principal's review
This review of the past year carries special significance being the first year of Macmillan Academy. Following 16 years as a City Technology College, the new designation was conferred hours before the start of this academic year in September.
A slightly different set of memoranda and articles, an upgraded website, a new logo, a new building under construction and an extensive refurbishment programme herald significant changes. However what follows in this review continues to represent an exceptional range of experiences for our students and a most impressive series of outcomes.
Traditionally we tend to start this review with the examination results. It is very pleasing to report that, despite last year’s remarkable achievement we have gone one better and we will look at each external examination year group in turn.
Key Stage 3 (Year 9)
All the reported subjects, English, Mathematics and Science had over 90% of students achieving Level 5 and above. That level is the national standard. What was particularly pleasing was the number of students who achieved higher than that at Levels 6, 7 and 8. Deserving of particular mention was the Mathematics department who managed to get 80% of the year group Level 6, 50% Level 7 and 20% Level 8. Many schools would not even enter students at such a high level.
Key Stage 4 (Year 11)
The figure for 5 A*-C at 93% matched last year’s results but what was even more impressive was that, on prior attainment, the Academy’s value added scores were recognised and in one national survey recently published we were the top school in the country. Here is the real achievement and it is a delight to see such attention being focussed on value added scores. Put simply, value added measures the gains made between Year 6 in primary school and Year 11 in secondary school. We have always considered this important looking at what achievement there has been in every individual teaching group.
Post-16 (Year 13)
At this age group we continue to perform better than other local schools. We are extremely proud of the fact that over 75% of our Year 13 students progress to University to create a real opportunity for their future careers.
So all in all the combined results we have achieved represent the best ever year since Macmillan College opened in 1989.
While a number of factors contribute to this type of performance, it is the relentless commitment to quality teaching to provide captivating learning opportunities for the students that stand out. That is achieved by a devotion to teaching expertise, time devoted to preparation and opportunities provided for staff to develop. Our skill in managing this is represented by our leadership of the Middlesbrough School Centred Initial Teacher Training Initiative (SCITT), where in partnership with other local schools we develop trainees in shortage subject areas. We ourselves have five teachers at Macmillan who trained on the programme and what is very pleasing is the number now employed locally as a result of the partnership.
Our record of high achievement does bring a range of accolades. We are a High Performing School with a range of specialisms. Many schools have one, some specialist schools and Academies can apply for two. We are particularly unique with the conferring of specialisms for Science, for Outdoor Education, for Vocational Education, a Training School and a Leading Edge School.
What does all this mean? Primarily an expectation that we share our expertise with others and that we find innovative ways of providing cutting edge experiences for the youngsters in our care.
Starting with Outdoor Education we build upon the Year 7 Outward Bound Personal Development course that has featured for so many years. The list below identifies what follows in subsequent years:
- A Year 7 and Year 8 watersports programme.
- A Year 8 John Muir Award where students develop an environmental understanding of wild spaces in the Lake District.
- A Year 9 Solid Ground programme focussing on decision making and creative thinking.
- Year 12 Leadership Development.
- A new climbing wall.
- A new High and Low Ropes challenge course which, together with the climbing wall, will provide facilities second to none in a British secondary school.
- A new expedition unit for the Duke of Edinburgh Award and camping expeditions.
The work undertaken in this area is governed by rigorous health and safety guidelines and that is something being extended to all other Academy areas. With over 1450 students on site and 211 adults this is understandably essential.
The Academy has made an exciting start to the Vocational programme where the focus is on giving students the skills employers want. Work has been undertaken with the Local Authority to set up local partnerships to deliver the government’s new specialised diplomas. We are participating in the Vocational Advantage Scheme effectively piloting the new diploma in Health and Social Care and are also planning Engineering diplomas. Our expertise has been used at national conferences and curriculum planning already undertaken indicates an innovative programme for the next year.
Training School
The focus here as the title implies is the continuing professional development of teachers. All staff training days are structured with teaching and learning as our priority and opportunities are created for staff to work together in departments on Wednesday afternoons. The selection of high quality training opportunities off site contribute to the development and a thorough performance review system with target setting completes the cycle. Newly qualified staff have specifically designed training for their first year and we continue this in Years 2 and 3 so that all staff new to the Academy can benefit.
Science
An outdoor classroom has been constructed with the help of a significant grant from the Astra Zeneca Science Teaching Trust. In the summer months, 64 Year 6 pupils made 3 visits to the Academy and experienced specific science activities to support transition from Key Stage 2 to 3. These included pond dipping, food chains, cell structure and soil Ph testing. The garden is maintained by an enrichment club – “Green Fingers” and was awarded a grant to purchase trees for planting during National Tree Week in November. Two further enrichments – Messy Science and Forensic Science are very popular.
