The 7 Year Journey
Summer School
Summer School
Before joining the Academy in September, all new Year 7 students are invited to join the free two-day Summer School. Involving an interactive and diverse array of activities, from the creative arts to humanities, sports to technology, students will not only get a flavour of our Key Stage 3 curriculum, but also build the relationships with their fellow classmates and teachers that will underscore their successful 7 year journey.
Year
7
Accelerated Reader Programme Begins
Accelerated Reader Programme Begins
All students, from Years 7-13, take part in this bespoke and innovative reading programme that tracks and supports their literacy development. Twice a year, students complete a comprehensive reading-age review, and are prescribed a pathway of texts, both fiction and non-fiction, that will inspire, engage and stretch their literacy skills. At the heart of the programme is our commitment to developing a lifelong love of reading in all of our students.
PiXL Them and Us Scheme
PiXL Them and Us Scheme
Delivered in tutorial time, the PiXL Them and Us scheme encourages students to develop the social and emotional tools to navigate successfully the challenges, ambiguities and complexities of the modern world. The scheme uses real-world examples to explore the application and importance of resilience, kindness and wellbeing in practice.
Neasden Temple Visit
Neasden Temple Visit
As part of our Year 7 Religious Studies curriculum, all students visit one of the largest and most historic Hindu temples in all of Britain.
Year
8
Emergency Services Day
Emergency Services Day
As part of our ongoing commitment to develop active and informed citizens, all Year 8 students take part in a series of interactive, informative and thought-provoking sessions delivered by members of the emergency services about the social challenges facing young people today in 21st century Britain.
First Give Programme
First Give Programme
All students design, run and evaluate their own fundraising campaign for a local charity that works with young people. Delivered during our PSHCE curriculum, students develop their teamwork and project management skills during the course of this one-month project that traditionally raises hundreds of pounds for local causes.
Imperial War Museum Visit
Imperial War Museum Visit
As part of our Year 8 History curriculum on the causes, course and consequences of the First World War, all students visit the Imperial War Museum to explore the award-winning galleries on the conflicts that have defined and shaped the 20th century.
Year 8 Residential Trip
Year 8 Residential Trip
At a new location each year, all Year 8 students are invited to take part in the 3-day-2-night visit to an activities centre in the south of England. Whether on high-ropes courses and climbing walls, raft building to archery, students develop their leadership, teamwork and problem solving skills. The trip is launched in Year 7 to make the visit as affordable and manageable as possible.
Year
9
CCF Enrolment
CCF Enrolment
Our successful Combined Cadet Force gives students the opportunity to develop their leadership skills and physical aptitudes through a carousel of activities, from drill to weapons handling, archery to abseiling, to name only a few. Delivered predominantly through our Enrichment programme and in after school sessions, students also get the exciting opportunity to take part in weekend and holiday camps with students from other local CCF contingents.
NCOP Programme
NCOP Programme
As part of our comprehensive and integrated careers guidance, the NCOP Programme provides students from Year 9 onwards with an array of opportunities to discover the benefits and challenges of university study. Whether one-day visits, Q+A sessions with current undergraduate students, or residential trips, the scheme is one of the reasons why the Academy repeatedly sees significantly above national average levels of students receiving places to top Russell Group universities: the impartial guidance we provide is bespoke, transformative and meaningful.
GCSE Options Fayre
GCSE Options Fayre
All students, parents and carers are invited to an evening to discover more about the range of GCSE option subjects, both academic and vocational, they can select to study in Key Stage 4. After talking with the teachers and current students of the courses, along with reviewing our GCSE options guide, students can make informed and confident decisions about the curriculum pathway that will best support their development, interests and success.
GCSE Options Evening 1-to-1 Meetings
GCSE Options Evening 1-to-1 Meetings
All students and their families meet with a member of the Leadership Team to discuss their GCSE options choices and their progress thus far at the Academy. These meetings give students the personalised feedback in their academic and personal development that will help to underscore their ongoing success.
“Respect Yourself” Seminars
Staying Safe On and Offline Programme
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award
All students are given the opportunity to take part in this prestigious national award, which is comprised of 4 components: for a period of 3 months, volunteering in the local community, developing a new skill and partaking in physical activity; and completing a 2-day and 1-night expedition across 10-15 miles.
Year
10
Two Year KS4 Begins
Global Citizenship Workshop
Sports Leadership Programme
Sports Leadership Programme
Students apply to serve as community leaders, planning and running a series of sporting activities for local primary schools.
Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Competition
Jack Petchey’s Speak Out Competition
All Year 10 students get to take part in this local competition, where they plan, prepare and deliver a speech on a topical issue facing young people.
Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Continuing from successfully completing the Bronze Award, students can then progress onto this more challenging qualification, with 6 months of volunteering, developing a skill, partaking in a physical activity, and completing a 3-day and 2-night expedition across 30 miles.
Year 10 Residential Trip
Year
11
“Be the Best You can Be” Day
“Be the Best You can Be” Day
Students take part in a carousel of interactive sessions on wellbeing, helping them to develop and hone the revision, stress management and wellness skills to face the challenges of the all-important final GCSE examinations.
Holiday GCSE Masterclasses Begin
Holiday GCSE Masterclasses Begin
Before and after school, as well as during the holidays, a range of subjects offer additional masterclass sessions to correct misunderstandings, improve examination technique and, most importantly, equip students with the confidence to fulfil their potential in their GCSEs.
NCS The Challenge Applications
Year 11 Prom
Quest
6
Cambridge University Visit
Cambridge University Visit
At the start of Year 12, all students visit one of the world’s top universities, exploring a range of faculties and colleges, and meeting with current students for advice on how to best perform at Key Stage 5 and how to make informed and successful applications to post-18 courses.
Paired Reading Programme Begins
Paired Reading Programme Begins
Now in its 3rd year, students are paired with local primary school students, meeting with them once a week for a reading session, improving their mentee’s literacy and oracy skills whilst sharpening the leadership and mentoring skills of our sixth formers.
Safe Drive, Stay Alive Workshop
Work Experience Week
Work Experience Week
All students get the exciting opportunity to apply their skills and knowledge to a real-world, workplace context. Placements are bespoke, high-quality and meaningful, in a field that complements students’ Key Stage 5 curriculum pathway, simultaneously bringing their learning from the classroom to life, and helping them to make informed decisions about their post-18 choices.
Biology and Geography Fieldwork Residential
UCAS/Apprenticeship Workshops
UCAS/Apprenticeship Workshops
Throughout the summer term of Year 12 and into the autumn of Year 13, students take part in a range of external visits to university campuses, internal group workshops and one-to-one coaching sessions to assist in their post-18 applications to the degree, apprenticeship or work-place training course of their choice.
Mock Interview Seminars
Charity Week
Year 13 Prom
Quest 7
YearJourney
Ends