1THE ELIZABETHAN ACADEMY |

MAGAZINE EDITION

Christine Horrocks, principal, with the Year 9 Debating Team “winners of the regional heat of the National “Up for Debate” competition and going on to the finals at Harrow in its first year

Collaborative English lesson

The Elizabethan is a medium-sized comprehensive in Nottinghamshire, with a mixed intake. Principal Christine Horrocks – upon her appointment as principal in 2015 –

coined a mantra reflective of her personal philosophy on teaching and newly implemented leadership structures at The Elizabethan: “It is all about the students”. Herein, Christine discusses her holistic approach to leadership, the school’s values-based ethos and her staunch advocacy of inclusive and equitable school policies.

I was appointed principal at The Elizabethan almost three years ago, having

previously been principal of a school in Lincolnshire. Some of my contemporaries

tried to persuade me not to join a school with budget issues, which was in the

bottom 10 per cent of schools nationally. I had, however, been a deputy principal

at the school previously, an experience which motivated me to continue at the

Elizabethan, whereupon I strove to further nurture their inclusive environment,

within which students were viewed as individuals and contemporaries.

As a school, we have cultivated these aspects of school life which have become

key markers of our school culture. Moreover, we have been forthright in improving

standards across the board. A focal issue in the school before I was appointed as

principal were low expectations and aspirations from some students and staff. The

drive on improving standards through quality first teaching and formalised wave

interventions has, indeed, been relentless, and staff and students have stepped up

to the plate.

We operate a Scholar’s Programme for our more academically able students and

have linked with businesses to raise the students’ sense of achievement and value.

REPORT CARD THE ELIzAbETHAN ACADEMY

» Principal: Mrs Christine Horrocks

» Year Founded: 1914 (converted to an Academy in 2012)

» Location: Retford, Nottinghamshire

» Type of School: 11-18

» No. of students: 887

» Own Cadet Force

» www.elizabethan.notts.sch.uk

The Elizabethan Academy

THE PARLIAMENTARY REVIEW

Highlighting best practice

2 | THE ELIZABETHAN ACADEMY

Staff have been empowered, and are expected to take responsibility for their own professional development. Where students or staff are not operating at a level they need to be, swift and decisive action is taken to provide appropriate monitoring and support. We run a talent management programme and have been innovative in finding ways to retain and ensure staff are developed. For example, our faculty leader in maths is a scientist, who is making an excellent job of leading in this area – with appropriate training and support. Moreover, staff have the opportunity for secondments with partner schools in the local area.

I want school to be challenging but also rewarding; I want staff to enjoy their work. We are making inroads into

staff wellbeing, but this is challenging

with current levels of funding.

I have tried to ensure that our values

are at the centre of everything I have

done as a leader in education, values

upon which, the Elizabethan Academy

has thrived. In many cases, trying to

invigorate established systems and

implement positive changes has been at

a cost. An example of this is when we

were dubbed to be a coasting school

by the DfE, a spurious allegation that

did not reflect the efforts and personal

sacrifices of my stalwart staff. We are

an inclusive school and exclusion is a

last resort. I am delighted that our latest

Ofsted inspection in May 2018, where

we were rated “Good”, recognised this

as a strength and that the new Ofsted

framework will investigate those schools

who are off-rolling or leaving students

in poor quality Alternative Provision.

Where necessary, we have tried to re-

engage students in imaginative ways

and through appropriate, high-quality

alternative provision. These students are

usually the most vulnerable in society.

They don’t achieve Progress 8 scores

which help in the performance tables,

but we passionately believe there is a

moral imperative to get them the best

qualifications and support possible,

often in very difficult and challenging

circumstances.

Our philosophy of believing education

is broader than a set of qualifications

ensures that we invest in the growth of

Dylan the Wellbeing dog assisting DEAR time

It is all about the students

We are an inclusive school and exclusion is a last resort

“ “

MAGAZINE EDITION

3THE ELIZABETHAN ACADEMY |

the individual through a host of extra

curricular programmes and an active

social calendar. Our extra-curricular

programme has expanded every year.

We have our own Combined Cadet

Force, a thriving D of E programme,

sports teams and debating club. We

have been awarded Gold Artsmark and

won Worksop Music Festival 12 years

in a row. For me, being out of your

comfort zone – whether performing

onstage or climbing to the top of

Kinder Scout – is how you develop

character and resilience. We have a

highly successful student leadership

programme and I consider some of

our student leaders to be integral parts

of my leadership team, who impart

invaluable knowledge and ground-

level feedback. Furthermore, we

endeavour to provide students with

the qualifications, skills and attitude to

be successful in the future. We have

a broad curriculum which celebrates a

comprehensive spectrum of the arts,

sport, and technology and provides

our cohort with a rounded and

meaningful education.

I spent part of my youth in India

and this demonstrated to me the

importance of education and high

aspirations and standards – not only as

a route out of poverty, but to increase

life chances. I was lucky; I had a family

who encouraged me and provided

me with a range of opportunities.

My father was ahead of his time

and believed women should be

independent and pursue careers that

fulfilled them. I am passionate about

promoting women into leadership

positions and we have a vibrant

programme at the school – launched

by Nicky Morgan at our conference

in 2015 – which benefits a variety of

schools in different counties, while

supporting and encouraging coaching

across schools in the local area. The

focus is developing leadership, and

introducing a culture of distributed

leadership has enabled the school to

really progress. I let everyone know when I have made mistakes, which, by virtue of honesty, enables others to do the same without fear of retribution.

being a stand-alone academy suits us, as we can make decisions quickly and we understand, and can respond to the issues in the local community. There is something very special is being able to work collaboratively and in partnership with different organisations of or our choosing, while retaining independence. My father once told me that if you leave the world a better place for one person, it is a life well lived. As teachers, we have the ability to enrich the lives of hundreds of people, what a privilege that is.

We celebrate the arts, sports and technology

“ “Geography lesson

Les Mis