Two Biology students successfully completed a Nuffield Bursary through the summer holidays and Emma Jenkins won second place for her project on ‘preparing a diversity action plan’ for Stewarts Park. Year 9 students, as part of the Crest Award, worked on building a robot to aid a disabled person in the home environment.
The government has just published a manifesto for learning outside the classroom. While many such initiatives carry increased work this is one which we can enthusiastically endorse. The learning outside the classroom appears to fall into separate categories and examples of each are shown below.
Experiences locally to support classroom work:
- Year 10 Health and Social Care students attended a Careers Advice day at James Cook University hospital.
- Post 16 students visited Upsall Hall for adults with learning difficulties, the Blind Centre and Butterwick Hospice.
All Year 8 students went to Robin Hoods Bay to discover how and why the coast is being protected from erosion – they were shocked to learn that the coast is home to so many dinosaurs!
- Year 7 students stayed in the immediate area, using ordnance survey maps supplied free, in order to pick out landmarks and practise simple navigation.
- Year 12 ICT students visited Hollywood Bowl – not for leisure, but to learn about the applications of ICT in the workplace.
- Year 11 Art students attended the Full on Futures Enterprise Workshops at Darlington FC stadium to be inspired by landscape architects, freelance artists and designers and local creative entrepreneurs.
- Year 8 students attended a History visit to Hartlepool Historic Quay and the Marina.
- A number of successful theatre trips were organised by the Drama department both locally and further afield in London.
- Year 9 and 13 students visited the many local avant garde venues which included video installations, photography and participating art forms such as the art games event in the Town Hall crypt.
- ‘A’ Level textile students visited the Harrogate textile show and the Bowes Museum while the fine artists collected ideas from the Laing Gallery and Baltic Mill Gallery in Newcastle and Gateshead respectively.
- Year 13 Sociologists attended a conference on crime in Durham learning about prison life.
- Year 11 students visited Durham University as part of their Easter revision programme.
- Post 16 students enjoyed the annual visit to London which included a tour of the Houses of Parliament and cultural landmarks of our capital city.
- Post 16 music students listened to the Bavarian Philharmonic Orchestra perform at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
- Year 8 Mathematics students attended master classes at the University of Teesside on Saturday mornings.
Residential Experiences:
- Year 12 Geographers carried out fieldwork at the Cranedale Centre collecting data for coursework on Malton as a market town, river work and the beaches and coasts of Holderness.
- Year 10 students explored the Yorkshire Dales National Park considering the conflicts arising between preservation and practical enjoyment of the countryside.
International Visits:
- Year 10 History students returned once again to the World War I battlefields of France and Belgium and produced a televised broadcast for the Armistice assembly in November.
- A geography visit to Paris included a journey to the top of the Eiffel Tower, a river boat tour on the Seine, a morning at the Louvre, the afternoon at Sacre Coeur and Disneyland Paris and a visit to the museum of Science and Industry on the way to the airport.
- Year 10 Language students visited France and 40 Year 8 students, having returned from northern Spain, experienced a Spanish breakfast in the dining room in order to raise cultural awareness.
- A netball and hockey team visited Holland for specialist coaching and to play International opposition.
- The wider world was brought much closer with the Guest Speaker at last year’s Awards Evening. Andrew Cooney, who holds the record for the youngest person to travel to the South Pole, spent time with Geography students before he presented Awards and signed the book prizes.
- One of our own students went on a once in a lifetime expedition to South America. The BBC came into the Academy to present an assembly and audition for the ‘Serious Andes’ series on CBBC. Kylie Mautenyane will be seen when the programme is broadcast on the BBC in the spring.
A number of departments condense the timetable on occasions to provide an extended experience:
In Year 9, Engineering Day students made model helicopters with the British Aero Modelling Club.
- Local businesses and industry staff ran work related workshops for Year 10 students. There was a competitive edge to the day with prizes for the most enterprising idea.
- Year 7 students enjoyed a successful, fun filled media day in June learning about film genres and film techniques such as cinematography and storyboarding.
- Post 16 English students had a range of experiences to assist their studies – theatre performances, a language revision day at Sheffield University, a film showing and a talk from a film critic.
- All Year 8 students took part in a Careers Day where they considered stereotypes of jobs and began to think about what skills and personality traits they had that would be useful for a particular career.
Throughout the year we attempt to acknowledge the specific weeks that nationally celebrate important items – there are a number including National Tree Week and National Science week:
- Year 7 English students enjoyed a week of library skills lessons and a week of reading game lessons. This boosts their knowledge and understanding of how the library resources can effectively be used to complement their studies and boost their access to reading for pleasure.
- During September, a European week of Languages enabled us to raise the profile of foreign languages with greater participation from all staff and students. It was an opportunity also to have special menus in the Dining Room.
