Outstanding Academy Award

sponsored by Kumon
Awarded to the specialist academy that can demonstrate outstanding progress both in its specialisms and in general education.

2011 Winner: Globe Academy, London

Over three years Globe Academy has successively improved its GCSE grades, including during the period of adjustment from its predecessor school into the Academy in September 2010. Results are revealing. In 2009 grades for five-plus GCSE’s at A*-C, including English and Mathematics, stood at 35 percent; that increased to 45 per cent in 2011. For any combination of five GCSE’s at A*-C, a more significant 50 rising to 84 percent in 2011. The broader picture revealed commercial potential in the recent Design Museum’s Virtual Ventura Award to students, while the Academy was the only UK school to host a visit from President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron.

Commended

Longfield Academy, Kent
Academic results for Longfield Academy in 2011 – doubling in just two years – included 98 percent of students achieving five-plus A*-C GCSE grades, with 40 percent including English and Mathematics. Qualification success has led to the vast majority of students who apply to university for places achieving their aim. The Academy’s innovative technique helps generate student enthusiasm, which is suggested by being the first UK school to adopt iPads school-wide.  That technology boost, combined with Longfield students winning the ‘Bite the Ballot’ Dartford Debate, where they discussed how to improve political participation, are indicators of forward thinking and real world engagement. 

Trinity Academy, Doncaster
In barely six years Trinity has made great strides across Key Stages 3 & 4, English Baccalaureate, the five GCSE A*-C grades including English and Mathematics and, especially, at Sixth Form level. In 2007 Trinity was acclaimed the Most Improved Academy; more recently with an SSAT award, for excelling over 2006-9. The Grade 1 award in a national assessment of their ALPS performance followed, revealing top tier ‘added value’ in foreign languages, religious studies, law and food technology. The business specialism is apt for a one-school-town with regeneration plans. Trinity has been regularly commended for its students’ work both onsite and in the community.

Bristol Metropolitan Academy, Bristol
In no time at all Bristol Metropolitan Academy has been ranked one of the fastest improving schools in the country, with 85 per cent of its students achieving five or more GCSEs at grades A*-C in 2011 – substantially greater than was expected just one year on. Elevated from an unsettled past, behaviour priorities were set to turn the school around, especially by working to a very tight 12-month agenda for raising Year 11 attainment. That led to 39 percent achieving five GCSE’s, exceeding their tough target of 35 percent. While crafting a new curriculum, the backing direction from resilient and flexible teachers was a critical feature leading to student demand for more success once they had tested their capabilities.

Barnsley Academy, Barnsley
Barnsley Academy’s students pushed the boundaries to achieve their best ever results since 2008 with 54.1 percent securing five A*-C grade GCSE’s, including English and Mathematics. Set against that jump from 14 percent four years ago, it confirms a steadily strengthening performance. A persistent leadership focus on pupils achieving their potential, for however long it took, aimed to make positive changes take root despite earlier challenging circumstances stemming from its predecessor school put on ‘special measures’. The single-minded Academy is now striving for more than 60 percent of students to attain five-plus GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and Mathematics.