A Brooke Weston School for You

2 | A Brooke Weston school for you

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Introducti onI hope you fi nd this leafl et useful in providing some key background informati on for the proposal to create a new school for the children and families of this area. This new school is sponsored by the Brooke Weston Trust. The Trust is committ ed to providing the highest quality of state funded educati on for students and communiti es.

The school will develop a curriculum which refl ects local need and aspirati on. We are committ ed to working creati vely with local partners to deliver the best possible service to students and parents. To support this aim there will be public consultati on process during which we will seek the views of stakeholders, which will help shape the programme.

Peter Simpson OBE, Executi ve Principal

Contents3 Introducti on4 Sponsors, Friends & The Brooke Weston Partnership6 Aims6 Objecti ves7 Experti se & Experience9 The Curriculum12 What’s it like at a Brooke Weston Partnership School?13 Community13 Uniform14 Conduct14 Admissions14 Governance16 Contact Details


Sponsors & The Brooke Weston PartnershipThe aim of the Brooke Weston Trust is to develop educati on for the public good and to provide experiences for young people matched to their needs, which, together with an ethos of high expectati ons, leads to high levels of achievement and personal development. The Brooke Weston Partnership is the operati onal arm of the Brooke Weston Trust. Providing the ‘on the ground’ resources to deliver the aims of the Trust.


AimsA new Brooke Weston Partnership school will be a place where:

� Students and staff strive to be the best they can

� Students develop the confi dence to be acti ve citi zens in their community and the wider world

� Enterprise and initi ati ve are qualiti es encouraged amongst staff and students alike

� Students learn and teachers teach in a safe and purposeful environment

� Students achieve the best academic outcomes possible.

Objecti vesThese aims will be achieved through:

� A curriculum where Creati vity, Energy, Learning by Doing, Personal Targets, Independence and Challenge are planned in to every lesson

� Developing a full range of learning, thinking and life skills

� Connecti ng school to the real world of work wherever possible

� Off ering a wider range of subjects and acti viti es than most schools

� Demanding the highest standards of presentati on from students and staff alike

� Nurturing close partnerships with the local community

� Providing lifelong learning and recreati onal services to the local community

The Sponsor’s objecti ves are to create a new school that will not only serve the needs of its students but which will contribute to the regenerati on of the locality by providing a range of extended services designed to promote an aspirati onal, supporti ve and caring community.

“First and foremost our students make us incredibly proud. Daily life is never dull and our students step up to the mark; achieving in the classroom, on the sports fi eld, in musical performances, social and community arenas. We expect great things of our students and they rarely disappoint.”

Member of staff (Brooke Weston)

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Experti se & ExperienceEducati onSupported by its sponsors, the Brooke Weston Partnership provides high quality educati on for students of all ages and abiliti es. Within our existi ng family of schools we already successfully manage an academy with a primary school phase, another which includes a large special school and a third with a large, high performing Sixth Form. Our experti se supports students of every age group and need from primary foundati on stage to university entry or employment.

We have a track record of moti vati ng and supporti ng all students. Well-trained professional staff collaborate across the Brooke Weston family share their experti se and develop good practi ce to ensure all young people in our care enjoy and achieve whilst at school.

Where the Principal Designate for the new school is also the predecessor Head; The Brooke Weston Partnership has the resources, experience, and experti se to support the new school and their “new” Principal to bring about the necessary improvements. The Brooke Weston Partnership will provide and facilitate workshops, using its successful operati ng academies as reference points to assist all new colleagues in developing bespoke structures and practi ces that will deliver improvement and transformati on.

“The school provides us with a ladder; it is up to us to climb it.”

Year 10 Student (CBA)

“Brooke Weston is known for challenging the orthodox in educati on. This approach to school management represents another occasion on which we are committ ed to developing new approaches in the quest to raise standards.”

