Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you will make on their behalf. The right education is key in providing them with the skills and qualifications for a happy and successful life.

We are an Ofsted rated good 11-18, nonselective academy in Banbury; part of the United Learning group of academies. United Learning’s vision is to inspire and ensure the development of the ‘Best in Everyone’ with individual students aspiring to goals never before within their reach. With high expectations, education can transform the lives of students and through them strengthen the wider community.

Every student at North Oxfordshire Academy is special with a unique set of talents and abilities. By the time they leave the academy we want our students to be

confident responsible and articulate individuals who will make a worthwhile contribution to their community. To achieve this we focus on the whole child and so our broad and balanced curriculum is complemented by a wide range of range of extra- curricular activities.

Our staff and students are proud of their academy and it’s achievements. This prospectus can only give you a glimpse of our rich and diverse learning environment. To see for yourself what the academy can offer your child, please come along to one of our open days or make an appointment to visit us.

I very much look forward to welcoming you to North Oxfordshire Academy

Sara Billins Principal

A letter from the Principal

Teaching is good and helps students to achieve wellOfsted 2013

United Learning Values • Ambition – to achieve the best for ourselves and others;

• Confidence – to have the courage of our convictions and to take risks in the right cause;

• Creativity – to imagine possibilities and make them real;

• Respect – for ourselves and others in all that we do;

• Enthusiasm – to seek opportunity, find what is good and pursue talents and interests;

• Determination – to overcome obstacles and reach success.

Our Values, Vision and EthosOur Vision The academy will inspire our students to become well balanced, enquiring and responsible citizens.

We will

• through excellent teaching and a personalised curriculum, work together to set challenging targets, encouraging our young people to aim high and achieve high;

• develop resilient, independent learners who are creative thinkers, self motivators, team workers and confident communicators;

• foster a cohesive community where staff, students, parents and the wider community work together for the good of all;

• develop our site and facilities to allow for innovation and excellence using new technologies to deepen and enrich learning;

• work with all who are part of our community to promote an ethos of lifelong learning.

Our Ethos • A positive emotional climate - all are welcomed and valued

• A relentless focus on high standards

• Set no limits; accept no excuses

Our expectations of our students are high. The basics go without saying and are non-negotiable. We expect our students to have perfect uniform and appearance, be properly prepared for school, and have perfect punctuality and attendance.

We expect our students to be well behaved and respectful to others, to have good manners and to be polite in their language and conduct. We will push them hard to be the best that they can be. This means high expectations of home learning, reading, classroom effort and participation. We want to instil a strong work ethic in our students and the understanding that nothing in life comes without determination, hard work and effort.

The Best in Every One

The curriculum is designed to ensure that students are in receipt of an education which equips them with the knowledge, skills and understanding to transition successfully to university and professional careers. It is designed to encourage a high level of aspiration and ambition; students will leave the academy articulate, knowledgeable and sufficiently socially adept to be able to hold their own in a competitive employment market.

At KS3 we place great emphasis on literacy and numeracy. We expect students to join us from primary school as confident readers and with a strong foundation in arithmetic. Students who are behind in these areas will be placed on intensive catch up programmes. We expect parents to play a full part in ensuring that learning takes place at home and that they are actively encouraging reading, writing, conversation and numeracy skills.

KS3 Curriculum

Heritage Strand

History

English

Geography

Languages

RE

Art & Design

Performing Arts

STEM Strand

Maths

Science

Design & Technology

PE

Computer Science/ICTSPAG

Map

ping

Numeracy M

apping

The school works hard to raise the aspirations not only of its students but also of their familiesOfsted 2013

KS4 CurriculumCore Curriculum GCSE Mathematics

+ GCSE Core Science

GCSE Additional Science +

GCSE English Literature GCSE English Language

EBACC GCSE French GCSE Spanish GCSE German GCSE History

GCSE Geography GCSE Triple Science

GCSE Computer Science

GCSE Options GCSE PE GCSE Art GCSE RE

GCSE Drama GCSE Media

GCSE Catering GCSE Graphics GCSE Textiles

GCSE Photography GCSE Resistant Materials GCSE Business Studies

Vocational Options ICT

Sports Engineering

Music Technology/Music

Sixth Form Sixth Form courses are among the most important qualifications that any student takes. We offer a number of learning pathways to match student interests and progression routes including A levels, vocational qualifications and our well known football academy.