- The dining room continues to develop a healthy eating regime and significant changes have been made in the course of the year through our commitment to quality food and drink and balanced diets. Year 8 students in assembly had a guest speaker to educate them about the benefits of eating organic food. They also attended a Junk Food Roadshow which made a big impression on the students. The ICT department also got involved with part of the DIDA programme looking at the five a day rule for healthy food.
Students are given many opportunities to display their talents:
- AS and A2 Drama students performed their examination work.
- The Summer Concert provided two hours of music and enabled all the enrichment groups to perform – the String Band, Concert Band, Junior Band, Choir and several students formed pop groups. This was the first performance of the new drum ensemble.
- The Concert Band performed at St Barnabas Craft Aid Fete which raised money for an eye clinic in Ghana.
- The Choir and Guitar group performed at James Cook Hospital in December.
- The Drama department organised a most successful Key Stage 3 Talent Show.
- The Under-16 Hockey team were most successful, finishing runners up in the County Under-16 League, Tournament and Cup. The under 14 side were also runners up in the County Cup and Tournament.
- The Rugby Academy were runners up in the Durham County Cup.
- For the sixth successive year we remain Middlesbrough Schools Athletics Champions.
- Year 7 and 8 students participate in Junior Maths challenges and Years 9, 10 and 11 students continue a successful trend securing certificates of merit.
- Over 40 students participated in a Hat Show assembly where they modelled their own creations made in their Art classes.
- A number of students continue to excel individually in their chosen sports. In rugby, football, hockey and athletics we have many students who gain representative honours at both District and County level. Some students have gone on to represent Tees Valley and North Yorkshire.
- One student took part in the Stockton Music Festival and won the Junior Piano Competition.
- To coincide with the town Mela, a number of staff, students and parents combined to put on a special evening of multicultural dance and fashion. The evening concluded with a spectacular mix of Asian and Irish dancing.
Students are always encouraged to remember those less fortunate than themselves and we contribute to charitable causes whenever possible:
- The need to change our uniform left us with over 1000 old CTC blazers which we collected and which are currently en route to a school in Uganda through our charity COCO (Comrades of Children Overseas).
- Post 16 students collected £325 for Think Pink Breast Cancer and additionally took the lead in a skin cancer awareness assembly along with Year 10 Health and Social Care students.
- Year 8 students took part in the TFM ‘Make a Child Smile’ Appeal, kindly donating new, unwrapped gifts to the radio station to be distributed as Christmas presents to underprivileged children in this area.
- Three students in Year 8 organised, then ran a fun run event raising over £100 for the charity COCO.
- The Post 16 Coast to Coast cycle ride raised over £1,000 for the Whizz Kidz Charity despite the appalling Easter weather.
We continue to take part in a number of competitions:
- Engineering students were runners up in the Cleveland Fire Brigade/Corus Steel Fire and Safety competition and were also runners up in the Young Foresight Design and Make competition at University of Teesside.
- Nine Year 8 students entered the Ideal Schools competition about Personal Learning and student voices. They produced commended entries.
- Six Post 16 students won the Management Challenge organised by Middlesbrough Football Club.
- The Debating Club entered the Mace and the Cambridge competition and continue to give a good account of themselves.
Specialists in their field often visit to endorse what we do:
- In English both Key Stage 3 and 4 students met visiting author Mark Robson, a popular children’s/fantasy adventure writer, currently in the running for the Blue Peter Fiction Award. He is scheduled to return in December for an action packed day of writing workshops, motivational talks and drop in chats.
- Cleveland Fire Brigade delivered an assembly to Year 8 on the dangers of bonfire night fireworks.
- Neil Bromwich gave a talk to Year 11 GCSE Art students about unusual art forms – one such was a glass bottomed boat.
- Former students who gave up their time to talk to Post 16 students about their university experiences on our Careers day.
- Year 9 students enjoyed a theatre workshop on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, focusing on key scenes from the play studied for SATs.
- Professional animator artist Cath Whippy worked with Year 9 Art students who were challenged to produce an animated film. The film now belongs to Middlesbrough Cultural Services department.
- Support was received from a local judge for the Mock Trial enrichment. This involves a fictitious case and students take on the roles of judge, prosecution and defence lawyers, court officials and act out a trial before a debate on the outcome.
In looking for the best, it is impossible for us to stand still and we work actively on innovation:
- A Media suite has been established as a second ‘Helpdesk’ dedicated to audio visual work. It is equipped with state of the art PCs with dedicated digital media software and is permanently staffed.
- Over 70 rooms are now equipped with data projectors or full interactive whiteboard systems – these more than anything permit the variation in resources to support learning.
- A small group of students were entered for GCSE Citizenship for the first time having studied two years of work in less than two terms of their own time. Their commitment and endeavour produced A*-C passes for them all.
