Assessment
We fully subscribe to “Assessment for Learning” (AfL) and staff have undertaken considerable training in this area. The central idea is to equip students with the capacity to take charge of their learning through developing self-assessment skills. Our Data and Assessment Manager is working closely with an experienced Assistant Principal to ensure our information is accurate and relevant.  The Academy’s Management Information System (SIMs) is accessible to all staff and provides online access to relevant data.

Gifted and talented students
Gifted and Talented Students at the Academy are identified via:

• National Curriculum tests
• Baseline data 
• Ability profile tests 
• Subject teacher nominations 
• Work sampling 
• Creativity tests
  

Curriculum provision is extended through a range of enrichment activities. Recent initiatives have included workshops in forensics and sports sciences at Lincoln University, modern foreign language courses and meeting with Russian cosmonauts.

Personal, health, social, citizenship  and Enterprise Education (PhscEE)
We are currently delivering programmes of study in Years 7 – 11. From 2009, PHSCEE will be delivered by a team of specialist staff. All students will pursue a suite of accredited qualifications (with GCSE equivalence) from Year 9 onwards.

Parental Consultation
From 2009, our main consultation event will be “Review Days”, where parents will be able to come into the Academy at an agreed time and talk to their child’s Progress Tutor. Comprehensive assessment data will be available to support the discussion,  where the emphasis will be on agreeing a number of priorities for action to help the development of  the student’s academic performance. Please note – parents will still be able to meet with subject teachers, throughout the year where this proves necessary.

We are currently working on a range of initiatives, which will provide parents with access to a wide range of online performance data. This will be accompanied by extensive teaching and learning material enabling parents to understand precisely what their children are studying and what step they can take to support them. Parents have a presence  at the Board of Governors through their elected representatives. We want to extend this influence and invite comments and ideas on how we can improve the service we offer. In addition to our existing questionnaires, from 2009 we are introducing “Parental Focus Groups” to facilitate discussions  and encourage feedback from parents.