www.langleyacademy.org

Sponsor’sWelcomeAs the Sponsor we are proud to welcome you to The Langley Academy. It is a unique

Academy; an establishment that makes a real difference to our students’ lives. We believe

in a holistic education. Through our pastoral and house system, we ensure that students

are happy and safe and able to develop into confident young people who believe they can

achieve anything they put their mind to. Our six areas of focus deliver an enriching

experience around Museum Learning, Sustainability, Internationalism, Science, Rowing

and Cricket. These support the development of each child and help them to understand

the world around them and the part they can play in making it better.

It is our ambition to become the best academy in the country by offering an outstanding

curriculum that supports the principles of both depth and breadth, so that each student

receives a personalised education. We meet their needs and allow them to achieve the

very best grades. We also know that we must provide much more than just great academic

results. We give students opportunities that they just do not get at a normal state school.

We provide a stable foundation that sets our students apart from others and gives them

a real sense of self-belief and confidence that is so important in the mind-set of a

successful individual.

We are very positive about our future and look forward to meeting you.

Annabel Nicoll, Sponsor

Sponsor’sWelcome

Principal’sWelcome

Principal’sWelcomeI am delighted to welcome you to our Academy and I really hope that this prospectus

gives you a flavour of the Academy and what it might be like to be a student and a parent

or carer of a student here.

As a parent of three children, my values as a Principal are based on students being safe,

being allowed to develop as individuals and on providing an experience that allows them

to find and follow their passion in life.

We provide unique opportunities for all with a philosophy that is based on creating an

atmosphere that allows students to become confident, independent and creative. Our

strapline ‘curiosity, exploration and discovery’ supports this ethos and encourages us to

think differently and in a way that challenges students so that they develop into young

adults capable of competing favourably in an ever changing job market. We can only

achieve this if we have extremely high expectations of ourselves and those around us.

Pride and achievement are created with a serious work ethic and an aspiration to be the

best we can be.

In our view schools should provide an education that enables and empowers students to

live full and enriched lives throughout their time with us, and importantly, also once they

have left us. It is also our view that the greatest qualification is not the list of grades you

achieve in each subject, but the person you become. Our expectations are built on this

core belief and so we place a great emphasis on the qualities of honesty, integrity, work

ethic, selflessness, resilience, teamwork, innovation and initiative. Employers look for these

qualities – qualities that will support a stronger workforce and underpin the skills that our

social structure, families and friends depend upon.

I am truly inspired by our students and I am in no doubt that The Langley Academy is a

very special place supported by a remarkably talented group of staff within a vibrant and

diverse community. I am sure that you will agree with this once you have visited us.

Rhodri Bryant, Principal

Our

vision

Our visionCuriosity Exploration Discovery

At the Academy your child will join us on a journey of learning from the moment theyenter to the day they leave.

We inspire our students by igniting the natural flame of curiosity that liveswithin every child.

We encourage our students to bravely explore new terrains of knowledge,thoughts and ideas.

We give our students the confidence to discover, by seeing what everybody hasseen but thinking what nobody has yet thought.

www.langleyacademy.org

www.langleyacademy.org

Our specialismand key fociAs soon as students first start at the Academy they join a House,to which they will belong throughout their Academy life. Each ofthe six Houses Arbib, Darwin, Grace, Gaia, Henley and Globe,are linked with a specialism or key focus, which sit at the heartof our Academy.

As a science specialist academy, science education andscientific enquiry is at the centre of everything that we do. Wehave amazing facilities for the teaching of Science, with ourcircular Science teaching pods at the very heart of our fantasticbuilding. In addition we have a large, dynamic and experiencedScience teaching team who make lessons exciting and challenging. We aim to captureand extend the scientific imagination of students and inspire them to make positivechoices about their future, including careers. Darwin House has science as its focus.

