Interim appointments at Ipswich Academy
Please click here to read a letter from Amanda Phillips.
Celebration and subject consultation meeting for Y10 students, parents/carers – Thursday 15 December
The booking system is available here.
Y10 is a critical time for students in the lead up to their GCSE examinations. It is crucial that students, parents/carers and staff work together closely, from the start, so that achievement is high.
We will be holding a celebration and information event before the consultations begin on Thursday 15th December, starting at 3.45pm. In this session we will:
- explain what the minimum required grades are and how these are calculated
- clarify homework arrangements and expectations
- explain the new reward system to Y10 students.
Individual teacher consultation appointments will take place 4:30-7.30pm. Y10 subject teachers will meet with you and your child on an individual basis to provide clear feedback on what your child needs to do in order to achieve the required grades. You will also have an opportunity to review your child’s coursework and exercise books.
All meetings will take place in the school hall. Booking will be on a first come, first served basis and the booking system is now open. The number of appointments will, initially, be limited to five for each student to ensure that all parents/carers are able to participate. Nearer to the time, if additional appointments are available, we will release these into the booking system and notify you.
In order to login to the system, you will need the following information relating to your child, as held in our database:
- Child’s first name
- Child’s surname
- Child’s date of birth
- Child’s register class (in the form of e.g. 10-1)
You will need to enter the details we have on record for you. If you have recently changed your title or surname, for example, and not informed us, we will be expecting you to login with the details we have on record. The email address you enter is only used to receive a confirmation of your appointment. If the system gives you an error when you login, it will not be the email address that is the problem.
If you do not have access to the Internet, or experience any problems with using the system, please contact the school and ask to speak with Mrs Winstone.
Students are required to attend, with their parent/carer. There will be no period 6 science lessons for Y10 on that day. Students who are attending the information event will be provided with refreshments in the SYSZ before making their way back up to the grey arena to be seated in time for a 3.45pm start.
New Ofsted inspection report shows our school is making real progress
Following Ofsted’s visit in October, the inspectors have now published their latest report on Ipswich Academy (attached below). We are delighted that this shows the school has taken great strides forward and is continuing to improve.
When Paradigm Trust took over the management of Ipswich Academy in 2015, it was rated by Ofsted as ‘inadequate’. We’re pleased to say that this new report rates the school as ‘requires improvement’. While this is still below where we want the school to be, it shows we are on the right track and the changes we’ve introduced are having the desired effect.
We’re particularly pleased that the report praises the school’s management. It says: ‘high quality leadership…has transformed the school’ and ‘leaders and staff share the same vision and ambition, and show a relentless drive to improve the school further’. This is clear recognition from Ofsted of the work taking place to transform Ipswich Academy into a school of which we can all be proud.
Reacting to this new Ofsted report, our principal Amanda Phillips said: “This is great news. The report shows that the inspectors are seeing the results of our efforts. Real progress has been made, and by maintaining our commitment, we can bring about powerful and lasting change to this school.
“By working together – staff, parents and pupils – we have the opportunity to transform Ipswich Academy into a vibrant and high performing school.”
A big thank you to everyone who has supported the school and its staff.
Change to compulsory equipment requirements for students
We have added highlighters and a glue stick to our compulsory equipment list for students which also includes a pen, pencil, rubber, ruler. In the first instance only we are supplying every student with a glue stick and two highlighters with different colours. Please ensure your child maintains these items as part of their equipment. It would be sensible to get them a pencil case to hold their equipment if they have not already got one.
Open meeting for parents/carers of Murrayfield Community Primary School pupils
The interim executive board (IEB) of Murrayfield Community Primary School has invited Paradigm Trust to attend an open meeting on Tuesday 22 November at 2:30pm at the school. The meeting is to discuss the likely conversion of the school to academy status and it then joining Paradigm Trust. Amanda Phillips, chief executive officer of Paradigm Trust, will attend and will respond to all questions raised.
Paradigm Trust is seeking teachers at all levels to join Ipswich Academy
In September 2015 Ipswich Academy became the fourth school to become part of Paradigm Trust. There are a number of vacancies for teachers who are seeking to make a significant contribution. You will need to be open to fresh challenges, have high energy and commitment levels and work to the highest standards. The rewards are excellent, with performance related pay for the best teachers.
Teachers with leadership and management experience, NQTs and subject leads are welcome to get in touch to make an application. We would also like to hear from primary colleagues with experience in key stage 2. Opportunities are also available for paid graduate interns.
If you are excited by the chance to prove yourself, earn more and be part of a successful Trust, please contact us to arrange a meeting to discuss the vacancies. In the first instance email hr@paradigmtrust.org.
Reminder – exams coming up for students in Y7-10
- Assessment week for Y9 – week commencing 1 November 2016
- Assessment week for Y8 – week commencing 7 November 2016
- Assessment week for Y7 – week commencing 14 November 2016
- Assessment week for Y10 – week commencing 21 November 2016
Students will undergo formal examinations in the majority of taught subjects, as indicated above. Examinations will take place during normal timetabled lessons.
It is important that students perform to their full ability during these exams as we will use them to identify what needs to be taught over the coming weeks.
Please support your child by encouraging him/her to revise. Ensuring a healthy diet and exercise/sleep routines will also help your child perform well.
Please support your child to check that s/he has all the correct equipment ready in advance of each and every examination. S/he will feel more comfortable if s/he has her/his own equipment.
Regular attendance at school is important every day but is even more important during examination periods.
Also:
- Parent/carer consultations for Y11 – Thursday 10 November 2016 – 4pm onwards
- Parent/carer consultations for Y10 – Thursday 15 December 2016 – 4:30pm onwards
Students return to school at normal time on Tuesday 1 November
Half term is Monday 24 October 2016 to Monday 31 October 2016 (inclusive). Students return to school on Tuesday 1 November, at normal time, as the academy is closed to students on Monday 31 October 2016 for staff training.
Certificates for courses which completed in summer 2016…
…will be available for collection next week, week commencing 24 October 2016. Reception will be staffed from Tuesday to Friday (please note, not Monday) from 8am to 12noon and then 1-4pm. Information about rewards for progress in mathematics will also be supplied with certificates.
Please note that certificates can only be collected by the student in person. Students must bring current photo ID in order to collect their certificates. If there is an absolute need for someone other than the student to collect the certificate in person, the student must contact the school (use the contact form on this web site) to request alternative arrangements.