The Sixth Form offers a strong support programme to enable every member to achieve. This includes a tutorial programme, mentoring support, study support and a dedicated learning manager that will work closely to monitor progress, help achieve excellence and support progression on to university, further training or employment.

Our personal enrichment opportunities in community projects, visits and residential experiences to enhance curriculum studies and encourage students to take on wider leadership roles both within the academy and the local community.

Sixth Form students display mature good manners and act as excellent role modelsOfsted 2013

Personal Enrichment Programme ( PEP Pro)We believe this programme is unique to North Oxfordshire Academy. Few schools provide such a range of high quality learning experiences as part of the main curriculum.

Our vision is: To provide a wide range of experiences for our students, offering opportunities to develop new skills, insights, interests and talents, while providing space for undiscovered potential to be unlocked and lives to be enriched.

How does the PEP programme work? • Each Thursday afternoon during Period 4 all academy students have a PEP

session as a normal lesson;

• The aim is that students become “professional” in one enrichment area and work towards an outcome such as an exhibition, a recognised award, or an additional Qualification;

• PEP is an option choice for Year 7-11 and in Year 12-13 involvement is through support or mentoring roles.

Why are we doing PEP at NOA? • To develop wider skills for personal growth and in preparation for life in the

world today both in terms of employment, and further education ;

• To develop new ways of learning;

• To challenge, excite and stimulate;

• To raise aspirations and to raise achievement;

A few examples of the 43 activities on offer include: Costume Design, GSCE Astronomy, Sports Development, Ceramics, Masterchef, Chess, Elite Sports, Student Vox Box, Pop Masterclass, String Ensemble, Rock Choir, Gardening for Beginners, Young First Aider, Swimming.

Teachers show good subject knowledge, set high expectations and share enthusiasm for their subjectsOfsted 2013

Home Learning We believe that the development of independent learning skills allows our students to take more ownership of their education. Promotion of these skills at an early age will help to prepare them for GCSE, A level and beyond and will also support them in their journey to success across the different subject areas.

Our Home Learning PledgeNorth Oxfordshire Academy aims to:

• provide home learning that is any work or activity which students are asked to do outside of lesson time either on their own or with parents and carers;

• set home learning that reinforces and extends classroom learning and equips students to be independent learners;

• encourage home learning tasks that are related to classroom-based learning and, if possible, offer students the opportunity to be creative;

• ensure that home learning is valued and respected by students and fully supported and celebrated by staff and parents/carers;

• ensure that home learning is personalised and helps to develop the student as a learner. It can be presented in many forms, not just written; All students should be able to participate.

Students achieve well across a range of subjects, including English and Mathematics

Ofsted 2013

Tutors and Colleges Tutor time is very important at North Oxfordshire Academy as it provides your child with a staff mentor at the school. It is also not just a time to take the register and have a chat, but is a valuable learning opportunity with the same expectations as any other lesson.

Tutor Time:

• Links the student and home with school

• Connects the student with school staff and with other students

• Monitors academic and personal progress of the students in their tutor group

• Provides information to other staff about their tutees

• Delivers PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education)

• Delivers learning guidance, which improves successful learning outcomes for students. The weekly podcast is a recorded message that provides students with college news and highlights important issues for discussion by staff and students.

Every student has a tutor who is responsible for the initial well-being of your child and monitors his or her progress, attendance and behaviour. The tutor is the first point of call for information sharing with your child. They are responsible for the delivery of the PSHE curriculum, supporting the development of learning skills and other tutor activities. Each term the tutor groups will work on the value statement for that term, identifying world citizens and behaviours that represent the value.

