Claire Heald Executive Principal

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1 Prospectus

2 Welcome The warmest welcome to Jane Austen College, a wonderful school of which I am proud to be principal. Through all that we do our aim is always the same: to provide the best education we can for our young people. I believe passionately that all children have the potential to succeed in life, and that school should give them the opportunity to do just that. Jane Austen College provides an excellent academic education for all its students but it also does a lot more than that. All of our students have the opportunity to develop as rounded, confident young people, exploring their personal interests and developing new passions. Our excellent pastoral support system, run through our house system, ensures that our students are helped to do their best and are happy in school every day. Our student leadership opportunities also help students to develop self-awareness and social confidence. Great outcomes are possible when students are happy and feel challenged and fulfilled; fantastic things can be achieved when students have the best possible teaching. Our slightly longer school day ensures that our students have time for a high-quality academic curriculum, independent study time, and a range of clubs and activities. We want them to find their school day stimulating and engaging and develop a real love of learning. We make no apology for challenging our students and having high aspirations for them. We also have high expectations of our staff our students deserve it. Students and staff at Jane Austen College work hard but every day is rewarding and inspiring. I look forward to meeting you and working together with you to make your child s future a successful and exciting one. Claire Heald Executive Principal

3 We help our students build independence, character, resilience, leadership skills and a love of learning About our college A fresh start for education in Norwich, Jane Austen College opened in September 2014, offering highquality schooling from 11 to 19 with an emphasis on the arts and humanities. As well as our secondary school, we have a joint sixth form with Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, a unique partnership that offers flexibility and choice at A Level. In 2014 we welcomed Years 7 and 12 to the college, opening with just two year groups. Each year, we welcome a new Year 7 cohort to the school. We are growing slowly, to make sure we get things right. Jane Austen College is not selective, as we believe all children are entitled to an excellent education, and we don t have a specific catchment area, so any student who feels that we offer the right kind of education for them is able to apply. Our vision centres on setting our standards high and making sure we meet them the families of Norwich deserve nothing less. Excellent teaching and learning, combined with a high quality academic curriculum and the highest levels of support for all students, ensures the highest standards are met. We help our students build independence, character, resilience, leadership skills and a love of learning. Our culture is focused on promoting excellence, supporting our students to achieve their academic potential and go on to university and into successful, fulfilling careers. We are proud of our exceptional teachers and have high expectations for all of our staff and students. Our wide, traditional curriculum is combined with exciting extracurricular electives to give our young people the best possible opportunities. We work closely with our local and national organisations, including theatres, galleries, drama groups, and museums to widen horizons and ensure our students enjoy the widest possible experiences.

4 Tutors get to know their students well as individuals so they can provide excellent pastoral support and care Our approach to learning Our approach to curriculum makes sure that students receive a high-quality education. English, maths, science, humanities, and languages are given more curriculum time to ensure a broad foundation for learning. Students also have lessons in philosophy, Latin and classics, technology, art, music, and physical education, and all students study a language until at least 16. We believe it s very important to develop well-rounded students, with strong character, resilience, and social confidence, and the college supports its students in becoming independent young people. Each day starts with form time or assembly. Form time is a daily session where students meet with their tutor. In form time, students explore current affairs and discussion topics, as well as reflecting on their progress and setting their own targets. Tutors get to know their students well as individuals so they can provide excellent pastoral support and care. Daily reading time, when students read for pleasure or benefit from reading and literacy support, is an important part of the college day. During the day, students engage in a wide academic curriculum, attending five hour-long lessons and benefiting from the best teaching. Throughout, our English specialism ensures students are taught reading, writing, and communication skills to the highest standards. Student voice is very important to us. Our student council meets each week, and students also discuss any issues that are important to them in form time. Our students have very good ideas about making the college as great as it can be and we make sure we listen to them. Our slightly longer day includes time for an hour s independent study every day, taking the place of traditional homework. This means that at home students can focus on quality family time, and students do their independent study where they have access to teachers and the best facilities. This supported independent study time instils a love of learning and scholarship.

5 We place a high value on culture and the arts, and experiencing the joy of sport A recent Jane Austen College production of Oliver! Unique opportunities School should be about so much more than just lessons. We place a high value on culture and the arts, and experiencing the joy of sport, both individually and in teams. Our extended day allows students to choose electives to enhance their academic timetable. These create opportunities to develop teamwork, leadership, and communication skills as well as helping students develop their individual passions and interests. We regularly review the electives on offer, including in response to student suggestions. Recent examples have included: Athletics Drama groups Chess and strategy Football games Martial arts Choir Orchestra Computer games Politics club design Rugby Contemporary dance STEM club (science, Cookery club technology, Creative writing club engineering, and Cricket maths) Debating society School magazine The best facilities Many of these electives take place within our impressive historic building, which has been sensitively refurbished to house the facilities for learning and growth. From modern IT suites and science labs, to purpose built music studios, dance studios and art rooms, we enjoy a superb and inspiring environment for our students. One of our most impressive spaces is the top floor library; it really is the perfect place for students to learn and study. For sporting activity, we have sports and dance studios in our main building and a newly-built fitness suite. We also use off-site specialist sports provision so that our students have access to the best possible facilities.

6 Apply for a place Supporting our students Pastoral care is crucially important, and we work in close partnership with students and parents to support our young people at every stage. Our five houses Bronte, Chaucer, Eliot, Shakespeare, and Thackeray provide a clear structure for pastoral support. Academic mentoring for all students helps them to achieve their personal and academic goals, and our pastoral mentors work with students to provide support, advice, and guidance. Our whole pastoral team works hard to prevent bullying and keep our school a safe and respectful place. We work in close partnership with our parents and provide regular updates on student progress. Each term, parents receive either a report home or are invited to a parents evening, although our teachers and form tutors are happy to discuss student progress at any point throughout the year. Our fortnightly newsletter keeps parents updated and throughout the year there are regular opportunities for parents to be involved in college life, such as concerts and sports events. Applying for a place is straightforward and follows the same Norfolk County Council process as other local secondary schools. We don t have a catchment area because we want our school to be open to any family which shares our unique ethos, so you can apply to Jane Austen College even if you live in the catchment area for another school. We hold open evenings and tours during the year to allow students and parents the chance to experience the college for themselves; please visit our website at janeaustencollege.co.uk for details. Keeping our students safe We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our young people. To achieve this we ensure the continuous development and improvement of robust safeguarding processes and procedures that promote a culture of safeguarding within our staff and volunteers. We expect all our staff to undertake a full enhanced DBS check.

7 Jane Austen College is part of the Inspiration Trust, a not-for-profit charity whose mission is to transform the lives of young people in Norfolk and Suffolk through education. Led by nationally-recognised educator Dame Rachel de Souza, the Trust believes that all children deserve the chance to achieve academic excellence. We also seek to offer the widest range of sporting and cultural opportunities to our young people, and encourage them to play an active role in their school and the wider community. Our family of schools work together to ensure that all pupils have access to the very best teaching expertise, exceptional facilities, and extra-curricular activities that excite and broaden their minds. Jane Austen College Claxton House Colegate Norwich NR3 1DD janeausten@inspirationtrust.org