Welcome to Oasis Academy John Williams
Message from the Principal Welcome to Oasis Academy John Williams! Thank you for your interest in our Academy. It is an exciting time to be part of Oasis Academy John Williams. One of the most rapidly improving schools in the city, for the second year in succession we have improved by 11% on the government s headline measure. The experience of every Oasis Academy John Williams student is shaped by the Oasis 4 ; we call this our student entitlement: Over subscribed in Year 7 this September we want our Academy to be world class and by focusing on our students and their families we aspire to put education and learning at the heart of our community. We have a committed team of staff who all understand how important our work is. Together we work hard to realise the highest expectations of ourselves and our students. Oasis Academy John Williams is a very special place. Equally, I understand that entrusting a school with your son or daughter s education is a very difficult and important decision to make. If as you read through our prospectus you find yourself wanting to find out more, please do get in touch; pick up the phone or come and visit. Bristol 5 - Every student, every year will access at least five unique enrichment opportunities linked to developing Situated in an impressive 14 hectare site creativity, performance, exploration, our state of the art building offers some independence and global awareness. of the very best facilities for teaching and learning. Bristol 10 - The minimum standard we expect from students and staff in every Located in Hengrove, South Bristol, our lesson, every day. Academy opened in September 2008. In the past four years we have realised a Bristol 15 - The minimum standard of dramatic improvement in standards teaching, learning and progress that we with the percentage of students expect in every lesson every day. securing 5A*-C (inc. EM) increasing from 17% in 2008 to 51% in 2012. We are Bristol 20 - The expected rate of extremely proud of the achievements of progress and achievement for every our students and are absolutely student during their time at the determined to ensure that our Academy Academy, regardless of their starting continues to improve and develop. point. Rebecca Clark Principal, Oasis Academy John Williams Everything we do is predicated upon two core principles: that 100% of our students will be supported to achieve their personal best, and that we will commit to doing whatever it takes by providing 360 degrees of care, support and challenge for our students and their families. 1 2
Oasis Community Learning Oasis Oasis was established in 1985 and has now grown into a group of charities working to deliver housing, training, youth work, healthcare, family support and primary, secondary and higher education. In the UK Oasis employs around 2,000 staff as well as working with thousands of volunteers. Oasis also works in nine other countries around Europe, Asia, Africa and North America. Oasis Academy John Williams is sponsored by Oasis and is part of Oasis Community Learning Oasis Mission OCL s mission is to create and sustain a network of excellent learning communities working in the context of the Oasis ethos where every child can reach their full potential. OCL believes this can be achieved through clear leadership, outstanding staff, a positive, affirming environment, strong partnerships between children, parents/carers and the local community and the wider national and international links that Oasis global operations create. Oasis Community Learning Oasis Academy John Williams is part of Oasis Community Learning. There are currently two Secondary Academies and three Primary Academies in Bristol. 3 Oasis Community Learning is an educational trust established in 2004 with the express purpose of transforming learning, lives and communities through the development of Oasis Academies. We have 18 established Academies, each with their own character and identity, and as one organisation are all committed to share effective practice across the group. As a leading academy sponsor, we are a growing organisation which is committed to improving the life chances of children and young people and the communities in which they live. This includes helping children to understand their own community as well as those nationally and internationally. We believe that individuals will thrive best when the community among them flourishes. This is why, as part of our dedication to raising educational standards, we recognise that children don t live in isolation; they are impacted, influenced and shaped by the lives and circumstances of those around them. For this reason we are committed to the principle that Every Person Matters every child, every parent, every community member. provide a rich and balanced educational environment which caters for the whole child academically, socially, morally, spiritually, physically, emotionally and environmentally. Our task is to serve our students as well as to provide a learning hub for the entire community. In this way we will raise aspirations, unlock potential and work to achieve excellence through encouraging a can do culture which nurtures confident and competent people. Oasis Ethos Our ethos is an expression of our character; it is a statement of who we are and therefore has to be the lens through which we assess all we do. Oasis is a Christian organisation, our values can be summarised in five statements: 1. A passion to include everyone 2. A desire to treat everyone equally, respecting differences 3. A commitment to healthy and open relationships 4. A deep sense of hope that things can change and be transformed 5. A sense of perseverance to keep going for the long haul Our Purpose Oasis Academies exists to 4
