PRINCIPAL’SMESSAGE

DOUGLAS BLACKLEDGEPRINCIPAL AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE

values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY and COOPERATION underpin all our efforts to ensure that students have the opportunity to achieve their PERSONAL BEST.

Part of our vision for our Academy is to help our students reach their potential, raise their aspiraspirations and improve standards. We work in partnership with parents/carers, students, teachers and the wider community in our pursuit of this goal.

We have set clear and ambitious targets for Furness Academy and for its students. Our talented and enthusiastic teaching staff are committed to delicommitted to delivering first-class education now and in to the future. This will be enhanced by new, state-of-the-art facilities which are planned

to be completed on South Site by 2013, so it is a very exciting time to be considering joining us.

In order to ensure that you are not disappointed, I recommend that applications are returned on time and with all requested details filled in accurately.

I hope this pI hope this prospectus gives you an idea of what Furness Academy is like, and helps you make the decision on your secondary school. If you need any more information, please do get in touch with me and I will do my best to help.

Douglas BlackledgePrincipal

”“Our core values of RESPECT, RESPONSIBILITY

and COOPERATION underpin all our efforts to

ensure that students have the opportunity to achieve their

PERSONAL BES”“PERSONAL BEST.”

DOUGLAS BLACKLEDGEPRINCIPAL & CHIEF EXECUTIVE

KEVIN GILLVICE PRINCIPAL

SUE HODKINSONDIRECTOR OF FINANCE &

SUPPORT SERVICES

PAULINE HUGHESDIRECTOR OF INCLUSION &

FAMILY LIAISON

ANGELA YORKDIRECTOR OF SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY

STEPHEN KELLYDIRECTOR OF CREATIVITY &

PERFORMANCE

JULIA INGHAMDIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY,

CULTURE & COMMUNICATION

NEIL TIPPINSDIRECTOR OF COMMUNITYENRICHMENT & SPECIALISM

HELEN ROBINSONDIRECTOR OF STUDENT

ENGAGEMENT & STANDARDS

HELEN WALKERDIRECTOR OF INNOVATION

Our Senior Leadership Team has a wealth of experience in a variety of schools. Their job, under the direction of the Principal, is to lead the Academy working with staff, parents and students to make sure that everyone can achieve their PERSONAL BEST.

”“Our talented and enthusiastic teaching staffare committed to deliveringfirst-class education now and in the future.”“SENIORLEADERSHIPTEAM

Furness College has been at the forefront of Barrow’s education system for more than 100 years. Today, it is pioneering young apprenticeship schemes, diplomas and higher education opportunities in conjunction with three universities.

Established in 1979, Barrow Sixth Form College is one of the few purpose-built sixth form colleges in the country and unique within Cumbria. It is an active member of the Furness 14-19 Education Consortium, aiming to develop a strategy for the area that will enhance education opportunities for young people.

The University of Cumbria was formed in 2007. It has strong links and close partnership working with Further Education colleges in Cumbria and is the lead institution of Cumbria Higher Learning – a Further Education Distributed Learning Network for Cumbria.

The three Sponsors of Furness Academy are Furness College, the University of Cumbria and Barrow Sixth Form College. Furness Academy is one of the few academies in the country that boasts only educational sponsors, all of which have an in-depth understanding of the learning needs in Barrow.

THESPONSORS

FURNESS COLLEGE

BARROW SIXTH FORM UNIVERSITY OF CUMBRIA

www.cumbria.ac.uk

www.barrow6fc.org.uk

www.furness.ac.uk

The Governing Body, which works across both campuses, is responsible for all decisions made within the Academy and has a clear role in the ongoing strategic development of the organisation. Any decisions they make come into effect on both sites. The Governing Body is made up of:

- The Principal and Chief Executive (Douglas Blackledge)

- - The Sponsors (6 Representatives – 2 per sponsor organisation)

- A person appointed by the County Council (Anne Burns)

- Parent Governor (Gary James)

- Elected staff member (Mrs Sayle)

Additional members can become a part of the GGoverning Body as agreed by the sponsors, and we are always open to suggestions. Full details of membership and meetings can be found on our website at www.furnessacademy.co.uk.

