Prospectus

Achieving success through Motivation, Knowledge and Skills.

Latest public examination results

GCSE

5 + A* - C Grades (inc. English and Maths)

49%

5 + A* - C Grades 80%

Post 16 - A Level Results (not inc General Studies)

A*/A Grades 22%

A* - B Grades 55%

The individual care, support and advice students receive are integral to the Academy’s ethos and are of a high quality. OFSTED, December 2013

ABOUT US2

WELCOME TO YATE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMYChoosing the next step in your child’s education is such an important decision, and one that cannot be left to chance. It is important that you are able to gather as much information as possible in order to make the ‘right choice’. By choosing Yate International Academy you will ensure your child benefits from fantastic learning experiences and opportunities that are available at our Academy.

Students entering Yate International Academy in September 2015 will be greeted by a stunning three-storey building with first-rate facilities. £16 million was invested in replacing the old buildings of King Edmund Community School in order to transform the learning environment and inspire our students. The Academy now boasts some of the finest facilities in South Gloucestershire.

As part of The Ridings’ Federation of Academies, we have the infrastructure in place to deliver the very best for all the young people we serve. As our vision statement, “Achieving Success through Motivation, Knowledge and Skills” states, we aim to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to develop their individual talents and aptitudes, both within and beyond the classroom.

The Academy is a vibrant community that is dedicated to investing in your child’s future.

We thank you for sharing an interest in our Academy and we look forward to welcoming you and your child into our community.

Yours sincerely

Mr R J Gilbert Academy Principal

Top Facilities • Bright classrooms with hi-tech

learning provision• 60-seat STEM theatre and

240-seat auditorium• Vocational centre with fully

equipped hair and beauty salon, workshops and construction yard

• Photography dark room and the latest media software

• Top quality all-day canteen • Contemporary fitness gym and

large sports hall• Dance studio• 4 tennis courts • Newly completed floodlit 3G

all-weather pitch

YIA PROSPECTUS 3

ABOUT US4

WHY COME TO YATE INTERNATIONAL ACADEMY

• £16 million campus and sports facilities completed in 2012

• A safe environment where students feel cared for

• A broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of students

• Creative department with fully equipped music facilities, drama studio, photography dark room and art rooms

• Specialist vocational facilities

• A supportive learning community

• Participation in overseas Charity work

• Teachers dedicated to learning the individual needs of every student

• Students have achieved places at top universities including The University of Cambridge

• Fantastic alumni includes gold winning gymnast Shanie-Redd Thorne, professional footballer Cole Skuse, Professor Dale Southerton, and Headteacher Faye Bertham.

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LIFE @ YIA

LIFE @ YIA6

TRANSITION TO YEAR 7

A WARM WELCOME TO NEW STUDENTSAt Yate International Academy, we make the transition to Year 7 as smooth as possible. There is a dedicated Head of Year 7 who is responsible for the transition arrangements for incoming students.

During the summer term, our Transition Leader visits all future students at their primary school to discuss the exciting opportunities that await them and answer any questions they may have.

We also have discussions with all primary schools in order that the best provision can be made for our incoming students. We welcome any questions from parents so that we can make the transition from primary to secondary a stress-free experience for all concerned.

In June, Year 6 students spend two taster days at the Academy where they meet their new mentor and classmates in preparation for September. Mentors act as the first point of contact for pastoral matters for students.

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LIFE @ YIA8

Classrooms All classrooms are fully equipped with the latest in-class technology, including interactive

whiteboards and projectors.

Most classrooms are flexible spaces to allow for different learning styles. Staff can also reserve full-class sets of laptops, netbooks, and iPads to bring an extra dimension to their lessons.

STEM TheatreOn the ground floor of the Academy is the specially designed STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) Theatre, which seats up to 60 students for interactive sessions, seminars and lessons in the STEM subjects.

Dark Room and Media SoftwareYate International Academy is fully equipped for the aspiring photographer or media mogul, with

a fully functional photography dark room and high specification iMac computers with the latest Adobe Creative Suite software and video editing suites. Perfect for any creative project, these

state-of-the-art facilities have already been well utilised by our students.

Dining facilitiesOur new café is second to none, serving healthy food all through the day. Students arriving early to the Academy can enjoy a wide choice of food for breakfast, followed by delicious snacks at break time and a filling, hot lunch in the afternoon.

Auditorium The impressive auditorium at the core of the Academy can play host to audiences of up to 240

people for concerts, drama performances and lectures.

