• Carlington Anderson, Associate Principal, Northampton Academy (11-18 Mixed)
Northampton Academy has recently been graded Outstanding (Ofsted 2023). The report drew attention to ‘an impressive personal development and character programme enabling the school to achieve its vision to be an Academy of character and excellence’.
Their focus is on acquiring phronesis; doing the right thing at the right time for the right reason. The impact on progress (P8 is almost +1) and on reducing suspension rates has been phenomenal. Celebrating differences underpins the character curriculum, children bring their authentic selves to school.
Northampton Academy identified a set of virtues around which the programme is designed. These virtues are ‘Taught, Caught and Sought’ in bespoke lessons, across the curriculum and in every aspect of provision and daily interactions. Carlington describes the programme as ‘not another thing, it’s everything’. Students have a wealth of creative opportunities to seek their own character curriculum and complete their passports in order to graduate at the end of the year.
Enrichment activities are mapped against the virtues and there are a range of impactful student Leadership roles. ‘Pupils relish taking responsibility as school leaders’. (Ofsted 2023). For example the Junior Inclusion Team have a well-defined role in terms of evaluating and driving the inclusion agenda across the school.