“The beginning is the most important part of the work.” - Plato, The Republic

The end of term is a new beginning. The rush to complete our new work plans for September is tempered by the fun of sports day and trips to round off a fantastic year of achievement and wonder. New discoveries have been made in subjects across the Academy, from the hatching of chicks in an incubator in the science department to the 10M ‘Leap of Faith’ at the Year 7 residential. Students have met the challenges at every opportunity. But with every challenge met, new benchmarks are set, new beginnings are at every turn.

We look forward to the new starters joining our ever expanding academy in     September who are broad in ambition and aspirational in outlook. They will meet our sixth form who will return with some having completed internships at top city firms such as Thomson Reuters, Amey and Kroll Advisory Solutions. Our students will see older colleagues modelling the professional attitudes and expectations needed to succeed in the modern world. The personal and interpersonal skills and knowledge required to achieve in the 21st century.

It has been a brilliant year with a great endorsement of what we are doing by  Ofsted. A tremendous effort by the staff and students all round. This is not the end, but the beginning of a drive to be outstanding; our continual aim to realise our ambitions and achieve the very best for our students. To ensure great       progress is made by our entire cohort no matter their starting place. To enrich their academic lives with theatre and musical opportunities, sporting chances and life enhancing experiences. We remember Oliver!, our first academy          production, as well as visits to see ‘To Kill and Mocking Bird’, ‘Matilda’ and many more. The inaugural visit of the English National Opera inspired a new generation of classical fans, as well as the very scientific ‘Centre of the Cell’ at Queen Mary, University of London.

The sporting achievements of our students continue to roll in. Our expanding   programme of activities has extended the reach of our teams with great wins in    football, rugby and athletics. We look forward to adding rowing and martial arts to the range next year.  

 

The Academy remains busy over the summer holidays with QPR running a summer school throughout July and August.  Students from the Academy as well as those from the local community will build upon their football skills ahead of the next season of fixtures. We have results to celebrate with our Year 13s and welcome our new Year 12s for enrolement. Work continues on the building to ensure we maintain our first class facilities and we are completing final preparations for the new Year 7 cohort.

We send our staff and students away on well-deserved holidays and recreation in order to recoup their energies, re-invigorate their minds and recharge their      passions for the next academic year. We realise that error is an essential part of learning and that the mistakes we make are proof that we are trying. On occasion the journey can seem tough but the results will be satisfying in the end, for we recognise that a smooth sea never made a skilful sailor. So with these thoughts ringing in our minds, I commend you all to have a great summer break and look forward to sharing our continued success in September.

I leave with you with the thought that we remind the students of daily. Make a difference at every opportunity. Don’t wait for new beginnings, make them. 

So be sure to do something today that your future self will thank you for.

Gary Kynaston

Headteacher

 

age quod agis - do what you are doing.

age quod agis - do what you are doing.

What an eventful last two weeks it has been at the Academy!

We have said goodbye to our Sixth Formers for the academic year and a final goodbye to our finishing Year 13 students. The leavers’ prom was a fantastic occasion thoroughly enjoyed by all and a fitting way to bring down the curtain on their time at the Academy.

Many activities have recently been staged by our PE Department to celebrate National School Sport Week. Students were able to take part in inter-house sports competitions, the Sixth Form Football team narrowly beat the Staff 6-5 in a thriller at Ravenscourt Park and children from Flora Gardens, John Betts and Miles Coverdale primary schools took part in a series of activities as part of our very own Primary School Sports Festival.

The week culminated in our Race for Life community event in aid of Cancer Research UK which saw all students, and a few staff, run 23 gruelling laps around the Academy to complete a 5km run. The day, which was attended by members of the local community, included activities such as a cake sale, tombola, coconut shy and penalty shoot-out, amongst many others.  Over £1,500 has been raised so far and special praise must go to everyone who helped to make the day such a success.

Our Community and Sponsors event also ran smoothly. Members of the Mercers’, Information Technologists’ and local community were able to view the work that has been produced by our KS3 and Sixth Form students, observe lessons and had an opportunity to speak to students about their time at the Academy and aspirations for the future.

More exciting things are on the way with the Year 7 residential, Thorpe Park and Sports Day all on the horizon, but end of year exams are continuing, so it is imperative students stay focus and revise for these before they can relax.

Keep up the good work!

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

 

repetitio est mater studiorum - repetition is the mother of study

Firstly, I would like to congratulate our Sixth Formers who have finally completed their exams, especially our Year 13 students whose time at the Academy has come to an end. These students were the Academy’s first cohort and have done us very proud with the work they have put in over the last two academic years. We wish them well for the future and look forward to seeing them at the upcoming leavers’ prom.