BOUNDLESS OPPORTUNITIES

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Hair & Beauty SalonStudents opting for vocational courses in hair and beauty at Yate International Academy are able to gain first-hand experience at our very own Hair & Beauty Salon. Fully equipped to a professional standard, the salon gives our students the experience that employers are looking for, giving them the best possible start to their careers.

Science FacilitiesThe Academy benefits from a large, purpose built Science block with modern classrooms

and facilities and is key to delivering our exciting Science curriculum. Thanks to our Science Specialist status, we have been able to develop a Forensics Laboratory which is one of only a

few in the country based in an Academy. This allows us to provide a range of additional Science qualifications to our students that they would not be able to gain anywhere else in the area.

Sports Facilities, Dance studio, and Drama HallOur sports facilities are some of the best in the area including a new all-weather pitch, tennis courts, sports pitches and a large sports hall with cricket nets. The Academy also has a fitness suite to help students stay fit and healthy when not in lessons.

Our activity and dance studio, with mirrored walls and sprung wooden floor, is ideal for fitness and dance, while the drama hall provides perfect space for students to work on their productions.

Discovery CentreThe Discovery Centre not only contains books but fantastic multi-media research tools including

the EBSCO research system, which is ideal for GCSE and A Level coursework. The centre is based at the core of the Academy and gives students a place to study outside of lessons.

LIFE @ YIA10

Overseas TripsOur Foreign Language teachers are very pro-active at organising international trips to further students’ linguistic abilities. Regular trips to Northern France are organised for students to experience the wonderful Christmas markets and be immersed in continental culture.

Every two years, older students also have the opportunity to travel and support schools and villages in deprived areas overseas, such as Kenya and Uganda.

Clubs and SportsYIA students are great advocates of our extra-curricular activities. Particularly popular are cookery,

art, dance and Spanish clubs.

We also offer a wide range of competitive sports for internal and external matches, including football, rugby, netball, hockey, athletics, cricket, rounders and tennis.

Support & GuidanceYate International Academy is committed to inclusion and equal opportunities and aims to develop and educate all students to their full potential regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, culture, physical or intellectual abilities. We encourage all members of the Academy to be equally valued.

Hearing Impaired Resource Base (HIRB)Our outstanding HIRB supports the learning of our students with hearing difficulties. Students are

fully integrated and receive access to the full curriculum.

Students can receive 1:1 support in the Resource Base, group withdrawal to the Resource Base, and in-class support.

HIRB staff work closely with the mainstream staff to provide differentiated material to maximise support and are all fluent, or are receiving training, in British Sign Language (BSL) in order to

increase our ability to provide support for a wide range of hearing impaired students.

“All aspects of the hearing impaired resource base, including the progress students make, are outstanding”. OFSTED, 2013

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AboutDuring the Rotary Young Innovator and Design Competition 2014, students from Yate International Academy achieved first prize in every category entered.

Toni Evans walked away with first prize for her A-Level photography whilst David Griffiths won second prize. Eleanor Wallis won first prize for her GCSE Design and Technology Textiles work, and Hollie Bidwell won first prize for GCSE Design and Technology Product Design.

YIA has previously won awards for graphics and product design and former YIA student Roxanne Pollard was involved in presenting the awards. Roxanne won first prize for her graphic products work some years ago and is just coming to the end of a four year apprenticeship as a design engineer at Renishaw Plc.

Young Innovator and Design Competition

STUDENT FEATURE

LIFE @ YIA12

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“The curriculum is broad and balanced, and is adapted to meet students’ different needs in each cohort.” OFSTED, 2013’

CURRICULUMStudents at Yate international Academy experience an exciting, dynamic, broad and balanced curriculum. Through the curriculum students learn to develop and apply six key competencies:

• Communication• Team Work• Using Data• Evaluation• Personal effectiveness• Independence

This curriculum model has been devised and developed in keeping with the national curriculum, but also to enable students to become competent in the skills which are not only essential for exam success, but which are highly regarded by employers.

We are fortunate to have two complementary specialisms at the Academy, Science and Sport & Health. Through these specialisms our students are able to develop core skills that are relevant to 21st century living within some of the best facilities in the area.

14 LEARNING

Key Stage 3 covers Years 7 to 9. Students study a broad and balanced range of subjects giving them the best opportunity to try as many different fields as possible before deciding which subjects to take forward to Key Stage Four.

Subjects Studied

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education & Citizenship (PSHEE & C) This programme of study is designed not only to encompass the statutory aspects of Citizenship but also the non-statutory guidelines for Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education ensuring that when our students leave us they are as well-rounded as possible.

