Macmillan AcademyInspiring Every Student to Succeed

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INSPIRING EVERYSTUDENT TO SUCCEED

“The Executive Principal, Principal and senior team have high expectations for the academy. They work well together and together with the governing body, show great determination in driving forward improvements.” Ofsted 2013

Macmillan Academy 3

Phil LathamPrincipal

Whilst at the academy, students will have many opportunities for personal development, whether through sport, the arts or outdoor learning. They will be encouraged to undertake volunteer work and to raise money for charities, as well as to develop responsibility for themselves, their environment and others. We also strive to promote a global mindset in our students through our international links and focus on current affairs through our student-led television broadcasts.

Staff at the academy are highly committed and seek to offer exciting learning opportunities for students as well as providing appropriate levels of support, challenge and care. Students here feel highly valued as individuals and are proud to be part of our calm and supportive learning environment.

At Macmillan, we work closely with parents and I am pleased that Ofsted inspectors recently commented on how “parents are very supportive of the school and its achievements”. One of the most rewarding events in the academy’s calendar is our annual awards evening, in which all students, staff and parents unite in celebrating and applauding the many successes of our students right through from Year 7 to Year 13.

I hope you will take the opportunity to come in and look around the academy and meet our staff and students to get a real sense of all we can offer. We look forward to welcoming your family to Macmillan Academy.

For further information on our curriculum, departments, policies, news and more, please visit our website at http://www.macmillan-academy.org.uk/.

P LathamPrincipal

WelcomeDear Parents,

Thank you for your interest in Macmillan Academy. I am very privileged to be Principal of a vibrant, exciting and happy community which offers an enthusiastic and innovative approach to education and prepares young people for lifelong learning, adaptability and the responsibilities of leadership.

Learning is at the heart of all we do and our motto is ‘inspiring every student to succeed’. The academy strives to create a learning environment which values different learners’ skills, strengths and attributes and we offer a personalised curriculum which empowers all students to achieve their ambitions and fulfi l their high aspirations.

We place a great deal of emphasis on preparing students for future employment ; while it seems a long way off for students who enter Year 7, it is important to us that when they eventually complete their education they leave with a sense of pride and optimism for what their future may hold. We are very proud to be able to say that in recent years, all of our Year 13 leavers have either achieved university places or secured employment.

Ken Fraser Executive Principal

CONTENTS

Macmillan Academy 5

ContentsLEARNING THAT INSPIRES

6 A BROAD AND BALANCED CURRICULUM7 THE MACMILLAN BACCALAUREATE8 INNOVATIVE TEACHING

ASPIRATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT

10 CREATING SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUALS

EXPANDING HORIZONS

12 ENRICHMENT13 BEYOND THE CLASSROOM14 OUTDOOR LEARNING

PREPARATION FOR FUTURE EMPLOYMENT

16 TRANSFERABLE SKILLS17 CAREERS ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

RESPONSIBLE CITIZENSHIP

18 PERSONAL INTEGRITY19 HEALTHY CHOICES20 ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

GLOBAL MINDSET

22 CHARITIES23 GLOBAL AWARENESS

CARE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

24 LEARNING SUPPORT

REFLECTIONS

25 PARENT AND STUDENT EVALUATIONS

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We expect all students at the academy to make progress in their learning in every lesson. Our teachers plan their teaching to stretch all students so that everyone is appropriately challenged.

A BROAD AND BALANCED CURRICULUM

The aim of the curriculum at Macmillan is to provide for all students the right blend of knowledge, skills and experiences that they need to be confident, successful learners both now and throughout their future lives. The curriculum has been designed to respond to the needs of our students, to foster independent learners, develop generic learning habits and to give a degree of personalisation supported by careful guidance.

The basis for our curriculum is a traditional structure of one hour lessons arranged in a one week timetable where subjects are taught in discrete lessons. Layered on top of this foundation are a number of innovative features that provide rich experiences for students. These include activity days and immersion weeks, outdoor learning, an after-school enrichment programme, educational trips and visits and a mindset programme which combines elements of citizenship and learning habits with current affairs and global issues.