- To enhance the raising of achievement, a passport to success was introduced in Year 9 while Year 11 students and parents had an evening on revision techniques.
- A group of Year 13 students was among the first cohort of students to study ‘A’ Level Critical Thinking and achieved considerable success with a 100% pass rate. Following on from this a group of Year 11 students are doing AS and the benefits of this course to other subjects will be significant.
Best practice initiatives were introduced over the course of the year. Healthy Eating has been considered important for a number of years and the ingredients for our meals are costed at a much higher value than the figures quoted in recent television programmes with well known cooks. The diet available is varied and created very healthily, much of it with organic produce. The Academy was at the forefront in the removal of fat, sugar, confectionery and fizzy drinks. Work has been completed in assemblies to reinforce the positive outcomes for making the correct decisions on food.
Partnership activities are very wide ranging. Reference was made earlier to the School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) partnership:
- A very large amount of sport in Middlesbrough continues to be organised and managed by Macmillan Academy staff, providing a quality sporting experience for students across the town.
- Post 16 Sports leaders are involved in teaching at local primary schools and officiating at sporting events.
- Cleveland College of Art and Design contributed to the Post 16 Art Studies.
- Specialist teachers work with Year 9 Ormesby students who visit our Engineering department.
- The Academy organised and ran a Design and Technology Project for Middlesbrough schools to improve assessment at Key Stage 3 as well as seminars for local teachers.
- Work took place with Middlesbrough primary schools delivering the Healthy Schools ‘Cook it’ project.
We have been eager to develop opportunities for both students and parents to contribute to the discussions that help determine Academy policy:
- We have restructured the Academy Council and increased the frequency of meetings.
- Parents get a termly opportunity to attend a Forum with the Principal.
- A new PTA committee of officers and committee members provide a very good opportunity for two way communication.
- The initiative shown by a student, Ross Johnston, who took it upon himself to draw up a petition to inform the Mayor of the dangers of the traffic flows outside our main gates, has been instrumental in a significant road redesign which will create a much safer environment on Stockton Road in the near future.
- The ICT department have been running an induction activity about how Year 7 feel after the first term.
Academy Badging:
The Academy adopted the new uniform badge and tie at the start of the academic year in September. The new logo design originated from student ideas and these were further developed with a small group of students visiting the design studios at MB Design in Market Rasen. Following agreement of the logo design, over 1,000 students participated in an on line vote for the best badge and tie designs.
Over the summer a great deal of work took place in producing the new Academy prospectus, new stationery and signage for the Academy. A major update of the website was also undertaken to incorporate our Academy status and new logo.
That talent in design has been apparent in many other respects but directed towards the opening of Middlesbrough’s new Museum of Modern Art (MIMA) in January. Art examination students took part in the first MIMA event which challenged them to show off and sell their work at a specially allocated market stall in MIMA gardens. GCSE students provided materials for ‘Youth at MIMA’ by expressing opinions over a meal and Godfrey Wasdale, the newly appointed Director of MIMA, fielded questions from ‘A’ Level Art students as they sketched his portrait during their lesson. One student’s design was chosen to promote the family friendly aspect of the new gallery with other students runners up in this heavily subscribed regional challenge.
Admissions:
As reported last year we experienced the change to our Admissions Policy where applications are made direct to the Local Authority. A greater number than ever applied but the biggest single change was the number of appeals. In the past, appeals could only be made if the process of admissions had been unfairly applied. Now anyone who does not get a place can appeal. The newly constituted Independent Appeals Panel became very busy considering in excess of 70 such appeals. It is reassuring to know that so many parents and children want a place – many who make their mind up after attending the Open Evening in September.
After five years mandatory schooling concludes in Year 11 very many students continue their studies in Post 16. Before the final decision is made a lot of hard work goes into making the GCSE year as enjoyable as possible and not just hard work.
A Fashion Evening involving several companies supplying clothes, hair and beauty products was undertaken and one fifth of the students in the year group were involved in the organisation. This is the precursor to the Annual Ball in May which had an Ice Palace theme. 230 students out of 234 attended the event and enjoyed a glorious evening which was in no way dampened by the torrential rain which marked their arrival.
The ‘Year Book’ provided a record of their years at Macmillan and contained 3 DVDs – a photographic record, the video clips of their 5 years and a recording of the Ball.
Everything reported here would be impossible without the commitment of the staff. Teaching staff and non teaching staff combine to great effect to ensure that students at Macmillan Academy are cared for, developed and encouraged. The standards achieved in activities, the range of experiences provided and the qualifications the students gain in what is such a positive environment can only be achieved with everybody working tirelessly to accomplish the very best.
The mission statement for the Academy was redrafted to reflect the very best in education. I hope the record provided here is testament to these key values.
K U Fraser
Principal
December 2006