As the UK’s first museum learning school all lessons are builton curiosity. We also use object based learning as a cornerstoneof our approach to the curriculum and our students and staffhave tremendous opportunities to work with different museumsincluding our own museum in the Academy. Arbib House hasmuseum learning as its focus.

We are fast developing as a centreof excellence for cricket androwing. We believe this will allowattributes such as confidence,self-discipline, determination and theimportance of effective teamwork tobe nurtured amongst our students.We have excellent indoor andoutdoor cricket facilities, which arealso proving very popular with thelocal community. Our Director ofRowing is a Gold Level rowing coach and has coached at World Junior Championshiplevel. We run a Gifted and Talented rowing programme and regularly participate in a rangeof indoor competitions. Grace House has cricket as its focus, whilst Henley House hasrowing as its focus.

Our

specialism

andkeyfoci

andkeyfoci

Our

specialism

Our students and staff come from many parts of the world andwe are committed to promoting an international awarenessamongst our students. Students are encouraged to appreciatediverse cultures and to be a citizen of the world. We havealready achieved the Intermediate International Schools Awardwhich recognises good practice in developing an internationalethos. OFSTED has recognised and commented on theexcellent harmonious atmosphere at the Academy. GlobeHouse has internationalism as its focus.

Our Academy is designed to besustainable. Students at the Academyare very much encouraged to be awareof sustainability and renewable energysources, so that we look hard at all thatwe do and its effect on our planet. TheAcademy has a wide range of featuresincluding a biomass boiler, solar panels,rainwater harvesting tanks, a reed bedand many more design features. Variousdisplays demonstrate to students theenvironmental savings achieved. Our students actively participate in various recyclingschemes, and our Academy Eco Council is ultimately aiming for the Green Flag Award.Gaia House has sustainability as its focus.

www.langleyacademy.org

Parent voiceAt the Academy we encourage parents and carers to help shape school life fortheir children.

A Parent’s Forum is held each term in the evening so that parents who work canalso attend. The Forums are open to all parents from all year groups. Differenttopics of interest to parents are raised at each meeting and past topics haveincluded Year 7 transition, homework, uniform, behaviour, exams and options.Copies of the outcomes from each meeting are posted on our website.

Our Governing Body also includes parents who play an active role in importantcommittees which set academy policy. As well as being members of the fullGoverning Body, our parent governors sit on the Student Achievement Committeewhich governs a range of policies that impact on student learning and their dailyschool life.

The PTA is an active body which supports the Academy by raising funds for ourchildren and providing volunteers to support various events throughout the year.

We also provide parent suggestion boxes at Reception so that parents can leavetheir suggestions and ideas at any time. Our website has a link which allowsparents to complete a survey with their views on a range of aspects and we havea dedicated email address parentvoice@langleyacademy.org for parents toexpress their views to the Academy.

Parentvoice

Studentvoice

Student voiceWe encourage our students to play an active part in shaping life at the Academy.

Our Student Council comprises students from across the houses and year groups toprovide a representative body. With regular meetings, the Council is able to raise anddiscuss issues that are important to students. The issues raised are passed on to thesenior leadership team for consideration and action or feedback. The Student Councilalso produces a termly student newsletter, which is written for students by students ontopics of interest to them.

We also involve students in the recruitment process for new teachers, where studentsmeet with potential new recruits. Through co-construction we involve students in thedevelopment of effective teaching so that we constantly gain feedback from studentsabout their view on effective delivery of learning to them. Students are therefore able to playan important part in the shape of their future learning.

Our 6th Form student leadership team comprises the Head Boy, Head Girl, Deputy HeadBoy and Deputy Head Girl. As well as helping lead the Academy Council for the loweryear groups, these students help organise social events for the 6th Form. They alsoprovide a representative voice to raise issues important to 6th Form students.

All 6th Formers are also expected to become responsible prefects and actively undertakea range of duties. They are expected to be role models for the rest of their younger peersand together with the student leadership team, they regularly support a variety of academyevents throughout the year.

