Drapers' Academy Main Prospectus

Prospectus ‘Delivering first class education in Harold Hill’

‘Drapers’ Academy is a highly successful school that prepares young adults to achieve their best in further education, university and employment as well as providing outstanding opportunities to develop interests and enthusiasm’

The Academy is a source of local pride and provides support to the local community

Total Capacity1100 Children

Building Floor Size10,000 sq metres

(2½ acres)

Year 7 - 11900 Pupils

Sixth Form200 Students

Grounds23 Acres

Sports Pitches 3 Grass Pitches

All weather AstroturfNetball and Hard Courts

Indoor Climbing Wall

Exercise Suite and Gymnasium

Theatre and Dance Studio

Year 7 Dedicated Area

Exclusive Sixth Form Area

Drapers’ Academy opened in 2010

and since then we have taken

great strides in completing our

vision in becoming a dynamic and

successful school. In 2012 we

were honoured when Her Majesty

The Queen officially opened our

award winning facilities and in

2014 we became significantly

oversubscribed for Year 7 places.

Welcome to Drapers’ Academy

Judged as a good school by

Ofsted, we are continuing to work

towards our aim of becoming one

of the most successful all-ability

schools in Greater London.

We have proven that we provide

each one of our pupils with the

best possible education available

and that local children do not have

to leave Harold Hill to receive

outstanding schooling. Our aim

is to ensure that we provide the

best possible foundation for your

children to succeed.

We provide outstanding leadership,

excellent teachers, unrivalled

resources and exceptional

opportunities. Being a member of

Drapers’ Multi-Academy Trust

and with the support of our

sponsors, The Drapers’ Company

and Queen Mary, University of

London pupils at Drapers’ Academy

have access to a network of

contacts, with vast experience in

commerce and education which

opens doors and provides amazing

opportunities.

We are committed to attaining the

best possible GCSE and A Level

results for your children and have

proved this since the Academy

begun. However our pupil success

is not exclusively academic. With

our enrichment programme our

pupils leave the Academy as young

confident adults able to use their

education and skills in their chosen

career path.

To be successful, we believe

that children need to have self-

confidence and respect for others.

The foundation for this is a sense of

discipline and an understanding of

the rules that govern our relations

with other people. We make no

apology that the Academy has high

expectations regarding behaviour

and we do not tolerate bullying or

rudeness. We are equally proud of

our record in supporting children in

complying with these expectations,

and that we aim to have no

exclusions.

The Academy is here to support

the families and local community of

Harold Hill.

‘Students’ GCSE results rose very sharply in 2012. The proportion getting five or more good GCSEs, including English and mathematics, was higher than the current national average’

Ofsted Inspection, November 2012

The Drapers’ Company have been involved in education for over 500 years. They support a range of extra-curricular activities and links the Academy to a wider community across London. A mentoring programme allows pupils to have greater access to employment opportunities and provides informal coaching and support.

Queen Mary, University of London, is one of the country’s leading higher education institutions and is a member of the Russell Group of top universities. The university provides support and expertise to both staff and pupils, particularly in the Academy’s specialist areas of science and maths. Student Ambassador’s from the university regularly visit the Academy providing support to pupils and an insight into higher education. There are regular visits to their main campus which is on the Mile End Road for pupils to experience a university. As a co-sponsor, Queen Mary, University of London guarantees a place to all Academy Sixth Form students who achieve the required entry grades.

Our Sponsors

‘The governors are well on the way to fulfilling their vision of creating an Academy which makes a significant difference to the community it serves and to the opportunities for its students’


Our sponsors are highly experienced and passionate about education. They provide our pupils with every opportunity to succeed.

www.thedrapers.co.uk www.qmul.ac.uk

We are proud of how the Academy has taken shape since 2010. One of our greatest achievements is the caring school community. Each pupil and student is a valued member of this community and takes great pride in the Academy. The House System has become an integral part of school life, enhancing the positive environment whilst creating healthy competition.

The Academy is inclusive. Every pupil is given the opportunity to learn with enthusiasm and is supported with the right guidance to develop their personal strengths and talents.

Given the right support and encouragement we believe everyone can achieve high educational standards. The Academy tackles any barriers to learning that pupils may have so that they can reach their full potential.

Academy Ethos

As well as raising standards of education, particularly in maths and science, the Academy offers a broad range of subjects both inside and outside the classroom to stimulate, interest and challenge.

Our high standards are maintained in our expectations with uniform and behaviour. All pupils are expected to wear full Academy uniform, behave politely, work hard and maintain a good record of attendance. We expect parents to support us and work with us to provide the necessary reinforcement and encouragement at home.

‘Students are proud to be part of the Academy’


Academic Excellence

The growing academic success of pupils at Drapers’ Academy is supported by our promotion of hard work combined with raising expectations. We made it our aim to deliver a first class education to the families of Harold Hill. We have succeeded in this through our GCSE results being higher than the national average, which is the first time a school on the Hill has produced these results. Rather than resting on our laurels, we now aim to be one of the most successful all-ability schools in Greater London.

We have adapted our curriculum to reflect the new ‘Progress 8’ scheme introduced by the Department of Education. This performance measure will ensure that pupils continue their academic progress throughout their GCSE’s, meaning schools are more accountable for their development across a broad range of subjects. We support this change and continue to offer an extensive range of subjects that will carry both value in the eyes of future employers and recognition from leading universities and colleges.