Whilst exams have finished for Sixth Form, they are beginning for Years 7 and 8 with end of year exams taking place between Monday 1^st July and Friday 12^th July. It is imperative students adequately prepare for these exams as the results will be reported as the Module 9 grade on their final modular report. Revision tips have additionally been sent out to help students prepare for these exams, which will also help ready them for the GCSE and A Level exams they are to face in the future.

Ahead of the next academic year, our Parent and Community Advisory Group (PCAG) is to be re-launched. The PCAG will work alongside representatives of the local and wider community to assist myself, the Senior Leadership Team and the Governing Body in its work. Information has been sent out to all parents detailing the nomination process and the deadline date of Friday 28^th June.

Finally, our KS3 Athletics Team recently competed in the Regional Finals of the English Schools’ Athletic Association Track & Field Cup. Unfortunately, students were unable to follow-up their win in the opening round and placed sixth amongst schools from across the South East despite a number of personal bests being set.  Their achievements must be applauded and their progress in the competition bodes very well for the future.

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

bis dat qui cito dat - he gives twice, who gives promptly

bis dat qui cito dat - he gives twice, who gives promptly

As the summer term continues, exams continue and are now into their final stretch; Year 12 students have completed their A Level exams and started work in preparation of the next academic year, and Year 13 students have one week left before they can finally relax. We wish students all the best in these exams and hope their results reflect all the hard work they have put in over the year.

Our Art Department was recently moderated by Edexcel. Moderators were very impressed with the level of work produced in the department and have recommended the Academy be used as test centre for Art.  This is a fantastic achievement and special congratulations must go to Miss Gika and Miss Holland who greatly contributed to this accomplishment.

Last week also saw the arrival of eight newly-hatched chickens to accompany Helix the Hamster in our Science Department. Students and staff were able to witness the chickens hatch from their eggs and watch their very first steps! Unfortunately, the chickens will leave us this week but in the short time they have been with us, they have already made their mark on the Academy.

Finally, as part of our forthcoming ‘Race for Life’ event on Friday 28^th June, we will be holding a Tombola and are asking parents and local businesses to donate prizes for this. Anything that can be offered, big or small, would be greatly appreciated and will help increase the amount of money the Academy hopes to raise in support of Cancer Research UK.

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

 

Ex nihilo nihil fit - Nothing comes from nothing

Ex nihilo nihil fit - Nothing comes from nothing


I hope the week-long half term has left everyone refreshed and revitalised for the final part of the academic year. Whilst there is not long left, there is still a lot of hard work to be done.

Year 8 students will sit English and Maths tests in the coming week. As students move into Key Stage 4 and undertake their GCSEs, these tests will prove imperative in helping us to measure the progress students have made at Key Stage 3. Although these tests are important, they are not linked to in-class study and cannot be revised for.

BTEC Performing Arts students have had their forthcoming appearance at the 2013 Edinburgh Fringe Festival confirmed. A huge ‘pat on the back’ must go to all students and staff that have been involved in this project and all its fundraising efforts, which are still continuing.

Finally, we have a few upcoming events this term which will be open to the local community. We are holding a ‘Race for Life’ fundraiser for Cancer Research (28th June) which will involve various events and activities, and an ‘Arts Day’ (10th July) to showcase the artistic talents and skills of our students. All are welcome to attend and more details are to follow.

Let’s have a great end to the academic year!

Gary Kynaston

Head teacher

Starting as we mean to go on

Non quia difficilia sunt non audemus, sed quia non audemus, difficilia sunt.

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, but because we do not dare, things are difficult.

I hope you all enjoyed your two week holiday and welcome you back for the final term of the Academy’s second year.

Since the end of last term, the Year 8 football teams travelled to Paris to compete in the International Youth Festival of Football. The girls’ team performed exceptionally well winning the tournament and securing more silverware for the Academy’s trophy cabinet.

The summer term will prove important to all students, especially those in Year 8 and Sixth Form students. GCSEs options must be chosen shortly and subject choices may greatly influence future career choices, so should be given careful consideration. Sixth Formers must also ensure all coursework is completed and continue revising in preparation for their forthcoming exams if they are to achieve the required grades to progress into Higher Education or the workplace.

Finally, we were visited by adventurer and mountaineer Squash Falconer who delivered an inspirational talk to students about some of her accomplishments which include becoming the first British woman to paraglide from the top of Mount Blanc and reaching the summits of both Mount Everest and Mount Kilimanjaro. Squash’s experiences and words of wisdom were beneficial to all; whatever your dream or goal is, whether big or small, if you put your mind to it, you can achieve.