“In the best lessons, a variety of activities both challenge and engage students of all abilities. In these lessons students thrive and show great resilience and determination to succeed.” OFSTED, 2013

KEY STAGE THREE “My favourite subject is history as it’s interesting and engaging” John Morgan

• Art• Dance • Design Technology

• Drama• English• Geography

• History• ICT• Maths

• MFL• Music• PE

• PSHEE & C• Science

15YIA PROSPECTUS

KEY STAGE FOUR

Key Stage 4 covers Years 10 and 11, during which time students take their GCSEs and other accredited qualifications. Students will follow a curriculum of up to 9 or 10 different subjects, including 4 Option choices based on their personal interests and aspirations.

In addition to core subjects such as English and Mathematics, subject option choices are reviewed on an annual basis. Typically these include Art, Business Studies, Computer Science, Drama, Engineering, French, Food Technology, Geography, Hair & Beauty, History, Music, Product Design, Public Services, Sociology, Spanish, Sport, and Triple Science.

Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education & Citizenship (PSHEE & C) Throughout the two years of Key Stage Four the focus shifts to political structures internationally, careers and study skills in preparation for external examinations. All elements combine to help students prepare for their future as international citizens.

“My favourite subjects are the Sciences as I like doing practical work and I learn something new each day” Morgan Caldecoat

16 LEARNING

In order to ensure that our students are challenged at the correct level throughout their time at Yate International Academy, we use different ways of grouping students in their subjects. As well as mixed-ability teaching groups, we also use banding and setting.

‘Banding’ puts students into broad ability groups and all classes run in parallel. ‘Setting’ allocates students into a ‘set’ based directly on their ability within each particular subject. The type of grouping used varies by year group and Faculty.

• Year 7: The majority of subjects are taught in mixed-ability classes, with support groups for Literacy and Numeracy. Mathematics usually applies setting from the start of term two.

• Year 8: Students are set for Mathematics, Science and French. All other subjects remain as mixed-ability classes.• Year 9: Mathematics, Science and French continue on the same basis as Year 8, with English also being grouped by ability. All

other classes remain as mixed-ability.• Years 10 and 11: Students are taught in mixed-ability groups in their option subjects. The core subjects are set in Year 10.

Science is set according to whether students take triple or double award GCSE – or Level 1 or 2 BTEC.

Learning Support groups operate in years 7 to 9 in literacy and numeracy and are designed to meet the particular special educational needs of a smaller number of students. Students in these groups have full access to the National Curriculum. In years 10 and 11, students with special educational needs are integrated as much as possible within the setting arrangements.

ORGANISATION OF TEACHING GROUPS

“Students make good and outstanding progress in many areas” OFSTED, 2013

17YIA PROSPECTUS

Mentor GroupsYear 7 Students are divided into eight mentor groups; each has a Mentor from the dedicated Year 7 Team and each group belongs to a Guild. New students benefit from an innovative skills based curriculum and have fewer teachers to enable a successful transition to the Academy.

Years 8 and 9 Students are grouped into mixed-year Mentor Groups of only fifteen or sixteen students. There are three such groups in each Guild.

Senior Years 10 and 11 will be in mixed-year Mentor Groups of only twelve to fourteen students. There are four such groups in each Guild.

This structure provides every student with the opportunity to belong to a caring and supportive environment.

Guilds – Core ValuesWhilst each Guild has its own personal identity, they do have a common set of core values to endorse. These are held in the eight conditions researched by QISA (Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations) that affect student aspiration.

• Belonging • Heroes • Sense of accomplishment • Fun and excitement• Spirit of adventure• Leadership and responsibility• Confidence to take action• Curiosity and creativity

“In lessons, relationships are strong and students work well with their peers. Students’ attitudes to learning are positive”OFSTED, 2013

MENTOR GROUPS & GUILDS

Guilds Thanks to the Guilds system, our students experience a spirit of community, collaboration and competitiveness. They thrive in the supportive environment of the Guild community and enjoy a strong and distinctive sense of spirit and pride.

There are opportunities for student leadership and a strong student voice. Each Guild becomes involved with local, national and global communities, partakes in inter-Guild competitions and each Guild adopts a charity to support every year.

18 LEARNING

AboutDuring year 12, Ellie studied four A-levels including Environmental Studies which she completed by the end of that year.

Ellie embraced all aspects of her education at Yate International Academy. She was joint Head Girl and a key member of the team that visited Morocco in 2013. Having been involved in Team Kenya in 2012, she was actively involved in fund raising for Team Kenya 2014.

