Information forprospective staff

All aspects of the academy’s work are outstanding, its vision encompassing the whole community.

Ofsted 2011

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I am delighted to invite you to consider one of the posts we have on offer at The City Academy, Hackney. I am confident that you will be impressed with the academic standards, behaviour and ethos we have established since we opened. We have created a high-quality Academy with the highest levels of achievement and self-discipline, and a broad, dynamic curriculum designed to help students achieve the highest personal and academic standards. The City Academy, Hackney is a centre of excellence.

We expect students to work hard and to show dedication and commitment to the Academy’s rules. There are clear boundaries about the responsibilities of students both in terms of their conduct, and their self-respect and respect for others. In return, The Academy provides them with an excellent education both in terms of examination success and personal development helping them develop all the skills and values they will need to be successful in later life.

We have two excellent sponsors, accountancy firm KPMG and the City of London Corporation, who both have first class track records in supporting education. Our shared vision is to provide a professional ethos,that gives students the confidence, skills and ambition to move on to the wider worlds of higher education and work.

We are looking for ambitious staff who are enthusiastic, hardworking, conscientious and energetic individuals. We want people who want to work with young people, to ensure that, regardless of gender, ethnicity and economic circumstances they achieve to the best

Message from the Principal

of their ability. In return we offer a range of staff benefits and development opportunities. You will be able to learn from some of the best and most able practitioners in the country. All of our staff are experts in what they do with a wealth of talent and experience in what makes an ‘Outstanding’ school. There is a far reaching commitment to ensuring that all of our staff are given the access to excellent development and induction programmes. There is also a clear imperative, driven by Senior staff, to minimise bureaucracy and maximise impact, which to date has been hugely welcomed by staff and produced outstanding results for our students.In addition to working in such a positive and successful Academy, there are also a set of more tangible benefits for our employees (see page 11).

The City Academy is a very special place to work. If you think you want to join us in creating an exceptional Academy which transforms the opportunities for the community we serve then I would love to hear from you.

Mark EmmersonPrincipal

Message from the Principal

School context, aims & Ofsted

Our curriculum & sixth form

The learning environment

Staff benefits

Contact

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The Academy’s core values which emphasise achievement, enjoyment and respect are also having a positive impact on students’ lives.Ofsted 2011

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Context Our mission

Our values

We aim toOfsted

The academy opened in September 2009 in purpose built, award winningaccommodation. About 90% of students live within 0.5 miles of the academy. Onopening, the academy began to admit students from the beginning of Year 7 and now has 727 students in Years 7 to 10.

Almost 40% of all students are known to be eligible for free school meals, which is well above the national average. Almost a third of students have special educational needs, of these 34 have statements. A high proportion of students are from minority ethnic backgrounds and many speak afirst language other than English, although none are at the early stages of English language acquisition. The academy is fully representative of the rich diversity of cultural heritage in the local community.

At the beginning of Year 7, most students enter the academy with standards of attainment which are below average. Those students currently in Year 8,9 and 10 have reached standards which are above average for their age.

Our mission: to develop highly qualified and skilled young adults who achieve to the best of their ability, display the highest standards of professionalism and are ethical, active citizens fully committed to supporting their local and global community.

Since opening in 2009 we have achieved two ‘Outstanding’ grades from Ofsted (January 2011 and January 2012). We were judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in every category and Ofsted were so impressed that they are promoting our work as best practice across the country in a forthcoming, national publication.

Please see our website to read the report in full.

lead by example

work together

respect individuals

dedication to learning and achievement

commitment to communities

honesty, openness and fairness

provide a high quality education for students in Hackney and pioneer educational innovation

offer a curriculum that is enjoyable, challenging and relevant

enable students to fulfil their potential and participate fully in society

raise standards and aspirations for young people

build partnerships between local cultural organisations, business and educational communities

Teaching is skilled, creative and of consistently high quality so that students’ progress is rapid.Ofsted 2012

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Our curriculum Sixth FormThe City Academy, Hackney ensures all students have the essential skills to achieve in later life and opportunities to excel in every subject. The Academy provides:

All students follow the national curriculum unless The Academy (in consultation with students and parents) feels they would benefit from not doing so.

Key Stage 3 and accelerated pathways

All students follow a two-year programme in the core subjects and begin GCSEs in English, maths, biology, chemistry and physics in Year 9. Foundation subjects are taught over three years, with the majority of students completing Key Stage 3 at the end of Year 9.

Key Stage 4 curriculum

All students study GCSEs in English, maths and science, and there is a wide selection of GCSE options across the remaining subjects. We also offer a range of other qualification options including AS level. The vast majority of students will follow the English Baccalaureate in Key Stage 4.