I look forward to us all having a good summer term.

Gary Kynaston

Head Teacher

December 2012

aut viam inveniam aut faciam - I will either find a way or make one.

Our enterprising and caring spirit grows as we continue along our journey of success. The doubling of size has been a real challenge but has provided the most rewarding op-portunities for staff and students. Sharing your Academy as the current year 8 and 13 have had to do is always difficult but we have come together as one community and shown great integrity and kinship. We have built our new relationships on the back of our shared passions for development and innovation where opportunities are being devoured remorselessly by the abundant ambition from both our staff and students.

We ended the year with a celebration assembly for each year group. These were an op-portunity to share the outstanding achievements of all our students and to recognise the efforts and advancements made across each subject. We all arrive at this well-deserved pit stop and rest this Christmas holiday season. The incredible dedication of the HA staff is shown in the wonderful work completed by our students and rewards shared through vivos and praise cards.

HA students have continued to excel in sport. Our teams have enjoyed a huge amount of success throughout this term. A special mention goes to the girls Football team and the boys Rugby teams as trophy winners. We look forward to a continued season of success in the spring term.

Sports Makers in sixth form made up part of our first Drop Down Day (DDD). The im-portance of health and fitness in our modern age is highlighted by the can-do attitude of students through sport. The overall focus of the DDD was community and safety and we followed an alternative curriculum with the help of the police, Barnardos and Road traffic awareness and many other organisations. This cross year event day really showed our HA community at its best with many important lessons learnt.

The Winter Fayre grew in size again with marvellous shows and dramatic entertainment coupled with displays of students‟ wares and artistic presentations. Such talent and flair expressed through shared endeavour. It feels that we have been together as a 500 strong community longer than the 4 months since September.

Our first foreign trip to Lille was a tremendous success. The Christmas markets showed another culture in its finest and were appreciated fully by our eager linguists. More trips to the continent are planned for next year. Watch this space!

The year 7s went en-masse to the pantomime Cinderella at The Lyric. They enjoyed the splendour of the occasion and all came back smiling and regaling tall tales and corny jokes. (Oh no they didn‟t!) Oh yes they did!

We continue with our inspirational speaker programme where professionals from all types of industries and backgrounds speak to our sixth formers and present lessons in life and being a success from many different perspectives. This has included media and film, forensic accounting, business and entrepreneurship inspiring students and advising them on how to break into different industries and start successful careers. If you would like to volunteer your services in giving a professional talk or to mentor a sixth former, please contact us at the Academy.

The staff were put through their paces this term when I invited some inspectors to come in and review our progress. I am satisfied of our good progress towards achieving our strategic goals. As a new build Academy, we will have a formal Ofsted inspection some-time in the spring term. We will keep you posted.

Despite the well-deserved rest, sixth form have many modular exams after the festive break, so revise, revise, revise!

Can I thank all parents, sponsors and community members for your continued support of the Academy and look forward to a new year of further growth, development and success. Have a restful festive break and I wish you all a prosperous New Year.
Gary Kynaston, Headteacher

Another Year. Another Phase

Knowledge itself is power. ipsa scientia potestas est


Welcome to all our students and parents both old and new. We embark on another phase of the development of Hammersmith Academy. This academic year we have doubled the number of staff, students and parents. Students look tremendously professional in their suits and ties. We have seamlessly transitioned and are now beginning to fill this once cavernous building.

The academy crackles with the energy of minds being stretched and new topics being taught. There is so much to learn at the beginning of every school year. The new recruits have taken on the many rules and expectations with great aplomb and eagerness. This vitality is setting the fast pace of learning which is holding back the damp weather and darkness of the ever shortening days. All can be seen at the new year 6 Open Evening on the 10th October. Come and see us in action!

Session 3 enrichment activities have now started with a huge range of options. These include sports teams where Rugby, Football, Hockey and Netball teams are making great strides in the local and national competitions. Also, there are other opportunities in dance, table-tennis and trampolining. Other less exhausting options include art, engineering, languages and creative writing sessions. So many choices and not enough days!

The burgeoning sixth form settle down to their long lessons and the heady heights demanded by A Levels. There is no substitute for hard work as mock exams race towards us. We will get to show off all that we are achieving with our upcoming 6th Form Open Evening on the 17th October. Further, the students were visited earlier this term by Robert Swannell, Chair of Marks and Spencer. His inspirational speech on his life, opportunities and success in business with key messages about integrity, professionalism and determination resonated strongly with all 220 students. Robert is the first in a line of speakers who will be sharing their wealth of knowledge and ingredients for our young people’s success over the coming months.

