Aycliffe Today Business | Page 26

Woodham leads the way with Challenge Partners programme 26 | Aycliffe Today Business Woodham launches More Able Academy A number of senior leaders representing schools from around the country recently conducted a review of Aycliffe school Woodham Academy under the supervision of an HMI inspector. As part of the Challenge Partners review process, the school had to nominate an Area of Excellence. Having been successful in demonstrating the outstanding impact of the school’s Sports Academy and History department in previous years, it was decided that transition and careers education would be proposed this year. The team focussed their extensive investigation on three main areas; transition from year 6 into year 7 (which included the Woodham Learning Programme), the Apprenticeship Awareness Programme and year 11 students’ careers education programme. The team concluded that all aspects of transition were indeed an area of excellence that the school can celebrate, but particularly the Woodham Learning programme and its impact on the transition process for students arriving to the school in year 7. As a result, Woodham Academy will now go on a national database to support other schools nationwide in the identified areas. As ever the school is indebted to local businesses for their support with the Apprenticeship Awareness Programme that has once again gained national recognition for the innovative way that students’ preparation for further education is delivered at Woodham. CONTENT IS KING Woodham Academy recently launched their More Able Academy, a bespoke enrichment programme for the highest academic achievers. Students were invited to join based upon prior and current academic attainment. The main aim of the More Able Academy is to stretch and challenge the students in all aspects of their school lives, raising aspiration and academic performance accordingly. More Able Academy activities this term include, Digital Forensics trip to Teesside University, Animex festival of animation and computer games development, 'Durham Unwrapped’ visit to Durham University, Durham Future Graduates Programme, TRY Z programme at Nissan, PiXL conference for prospective medics. Professional Writing + Quality Pictures + Media Contacts = Proven Results T: 01325 728024 M: 07826 525907 E: [email protected] W: www.mantis-media.com @MWalkerMedia