The curriculum is tailored to support all of our pupils. Pupils in Years 7 and 8 have a balanced curriculum with a strong emphasis on ensuring competence in English and maths. They will study English, maths, science, humanities, religious education, music, art, PE, ICT and a modern foreign language. Pupils in Years 9 to 11 follow an extended core curriculum that includes English, maths, science, PE, RE and a technology subject. In line with the Academy’s specialism, pupils have the opportunity to take all three sciences (physics, chemistry and biology). Outside the core curriculum, pupils are able to choose from a range of guided options, which allows them to pursue individual interests whilst ensuring that they continue to follow broad pathways.

We believe our personalised curriculum is a key ingredient to the academic success.

‘The curriculum is highly personalised, allowing for example those with weaknesses in literacy to get daily focused support in their reading and writing, and providing a GCSE programme for all students that is well tailored to their capabilities.’


Alongside our academic success we encourage all of our pupils to become involved in an extra-curricular activity. This opportunity allows them to develop further as a person and identify hobbies and skills they may not have had previously.

In our specific enrichment programme we place a strong focus on sport, music, culture and the arts. Many of these activities are subsidised by our sponsors so as many pupils as possible can participate.

Our Enrichment Programme

We hope every pupil entering the Academy at Year 7 will take the opportunity to learn to play a musical instrument. This opportunity has proven to be very popular at the Academy and has even seen our pupils play alongside the London Chamber Orchestra as part of the Music Junction Workshop.

Gifted and able pupils are also given additional guidance and support to ensure they reach their full potential.

‘Students also speak very positively of the wider opportunities they have been given, for example through their entitlement to free music tuition and opportunities to perform with the London Chamber Orchestra.’


Within the Academy we have developed a strong pastoral system designed to provide your child with the support they need.

Year 7 pupils have a specific area where they are registered in form groups. Here they can meet friends and build lasting relationships. This facility is purposely designed to aid the transition from primary to secondary school.

All year groups have a dedicated pastoral manager who is solely there to support your child through their education. For pupils who require extra support we have specific staff within the Academy to give them the pastoral support they deserve. Learning support within

Pastoral Support

‘Students are taught well. Teachers are skilful in getting them to take part and contribute in lessons, which helps to develop their confidence.’


the Academy has received praise from Ofsted and other schools across the country.

The pastoral system is in place at the Academy to provide the support for your children to achieve an outstanding education.

With the launch of our Sixth Form in 2012 we have provided a clear pathway for our pupils to move onto further and higher education. Drapers’ Academy Sixth Form offers specialist A Level teachers who are passionate about the subjects they teach. There is an exclusive Sixth Form Area where students are encouraged to develop self-learning, which is a vital skill for university. Our co-sponsor Queen Mary, University of London provides a guaranteed place for any student who attains the required results in their A Levels.

Further Education Opportunities

Pupils are encouraged to explore all options after secondary education with guidance from our specialist staff. Pupils from the Academy have gone on to be offered specific apprenticeships, study at local colleges and continue their further education in our growing Sixth Form.

88% of our Year 13 students that left in 2014 gained a place at University to study for their degree or an art foundation course.

The Sponsors have been successful in delivering their vision, with the Academy becoming a major part of Harold Hill. With our unrivalled facilities and high academic standards we believe Drapers’ Academy provides fantastic opportunities for its pupils.

Benefits of the Academy

‘Drapers’ Academy facilities are among the most exciting and innovative schools opened in recent times.’

Key features include:

A dedicated Year 7 area on one side of the building where new arrivals at the Academy can find their feet.

A state-of-the-art science centre based on the Faraday system with theatre, laboratory and classrooms all complemented by an impressive glassed biome containing a range of plant habitats.

Sporting facilities which includes; a fully equipped exercise suite, climbing wall, upgraded grass pitches, sports hall and a multi-use games area.

Subsidised excursions which include a Year 7 residential trip on an activity adventure and faculty focused visits.

Opportunities to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme and participate at local clubs including The Army Cadets and St John Ambulance.

An Academy House System which is an integral part of school life at Drapers’ Academy, allowing pupils to explore healthy competition and engage in charitable fundraising.

3-D lecture theatre with bespoke educational software to enhance learning of curriculum subjects.

Outstanding support and facilities for children with Specialist Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Advanced information technology that allows pupils to be competent users of modern day technology.

Transport The local train stations are Harold Wood and Romford. These trains are run by Greater Anglia. There are several local bus routes with a stop at the top of Settle Road. These are the 174 and the 496.

Colchester Road

A12

Gooshays D

rive

M25

28

A12

M25

Dagenham Park Drive

Settle R

oad

Pe

tersfield Avenue

A Harold Hill School for Harold Hill Families

Drapers’ AcademySettle Road, Harold Hill, Romford RM3 9XR

T: 01708 371331 F: 01708 347515 E: [email protected]

www.drapersacademy.com

Chairman of GovernorsMr Tim Orchard, MA (Cant)

Drapers’ Academy

@DrapersAcademy

www.drapersacademy.com

Documents

Drapers' Academy Main Prospectus