I look forward sharing with you the on-going story of Hammersmith Academy and the achievements of all our students and staff over the coming year.

Dreaming of sandy beaches and lazy holidays

The inaugural year at Hammersmith Academy is over. We bade farewell to our Year 12 students who completed their studies and celebrated their achievement at the celebration assembly in early July. They moved onto their work experience prior to a much deserved rest and anxious wait for the AS results in August. We look forward to their return in September.


The year 7 students have completed their ninth module of this academic year. Revision and examinations continued as we prepared for our Olympic themed cross-curricular events to close out this fantastic year. Our reward system is creaking under the difficult choices being made after so many students have performed to the highest levels and achieved so widely. The end of term achievement assembly is excitingly anticipated. I am still considering the choices for Headteacher awards.

We continue to feverishly plan for the next academic year whilst we evaluate the year gone by. We look forward to the addition of 20 new staff to complement our current staff. We double in size to almost 500 students from September. A whole year 8 and year 13 curriculum to be written and added to the online Virtual Learning Environment.

Class lists to be created, tutor groups added to, equipment to be cleaned and checked for September. Handbooks and telephone directories are being updated whilst uniforms are fitted for all our new arrivals. New books are on order for the library and lessons. All hands to the pump, this ship is on course for next year!

Those thoughts of sandy beaches are held at bay while we prepare for our final push this academic year. Our Olympic celebrations continue with our inter-house competition. A myriad of activities and sporting excellence. Who will be the winner of this inaugural sports day? Which house will be the first? Berners- Lee, Gates. Lovelace or Tesla?

So with pride and heartfelt thanks, I congratulate the tremendous efforts of all our staff that toiled and turned this building into a school with a heart. An inspirational place where students strive to better themselves and others. A place where students risk failure in order to taste the sweetness of success. They have given so much of themselves. Congratulations and a well-deserved rest awaits you.

And finally to all our parents who have guided and supported their children through the high expectations and rain, sunshine and homework, on the road to maturation. Still far to go but how the young students of Hammersmith Academy have travelled. Let’s celebrate their achievements.

Be good and stay safe and I look forward to our continued learning adventure.

Sunshine, rain and rainbows

The new academy building has been tested by the immense rainfall last month. The warmth of our building has certainly banished the wet weather from our thoughts as we press on through module 7 and the exam season. Mocks are currently under way, coursework firmly squared away and practice papers being attacked with vengeance. In observing the 6th Form, the year 7s are clear about the intensity and quality that will be required of them in a few years’ time.

The arrival of our outdoor tennis tables has created enthusiasm for this Olympic sport. Fast topspin smashes and cool backhand defensive strokes are served up daily. We have seen an increase in participation of both boys and girls seeking regular combat across the net. We search out for more good weather to aid this lunch time competition.

Four classes went indoor bowling as a prize celebration for winning the competition for naming the academy houses. A splendid evening of strikes and halves and dogged competition. A small prize for enduring house names that will last many generations.

Our recycling effort in the academy is developing at pace. This focus, led by the Student Council, will develop an environmentally conscious group of students which will benefit the academy as we grow and double in numbers for next year. The Student Leadership will report on its foci, actions and impact in each academy newsletter. Congratulations to all those successful candidates voted on to the council by their peers.

The cricket season continues unabated by the rain. Not quite a traditional game as games are played indoors but better than cancellation. We hope the wickets will dry out soon for more sporting games on balmy afternoons. The same goes for athletics. We dream of the sunshine in order to move outside and run with the breeze in our faces.

It was a pleasure to show so many of our local community around the academy at our Community Open Evening on the 19th April, the hardy individuals who braved thunder and lightning and no little rain to enjoy a student led tour. We aim to hold further events in the future and will communicate through our community newsletter.

We are beginning to finalise our induction plans for the new year 7 entry for September. Uniform and bag orders are being made. We will send out details very soon.

Offers are going out to our potential 6th form students for next year. If you are in year 11 or 6th form currently and would like to make an application, do so quickly if you want an interview. Contact the academy directly.

Keep up-to-date through our newsletter.

The Lord Mayor's visit and other news, March 2012

All growing together


The formal Opening of Hammersmith Academy by Alderman David Wooton, The Lord Mayor of the City of London, took place on the 7th March. The academy was washed clean by the torrential rain but it did not dampen spirits. The students performed their mini-plays and sang wonderful songs to celebrate the fantastic work of students, parents and staff to make the academy launch such a success. Thanks were given to the many unsung heroes from builders and architects, to teachers and governors who all had significant parts in bringing the academy together over a six year period. The day finished with a balloon launch with tagged messages from the students, indicating their hopes and dreams for the future. The sun managed to break through so that the afternoon finished in a blaze of sunshine, good feeling and shared exhilaration.

