Why choose the New Charter Academy?
An Academy is a new kind of school. It is a publicly-funded independent school, accountable to the Government, which provides free education to people in its local community.
The Academy is funded on the same basis as other schools. The sponsor, New Charter Housing Trust is investing more than £2 million in the new Academy to enhance its opportunities.
New Charter Academy is about ‘more than education’. Our students learn and will achieve in a diverse and caring community in which every child is known as an individual. They will be happy, safe and secure.
The New Charter Academy opened in September 2008 on two sites in Ashton-under-Lyne. The Greenhurst campus uses the buildings and grounds of the former Hartshead Sports College. The Silver Springs campus, on the site of the former Stamford High School is where we welcome and teach Year 7 students.
In September 2010, we will bring the Academy together on one new campus at Broadoak.
Thank you for your interest in the New Charter Academy. This new type of school aims to include the very best of traditional education alongside the innovation and change needed to prepare our young people for successful careers and global citizenship.
I believe the Academy is the single most exciting opportunity for the children of our communities. The chance to provide first-class facilities, alongside teaching and support of the highest standard, will give our young people the chance to achieve more than they thought possible. Each day I plan to encourage them to develop personal qualities - of self-discipline, care, respect and hard work. In return, they will enjoy the challenge of realising their potential.
The Academy is different. My favourite proverb is from Africa - "it takes a whole village to raise a child” - and this theme of partnership characterises the educational experience we offer.
As a parent myself, I know selecting the right school for your children is an important and often difficult decision. Look through our prospectus; talk to us about your hopes for them. You'll find we have so much in common.
Young people deserve the best educational opportunities. We are determined to provide them. As Group Chief Executive of sponsor New Charter, I can see the immense value of investing in our young people. As a major employer in the area, I can also see what we need to equip our young people for the world of work. As Chair of Governors, I promise the Academy will do both.
We started in two temporary homes. We secured extra government money to enhance the physical assets for the two years until a brand new building at Broadoak provides the permanent home for the Academy.
Building Schools for the Future is a marvellous opportunity to provide excellence in education. The changes possible can revolutionise the life chances of all our young people.
Exciting though the new £38 million Academy will be, the quality and style of teaching has to match this standard. We are not waiting to move – this improvement has started.
New Charter Academy is part of the innovative vision for secondary education in Tameside. It uses two existing school sites in Ashton-under-Lyne from September 2008. A new campus will open in September 2011.
As well as offering a wide range of subjects and an outstanding enrichment programme, New Charter Academy will create centres of excellence in the following areas:
The Academy's research and development activities will be supported by local universities who share our desire to relentlessly pursue an excellence agenda. The Academy's priority is to provide a stimulating, technology-rich education in the spirit of enterprise where students can develop the skills to be self confident problem-solvers and excellent communicators, equipped to succeed in the dynamic workforce of the future.
We want all the New Charter students to be active global citizens, willing and capable of taking advantage of all opportunities presented to them.
We are developing close links with business and commerce in the UK and abroad. A powerful international dimension will be established through the use of advanced digital technology. The New Charter Academy will support students in establishing their own businesses and provide them with skills in financial management and business planning.
Our intake in 2009/10 will be the last at the existing buildings at Silver Springs and at Greenhurst. From September 2010, we move to the new Broadoak campus. Site preparation work has started.
These purpose-built facilities will incorporate state-of-the art sports, performing arts, science and technology facilities designed around the specific needs of the new Academy. Samuel Laycock special school will also be co-located on the Broadoak site.
Every space in the new Academy will access the latest IT and every student will be able to use it. The Academy will be designed to feel like a small school environment. The specialist areas – business and enterprise, sports, creative arts, science, design and technology - and learning resources will be first class and available for use by the community and other schools.
We are determined the New Charter Academy will be seen within a few years as one of the best in England. The work of the Academy will be driven by our shared vision and five core values.
Our vision is the same as the strategic vision for all young people in the borough of Tameside - that they gain access to the highest standards of teaching and learning, greater choice and diversity, opportunities to enjoy and achieve through extended provision and the opening of pathways into higher education, employment, training and skills.