At Key Stage 3 we have a bookend curriculum which aims firstly to improve transition from primary schools and establish generic learning habits in Year 7 and secondly to revitalise Year 9 with enterprise activity and CaVEs (Cultural and Vocational Experiences) weeks.

“Macmillan Academy seeks to provide an education which is motivational, meaningful and memorable, and is successful in doing so.”

Ofsted 2013

LEARNINGTHAT INSPIRES

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LEARNINGTHAT INSPIRES

THE MACMILLAN BACCALAUREATE

The Macmillan Baccalaureate was introduced in 2009 as a way to acknowledge and reward not just the academic progress of students in Key Stage 3 but also the effort students put into every aspect of being at Macmillan. Students are awarded baccalaureate points for every sub level of academic progress above the baseline set at the end of Year 7. They also accrue points from a wide range of activities that fall under the broad headings of enrichment, project, enterprise and service, receiving credit for their engagement and effort in these areas. Students who earn the highest number of baccalaureate points over Year 8 and Year 9 earn the prestigious gold award.

“The quality of the curriculum is a major strength of the academy. This is supporting achievement: both personal development and academic success. There are many innovative and successful aspects.“

Ofsted 2013

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INNOVATIVE TEACHING

Macmillan Academy has a key focus on training and development. It provides personalised and relevant training programmes which model good practice and complement the teaching and learning ethos of the academy.

At Macmillan we offer a training experience that is unique and innovative. We have a diverse INSET programme to support our teaching and learning model based on all teachers being members of a teacher learning community as well as participating in training every Thursday and in our annual teaching and learning conference. Our teacher learning communities are unique. Teachers spend designated quality time focusing deeply on key elements of teaching, researching and developing their thinking to provide the best learning opportunities for our students.

Staff at the academy are very open to new ideas and keep up to date with the latest educational research. Best practice is shared within departments and across the whole academy.

“In the best lessons teachers’ planning makes sure that all students are given work that gets the best out of them. In these lessons students learn quickly due to a range of different teaching methods used. Teachers ask searching questions to get students thinking and to see how much they have understood. They then use information about how well students have learned to help them plan future lessons.”

Ofsted 2013

LEARNINGTHAT INSPIRES

BTEC dance students performing during the celebration evening.

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CREATING SUCCESSFUL INDIVIDUALS

Macmillan Academy fosters success and empowers all students to reach their potential. Students at all levels are given personal targets in order to build high aspirations and to help monitor their achievements in all areas of their development.

We aim to provide the highest quality teaching and expect a strong work ethic and excellent behaviour. We aim to cultivate resilient and confident young people who are resourceful and reflective learners, fully aware of their targets and working actively to achieve them.

We are proud of our tradition of excellent results at GCSE, BTEC, AS and A-Level and we strive to continually improve results through targeted intervention and personalised support, differentiation and assessment for learning.

For our most recent results please check our website.

“Students are very successful in gaining places at university, training or employment.” Ofsted 2013

The academy has an excellent record of ensuring that, when students leave, their next steps, either in employment or in further education, are secure.” Ofsted 2013

ASPIRATIONALACHIEVEMENT

Former student Daniel Reilly takes a break from the West End stage to present prizes at the annual awards evening.

“Almost all parents rightly regard their children as making good progress and lesson observations during inspection confirm this.”

Ofsted 2013

Religious studies students collecting data on Palace Green in Durham.

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ENRICHMENT

Extra-curricular activities are a real strength of the academy. We offer students many opportunities to try out new experiences, to develop important life skills and foster a diverse range of interests beyond the classroom.

We have a dynamic and wide-ranging enrichment programme which supplements the academy’s curriculum and adds character to the students’ experience. Around 70 different activities are on offer after timetabled lessons, ranging from trampolining to cookery, animation to messy science, studio film making to sign language and students choose their enrichments at the start of each term.

For a complete list of enrichments on offer each term, please see our website.

EXPANDINGHORIZONS

Academy production - The Wizard of Oz.

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EXPANDINGHORIZONS

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Macmillan Academy is considered to be at the very forefront of both the philosophy and practice in Learning Outside the Classroom. Every year, within every year group, is a portfolio of opportunity for students to participate in: traditional educational visits, industrial visits, fieldwork, conservation and international visits. Macmillan Academy was the first school in the UK to be awarded the LOtC (Gold) for its work in this area.

