Discovery Prospectus

Welcome

I am delighted to welcome you to the latest
prospectus for THE DISCOVERY ACADEMY and
hope the information provided here will give you
a flavour of the exciting educational opportunities
we provide for all our students. The opening of
the brand new £21 million building in 2013 has
provided world class facilities and an environment
which inspires students of all abilities and
interests to achieve and succeed. Our highly
qualified and professional staff are committed to
delivering the highest standards of teaching and
learning and our pastoral support team ensure that the needs of every individual
student are catered for.
Our aim at the Academy is to encourage students to ‘Expect Excellence’ in
everything that they do and we foster a culture of Growth Mindset that gives
students the confidence and ambition for the future. A key focus is to prepare
our students for the world of work which is enhanced by being part of the
Alpha Academies Trust. Links with local employers, post 16 provision, educational
visits and work experience are integral parts of a curriculum which is designed
to provide a broad range of experiences and encourage students to ‘aim high’.
I hope that after reading this prospectus you will agree that The Discovery
Academy is the ideal choice of secondary education for your son/daughter and would
encourage you to visit our impressive building on Discovery Drive. I look forward to
meeting you and your child to discuss the exciting opportunities available.

Mr S French
Principal

Expect Excellence

1

The Alpha Academies Trust is a partnership
of schools and academies in North
Staffordshire that provide excellent academic
tuition, outstanding vocational experiences
and engaging enrichment programmes for
young people in our primary and secondary
schools.
‘Expect Excellence’ supports a growth mind-
set culture throughout the Trust with our focus
on inspiring students to achieve their goals,
equipping them with skills for life and the
workplace.
We work in partnership with employers,
schools and colleges and other organisations
to create innovative opportunities to support
learning in the classroom and the workplace.
We want every student to possess high levels
of literacy and numeracy at all ages and
be fully prepared to progress to further
and higher education, apprenticeships and
employment when they leave secondary
school.

2

Our Aims

The Discovery Academy is an exciting place to be and we encourage and support
students to ‘Expect Excellence’ through:

Our highly motivated teachers see learning as a skill for life, opening the door to a
world of opportunities and success.
• Personalised programmes: Every student is treated as an individual
and we support your child with personalised programmes to enable
them to achieve their full potential.
• Extended learning: our extended learning team
ensure students
enjoy learning. They challenge as well as nurture your child with a
range of support mechanisms.
• Extra-curricular opportunities: Outside the classroom the Discovery
Academy is alive with opportunities to ensure we create a vibrant
environment and young people who live life to the full.

“In The Discovery
Academy there are a
wide range of academic
and practical subjects,
all with magnificent
teachers.”

YEAR 10 STUDENT

Maximum Effort

3

4

4

Our Curriculum

The Discovery Academy treats students as individuals - young people with different
needs and different ambitions. Our curriculum is designed to help your child achieve
their ambitions. We aim to equip your child with the knowledge and skills for
future success, which is why we work across the entire curriculum to develop
the personal qualities of problem-solving, self-discipline, trust, responsibility,
co-operation, self-confidence and independent learning.

Each curriculum area is proud to have adopted an innovative and creative
approach to teaching and learning, while excellent facilities and technology
throughout the Academy, means young people find learning exciting and
enjoyable.

To ensure students have a head start when they enter the world of work, we have
also developed a wide range of vocational courses. Industry-leading work-based
learning programmes.

An important part of the curriculum is exploring beyond the classroom, with
residential and day field trips, visits to local business and industry, leisure activities
such as trips to Italy & Germany.

Expert Teaching and Feedback

Rigorous teaching programmes and robust assessment give students every
opportunity to succeed. Students are continuously tracked through their time at
the Academy to promote awareness and ownership of their own learning. Young
people across Stoke on Trent deserve a learning environment that instils pride and
enthusiasm to gain skills and knowledge for a bright future. We believe that The
Discovery Academy will give them exactly that.

“Pupils are expected to challenge themselves to excel.
A clear focus is placed on making sure the most-able
pupils can achieve well and have high aspirations for
their future. This includes participating in a range of
specialist challenge projects and enrichment
opportunities.”

OFSTED

Challenge Yourself

5

2

6

Our Environment

The Academy delivers the ultimate in modern, innovative design and state of the art
facilities which will enhance every student’s learning. The visionary design is classed
as an exemplar academy building and sets a new educational standard and boasts:

• Flexible working areas and new technologies throughout to open up
multi-media dimensions for all learning.

• First class sports facilities – a purpose-built sports hall, all weather
pitch, dance studio, gymnasium and health suite.

• Fully equipped science labs

• Anywhere, Anytime Learning Foundations: providing increased
access to ICT outside the classroom and supporting students’
learning outside normal Academy hours.

• The latest Audio-Visual tools to allow students to record and publish
their work.

Caring for Your Child

Making The Discovery Academy a great place for your child to learn, grow and
develop involves so much more than timetables and teaching. We aim to guide and
support your child through a happy, enjoyable school life where they achieve the

best they can.

Your child will be assigned to a tutor group, beginning each day with their tutor who
acts as the focal point for contact – in both social and academic progress. They
hold regular tutorials and set targets with your child.

Overcome Obstacles

7

4

8

Celebrating Success


Celebrating success is also an important element of student life at The Discovery
Academy. Students’ achievements are recognised daily, weekly, termly through
their behaviour and contribution in every lesson as well as the ability to earn extra
recognition for outstanding work; participation; progress and attendance.

The academy also places recognition for those exceptional
students through our prestigious scholar awards – celebrated

annually at the impressive Victoria Hall.

Inspire and be Inspired

The Discovery Academy teaching team understand that transition to a new school
can be daunting. It’s a whole new exciting phase in your child’s life and we work
hard to make this a smooth and really enjoyable transition.

Academy teachers may already be familiar faces to your child as we work closely with
many local primary schools, regularly visiting and working with Year 5 and Year 6
children. The move from Primary to The Discovery Academy is also made seamless
with children coming into the Academy for lessons, as well as being welcomed to
open days and induction days.

When your child joins The Discovery Academy you will find that communication with
parents is given a high priority. We want you to share in your child’s success and
feel part of our community. We hold regular parent information evenings as well as
invitations to events, Form Tutor meetings and an orientation day before your child
begins their new academy journey.

“When I joined the Academy,
I made loads of new friends,
joined clubs and have learnt
so much.”

YEAR 7 STUDENT

Pride & Respect

9

10

Discovery Drive | Stoke on Trent | ST2 0GA
Tel: 01782 882 100
Fax: 01782 244 224

Email: [email protected]

www.thediscoveryacademy.co.uk

Principal: Mr S French BSc. NPQH
Chair of Governing Body:Mrs P Jackson

The Discovery Academy is an 11-16
Independent educational establishment
which is part of the ‘Alpha Academies
Trust’.

The Discovery Academy - Company No: 7272906
Independent Schools No: 861/4714
All our policies can be accessed from our website. The Discovery Academy is committed to equal opportunities
within all aspects of the organisation of the academy and equal
access to learning for all students in all areas of the curriculum and promotes and encourages positive attitudes in all our pupils.