Clacton Academy Reawarded Flagship Status

July 7, 2017

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Clacton Coastal Academy has been awarded Flagship Status for the second time.

Inclusion Values

The key values and principles – courageous citizens in a caring community who are aspiring and accountable are understood and followed by all stakeholders. It is these key values that are at the core of all developments and policies introduced. The Clacton Coastal Academy underpinned by the key values are clearly inclusive values.

Commitment to Inclusion

I met with many members of staff during my visit and we discussed new developments and plans. Their enthusiasm and ambition for the Academy and its students was obvious as was their understanding and commitment to inclusion.

Inclusion remains at the heart of the Academy and is fully embedded in every part of school life.

Meeting the Needs of All Students

The focus is on developing a curriculum and pedagogy that will serve the needs of students at all levels and much thought has gone into this and is continuing. Similarly, the importance of having good quality teaching is well understood and every effort is made to support teachers and to help them improve their practice.

Carefully Planned Interventions

Interventions are carefully planned and are monitored for effectiveness. There isn’t any slack in the system in that only students who might benefit from specific or general intervention are involved. Staff who support these students are usually subject specialists and have been trained to teach small groups or individual students.

As part of the inclusive provision CCA has introduced a learning refocus hub that supports students for whom mainstream schooling is not appropriate.

Students Carefully Tracked

Students at all levels are carefully tracked throughout their school career and appropriate interventions are put in place for students who are falling behind in their studies. These are carefully targeted and measured for effectiveness.

Provision for Vulnerable Students

Despite the issues with regards to funding, the Academy has maintained and often extended its provision for vulnerable students. In addition, the Academy still maintains support for vulnerable families because they know that the Academy is often the only form of support they have. They also understand the need to support these families so they can support their children. This is part of the inclusion agenda. The values and principles of inclusion are expressed through the CCA way and are at the heart of the Academy. The new Principal has led the way in ensuring inclusion remains a priority for the Academy.

High Quality Provision for All Students

High quality provision for all students is the priority at CCA and everything is done to support them. Even though the Academy has had a challenging year, they have reorganised in such a way that children have not suffered. Maintaining staff morale in a time of restructuring is not easy and they have done well to get through this.

Numbers of EAL Students Increasing

During my visit, we discussed the fact that there are increasing numbers of EAL students often with refugee status being admitted into the Academy. Whilst there is a lot of pastoral support for these students, there is little specific EAL support provided because the numbers have been so low in the past. I suggested that EAL training and development might be a priority for action for them in the next academic year.

Student Voice

Student voice continues to be a priority and they continue to look for innovative ways to gather the views of students and to act on their suggestions. The student council meet regularly and along with other student voice groups within the Academy present their thoughts, plans and actions to the executive team as and when appropriate.

Think Reading

Think Reading is now being used to help improve literacy and the Academy is to be commended for their willingness to change programs when they feel it is not doing the job it was intended to do. If a change is needed, the decision is made and change happens. The Academy does not believe in doing things for the sake of doing them.

Google Activity Programme

Strategies must be effective if they are to continue. The innovative work with the Google activity programme across the Academy is an example of another creative side to the curriculum. This aspect continues to grow and develop and is proving popular with students and staff.

Feeling Positive About the Future

Developing and maintaining all school developments during such a difficult period has been a major task but they have come through it all positively and optimistically and are feeling positive about the future. This is a workplace that cares for staff at all levels and wants them to be fully included and to be happy in their work and strives to ensure that this happens.

Overcoming Barriers to Learning

I am happy to recommend that Clacton Coastal Academy retains its IQM Flagship status, they are an excellent example of an academy that is overcoming barriers and is including its community very effectively.

Find out more about the IQM Inclusive School Award

If your school is interested in obtaining the IQM Inclusive School Award or you wish to talk to a member of the IQM team please telephone:

028 7127 7857 (9.00 am to 5.00 pm)

or email: info@inclusionmark.co.uk for further details.

Want more information on the IQM Award? Click here to request your free IQM information pack.