports facilities a purpose-built sports hall, all weather pitch, dance studio, gymnasium and health suite Fully equipped science labs Anywhere, Anytime Learning Foundations: providing increased access to ICT outside the classroom and supporting students learning outside normal Academy hours The latest Audio-Visual tools to allow students to record and publish their work Worldwide connections fast internet connections to enable national and international connections via video and web conferencing. PAGES 6 7 AND

7 My son came to The Discovery Academy during Year 9 after a difficult period in his previous school, within 3 months his grades had improved and he had really settled down. Now he has just finished year 11, after taking 12 GCSE s with good predicted grades. Thank you YEAR 11 PARENT DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER

8 Caring For Your Child Making The Discovery Academy a great place for your child to learn, grow and develop involves so much more than timetables and teaching. We aim to guide and support your child through a happy, enjoyable school life where they achieve the best they can. Your child will be assigned to a tutor group, beginning each day with their tutor who acts as the focal point for contact in both social and academic progress. They hold regular tutorials and set targets with your child. The Academy operates on a traditional Pastoral structure where there are five year groups, each supported by Form Tutors and Head of Years. We believe this is the right approach to ensure students are well cared for and help students to be prepared each day for their DISCOVER yourself learning journey. PAGES 8 9 AND

9 Celebrating Success Celebrating success is also an important element of student life at The Discovery Academy. Students achievements are recognised daily through their behaviour and contribution in every lesson as well as the ability to earn extra recognition for outstanding work; participation; progress and attendance. The academy rewards students in a variety of ways such as weekly assembly rewards, visits out of school, individual awards and whole school celebrations. There are excellent levels of care, support and monitoring for those students whose circumstances may make them vulnerable. OFSTED DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER

10 The Discovery Academy teaching team understand that transition to a new school can be daunting. It s a whole new exciting phase in your child s life and we work hard to make this a smooth and really enjoyable transition. Academy teachers may already be familiar faces to your child as we work closely with many local primary schools, regularly visiting and working with Year 5 and Year 6 children. The move from Primary to The Discovery Academy is also made seamless with children coming into the Academy for lessons, as well as being welcomed to open days and induction days. DISCOVER your potential The Discovery Academy has given me lots of great opportunities to rise up and make my school proud. YEAR 8 STUDENT When your child joins The Discovery Academy you will find that communication with parents is given a high priority. We want you to share in your child s success and feel part of our community. We hold regular parent information evenings as well as invitations to events, Form Tutor meetings and an orientation day before your child begins their new academy journey. PAGES AND

11 How to apply The Discovery Academy welcomes students from across Stoke on Trent and neighbouring areas. Applications should be made directly to the Academy. For more information on the applications procedure and how places are allocated please contact us on DISCOVER TOMORROW TOGETHER

12 Why Choose THE DISCOVERY ACADEMY A new way of learning: our curriculum has been specially developed to be relevant, innovative and inspiring to ensure your child achieves their full academic potential. A new place to learn: our new state-of-the-art 26 million school building provides your child with the most inspiring environment for learning. It is equipped with the very latest technology so that all our students benefit from the best facilities in the city. A stepping stone to a brilliant future: we work closely with Stoke on Trent College to offer the best and widest range of courses. We have a clear focus on training and employment, so that our students are able to progress successfully into college and then on into employment or higher education. In safe hands: your child s happiness matters to us. We welcome them into our family and we work hard to ensure they enjoy coming to the Academy. Discovery Drive Stoke on Trent ST2 0GA Tel: Fax: info@thediscoveryacademy.co.uk Company No: Independent Schools No: 861/4714 Executive Principal:- Mr.J.Patino M.Ed. NPQH Chair of Governing Body:- Mrs.S.Robinson OBE The Discovery Academy is an Independent educational establishment which is part of the College Academies Trust. All our policies can be accessed from our website. The Discovery Academy is committed to equal opportunities within all aspects of the organisation of the academy and equal access to learning for all students in all areas of the curriculum and promotes and encourages positive attitudes in all our pupils. PROSPECTUS DESIGNED & PRODUCED BY PPS TEL: