From the first day, students will be smartly dressed in a new academy uniform, sporting the logo of the mayor’s academy. Expectations in relation to behaviour for learning and attendance will be high and students will have access to expert teaching in personalised curriculum pathways. Parents will be welcomed into the school and expected to support the standards set by the academy which will enable their youngsters to achieve and make progress quickly. New technologies will be available to all and funding to support innovative training programmes for both students and teachers will ensure an exciting and motivational learning community.
What factors will decide if the Academy is a success?
The academy has set itself challenging targets in relation to achievement - we aim to offer a world class, outstanding education to all our students as quickly as possible. To do this, we need to ensure that all students leave school literate, numerate and able to be independent learners, able to pursue further, higher educational opportunities and training pathways, building on the skills they will have developed during their school career. Determining factors will be improvements in attendance, attainment and achievements of all learners, including parents and carers, through the development of a community hub
Impact of the new Specialisms
The new Specialisms of English and Literacy and Sport and Fitness will be powerful generators of overall school improvement. All students will have a personalised Literacy programme matched to their needs; Literacy remains the biggest barrier to students making enough progress to help them to achieve the highest standards in education or employment. All teachers will be trained to deliver high quality Literacy programmes, focusing on competent reading, writing and communication skills. All students will improve their performance in public examinations and Literacy will be taught across the curriculum through exciting, innovative teaching strategies. The improvement in life chances in relation to employability will be key to the improvement targets set by the academy.
The additional Specialism of Sport and Fitness will build on the excellent work already in place at the predecessor school, further developing the opportunities already provided by the extensive sports facilities already in place. The community will be able to make best use of the site, and we will want to see parents, local groups and top level performers using the facilities, alongside our students, particularly leading up to the 2012 Olympic games. All students will have a minimum of two hours of a physical education per week, which will incorporate health and fitness as a key aspect of the curriculum.
How will being a Mayoral Academy benefit the students?
By creating a Mayoral Academy, which works in partnership with the London Development Agency (LDA ), a high class education provider in the Academies Enterprise Trust (AET ) and the existing local authority, Enfield, the benefit to students will be:-
- An improvement in levels of achievement.
- Raising key employment skills for students of all abilities.
- Providing a universal job or training offer and positive pathways to employment for young Londoners.
- To create an enriched, exciting learning hub which combines education with youth programmes designed to improve confidence, competence and provide fulfilling life opportunities.
In addition, the mayoral academy will play a key role in the wider regeneration of Edmonton as they become capable of supporting community-run provision in childcare, youth and wider services.
I am privileged to be one of the first Principals to lead a mayor’s academy. I have always believed that education is the way to help young people unlock their talents and understand how they can achieve their ambitions, even when the challenges they face in life often seem to present impossible barriers. I look forward to September, when this vision can be realised and we welcome the students into their exciting new academy. I am sure that the community of Edmonton will be proud to hear very quickly of the successes of these young people and welcome the benefits that the sponsors will bring into the local area.