Academy Curriculum Oasis Academy John Williams combines the highest standards of teaching and learning alongside a flexible and relevant curriculum which is designed to enable every student to achieve their personal best. We believe that, when given the right conditions to succeed, all of our students are capable of achieving remarkable success. We expect every student to make positive progress throughout their time at the Academy regardless of their individual challenges or their starting point on entry. The Academy monitors every student s progress closely. Each year there are five assessment points, including formal examinations from Year 7. Parents receive a summary of their child s progress after every assessment point, and there are regular opportunities for discussion with Learning Mentors and Subject Teachers. 5 Year 7 and 8 Students follow discrete programmes in the traditional subjects of Maths, English, Science, Humanities, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts and Physical Education. All students also access Modern Foreign Languages. In Year 8 students build upon their learning in Year 7 to develop a secure platform from which to make choices about the subjects they intend to follow during Years 9, 10, and 11. their needs and interests. The curriculum offer is varied and includes traditional GCSEs such as Single Sciences, History, Spanish, and Business Studies, alongside applied provision which can be accessed through a range of BTEC choices including Art, Sport, Health and Social Care, and Performing Arts. Other students will access their curriculum through Foundation Learning to support the development of employability skills. Post 16 Centre Year 9, 10 and 11 Our Sixth Form opened in September 2010 and is a Having made some initial options choices at the end really important part of our Academy. We offer a of Year 8 students also make choices in Year 9. Some range of Level 2 & 3 courses, including A Levels and students may complete aspects of their chosen BTEC National Diplomas. pathway by the end of Year 10 and then follow an extended curriculum in preparation for Post-16 study. Increasingly our students are going on to access Other students may use the full three years in order graduate courses at University. to achieve their entitlement. With all students now entering secondary education The core subjects of Maths, English and Science being expected to remain in education or training receive four hours of contact time every week. In until the age of 18, our Post 16 offer is constantly addition, students will follow courses in Physical evolving in response to student needs, interests and Education and Ethics and Philosophy. also the local employment context. For full details please see our Sixth Form prospectus which can be We offer a wide range of options subjects from Entry obtained from the website or directly from the Level through to Level 2 which enables students to Academy. follow subjects and courses which are appropriate to 6
Pastoral Organisation Raising Aspirations We expect much from our students in terms of personal standards, discipline and attitude. In return we offer students an environment where they feel safe, secure and valued. We know that our young people will face many challenges during their time at the Academy, and we believe that our pastoral system provides an excellent 360 degrees of care, guidance and support. The Academy s pastoral structure is organised through Year Groups. Each Year is led by a Student Progress Leader who is responsible for ensuring that every student in their care is happy and enjoying learning, but also being supported and challenged to exceed their potential. Student Progress Leaders track each student s progress across all of their subjects and they are the first point of contact for parents/carers. Student Progress Leaders are supported by a non teaching 360 Year Team Manager and a team of Learning Mentors. Each student s assigned to a Mentor group and they stay with the same Mentor group from Year 7 to Year 11. Transforming Lives Effective pastoral care and academic tracking begin with the work of the Learning Mentor. It is the Learning Mentor who is the daily contact with their students, and the quality of that relationship is paramount. The Learning Mentor is a pivotal figure in raising students progress and overall development. From September 2012 each student will work with their Learning Mentor for one dedicated lesson per week as part of our Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) strategy. The strategy covers three primary areas: student self development through careers and work-related learning education, students finding out about careers and the world of work, and students developing their skills for career well being and employability. 7 8
Extra Curricular Activities Extension - Enrichment - Intervention We know that today s young people need to leave the Academy equipped with knowledge and skills, but also the resilience and perspective to respond to the challenges of life in the 21st century. Our formal and extended curriculum is designed around Bristol 5, which shapes wider experiential outcomes for our students: Through CREATIVITY we aim to develop young people who can express themselves and have the confidence to be original. With state of the art facilities and very committed staff we are able to offer our students an extensive and exciting extra-curricular activity programme. Our Bristol 5 strategy ensures that every child, every year will access five unique enrichment opportunities around experiences linked to developing creativity, performance, exploration, independence and global awareness. Our programme typically includes daily after school sessions, community engagement activities, inter-generational projects, national Student Leader events and holiday activities. As an example, this year students have visited the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Houses of Parliament, the Imperial War Museum, National Street Dance Championships in Blackpool, Clothes Show Live, Avon Ski Centre, Bristol Hippodrome and JCA Condover Hall. Period 6 Period 6 is for all students and runs from 3.10-4.10pm, Monday - Thursday. All Academy staff contribute to Period 6 offering a wide range of exciting enrichment activities. Through PERFORMANCE all of our young people will experience quality, finesse and excellence. In addition the PE team run a sports and physical programme with coverage every night. This programme includes a full range of competitive sports such as Rugby, Netball, Football (for both girls and boys), Cheerleading, Basketball, Fitness, Cricket, Tennis, Trampolining and Athletics. All teams compete in a full local fixtures list and in recent years have competed at regional and national level in some sports. Through GLOBAL our students will know their place in the world. We are rightly proud of the progress made over the last few years in providing an outstanding level of opportunity for students of all abilities to experience an activity of their choice. Through EXPLORATION we will encourage students to be curious and seek out knowledge. Music Tuition At present we have tuition available for drums, voice and guitar (Electric, Acoustic and Bass). The Choir, which is open to anyone who enjoys singing, and a Rock School for students having instrumental lessons. Through INDEPENDENCE young people will develop resilience and be able to make informed choices. 9 16 The Academy holds termly concerts including a Christmas Concert and Carol Service as well as a Spring Recital which is aimed at GCSE students, but open to all performers as well as the Summer Concert. All students are welcome to take part in any or all of these events. 10