CurriculumStudent progress is monitored through regular assessments. We look at student attitudeto learning as well as their actual achievement. This information is then regularly shared withparents throughout the year in a number of ways. Detailed reports are issued three timesa year, once every term. A parents’ evening is held once a year for each year group whereparents can meet with subject teachers to discuss academic progress. An AcademicAfternoon, which is also held once a year for each year group, allows parents to discusstheir child with their House Tutor holistically. Together with our online SLG web portal, whereinformation about a student’s attendance, timetable, achievement, behaviour andassessment can easily be viewed, parents have a complete picture of their child at all times.

In Years 7 – 8 (Key Stage 3)At KS3 we ensure our students start their academy life by experiencing a wide range ofsubjects. In their first two years students will explore Maths, English, Science, PE, ICT, DesignTech, Music, Drama, Art, Geography, History, French, Religious and Personal Studies.

Towards the middle of Year 8, students will start to consider their GCSE/BTEC options readyto begin in Year 9. Subject teachers and Heads of House work closely with students andparents to identify the best combination for each student, with long-term goals and careerchoices in mind.

In Years 9 – 11 (Key Stage 4)In Year 9 our students start their journey towards their first academic and vocationalqualifications depending on the courses they have selected.

We prepare students to sit GCSE examinations throughout Years 9, 10 and 11. Thisenables students to better balance workload and provides an increased focus onachievement in key subjects during each year. Year 10 students have the opportunity toexplore potential future careers. Students will analyse their own skills base with respect tofuture work requirements and develop the qualities that will help with application writing,CVs and interviews. A major event in the Year 10 calendar is the one week workexperience; this is supported by a range of careers workshops and guidance to supporttheir journey into successful further and higher education.

During Year 11, students are provided tasters of what 6th Form life would be like, toencourage them to pursue further education whether academic or vocational, and to startmaking informed choices about their post-16 lives. In preparation for their examinationsstudents are provided regular revision sessions during half-term holidays and weekendsin the lead up to each period.

In Years 12 – 13 (6th Form)Since the opening of The Langley Academy in 2008, the 6th Form has quickly establisheditself as a thriving, successful and popular choice. Our study facilities, within the dedicated6th Form Centre, ensure that our students have the best possible resources forindependent study and research.

We set ourselves high standards for the quality of learning and teaching and ourdedicated, experienced and enthusiastic staff help provide exciting and challenginglessons aimed to enthuse and encourage independent learning. Students aren’t justtaught to survive the rigours of the competitive university application process and life in theworkplace, but complement their core studies by contributing to their community andmastering transferable skills such as negotiation, collaboration and cooperation.

During Year 12 students also go out on a work experience programme with some evengaining an opportunity to secure long-term employment through their placements.

Curriculum

www.langleyacademy.org

anddevelopment

Studentvoice

Care, guidanceand developmentWe have created a system of guidance and support, through our Houses and VerticalTutor Group system which means our students can feel safe, secure, well cared for andsupported. Students meet in their House Tutor Groups daily.

The House Tutor and Head of House are the key people in each student’s life at theAcademy. If a student faces a challenge in a subject or at home, or if there is a concernover behaviour or attendance, the House Tutor will be the first person to contact you.Similarly, if you have concerns, you can contact your child’s House Tutor either by email,telephone, letter or through a note in your child's planner. Parents and House Tutors areexpected to check these regularly making them a useful form of communication.

Our academic mentoring system means that House Tutors are able to focus on studentperformance and learning, and play an important role in helping us to maintain studentachievement. The House System at the Academy means that senior members of staff,the Heads of House, can focus on student performance and identify any barriers tolearning. Academic Afternoons are held for each Year group once a year, where parentshave an opportunity to meet with the House Tutor.

