New Academy : New Start

The John Madejski Academy, Reading is part of the DFCS Academies Programme which is designed to raise the level of attainment in England’s inner cities. Academies are a new type of school – they bring a distinctive approach to school leadership which draws
on the skills of sponsors and other supporters.

The Academy provides a first-class learning environment for local students, bringing together teaching staff of the highest quality, state-of-the-art building design and the very latest in new technologies. The Academy has
capacity for approximately 1100 students aged 11–18, and it offers a broad-based curriculum centred around its specialist field – sport. The Academy provides a first-class learning environment.

Academies are funded directly by central government. All places in Academies are free and there is an admissions policy agreed by the Governors.

The Academy, although working in partnership with the Local Education Authority, is independent of this body and is established by an agreement between the DFCS and the sponsor, John Madejski OBE, DL. The Principal, Catherine Shaw, has day-to-day responsibility for the running of the Academy, supported by Trustees and a Governing Body consisting of local community representatives, parents and business people.

Curriculum Innovation:

The ethos, values and aims of the John Madejski Academy are underpinned by the Every Child Matters agenda and by sporting excellence. The overall design of the curriculum reflects the character of the Academy and supports its aims and values.

The Academy provides a broad, balanced curriculum for all students, while developing innovative and creative approaches to both teaching and learning, making education more relevant and interesting. New and exciting learning opportunities plus personalised learning programmes that recognise individual needs, aptitudes and interests all build towards maximising
student success.

The curriculum also supports one of the Academy’s main aims – equipping students with the knowledge and skills required for successful living in the 21st century. The teaching and learning experiences offered will help to foster a range of personal qualities – problem solving, self discipline, trust, responsibility, cooperation, self confidence, independent learning – in a drive to raise achievement across the ability range.

The Academy offers a range of academic and vocational courses to suit students of all abilities. Included are opportunities to follow a work-based learning programme or a vocational option course at Thames Valley University. All students have access to a core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science and Physical Education.

I feel extremely privileged to be part of the John Madejski Academy and together with a dedicated team of staff I will strive to provide the young people of Reading with an exciting and creative learning environment.

We work with the students, parents, staff and Governors
to determine our core values. Top of the list will be ‘learning
comes first’ – all students will achieve their full potential.

Sport is our specialism. We are also proud to offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities including music, drama, visits, enterprises and community links which provide young people with a host of opportunities for personal development and enjoyment.

The John Madejski Academy is working towards good partnerships between teachers, parents, students and Governors, searching for excellence and adding value to everything we do.

We strive to provide ‘quality learning and quality care’
and therefore we put great emphasis on rigorous
academic teaching underpinned by a pastoral and guidance system that provides a caring, disciplined
and structured environment.

Catherine Shaw

The curriculum is organised into seven learning areas, known as Directorates

1. The Arts (Drama, Art, Media and Music)
2. Language and Communication (English, Modern Foreign Languages)
3. Maths and Science
4. Physical Education and Sport (including Dance)
5. Technology (Food, Resistant Materials, Design and Graphics)
6. Anthropology
7. Vocational and IT

In addition, students follow a programme of enrichment (of which they need to complete 38 hours over the year). A range of learning activities taking place through the week is provided in each learning area into which students opt. These hours go towards the JMA Diploma. Each year students need to gain 250 points to graduate to the next year group. Students collect points from their attendance, research qualities, reward points and progress points in each subject. At the end of the year we have a graduation day, attended by family members, where students are presented with their certificate.

The Academy operates a ten-day timetable cycle with the time allocated across the Directorates per year group as shown on the following two pages. The day is broken down into three sessions (2 x 2 hours and 1 x 1 hour).

The curriculum framework allows Directorates to be flexible and creative in their use of time and facilities. A two-hour session could contain several short sessions or a longer session. Alternatively, it could involve a whole-group session, with students then breaking into smaller groups and different areas. This depends very much on the content covered within a module of work.

The innovative design of the new Academy building provides flexible learning spaces that facilitate a move away from traditional classroom sessions. Extensive new technologies throughout the Academy support this type of curriculum in conjunction with the Learning Resource Centre.

The Directorates are working towards a modular curriculum. This will maintain a brisk pace of work and provide regular end-of-module assessments to inform planning, monitor student progress and set targets.

The Academy specialism of PE and Sport is used to facilitate a culture of achievement and success among the students. The Academy will become a recognised centre of excellence in this chosen specialism.

Pastoral Organisation

The Academy prides itself on the comprehensive support offered to all students through the academic tutoring programme. A highly-qualified and experienced team of academic tutors, led by four Heads of Schools, provide day-to-day contact and support for all students. An extended tutor period of 40 minutes is timetabled at the end of each day with two adult tutors supporting small groups in a vertical tutor system.

The tutor is a critical first contact and support for each student should they need individual attention or home-Academy liaison. Parents are encouraged to contact
the Academy whenever they have concerns, social or academic, about their child. Often it will be the tutor who is the first contact. Tutors have responsibility for the
whole child and they focus on supporting social and academic progress through regular tutorials and target-setting exercises.

Students are placed in one of four Schools upon arrival at the Academy, each School has a name associated with a Greek theme. There is an essential element of healthy competition developed through regular internal sporting fixtures and other events, which provide all students with an opportunity and responsibility to represent their School.

For full information about the whole Academy download our new prospectus (3.2Mb pdf)