Uniquely, we see our mission as all our young people achieving more than they thought possible.
The New Charter Academy plans to benefit all students in the catchment area through addressing disadvantage and poverty. Our high level aims are to:
deliver maximum value-added for each pupil
raise aspirations for individual students, parents and the wider community
provide a high-quality building, designed to minimise impact on the environment and which encourages learning, self-discipline and community involvement
provide a high achieving and disciplined environment establish a centre of excellence in school leadership
meet the needs of local and regional employers for workforce of the future
work in collaboration with the Local Education Authority, schools, colleges and universities
help deliver the 'Tameside Campus' through integrated approaches to admissions, exclusions and partnership working.
This key stage will last for two years rather than the more common three years. Students in Years 7 and 8 will follow the National Curriculum core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, PE, RE, Technology, Art, Information Communication Technology (ICT) and a Modern Foreign Language. They will also study Performing Arts - Drama, Dance and Music. Excellent opportunities will be presented for students to engage in Citizenship, Business Enterprise and the RSA Opening Minds curriculum framework.
The New Charter Academy has a caring and clear system for looking after its students. Each student will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will monitor your son or daughter's work and general well-being at the Academy. The Personal Tutor will be the first point of contact in the Academy.
We believe every student is unique and this will be reflected in the individual challenging targets that will be set for every Year 7 student in every subject. This will enable everyone to enjoy success and achievement.
There will be a range of exciting and interesting activities on offer during the extended sessions. Some will also offer the chance to gain further qualifications.
This will take place between 3.15pm - 5.00 pm each day (Session 6). Students will be expected to attend two of these enrichment sessions.
These additional sessions will include cultural, sporting, musical, performing and community activities available for all students. Chess, Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, Art and ICT opportunities will be available alongside the enterprise activities, which will encourage Year 7 students to acquire the skills to run their own businesses.
Students will be encouraged to suggest other activities through the Year 7 Student Council. Student Leadership programmes will be provided to encourage students to take responsibility for organising activities with staff support.
Parents will receive progress reports for all subjects every half term. This will enable parents to keep track of their child's progress regularly.
Twice a year, parents are able to meet their child's Personal Tutor, who has a full picture of progress, attainment and attitude to learning right across the curriculum. The students are expected to attend these meetings where targets are agreed for the following term.
A genuine partnership between parents and the Academy will do much to ensure that every student achieves their potential. A Parent-Academy agreement will spell out the details including requirements for good attendance, punctuality and uniform.
We encourage parents to take an active interest in the Academy and support their son or daughter with home study and active participation in the extra activities and opportunities on offer.
In the first term, all Year 7 students at the New Charter Academy will develop a website to display their knowledge and ICT coursework. This will be developed throughout the year. As a result, both parents and students will be able to access all coursework and achievements via this website - outside the classroom and outside the working day.
We hold regular 'Celebration and Rewards Assemblies'. Occasionally, parents are invited to attend and share in the New Charter process of recognising and celebrating a wide range of student achievement.
Breakfast 8.30am to 8.45am
Registration 8.45am to 9am
Session 1 9am to 10am
Session 2 10am to 11am
Break 11am to 11.20am
Session 3 11.20am to 12.20pm
Session 4 12.20pm to 1.15pm
Lunch 1.15pm to 2.15pm
Session 5 2.15pm to 3.15pm
Session 6 Extension and Enrichment activities (between 3.15pm and 5pm)
We provide opportunities throughout the year for all students to engage in activities on nominated Saturday mornings.
We tutor every student closely, ensuring their courses match their particular aptitudes and abilities and that they are progressing as well as they should.
Courses are flexible. There are early opportunities for vocational learning and learning by doing for those who find it right for them.
We will ensure every young person has the English and Mathematical skills they need to succeed in life. There will also be outstanding provision for the gifted and talented.
We plan to build personal skills, using outward bound, orienteering and challenging sports. We use debating and media training to improve speaking skills.
The Academy will have the very latest IT - making learning richer and more interesting and enabling the Academy and home to link together so that there is ‘anytime-anywhere learning’ which parents can use and monitor.
We have a comprehensive programme of support for students with individual learning needs, designed to enable them to achieve their full potential.