For more information, please refer to our secondary prospectus and website.

The next stage of the school’s development is to build a strong, high-achieving sixth form where students, parents and teaching staff are committed to outstanding outcomes. From year 7, students at The City Academy, Hackney are encouraged to consider university as the expected outcome of their education and to that end are all taken to visit Cambridge University in their first few weeks at secondary school. Our successful sixth form applicants will be required to meet rigorous entry requirements in order to access the academic A levels that will be available. A level courses that give students access to Russell Group universities will be offered and new staff recruited this year may be teaching A level in two years time. Applications are welcome from staff with sixth form experience.

The City Academy, Hackney will offer a broad range of academic subjects and students will be expected to conform to the professional working environment that has been engendered since year 7. Students will have a professional dress code and in addition to the intervention, support and careers advice that will be on offer, volunteers from our sponsors, the City of London Corporation and KPMG, will mentor some students throughout their two year course. We have room for 120 students in our sixth form and expect to be able to fill that with existing students, although students from other schools should still apply.

For more information, please refer to our sixth form prospectus and course guide, available Summer 2013.

a strong core curriculum that supports literacy and numeracy

a range of learning pathways to offer support and challenge gifted and talented students

links between subject areas, offering innovative and stimulating learning experiences.

Award-winning architectureOur permanent home, on Homerton Row, is an inspiring building designed by award-winning architects - winning the Hackney Design Awards 2010. Our students were involved in the design process and the building incorporates lots of their ideas. Our classrooms hold no more than 24 students, ensuring small teaching groups.

The learning environmentWe have a range of specialist educational facilities including:

theatre with a professional sound and lighting system

sports hall, fitness suite and dance studio

multi-use games area including AstroTurf

well equipped library and resource centre

industry standard teaching kitchen

open-plan art rooms with creative facilities such as kilns and printing presses

design and technology workshops, fitted with both traditional and modern engineering equipment

cutting-edge ICT provision including both Apple and PC suites.

hi-tech science labs equipped for practical, experimental learning.

The Academy has ‘very high standards and expectations’. It is these which have provided the impetus for excellence.Ofsted 2012

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Staff benefits

Investors in People - Gold

The Academy offers all its staff a range of benefits including:

Performance management award - an additional flat rate payment of up to £300 per employee (subject to funding).

Employee Assistant programme - free, confidential information, support, counselling and advice - 24 hours a day.

Cycle to Work scheme - loan a bike and safety equipment as a tax free benefit by paying no VAT and saving on tax and NI.

My Work offers - providing special offers, lifestyle discounts and savings for Academy employees including shopping vouchers, holidays, discount tickets and much more.

Childcare vouchers - are exempt from paying tax and NI. You could save up to £100 per month, giving you more money to get the kids what they want.

Eye care vouchers - employees using a VDU can apply for a free eye examination as well as receive a pair of Pentax CR39 single vision glasses or a contribution towards upgraded frames.

Employer pension contribution - Teachers pension scheme (Teachers)Local Government Pension scheme (Support staff)

Season ticket loan - employees are entitled to apply for an annual, interest free season ticket loan for travel.

Free Health and Fitness - full access to The Academy’s fantastic gym and fitness facilities.

Free lunch - for staff who dine with students.

The staff are led by Principal Mark Emmerson, whose clear vision, enthusiasm and determination have been fundamental to the development of The Academy. Staff share a strong commitment to the ethos and values that support our success.

We believe the success of The Academy is dependent upon providing a structured and safe environment, rich and varied curriculum, consistency in behaviour management, rules, routines, quality of teaching and learning, excellent subject knowledge and consistent assessments.Students say they greatly appreciate the way all staff support and help them, whilst Personal Advisers play a significant role in monitoring progress and wellbeing.

In 2011, The Academy received the Investors in People Gold Award in recognition of our committment to the wellbeing of our staff; supporting a motivated, productive and innovative workforce and working environment.

Support staff and teaching staff are on the same level, there is no divide – its very motivating.Investors in People

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The City Academy, HackneyHomerton Row,London, E9 6EA

020 8525 5440

recruitment@thecityacademy.org

www.thecityacademy.org

Principal: Mark Emmerson

Chair of Governors:Dawn Elliott

The City Academy, Hackney is sponsored by KPMG and the City of London Corporation.

The City Academy, Hackney is a registered company. Registered in England No. 6382192Registered office: PO Box 270, Guildhall, London, EC2P 2EJ.

Registered with the Charity Commission in England and Wales. Charity No. 1121963

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