Following her application to Cambridge University, Ellie was offered a place to study Modern Foreign Languages.

In August 2014, she achieved A*AA grades in her A-Levels to secure her place at the prestigious University.

Ellie says“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Yate International Academy. Their great support through the years has helped me to gain an offer to study languages at the University of Cambridge.”

Ellie Wood

STUDENT FEATURE

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Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG)Throughout the five years of secondary education, we strive to prepare our students for their futures as international citizens. An important element to this is helping them to make important decisions about what they want to achieve after Year 11.

Therefore, Information, Advice and Guidance forms a crucial part of the PSHE and mentoring programme, providing students with information and skills to enable them to make the right decisions about their futures.

In years 10-11 students are made aware of the various routes possible at post-16 and undertake activities such as Enterprise Days and Mock Interviews, which promote an understanding of the importance of the key skills employers are looking for. Many local businesses and organisations engage in these sessions. Work Experience is also available to students from Year 10 and above.

Our Sixth Form PartnershipsA popular choice for our Year 11 students is to continue their studies in post-16 education. Therefore it is important that we provide a range of academic and vocational options so that every student can make a choice that is right for them. Our Sixth form not only has close connections with Winterbourne International Academy, but we also have a strong partnership with Brimsham Green and Chipping Sodbury Sixth Forms, ensuring all students receive the best advice and a greater wide of post-16 choices.

LIFE POST-16

LIFE POST-1620

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Jake Underdown – (Bottom left) World champion medal-winning gymnast having already competed in a number of tournaments in the UK and around the world.

Cole Skuse – Ipswich Town footballer who previously made 316 appearances over 9 years at Bristol City FC. Cole officially opened our new 3G pitch in 2013..

ALUMNI – PAST AND PRESENT STUDENTS

Shanie Redd-Thorne & Danielle Jones –European Gymnastic Pairs champions, Shanie and Danielle have won a host of medals at gymnastic and acro-gymnastic competitions both in the UK and around the world. Shanie performs with Cirque Du Soleil.

Faye Bertham – A successful local primary school headteacher, she has worked with other schools in the area in order to spearhead academic improvements.

Martyn Ball – Cricketer. Martyn had a 19 year career at Gloucestershire Cricket and also played for England on 1-day internationals.

Professor Dale Southerton – Dale Southerton is Professor of Sociology at Manchester University and the Director of the ‘Sustainable Practices Research Group’ (SPRG), a £2m research programme funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, DEFRA and the Scottish Government.

LIFE POST-1622

Applications to Yate International Academy should be made through the Local Authority for the area that you live and in line with their current processes. For those living in South Gloucestershire, full details on the admissions process are available from online:

www.southglos.gov.uk/admissions or through South Gloucestershire Council’s Children and Young People Information Service on 01454 868008.

The South Gloucestershire deadline for applications is Friday 31st October 2014. Please don’t be late as late applications cannot always be considered.

Important Dates Yate International Academy Open Evening: Thursday 25th September 2014

South Gloucestershire Applications Deadline: Thursday 31st October 2014

Offers Released by South Gloucestershire: Date to be confirmed

We hope to see you at Yate International Academy in September 2015!

JOINING YIA - HOW TO APPLY

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The Ridings’ Federation of Academies Trust A limited company registered in England with company number: 6802948 Registered Office: The Ridings’ Federation of Academies Trust, High Street, Winterbourne, Bristol BS36 1JL.

“Achieving Success through Motivation, Knowledge and Skills”

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL STATUS

ABOUT THE RIDINGS’ FEDERATION OF ACADEMIES

The Ridings’ Federation of Academies was established in 2009 with the core purpose of raising and sustaining educational standards.

As a result, £35 million has been invested in new facilities at Winterbourne International Academy and Yate International Academy, which will ensure our students benefit from the best facilities and resources available in South Gloucestershire.

The Ridings’ Federation of Academies consists of:

• Federation Sixth Form• Winterbourne International Academy (11-19 academy)• Yate International Academy (3-19 all-through academy)

- Woodlands Primary - Woodlands Nursery

• Ridings’ Commerce Ltd (Leisure and Learning programme)

We also encourage creativity and passion to ensure students are inspired and motivated to develop themselves throughout academy life. We have an ethos of Internationalism that prepares students for their future as global citizens. Supporting this ethos is a dynamic and responsive curriculum leading to a wide range of national and international qualifications.

Mr R Gilbert Principal Sundridge ParkYate South Gloucestershire BS37 4DXTelephone 01454 333560 Email office@trfyia.org.uk

www.trfyia.org.uk