ARDEN ACADEMY Information for Applicants

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1 Arden Multi Academy Trust ARDEN ACADEMY Information for Applicants Age Range Number of Pupils:1600 School Admission Number: 300 in 2016 Arden is a ten form entry mixed comprehensive school. It is a high performing Academy. In our last Ofsted Inspection we were graded as Outstanding for the fourth consecutive time. As an outstanding school Arden became an Academy on 1 st October 2010 and in April 2015 Arden Multi Academy Trust was established. The school is situated in the village of Knowle, about 3 miles from Solihull Town Centre and 5 minutes from Junction 5 of the M42. In 2015, Arden's A Level results were outstanding with a pass rate of 100%. Over 60% of the qualifications awarded were the prestigious A*-C grades. The average point score per student remains above the national average. At GCSE, 89% of students gained 5 A*-C or equivalent with 82% achieving 5 A*-C including English and Mathematics. March 2016

2 ARDEN MULTI ACADEMY TRUST Station Road, Knowle, Solihull, B93 0PT Tel No: MISSION STATEMENT Arden is a centre of excellence; we have the very highest aspirations across the whole range of curricular and extra-curricular work. Outstanding academic performance is underpinned by exemplary care and guidance; our ethos is fundamental in ensuring that everyone works together and is supported and challenged appropriately to achieve their very best. We pride ourselves in being a happy and safe school rooted in the local community. Location and Catchment Area Arden serves an area of mainly owner-occupied housing. Both Knowle and the nearby villages of Dorridge and Bentley Heath are thriving self-contained communities with a good range of shopping facilities. There are four principal contributory Primary schools in the area served by Arden: Bentley Heath C of E Primary School; Dorridge Primary School; Knowle C of E Primary School and St George and St Teresa Catholic School. Close and positive relationships are maintained with each of them. Accommodation Arden started its life in the 1950s as a two form entry Warwickshire School. Since then the school has expanded considerably and developed accommodation, particularly specialist areas. Within the teaching blocks there are a number of classrooms containing suites of computers, there is wi-fi across the academy and in some subject areas there are banks of i-pads. In the last fifteen years specialist teaching spaces have been constructed for many areas: In 2016 a new building containing 20 teaching classrooms opened which includes 2 new science laboratories and 2 computer suites. A state of the art Sixth Form and Design Technology building including a hair salon and specialist teaching rooms for Art, Design & Food. A purpose built Sixth Form centre 1 P age

3 Music and Drama - 2 Drama Studios, a Dance studio, 2 specialist classrooms for Music as well as Music practice rooms Science; 9 specialist labs as well as support facilities in a purpose built Science block A Gymnasium together with changing facilities, an all-weather astro-turf pitch and a Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) Curriculum Structure Key Stage 4 Subject Periods allocated to subject per fortnight Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Mathematics English Science Information Tech Design Technology Modern Languages(*1) Geography (*2) History (*2) R E (*2) Art Music PE/Games PSHE/Drama Total Notes (*1) In Year 7 all pupils study French. In Year 8 pupils have the opportunity to study a second language chosen from French, German, Spanish, Italian or Chinese. There are some pupils who only concentrate on one Modern Foreign Language in Years 8 & 9 and they have additional lessons in literacy and numeracy. (*2) The Programmes of Study for History, Geography and RE include the Foundation Subject of Citizenship. 2 P age

4 Key Stage 4 Core Subjects Periods allocated to subject per fortnight Year 10 Year 11 Mathematics 7 6 English (*1) 7 8 Science (*2) 7 8 Physical Ed 2 2 RE/General Studies 2 2 Options x (*1) Most students will study both English and English Literature (*2) The Science pathways available to students are Triple Science GCSEs and Applied Science. Options Students follow a choice of optional subjects for twenty five hours per fortnight in Year 10 and Year 11. In order to ensure that each Individual s Personalised Learning Programme at KS4 is broad, balanced and equips students with the transferable skills needed for successful transition post-16, students make a guided choice from the following courses:- GCSEs Art Business Studies Dance, Physical Education Design and Technology: Graphics/Textiles/Product Design/Resistant Materials Drama, Music, Media Studies Geography, History, Religious Education Home Economics: Food and Nutrition, Catering French, German, Chinese, Italian, Spanish ICT, Computer Science BTEC Programmes Business Construction Health & Social Care Sport Travel and Tourism VCT Level 2 Hair and Beauty 3 P age

5 Key Stage 5 Students currently choose from the following A Level subjects: Art Biology Business Chemistry Computing Drama & Theatre Studies Economics English Literature English Language/Literature combined French Further Maths Geography General Studies German Government & Politics History Home Economics ICT Italian Law Maths Music PE Philosophy & Ethics Physics Photography Product Design Psychology Spanish Students do not have formal lessons timetabled on a Wednesday afternoon and are expected to take part in enrichment activities AS and A2 General Studies, the Extended Project (EPQ qualification), volunteering and sport. General Homework is an integral part of the work of all pupils. There is regular reporting to parents. Effective liaison is seen to be important. A flourishing and energetic Parent/Teacher Association, highly valued by the school and the community, organises well-supported social events and raises funds. Pastoral care and progress in learning is based on the role of their Form Tutor supported by a structure involving the Principal, Vice-Principals, Heads of Key Stages and Year Heads. In addition, there is an active, 'vertically' organised House system, to 4 P age

6 provide a vehicle for extra curricular activities and a structure to support our rewards system. All pupils are expected to wear school uniform and there is a dress code for Post 16 students. There is firm but fair discipline, based on encouragement and support wherever possible, with a clear range of rewards and sanctions. The academy arranges many visits, at home and abroad, to enhance its work within the curriculum. Other extra-curricular activities include a vigorous and successful sporting programme; music performances and drama productions etc. The academy is also a Local Authority Music Centre. Equal Opportunities/Anti Racism The academy is committed to Equal Opportunities for all persons within the structure and activities of Arden. (Equal Opportunities Policy). Arden seeks to eliminate racial discrimination and to promote equal opportunities and good race relations in all areas of school life. We value diversity and treat every member of the academy as an individual. (Race Equality Policy) Academy Philosophy Arden has a reputation as an academy with very high academic standards. These standards are prized but are only part of a breadth and variety of provision which we desire for the Academy s pupils and parents. Links with industry, school sport, outdoor pursuits, music and drama, the House system and other club activities, are central to our intention to run a busy and energetic academy, developing the full range of interests and talents that youngsters have. We also wish for Arden to be, at its heart, an academy where the pupils care about their relationships with fellow pupils and staff and a school, in turn, where the staff exercise the highest standards of professional care and concern for all pupils. It is also our aim that Arden is an academy which, as a whole, cares about its wider relations with parents, governors, the community which it serves and beyond. In turn, we trust that these groups and the local community as a whole will care deeply about their academy. Further information on the Academy can be found on our website Updated: March P age