THEGOVERNING BODY

THE GOVERNING BODY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

ALL DECISIONS MADE WITHIN THE ACADEMY

Our curriculum is designed to take students from the secure and close-knit feel of good primary schooling to high levels of independent learning

Our curriculum is designed to take students from the secure and close-knit feel of good primary schooling to high levels of independent learning as they progress through their secondary education.

Student progress is tracked against target grades and regular information on progress is comcommunicated to parents via both an annual report and interim reports where progress and attitude are graded using a traffic light system (Red, Amber, Green.)

Our curriculum is delivered through three Learning Zones:- Science and Technology (including Mathematics)- C- Creative and Performance- Community, Culture and Communications

Within and across these Learning Zones, children have opportunities to achieve qualifications in: - English and Literacy- Maths and Numeracy- Sciences-- PE, Sport Science and Outdoor Education- Technology- PD (Personal Development)- Modern Foreign Languages- Humanities- RE (Religious and Moral Education)- Information and Communications Technology-- Art, Drama and Music

The Academy operates a two year Key Stage 3 where students experience a broad and balanced curriculum that promotes Personal Learning and Thinking Skills. In Core subjects such as English, Maths and Science, students are grouped by ability and in subjects suability and in subjects such as Art, Drama and Music they are taught in mixed ability groups where work is differentiated to meet their needs.

KKey Stage 4 starts in Year 9 where students follow a core curriculum of English, Maths, Science, ICT, Physical Education, Personal Development and Religious Education. In Year 9 students have the opportunity to personalise their learning by choosing two Individual Learning Pathways. Within the Pathways they study two subjects and follfollow externally verified courses such as GCSE and BTEC over the course of one academic year. The curriculum offers great choice and flexibility with students choosing further Learning Pathway courses for Year 10 and 11. Non-accredited en-richment courses also operate within the Pathways to offer options for students who need to develop skills prior to taking GCSE or BTEC.

CURRICULUM

SPORTSPECIALISMSport - our specialism - is at the heart of much of what we do in the Academy. We encourage participation in a wide range of sports, including athletics, football, netball and rugby. There is a strong emphasis on teamwork and the achievement of excellence and there is an additional focus on healthy living.

Each student builds his or her own programme to support academic and personal development, based on individual talents and interests. The majority of our activities have been chosen by our students based on what they want and need from their Academy.

We have a wide range of activities to suit every student and help them grow and prepare for the future. These include music and drama, sport, student voice and supplementary academic tuition for those who need additional help or for those who are particularly able.

EXTENSION ANDENRICHMENT

OUR SPECIALISTSUBJECT OFFERS A

BALANCE BETWEENPRACTICAL AND

ACADEMIC SKILLS

LEARNING IS ATTHE HEART OFWHAT WE DO

LEARNINGENVIRONMENTFurness Academy is presently based across two sites though the whole Academy will amalgamate as one in 2013.

We have a strong Pastoral Care system overseen by the Director of Student Engagement and Standards, Heads of Student Engagement and Standards and a team of Learning Group LeadeLeaders. When students arrive at the Academy they are placed into Learning Groups. The Learning Group Leaders are the first point of contact for students, parents and carers. The Learning Group meets daily in the morning for registration and it is the Learning Group Leader who monitors the students’ academic perperformance, attendance and behaviour.

Each Year is overseen by a Head of Student Engagement and Standards, they are responsible

At Furness Academy we are committed to offering an inclusive, relevant curriculum to ensure the best possible progress for all our studentstudents, whatever their needs or abilities. We strive to recognise every child’s individual needs and give our students every opportunity to achieve their potential. We place great emphasis on ensuring that students with special educational

and additional needs are identified, assessed and have appropriate programmes of support and learning activities in place to ensure that their academic, emotional, sensory and/or physical requirements are addressed. With the involvement of parents/carers, relevant pprofessionals and agencies and our own Inclusion and Special Needs teams, we work to ensure all

our students can overcome barriers to learning and reach their potential. Provision of all support is mapped and individual targets set and reviewed with parents/carers regularly. This process begins before students reach Furness Academy through extensive transition planning and contact with our partner primarieprimaries.

for the overall welfare of the students within the Year Group and are concerned directly with the academic progress, behaviour, punctuality and standard of uniform.

