Five Cornerstones of the Vision
24/12/09
The broad aspirations for our Learning Community are:
1. Enabling its young people to become ‘qualified' as successful learners, well-prepared for working life and the world of work, independent effective adults who contribute positively to society.
This will be achieved by providing broad educational experiences that prepare students for the world of work and the natural acceptance of lifelong learning, for personal interest, the maintenance of excellent employability skills and coping successfully with a constantly changing world. Students will be given opportunities which allow them to develop a wide range of skills, both for work and for their personal lives. Information Advice and Guidance is crucially important in this process and will be a key feature of the Learning Community, where students will be able to take advantage of interactive IAG programs, as well as advice from staff, employers, etc.
2. Developing a strong, and key, enterprising approach to learning and teaching.
The Learning Community will develop its own innovative approaches to teaching and learning, by its own staff and working with u-xplore colleagues. It wants to produce enterprising young people who have the qualities and characteristics to succeed in all aspects of life- personal, learning and work.
3. Supporting and recognising students' individual interests and needs, and enabling their successful inclusion in the Learning Community.
The Learning Community thinks it is important that it finds what is special about each person and personalises the provision for each student. This approach will enable the individual talents of students to be identified, captured and developed. The curriculum will be brought to life by using real and relevant content and contexts which stimulates student interest and may trigger specific aspirations.
The Learning Community will cater for the broad needs of its student population but in a way which will recognise the individuality of students, from age 0-19, building on the potential, interest and aptitudes of each one. There will be individual IAG for each student, and achievements in every area will be recognised and celebrated, The assessment systems will enable individual student progress to be monitored carefully and identify where, when and what praise and celebration is deserved or intervention is needed to help an individual student get ‘back on track'.
4. Using cutting edge technology in all areas of work.
The Learning Community wants to use technology to enhance the educational experience and opportunities for all students. It wants students to know and accept as normal the idea that learning can take place anywhere, and at any time.
It knows that children and young people enjoy using digital technology, accept it as the norm, have no fear of it and do not necessarily realise that they are learning while using it. However, lessons will use a range of different teaching and learning styles and methods. Digital technology will be used to enhance life skills, not replace them.
The Learning Community wants to enable all staff, the community and adult learners to develop high level confidence and skills, and will open its facilities and provide training to the community and adult learners to achieve this.
5. Promoting partnership working
The Learning Community believes it essential that its students and staff benefit from working with others, to bring in the outside world, make learning ‘real' and relevant, learn from others and enable others to learn from it.
The Academy will be a key agent for change and will work closely with many partners, in particular: lead sponsor u-xplore, Rotherham MBC, the Maltby Learning Community and Sheffield Hallam University. The Academy and u-xplore will develop teaching and learning resources in partnership with the Family of Schools. Rotherham MBC will provide challenge and the knowledge that comes from a Local Authority and its connection with the wider education world. The Maltby Learning Community will enable all staff to gain the knowledge and understanding which will permit them to build on students' previous educational experience. Sheffield Hallam University will support professional development for staff and others in the local community.