We also have a large team of staff to provide additional learning support to those studentswho need it and who work to support those students whose behaviour needs improving.Student Support Managers provide one-to-one mentoring. The Student Support Unitprovides a safe, secure learning area where students can go for support and nurturing.The Academy Counsellor provides a support service for students who would like to shareissues in a confidential environment. On the occasions where students do not meet thestandard of behaviour expected, they will attend our Inclusion Centre. This is a base wherestudents can reflect on their behaviour, be supported and be provided with guidance onchanging their outlook. This helps improve their reintegration back into main academy life.

Our 6th Formers in Year 12 groups and Year 13 groups each have their own separateTutors. As well as monitoring attendance, behaviour and academic progress through theseimportant years, the Tutors will encourage students to develop socially, culturally, morallyand spiritually. They also support students through the important UCAS process by co-ordinating and drafting references to ensure our 6th Formers will maximise their chancesof reaching their destinations.

What we dofor gifted andtalented studentsWe believe in stretching the talents of all our students who demonstrate additional talentand ability. In each subject we identify gifted and talented students. Various programmesare then in place in different year groups to stretch these students.

In Year 10 selected students attend the SHINE project, which is run annually in partnershipwith Eton College. The weekend sessions are designed to develop creative, critical andindependent thinking skills with the aim for students to leave the course thinking differentlyand inspired to continue academic study Post 16.

With several music studios we are able to provide heavily subsidised music lessons withprofessional music tutors for students who have a desire to develop a skill on a range ofmusical instruments from guitar, piano, violin etc.

Our special museum learning focus also allows us to support raised attainment within asubject, as well as wider personal development outcomes during the enrichment andVertical Tutor Group programmes. This has included in the past a Science co-curationproject with the Science Museum for gifted and talented Year 9 students.

Our focus on sporting excellence in rowing and cricket has enabled us to produce studentswho have progressed to gifted and talented programmes for county rowing, whilst specialistcricket coaches develop the talents of students demonstrating higher ability. Theseprogrammes are supported using our excellent indoor and outdoor cricket nets, naturalcricket pitch, our own rowing boats and our links with Dorney Lake and Eton College.

Whatwedoforgifted

andtalented

students

www.langleyacademy.org

with

specialneeds

Whatwedoforstudents

What we do forstudents withspecial needsAt the Academy we believe all students should have equal access to learning and thecurriculum. We have a range of facilities and resources such as our large team of LearningSupport Assistants who help students with special needs with their learning within theclassroom as well as outside the classroom on offsite activities.

We also have an EAL team who support students for whom English is not their firstlanguage, to ensure these students can fully engage in the curriculum. Our SSU (StudentSupport Unit) provides a safe and secure learning area where the learning can be nurturedfor students who require additional support.

Our SRB (Sensory Resource Base) provides specialist support for visually impaired andhearing impaired students. This includes special programs such as personal travel plansto encourage students to gain independence in their lives. In fact our students engage asfully as possible in all aspects of academy life, as exemplified by one of our visuallyimpaired students succeeding as British and European Open champion at the BritishIndoor Rowing Championships in 2012!

www.langleyacademy.org

Enrichmentfor studentsAs part of providing students at the Academy with a widerrange of experiences, Enrichment takes places everyWednesday afternoon. We encourage students to try newactivities and with a wide range of clubs there is alwayssomething for everyone.

Clubs range from a wide variety of sports clubs such astable tennis, rowing on the lake, MMA fitness and golf toa range of other clubs such as Organic Gardening,cooking, art, languages and jewellery design. For a full upto date list please check our Enrichment website underthe parent section.

We expect all our Year 7 and Year 8 students to attendEnrichment sessions as part of their personal development.It is also open to older year groups, and many studentsfrom Year 9, 10 and 11 also attend Enrichment clubs.