Peter Simpson (Executi ve Principal)


Group Services from Brooke Weston PartnershipThe Brooke Weston Partnership has the capacity, people and the tools to provide ongoing strategic and tacti cal support, so that the new school can achieve its vision, improve outcomes and secure rapid progress. We fully recognise that every school is unique will require a carefully tailored support programme devised to compliment the strengths of the Principal or and the Senior Leadership Team. Our approach can best be summarised as being ‘by professionals, for professionals.’ This support may be in the areas of:

� Human resources: Recruitment, TUPE

� Financial Management: Payroll support, Budget preparati on, monitoring and audit.

� Training: Leadership development and CPD

� Project management: Project development, monitoring and reporti ng.

� Change Management: School improvement, School organisati on, curriculum development

� ICT management: Procurement and deployment

� Design and asset management: Built environment

“Children learn what they learn from all sorts of places, people and experiences. The adopti on and implementati on of the Internati onal Primary Curriculum has culti vated a sense of nati onality and culture while developing a profound respect for nati onaliti es and cultures of others, it has off ered them a fresh dimension to their learning.”

Anne O’Neill (Principal, KSA Primary)

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The CurriculumDepending on the scope of the opportuniti es in the local area, the Brooke Weston Partnership has the capacity and experti se to develop a curriculum for all stages.

Primary Phases:An exciti ng and challenging curriculum is the minimum right and need of our children. The future for our children is going to be very diff erent from our present.

Foundati on Stage will provide learning opportuniti es based upon the interests of the child and refl ecti ng the identi fi ed specialisms adopted by the new school. Knowledge and Understanding of the World will be central to themes and to planned learning opportuniti es. The foundati on stage curriculum will also include acti viti es designed to introduce children to the world of work and to support the development of enterprise skills.

Key Stage 1 and 2The new school will deliver the Nati onal Curriculum in Key Stages 1 and 2 exploiti ng a range of fi rst class resources to ensure excellent levels of progress and achievement. Children’s learning programmes will be tailored to the individual needs of each child with a strong focus on developing literacy and numeracy skills.

Secondary Phases:We believe that the individual student is at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. It is this core principle that pervades our curriculum approach. We fi rmly believe that educati on is the route to employment and we focus strongly on developing key skills for employability and further training in the world of work or Higher Educati on. To do this we believe in creati ng the conditi ons for achievement, personal responsibility, peer to peer collaborati on and leadership skills.

Key Stage 3At Key Stages 3 and 4 the new school will off er the full range of Nati onal Curriculum subjects with an emphasis on agreed subject areas and other acti viti es designed to add breadth to the curriculum. The Key Stage 3 curriculum will consist of a foundati on year with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy delivered with due regard to the new school’s curriculum specialisms followed by a two year programme.

“It is good here, people are friendly and I really like the practi cal subjects like science, DT and PE. I enjoy it here and there is always lots to do.”

Year 8 Student (Brooke Weston)


Key Stage 4The curriculum off ered in Key Stage 4 will incorporate a variety of core studies and opti ons of an academic and vocati onal nature. Students will have the opportunity to achieve the suite of qualifi cati ons in the ‘English Baccalaureate’. It will be supported, where necessary, by catch-up classes, individual tuiti on and extension acti viti es. It is strongly anti cipated that new school will take the lead in the introducti on and development of a new range of qualifi cati ons.

Post 16At Post 16, in additi on to off ering a range of A-level subjects the sixth form provision at the new school will conti nue and extend the vocati onal opti ons available in Key Stage 4. Developed in collaborati on with local partners the provision will include studies to at Level 2 and level 3; qualifi cati ons linked to work experience and the introducti on of ICT “vendor-based” qualifi cati ons.

Meeti ng Individual Needs:The new school will be committ ed to supporti ng the needs of all learners and providing appropriate challenges for all; supporti ng those students who may have special educati onal needs as well as those who are gift ed and talented. The Partnership has the capacity and experience to support and guide curriculum development across a range of needs including:

1. Mainstream Support: Students with special educati onal needs in all Partnership schools are supported and monitored carefully to ensure appropriate progress is made at all ti mes. Interventi ons are put into place ranging from tailored literacy support to social and emoti onal group support.