Term 1- Respect Term 4- Determination

Term 2- Confidence Term 5- Enthusiasm

Term 3- Creativity Term 6- Ambition

When your child arrives at the academy they will be placed into a college. These colleges are identified by colour strips on ties (boys) or the college name on the blazer (girls). The different colleges compete in competitions throughout the year and celebrate success each term. The colleges are: Oxford, Cambridge, Kings, Imperial, Warwick

Inclusion Faculty At North Oxfordshire Academy, we take a highly structured and responsive approach to each student’s learning in order that all young people are able to progress, achieve and participate. We recognise that many students will have special needs at some time - be they learning, emotional, social or behavioural.

Our Inclusion Faculty will assess the needs of identified students and offer a menu of tailored packages which may include, amongst others: being taught in a small foundation group; additional support in lessons; access to reading or number programmes or a place on a specialised intervention programme. A team of Teaching Assistants will support students in classes, deliver small group work and provide intervention programmes with a high level of support for students with special needs.

The team work together to ensure that every student is able to make the most of the education we offer. Ensuring that low level disruption and poor behaviour are dealt with consistently, fairly and firmly is a priority. This team also manages our Academy Behaviour for Learning Policy, offering a wide range of packages to students who are identified as needing additional support.

Our Pupil PledgeAt North Oxfordshire Academy we will:

• Support pupils’ spiritual, emotional, moral, cultural and physical development to bring out the best in everyone

• Celebrate academic, sporting or creative talents

• Offer an extensive range of sport, music, drama, art and other activities which will be publicised clearly

• Provide a good learning experience, every lesson, every day

• Give pupils the chance to give their views about the school and be listened to

• Help prepare pupils for life after they leave school

Every year our pupils will

• have the opportunity to play a musical instrument, sing in a choir, participate in a sporting festival/competition, or be involved in a dramatic production;

• have the opportunity to listen to inspirational speakers

• been taken to an artistic, cultural or sporting event

• have the opportunity to help others through voluntary activities

• have the opportunity to meet and work with pupils from other United Learning schools

During my time at school, I will have been given the opportunity to go on a residential trip

North Oxfordshire Academy has benefitted from a £6million programme of new build and refurbishment.

The academy is a welcoming and inspiring place which meets the needs of a wide and exciting curriculum. lt has bright and spacious classrooms as well as the latest facilities to help bring learning alive.

Facilities include:

• Dedicated ICT suites

• A fully equipped theatre

• Spacious assembly hall

• The Media Arts Centre

• Four music suites fitted with Apple Mac computers

• Newly refurbished science labs and specialist technology workshops with state-of-the-art design and engineering equipment

• Special Educational Needs suites

• Art studios

• A dedicated Sixth Form Block

• Superb sports facilities including 3G Astroturf pitches, a Sports Hall, Gym and athletics track

Our FacilitiesDisabled students and those who have special educational needs achieve as well as other studentsOfsted 2013

Welcome to United Learning Family We are a group of schools which aims to provide excellent education to children and young people across the country. We seek to improve the life chances of all the children and young people we serve and make it our mission to bring out ‘the best in everyone’ – students, staff, parents and the wider community. Uniquely, our Group includes significant numbers of schools in both the public and the private sectors, working together for mutual benefit.

We provide a broad education, which prepares young people to progress in learning and to make a success of their lives. We focus sharply on the evidence of what makes it more likely that young people will progress and succeed, apply that to our practice and continue to learn and develop our schools. We make it a priority to provide teachers with excellent professional support and development, so that every child receives an excellent experience.

Through being a group, we can offer more to both staff and young people than any single school could offer alone. The growing range of outstanding group-wide activities that we can provide will mean that more young people will have truly exceptional and inspiring experiences. Already, we believe that our Group contains the most developed relationships and practical interaction between independent and state schools in the country, creating benefits for all the schools involved.

From Sunderland to Shoreham, we are inclusive and welcoming schools, welcoming children of all backgrounds, all faiths and none, all abilities and giving over 36,000 children an inspiring education.

Jon Coles Group Chief Executive

Drayton Road • Banbury • Oxfordshire • 0X16 0UD

Tel: 01295 224300

Email: enquires@northoxfordshire-academy.org

www.northoxfordshire-academy.org

• A positive emotional climate – all are welcomed and valued

• A relentless focus on high standards

• Set no limits, accept no excuses