Enrichmentforstudents

Enrichmentforstudents

With each of our six Houses linked to key foci, a special focus week runs each half term.During each of these weeks students undertake a wide range of inspiring activities.Science Week involves a range of exciting activities including building actual rockets,which they can then launch out in the playing fields up to 100m heights! DuringSustainability Week students have vigorously cycled bikes to generate electricity for theAcademy. Rowing Week sees students competing to make the most colourful dragonboat heads, and then using these in competitive races in the fields. This competitivesporting spirit continues in Cricket Week with inter-house competitions. Students arealways fascinated and amazed during Museum Learning Week, when they can experienceobjects which ignite their curiosity, such as when they have been able to play musicalinstruments used through different centuries.

Our rich programme of regular trips throughout the year ensures students experiencefantastic learning opportunities outside the classroom. 6th Form Physics students forexample have been able to visit CERN in Switzerland, as part of their A-Level studies, toexperience at first hand a place of discovery for leading edge Particle Physics. A studentsports tour of Barcelona helped inspire students sporting knowledge

With a wide range of sporting activities and clubs,students can always find a sport which they can enjoy ata competitive or leisure level. We have very successfulteams for both boys and girls in basketball, football,x-country, netball, rugby and rowing. Our rowingactivities have become increasingly popular, with ourstudents successfully taking part in a number of rowingcompetitions throughout the year.

As part of the Academy’s museum learning focus thereare several trips every month to museums and culturalheritage sites. This includes the River and Rowingmuseum in Henley, and various Art, Science and Historymuseums in London and also in Oxford. Continuallychanging objects in our ownmuseumdisplay cabinets inthe Academy atrium, ensure our students have a richengaging environment, which continually invokes theircuriosity and desire to explore and discover new learning.

www.langleyacademy.org

Our resourcesand facilitiesWhen The Arbib Foundation decided to sponsor The Langley Academy they commissionedrenowned architects Foster and Partners to design a building fit for education in the 21stCentury. A great deal of thought went into designing a building which would be an excitinglearning environment for all. A stunning entrance leads to an impressive atrium - the heartof the Academy – which provides fantastic views of the Academy including the museumdisplay area and its installations.

The open plan design means that from the West Wing Balcony you have an excellent viewof the whole academy and its wide range of specialist classrooms and facilities, includingthe Science Pods and our ICT study areas. As a Science Specialist Academy, we have avast range of scientific equipment and resources which enables us to deliver outstandingpractical science which keeps our students constantly curious, always exploring and everdiscovering new learning.

We have excellent sporting facilities with a large sports hall, several football pitches, anatural cricket pitch, external cricket nets and indoor cricket nets. Our own rowing boats andConcept 2 rowing machines allow us to engage our students in our key rowing focus bothindoor and outdoor at Dorney Lake.

With a number of specialist Art classrooms and a Drama Theatre/Dance Studio with seatingfor 230 people, our Creative and Performing Arts faculty are able to keenly promote the‘Arts’ in exciting lessons, across the curriculum and in public performances and clubs. Ourstudents and staff are privileged to have a recording studio of professional quality whichsupports Music, Media and enrichment opportunities.

Our Design and Technology classrooms have an excellent range of catering equipment,sewing machines, a range of wood work and metal work machines to ensure that all ourstudents have an outstanding experience at the Academy.

Our wireless network works across the entire building and the teaching staff and learningsupport assistants have their own laptops to support outstanding teaching. All rooms alsohave wireless multimedia projectors. Our large number of ICT suites and ICT study areasprovides students with excellent study and independent learning resources.

Our

resources

andfacilities

inform

ation

Other

useful

Other usefulinformationVisit our website www.langleyacademy.org to find the most current and detailed informationon other aspects of life at the Academy. Under the Parents and Students sections on thewebsite you will find lots of useful information including:

• Restaurant – menus, opening times, how students pay, free school meals etc• Uniform – the different items comprising our uniform, appearance rules, how to

order, pricing etc• Admissions – our policy, appeals process and timetable etc• OFSTED – our recent reports and survey links• Academy dates, timing of lessons and breaks during the day