Sponsorship of Suffolk New Academy The Department for Education has requested that Suffolk New College review the current sponsorship arrangements for the Suffolk New Academy and has identified the Active Learning Trust as a potential new sponsor. The Active Learning Trust is already a sponsor of Gusford Primary School, Hillside Primary School and Sidegate Primary School. The college is working closely with the Department and the Active Learning Trust and will as requested facilitate a change of sponsorship by 1 March if this is feasible on the timescale. Consultation on this proposal opens on Thursday 29 January and will close on Thursday 12 February. More information on the Active Learning Trust can be found at their website http://www.activelearningtrust.org/. Responses to the consultation should be sent to [email protected] Professor Dave Muller Principal of Suffolk New College Clive Bush Chief Executive Officer of Active Learning Trust STOP PRESS: Clive Bush, CEO of the Active Learning Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig D’Cunha, as the new Principal of the Academy. Craig is currently Vice Principal of Neale-Wade Academy in March. It is hoped that he will take up his post at Suffolk New Academy before Easter. Post Ofsted actions Many thanks to all the parents who took the time to attend the post Ofsted parents evening on Thursday, 22 January. Your concerns and questions will help to inform the actions that the academy will take over the coming weeks. As a result of the meeting and subsequent requests made by parents it was agreed that the following would take place: - - - The post Ofsted action plan will be published on the academy website so that parents can monitor progress A further meeting will be held in six weeks time so that parents can report back to the senior leadership team on progress that has been made New leadership responsibilities will be posted on the website - - A clearer explanation of the new year system and how it will help to secure student progress will be posted on the website The academy will also publish the Behaviour Policy and the new flight paths on the website. So what have we done since the Ofsted Inspection? - - - A new year system has been put in place to more closely monitor student progress, behaviour and attendance. This will facilitate more effective communication within the academy and with parents A robust tracking system has been put in place to monitor the individual progress of every student in the academy The academy has reverted to using National Curriculum levels at Key Stage 3 to ensure that all - - - students and parents fully understand what progress is being made The timetable has been rewritten to provide more time for English and Maths at Key Stage 4 and to provide shorter lessons in Key Stage 3. This will be implemented after half term and will support improved behaviour and progress More coherent management systems have been put in place with clearer roles and responsibilities enabling staff at all levels to be held to account more effectively The key focus for this term has been on students knowing what level they are working at and what they need to do to improve. This has been supported by scrutinising marking across the academy and by introducing flight paths for all students. An example of a flight path is available on the website. Following the parents evening I have conducted a student voice exercise with students across Years 7 to 10 to identify specific issues in relation to behaviour. Discussions with individual students and their parents will result from this activity. Shelagh Potter, Interim Principal Why did we do PPE exams? The recent Year 11 Pre-Public exams were a useful assessment activity to help clearly establish markers as to where students are now. The papers used were unseen and great experience for the students in preparation for the Summer exam series this year. The results are being used by all subjects as pointers to show what individual students need to do in order to make progress. The students should be congratulated for conducting themselves so well throughout the process. For some the message would be ... it is never too early to start revising. Key Staff at the Academy My name is Katy Morrow and I have a number of roles within the Academy. I am currently Head of Year 11, which is an exciting and fast-paced part of my job. I really enjoy working with the challenges of preparing for that allimportant exam period and supporting our young people to achieve the best they can. My whole school focus, across all year groups is co-ordinating our Anti-Bullying work and supporting our team of ‘Understanding Students’ peer mentors who have won awards at County level. This is an incredibly rewarding part of my role and one which both myself and the students involved in the scheme, take great pride in. I am also Head of Drama, and teach all year groups across the Academy, preparing the schemes of work and lessons that all our students follow at both Key Stage 3, and as an Option at Key Stage 4. This role also encompasses extra-curricular activities within the Performing Arts such as theatre trips and school shows. Drama has always been a passion of mine and I love watching our students thrive and achieve within the art-form. Many of our past students have gone into careers in drama and this makes me incredibly proud. If you have any questions about my role, or wish to speak to me regarding a Year 11 issue, please feel free to contact me. What’s been happening in PE? Eight students from Year 10 attended a gifted and talented event at Suffolk One. They took part in a Health screening workshop with students from Hadleigh High School. They were involved in a range of health tests, acting as gym instructors and clients. Previously students had been involved in a Handball session. The gifted and talented programme is enabling students to see what higher level examination courses in sport and PE might be like. Circus Skills with Year 2 A class of Year 2 students from Ranelagh Primary school came to visit the PE department in January and tried out a number of fun activities, including circus skills. Students from the Year 11 NCFE PE group led and organised the session and enjoyed interacting with the very enthusiastic Key Stage 1 children. The youngsters demonstrated and developed their throwing and catching skills, balance, agility and coordination in a fun way. Well done to everyone involved. Quarter Finals Reached in the Suffolk Cup The Year 8 football team made into the quarter final of the Suffolk Cup. This achievement is due the excellent performances that enabled the Year 8 team to win their area league, winning all of their games. The team have been a credit to the school. Full report in our next Newsletter.