2. Designated Special Provision and Resource-Based Provision: Corby Business Academy incorporates the largest special school in East Northamptonshire within its secondary provision. It is a beacon for inclusive educati on where staff “care enough to challenge enough”.

3. Gift ed and Talented: The Brooke Weston Partnership has a well-established and extensive programme of “Saturday School Masterclasses” designed to inspire and challenge gift ed and talented students in various subjects.

“Our aim is that every child joining our family makes the very best of the opportuniti es we provide. We then put our best eff orts into educati ng, socialising, engaging, challenging and enthusing them so they emerge from their ti me at a Brooke Weston Partnership school as responsible, happy, confi dent and competent individuals, ready to make their way in the world.”

Trish Stringer (Principal, Brooke Weston)

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“The key to successful post 16 educati on is the partnerships forged between the student and the services they require to support their academic studies. Appropriate courses, personalised mentoring and pastoral support are necessary to ensure all students maximise their potenti al”

Marti n Campbell (Principal, KSA Secondary)

4. Alternati ve Provision: We recognise that someti mes a young person may need something diff erent to mainstream secondary educati on. The Partnership has led the way in pioneering a collaborati ve approach to alternati ve provision. Its ‘Triangle’ Service is made available to a consorti um of schools across the Corby and Kett ering area.

5. EAL: KSA Primary Phase: All Partnership schools are committ ed to making appropriate provision for teaching and resources for students for whom English is an additi onal language. We aim to ensure that all EAL students are able to use English confi dently and competently, using English as a means of learning across the curriculum. Classroom acti viti es have clear language development and learning objecti ves and appropriate resources are employed to ensure that students are able to parti cipate in lessons.

“The Partnership does not accept that poor behaviour is a barrier to learning, the Triangle provides an opportunity for the students to re-engage with their learning before returning to their school.”

Steve Ellis (Vice Principal Behaviour & Att endance, CBA)

“With over 15 diff erent languages spoken in the school and in some years up to 26% of pupils with EAL, the diversity of language and culture is celebrated across the curriculum. Specialist support is accessed to enable children and their families to engage at an appropriate level when English is not their mother tongue.”

Kelly Greaves (Inclusion Leader, KSA Primary)


What’s it like at a Brooke Weston Partnership School?When you walk into a Brooke Weston Partnership school you are struck by its business-like atmosphere and sense of focussed energy. Across the partnership each school in our family is different because we do not believe in a ‘one size fits all’ approach to school leadership and management. All our schools share a common set of ‘family values’ but we wish to see them as siblings not clones.

All Brooke Weston Partnership Schools strongly encourage students and staff to work as partners in a shared endeavour of achieving success. They share a common core of organisational features intended to foster a fair, caring and challenging learning environment.

For example, in our secondary phase schools there are no staff rooms - students and adults share the spaces within the building. They work, converse, dine and socialise together throughout the day. We operate a ‘business-like’ environment where there are mealtimes, but no playtimes. We find that having an uninterrupted school day means that students remain focused on their studies, avoid the disruption of unstructured time and go on to achieve. Students do of course socialise during breakfast and lunch breaks which are spent in our high quality restaurant facilities, surrounded by their peers and staff.

Daily life at a Brooke Weston Partnership school is never dull. Across the family of schools our students aspire and are ambitious; achieving in the classroom, on the sports field, in musical performances, social and community arenas. Providing opportunities with high

expectations for our students to engage with and achieve is central to our climate of challenge and leadership. Likewise, our staff are exceptionally committed, professional, competent, enthusiastic and supportive.

We prioritise providing a high quality working environment in all our schools as a statement of our ethos of equality and commitment to students. Whether the learning is taking place in a £30 million Norman Foster designed Academy or a meticulously refurbished primary school, we ensure that technology-rich working environment compliments the culture of success and services the aspirations of our students.