The Academy and its governors have developed a code of practice for our special needs work which is line with the government’s current legal requirements.
The Academy recognises the requirements laid out in the Special Needs and Disabilities Act and continues to improve accessibility for the physically disabled through the Academy’s building programme and inclusion policy.
The word 'exceptional' covers students who are exceptionally gifted, whether in one area or several (i.e. students with special needs). The Academy's Special Needs policy allows full access to the curriculum for all students so they can fulfil their right to a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum. The Year 7 curriculum is structured to boost basic skills on entry. We will maintain some of the features of a primary curriculum, with less movement between teachers and a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, ICT and enterprise
We will ensure the safety and security of everyone on site.
All students will be required to wear the New Charter uniform. Our high expectations mirror those found in industry and commerce, so high standards of dress are expected at all times. We will enforce these standards.
Pastoral care at New Charter Academy is based on our five core values and a philosophy of developing care, understanding and mutual respect. Our approach recognises the uniqueness, dignity and self-esteem of every individual within the New Charter family. To promote these values, the Academy will be organised on a House system. Every student will be a member of a House and it will enable the students to participate in a range of activities to develop a sense of team spirit, mutual support and collective responsibility. The Academy Student Leadership Programmes with its first-class training and development plays a central role to recognise and develop our outstanding young leaders and sports people.
The on-site kitchen offers healthy, fresh food and we have arranged the school day so that eating is a civilised experience!
The Academy promotes equal opportunities for all students. All subjects are available to all students except for certain areas of Physical Education. Equality of opportunity is regularly monitored by staff and discussed with students.
Everyone is treated equally in the Academy and encouraged to be positive in their attitude to everybody outside the Academy. We treat others in the way we would like to be treated ourselves. We take very seriously any incidents in which people have been treated unfairly. We view racism as a form of bullying which is unacceptable.
Parents have always been faced with important decisions as their children move from primary schools. The Academy provides parents with another choice. Our admissions policy is not selective, but we want to attract young people and parents who have made a positive decision to choose the Academy. So why should you seek a place with us?
The Academy offers all subjects in the national curriculum. Our developing partnerships with employers will ensure the basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic are provided to a high standard. These are the building blocks which enable potential to develop;
We offer individual learning plans which aim to extend students well beyond the national curriculum. Our specialism of business and enterprise, and sport with healthy living provide a platform for many students, but we are committed to realising potential wherever that takes us
We offer work-based learning. This is in places of employment as well as attracting employers into the Academy
We offer a 'can do' experience that promotes self-confidence and high aspirations
The Academy facilities will be the best on offer. Initially, we have improved the learning environment and invested in technology to make an immediate difference. The enormous investment in a new campus at Broadoak will raise the standard far beyond current provision in Tameside
The Academy is new and different. We offer a desirable image for students and parents, based on the best values of the family and of business
The Academy embraces many traditional values, which represent the diverse community of students it serves, their families and their neighbourhoods. Self-discipline, hard work, care and respect for others, punctuality and good behaviour are values we plan to instil in students.
We want all our young people to achieve more than they thought was possible.
The Academy Admissions policy will comply with the requirements of the School Admissions Code of Practice issued on 28 February 2007.
New Charter Academy will consider all applications for places.
Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the published admissions number, applications will be considered against the criteria set out below:
a Children in Public Care (Looked After Children).
b. Children and families with exceptional medical or social needs
c. Sibling - this will apply where there are brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of admission
d. Children attending primary schools in Tameside including independent schools and students educated at home at the time of application
e. All other applications on distance. Preference will be given to students living nearest to the Academy.
For information regarding admissions please contact:
Mrs Elaine Heap
Tel: 0161 331 3552
The application process followed is part of Tameside Council’s co-ordinated approach to admissions for the area.
For those living in Tameside, applications for the New Charter Academy should be made on the Common Application Form from Tameside Council, or completed online at www.tameside.gov.uk.
The timetable of co-ordinated admission arrangements is:
17 October 2008: Closing date for the Common Application Forms to be returned to Tameside Council.
2 March 2009: Notification of offers sent to parents.
31 March 2009: Closing date for receipt of appeals.