We have a proud sporting record and there is a strong programme of fixtures against other schools in a variety of sports including: football, rugby, hockey, cricket and athletics and students are encouraged to pursue their own interests in a wide variety of activities including all of the performing arts.

Arts and culture visit to Paris.

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OUTDOOR LEARNING

Outdoor learning is a unique feature at Macmillan Academy. We strive to give our students an inclusive and progressive adventure learning curriculum which will inspire and aid personal development. Every Key Stage 3 student is timetabled to take part in a two-day intensive programme each year. This is balanced with three weeks of provision, on both residentials and during our challenge week programme. In Key Stage 4 and 5, pathways exist for students within physical education for specific outdoor adventurous activity.

“The academy uses outdoor learning exceptionally well to develop students’ skills.”

Ofsted 2013

EXPANDINGHORIZONS

Outward Bound© - Year 7 camping in the Lake District

Horizon activity on the academy high ropes course.

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TRANSFERABLE SKILLS

Students at Macmillan Academy are very well prepared for the future and staff place great emphasis on developing skills for learning, life and work. We aim to provide students with a sound basis for their development as lifelong learners and opportunities to develop employability skills. Literacy, numeracy and ICT are provided throughout every Key Stage.

The Macmillan Baccalaureate offers many opportunities for Key Stage 3 students to develop skills in enterprise and project-based learning, whilst in Year 10 students undertake external work experience. At Post 16 we offer career based experience days in addition to a Professional Placement Programme, which is supported by local businesses and industry. We also offer a one year Level 2 Access Course for Post 16 in Understanding Enterprise and Entrepreneurship.

“Students’ progress in literacy is good. The academy is using a variety of programmes and strategies to ensure that students read widely and develop their literacy skills. This is having a positive impact on achievement.”

Ofsted 2013

PREPARATIONFOR FUTUREEMPLOYMENT

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PREPARATIONFOR FUTUREEMPLOYMENT

CAREERS ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

For all students at Macmillan Academy, the appropriate careers guidance is seen as a priority. We have our own dedicated careers staff and our own careers information facilities. Students in Year 9 and Year 11 all have interviews with a member of the senior leadership team at the time of subject selection for both Key Stage 4 and Post 16 Education. We also give all of our Year 11 students a dedicated 1:1 careers interview. This is conducted by our own careers adviser and parents are invited to attend.

“A strong focus is given to developing wider employment skills. As a result, nearly every student leaving the academy has a path to employment or further studies.”

Ofsted 2013

Students recording material for BBC School Report.

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PERSONAL INTEGRITY

We expect all students and staff to promote integrity and honesty and to display manners, politeness and behaviour that enhances mutual respect. Taking responsibility is an essential part of growing up and we are proactive in encouraging students to look after themselves, their environment and others.

Students are made aware of the need for tolerance in a multi-cultural society and we encourage diversity of beliefs and ideologies, placing great emphasis on successful relationships with our students, families and with the wider community.

“Themes, special weeks, and the innovative tutorial programme develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness very effectively. The tutorial programme is organised in small groups, and is responsive to national and global news. It includes news broadcasts as written and filmed by older students in enrichment sessions. Together, this helps to shape the students into well rounded and sociable young people.”

Ofsted 2013

“Students behave very well and are respectful and supportive of one another. They are a credit to the academy.”

Ofsted 2013

RESPONSIBLECITIZENSHIP

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RESPONSIBLECITIZENSHIP

HEALTHY CHOICES

Every effort is made at the academy to help students develop healthy behaviours. We aim to empower students to make good choices when it comes to both their physical and emotional health. We promote healthy eating, the benefits of exercise and teach students how to keep themselves safe and manage risks.

“[Students] have an excellent understanding of how to keep safe and they say they feel very safe in the academy. Their awareness of personal safety is raised through assemblies and the tutorial programme.”

Ofsted 2013

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RESPONSIBLECITIZENSHIP

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The academy strongly promotes environmental sustainability and has been awarded the prestigious Eco Council Green Flag Award. Students have the opportunity to join our thriving Eco-Council, which has been responsible for the introduction of biometric printing, the installation of wind turbines, solar voltaic panels and a huge reduction in the use of paper.