Admissions Oasis Academy John Williams is a non-selective Academy open to students of all religious faiths and those of no faith. If you are a parent/carer of a child in Year 6 and wish to apply for a place in Oasis Academy John Williams for the following September you will need to complete the common application form and return it to the admissions section at Bristol City Council. If you are seeking a place in any other year group, or for a Year 7 place post-september, you must contact the Academy directly. How places will be allocated at Oasis Academy John Williams Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the published admissions number, applications will be considered against the criteria set out below. After the admission of students with Statements of Special Educational Needs where the Academy is named on the Statement, the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below: 1. Children in public care (Looked after Children) at the time of application. 2. Children who have specific medical and/or special needs where the application is supported by written specific professional advice as to why admission to the Academy is necessary. The definition as to what constitutes medical and special needs within the scope of this provision will be agreed by Oasis Community Learning and available from the Academy. 3. Admission of students whose siblings currently attend the Academy and will continue to do so on the date of admission. The term Sibling means a full, step, half, adopted or fostered brother or sister, or other child living permanently within the same household. The Academy reserves the right to ask for proof of relationship. 4. Admission of students on the basis of proximity to the Academy using straight line measurement from the main entrance of the Academy to the main entrance to the child s home. Places are allocated on a geographical basis to children who live nearest to the Academy. The child s permanent home address is where she or he normally lives and sleeps and goes to school from. Proof of residence such as council tax or utility bill - can be requested at any time throughout the admissions process. If false or misleading information is used to gain entry to the Academy, the offer of a place may be withdrawn. If there are more applicants than there are places remaining within a particular category and where there is no difference in distance from home to school for two or more children, random allocation will be used to allocate the final available place(s) and to establish priority on the waiting list. Please note There is an appeals process and all Oasis Academies follow the nationally agreed guidance for admissions appeals. Post 16 Admissions Criteria The Academy will publish specific criteria in relation to minimum academic entrance requirements for admission to Post 16 provision in the Sixth Form prospectus. 11 12
Academy Day Uniform The Academy opens to students from 08:10, breakfast is available every day from 08:30. The prospectus contains pictures of students wearing Oasis Academy John Williams uniform. The compulsory and optional items are listed below. All students Black blazer with Academy logo White school shirt Academy tie Plain black shoes (normal heel) School bag Boy s Uniform Black trousers Black socks Girls Uniform Black trousers or skirt Black socks or black tights Academy sports socks Training shoes Optional Items Black long-sleeved V-neck jumper Black tracksuit bottoms Football boots and bag Jewellery Jewellery is restricted to a watch and one small stud earring in each ear. Facial piercings are not permitted. Registration 09:00 09:10 Period 1 09:10 10:10 Period 2 10:10 11:10 Break 11:10 11:30 Period 3 11:30 12:30 Period 4 12:30 13:30 Lunch 13:30 14:10 Period 5 14:10 15:10 Period 6 15:10 16:10 All uniform can be purchased directly from our uniform supplier Sportswear International. Sports Kit Academy polo shirt Academy rugby shirt or micro fleece Academy sports shorts 13 14
Special Educational Needs Our ethos is based on an overarching theme of inclusion; of welcoming, encouraging and enabling all to achieve their best whatever the challenges may be in doing so. The Academy s aim is to ensure that all students achieve their full potential according to their needs. If a student has a special educational need (SEN), the Academy will take every reasonable step to identify and meet them. Further details about the policy and provision for SEN, including information about how we use our student premium and its impact upon student attainment, can be obtained from the Academy. Students with a SEN who do not have statements of special educational needs will be admitted on an equal basis with others in accordance with the Academy s admissions policy. Where a student has a statement and the Local Authority is proposing to name the Academy in the statement, the Academy will agree to the student's admission. The only reason for not doing so is if the inclusion of that student would be incompatible with the education of other children and there are no reasonable steps the Academy could take to resolve this. If there is a disagreement between the Academy and the Local Authority on the placement of a student, there is a voluntary dispute resolution service backed up by the Secretary of State s power to intervene. In the last resort parents/ carers can appeal to the SEN and Disability Tribunal. 15 16
Oasis Academy John Williams Petherton Road Hengrove Bristol BS14 9BU Tel: 01275 894680 Fax: 01275 832883 www.oasisacademyjohnwilliams.org