Good, honest relationships are at the core of any strong family. Working or studying at any Brooke Weston Partnership School is a special experience which builds trust and self-confidence for everyone. The genuine partnership between students and staff, the opportunities offered and the inspirational learning environment all combine to help our young people flourish as confident, independent and well qualified young adults with the social and academic skills that will last them a lifetime.

“You work really independently and are treated like an adult here at Brooke Weston. You feel you are respected and people trust you to do things.”

Year 10 student (Brooke Weston)

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CommunityThe new school will play a full part in contributi ng to the wider life of the community. An extended school day with arrangements for students to arrive early and remain unti l 6.00 pm each working day will provide the cornerstone of this provision. The range of existi ng weekend and holiday acti viti es will be extended and will include sports coaching, catch-up classes, masterclasses for gift ed and talented students and cultural acti viti es designed to augment the core service. Help and support for parents will be designed to promote and support family and community cohesion.

The existi ng community will have already built strong relati onships with its stakeholders. The new school will build upon and extend these links by providing a range of services tailored to support and extend the aspirati ons of the community operated in collaborati on with other local agencies and organisati ons.

UniformLike the best businesses, the new school will have high expectati ons of everyone who works in it. All students will be expected to do their best and to exploit their talents to the full. Students will wear a school uniform and in the Sixth Form formal offi ce dress such as that likely to be worn for a job interview will be demanded. A similarly formal dress code will apply to staff .

“The uniform is a huge improvement because the blazers make the pupils look much smarter. If you dress smartly, you feel smarter and more ready to work. My children are very happy at KSA.”

Parent with two children at KSA


ConductStudents make better progress emotionally and intellectually when they are cared for as individuals. A climate of good student behaviour begins with the provision of an appropriate and relevant curriculum for each individual and clear expectations of conduct in lessons and around the school. The Brooke Weston Partnership “Routines 4 Learning” and “Classroom Charter” reinforce this important message on a lesson by lesson basis.

Every student behaves in a manner that is strongly influenced by the expectations of others, especially their peers and their teachers. Where expectations of conduct and commitment to study are clear and consistently high, then behaviour, discipline and respect for others are inevitably better than where these elements are lacking or dilute.

Such expectations are communicated in a variety of ways, including appearance. Students will wear a smart school uniform and Sixth Form students will be in formal office dress. Similarly, all staff working at the new school will continually communicate the high expectations of the institution through their own appearance, behaviour and treatment of others.

“The ethos of the Academy promotes positive attitudes and bullying is not tolerated. Surveys of our students indicate that they feel the Academy is a safe and caring place in which to learn.”

Pastoral Support Officer (CBA)

AdmissionsThe admission procedures will conform fully to the DfE Code of Practice and will form a part of the Local Authority co-ordinated admission arrangements.

GovernanceThe new academy will be operated by the Brooke Weston Trust, but the new school will have its own governing body.

The governors will include:

� An elected parent

� An elected member of staff

� A representative of the local authority

� The Trust’s Chief Executive

In addition it is anticipated there will be a range of other governors drawn from the local community.

Interested parties can additionally express their views on the proposal by writing to:

Peter Simpson OBE - Executive Principal

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Consultati onThe following stakeholders will be prioriti sed in the consultati on process and should be off ered the opportunity to take part:

� Prospecti ve parents and students – both within the immediate vicinity of the new school building and more widely from local primary schools

� Local primary schools – Governors, Head Teachers and parent bodies

� Local educati on stakeholders

� Local secondary and special schools

� Professional Associati ons

� Local Agencies – Police, Welfare Organisati ons, Faith groups etc.

� Local community leaders – business, community groups

� Local politi cal community – MPs, Councillors

� Local media

� Councillors and key offi cials

Copyright © 2011 Brooke Weston PartnershipAll Rights Reserved

Design: Heppdesigns.com

Contact DetailsBrooke Weston PartnershipCoomb RoadGreat OakleyCorbyNorthantsNN18 8LA

t: 01536 397000f: 01536 742804

w: www. brookewestonpartnership.orge: [email protected]

A Brooke Weston School for You

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