The Academy has a House System which is composed ocomposed of four Houses: Tomlinson, Ramsden, Kennedy and Armstrong. This system has been fostered so that students and staff feel a strong sense of identity. Within the House structure there are plenty of opportunities for students to take part in a range of activities. House Manag-ers oversee the House system and encourage and support students to take on support students to take on responsibilities within their Houses to develop a sense of ownership and pride.

Learning Zones form an important part of the smaller units system. The Academy Principal has

close contact with the students and staff, and every student will be well known to and supported by his/her Learning Group Leader.

Teachers routinely monitor student progress and negotiate next steps to improved performance with them. We encourage parents and carers to work with us to establish work patterns and positipositive approaches that allow all students to achieve their PERSONAL BEST.

Learning is at the heart of what we do. However we realise that in order for our students to achieve we must take care of their welfare. We have a team of Learning Mentors and other support staff on hand to address any special needs orpotential bapotential barriers to learning.

MEETING INDIVIDUALNEEDS

Furness Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students.

We provide a safe, welcoming and supportive environment where students are valued and respected.

In oIn order to protect our students from abuse and neglect we work in partnership with our agencies and have policies and procedures in place which are consistent with those of Cumbria Local Safeguarding Children Board.

We provide a safe,welcoming and

supportive environment where students are

valued and respected

SAFEGUARDING &CHILD PROTECTION

It is compulsory that all students wear the Academy uniform and wear it in the correct manner (top buttons done up, ties the rightlength, shirts tucked in and blazers worn etc.) This includes the journey to and from the AcadeAcademy, Parents’ Evenings and at all official Academy events at which the students are representing themselves and their peers.

It is important to their reputation that they maintain and benefit from a professional image which reflects our values and ethos. TThe uniform was designed with the help of students at the three predecessor schools, and reflects the high standards and aspirations of the Academy.

It is important to our students’ reputation

that they maintain and benefit from a

professional image

UNIFORM

VOICESTUDENT

WE INVOLVE AND RESPECT THE IDEASAND OPINIONS OFALL OUR STUDENTS

VOICECOMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS

STUDENT

We involve and listen to the ideas and opinions of all our students in everyday life at Furness AcadeAcademy and they have already helped us to choose the name of the Academy and its Houses, as well as designing the logo and selecting the uniform. We want students to feel confident that their ideas are valued, respected and acted on where appropriate.

The Academy has an elected student council, which helps us to make decisions that are right for the Academy and the students. Our Head Boys, Head Girls and prefects, who are chosen from an elected short list, are in close contact with the Senior Leadership Team torepresent the students.

We work with parents and with the wider community, including Children’s Services, to make Furness Academy a safe and exciting place for everyone.

We will build state-of-the-art facilities that local people can use in the evening and at the wweekend. We also intend for our curriculum to meet the needs of local businesses and the wider business community to continue the regeneration of Barrow.

ADMISSIONSPROCEDURE

1. Children in public care;

2. Children in the catchment area who will have

brothers or sisters at the Academy when they will

be attending;

3.3. Children outside the catchment area who have

brothers or sisters at the Academy because they

have been directed to the Academy by the Local

Authority;

4. Other children in the catchment area, with

priority given to children who live furthest away

from their nearest alternative;

. .

5. Children outside the catchment area who will

have brothers or sisters at the Academy when they

will be attending;

6. Other children in the catchment area, with

priority gipriority given to children who live closest to the

school (measured by the shortest walking route by

road). The admission limit for Furness Academy is

240 students. It is highly recommended therefore,

that, should you be interested in your child

attending Furness Academy, you make the

Academy your first choice.

Furness Academy’s new admissions policy will apply from September 2011. If you would like a copy of the full document, please get in touch or download one from our website www.furnessacademy.co.uk

In the case of oversubscription, parental choice, the school that siblings attend, site oversubscription and the distance from home to another school where a place is available will be taken into consideration. Applications will be considered in the following order of priority:

HOME SCHOOLAGREEMENT

You can view the video online at furnessacademy.co.uk

North Site Tel: 01229 814980

South Site Tel: 01229 825163

Email: info@furnessacademy.co.uk

This film was made by Year 8 and Year 9 students. We hope you enjoy it.

For further information, please do

get in touch with us:

Furness Academy

North Site

Thorncliffe Road

Barrow-in-Furness

Cumbria

LA14 5QPLA14 5QP

North Site Tel: 01229 814980

South Site Tel: 01229 825163

Email: info@furnessacademy.co.uk