A student putting the finishing touches to a bat box made during CaVEs week.

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“Themes, special weeks, and the innovative tutorial programme develop students’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural awareness very effectively. The tutorial programme is organised in small groups, and is responsive to national and global news. ”

Ofsted 2013

CHARITIES

At the academy we are supportive of a number of charities both local and national. In organising fund raising events, many by students, we seek to instil an understanding of the suffering that those less fortunate than ourselves have to bear.

A GLOBALMINDSET

Race for Life event organised by Sports Leadership students.

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A GLOBALMINDSET

GLOBAL AWARENESS

The academy television studio has responsibility for producing a regular broadcast personalised for each Key Stage to raise awareness about world issues. Students produce the programme and a blog is available for personal tutor groups where follow up discussions take place.

All students in Key Stage 3 have a mindset lesson each week which enables study of national and international issues. Departments are formalising links with schools abroad and exchanges take place. Students are encouraged to take gap years to widen their experience before commencing university.

On a number of occasions, resources have been sent to areas where there are new schools being built in Africa. A variety of international visits take place each year based around both sporting and cultural activities.

“The curriculum offers ‘motivational, meaningful and memorable’ experiences for the students. For example, ‘Mindset’ is a lesson where students develop learning habits, practise collaboration skills and develop their cultural awareness.”

Ofsted 2013

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Students’ individual needs are at the heart of what we do. They learn more readily when they are happy, healthy and safe. New students are supported through their transition from primary schools through a special induction programme in June which helps them settle well and prepares them for the new challenges ahead.

Each student will develop a special relationship with a personal tutor who will guide, mentor and monitor their progress within a small group of around sixteen. In addition, help is always at hand from heads of year, student development officers and student services.

At Macmillan Academy we like parents to be closely involved in all aspects of their child’s progress and we will work in partnership to resolve any issues.

LEARNING SUPPORT

Macmillan Academy learning support department provides personalised support for all students with additional needs. The department has an experienced, committed team of learning support staff who work with students in lessons, small group sessions and on an individual basis. Teaching is provided by both the head of learning support (who is also an English teacher) and the academy’s specialist teacher who has professional qualifications to work with students with specific learning needs and to make formal assessments.

The academy employs an educational psychologist who visits the department on a regular basis to provide guidance for staff and to work with students who are experiencing difficulties. Professionals from a range of outside agencies are enlisted to provide further specialist support.

“Relationships between students and staff are very positive.”

Ofsted 2013

“Students who are disabled and those who have special educational needs make good progress in the academy. In lessons, these students are fully involved in their learning.”

Ofsted 2013

CARE, GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT

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“We would very much like to express our thanks for all that Macmillan Academy has done for our 3 children since 1998. You have been inspirational, sympathetic and very supportive in all aspects of their school life. They have become bright, confident and capable young adults, that is in no small measure down to the staff.”

A parent

“I look back at the experiences that my son has had over his seven years at Macmillan and I know that they have all contributed in making him the young man he is today.”

A parent

“I would like to say an enormous thank you for the professionalism, compassion and sensitivity whilst supporting my son and helping us as parents through that time. I personally cannot thank you enough... staff members have ‘gone that extra mile’ with my son and our other children.”

A parent

“The support at Macmillan is outstanding with staff offering a helping hand whenever you need it”

Mosin Ali Above:Mosin AliMacmillan Academy Post 16 2010 - 2012

Northumbria University student

Below:Steph McGovernMacmillan Academy and Post 16 1993 to 2000

Presenter for BBC Breakfast News

“Studying at Macmillan taught me to be competitive and not settle for second best.”

Steph McGovern

“Macmillan Academy lets you have your independence but the teachers also drive you to make sure you reach your full potential. Macmillan really cares about its students and really wants to see them succeed!”

A student

PARENT AND STUDENT EVALUATIONS

REFLECTIONS

Geography students making a video for tourism purposes on Lindisfarne.

Stockton Road Middlesbrough TS5 4AGTel: 01642 800800Email: office@macademy.org.ukWebsite: www.macmillan-academy.org.uk

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