Students are focused on the lead up to Easter. Our focus as always is progress and for the year 12s how best they can prepare for the final push to the exams in mid-May. The revision starts now.

We are also in the midst of interviewing prospective sixth formers for September. We make offers but all depends on results this summer. Those in Year 11 must concentrate on those GCSEs and ensure they get the grades to join our current students next year.

Book Week was a tremendous affair. A big thank you to Ms Hartnett, our dynamic librarian. She organised inspiring events, including the visit by children’s authors, Andy Briggs and Dan Freedman, both real inspirational characters and role models for our year 7 students.

Well done also to our girls and boys year 7 indoor athletes for winning the Hammersmith and Fulham Indoor Athletics Championship. A real credit to the academy. You have set the bar very high for the following year groups.

Congratulations to those current year 6 students that have been offered a place at the academy starting this September. We look forward to inducting you in the summer term and getting you organised for uniform and information. Get those acceptance letters in ASAP.

Our Student Council is now up and running and providing a voice for our students. Nominations for House prefects continue as we add layers to our student body representation.

The summer beckons and with the good weather our outside table tennis tables take on a whole new dimension. Silky skills and whipped forehands really have the competition ‘hotting up.’

We have also employed 18 new staff for teaching in September 2012. A marathon of interviews and short-listing has proved to be rewarding as we have some outstanding staff joining the ever expanding academy team. This will lead to even more Session 3 opportunities next year.
I sign off with the imminent launch of HA Radio. Our web-based radio station will give students to really get a sense of developing different industry type skills or simply develop additional skills and interests.

Happy New Year! Welcome Back for the Spring Term

Going for gold every day!

It is with much anticipation that I welcome you back for this Spring term.  I hope that you have had a restful festive break.   We are looking forward to adding to our collective achievements in this Olympic year.

The first term was quite remarkable for making history and launching this much needed school in west London. The end of term Winter Fayre was a wonderful celebration of the talents and creative endeavours of our year 7 students.  This showcase really highlighted the wonderful collegial attitude of our students and staff.  It was a really fun way to end the year with art showcases, singing, dancing and drama sketches written and performed by the students.

The crowning event for the term was the naming of the academy houses.  Sixteen different presentations were made by the tutor groups with four major names selected by the sponsors.  The chair of governors, Tom Ilube, on behalf of the sponsors pitched each idea to the whole student body who then voted for their preferred choice.  I can now reveal that the new house names are:

Green House                     Gates House

Yellow house                     Lovelace House

Red House                          Berners-Lee House

Blue House                         Tesla House

Our focus for this term is very much on maintaining and expanding the excellent ethos created last year and pushing up the standards even more over the coming months.  We will be entering a busy period of staff recruitment and thus continue to build and develop our teams to provide an inspirational educational experience.

Students will be launching immediately into module 4 and the 6^th formers will be sitting their first formal modular exams throughout January.  We wish them good luck and look forward to receiving their results.

As we approach the coming months we will see more daylight as the days lengthen but please can parents ensure that their children have appropriate winter coats and footwear for the conditions (please see dress code on our website).

Our first Talent Month competition will be held throughout January.  It will culminate with a formal contest, where the top acts identified and selected from dancing to art, comedy to juggling and many others, go head-to-head to become the winner of  HA’s Got Talent 2012.  All talents are given the chance to shine. I am sure we will also see some staff entries!

I look forward to sharing more throughout 2012.

Warming Up Nicely & Keeping Winter at Bay!

The half-term seems but a distant memory and we race towards the Christmas holiday period.  Sixth form are feverishly completing their modules and preparing for their first mock exams at Hammersmith Academy.  These are in preparation for the real module exams in January.  Focus is the order of the day but the extra time put in now will pay off come the summer results. The year 7 students continue to impress with their enthusiasm for the challenges given to them.  They have embraced our culture of 100% as a reflection of their ambitions.

The Lords Mayor’s Show parade was a tremendous success.  I’d like to give special thanks to our sponsors for the marvellous breakfast at the Mercers’ Great Hall prior to the show.  It was great to sense the history of the hall and the size of the pageant.  Students paraded brilliantly and exhibited great pride in their academy.  They marched with zeal and energy and were one of the loudest groups of participants, engaging with the crowds throughout the route. One special mention for Frank, who was completely unfazed by his interview with Clare Balding during the BBC coverage.  One of a number of potential future broadcasters

Tutor groups have been leading the assemblies for this half term with lots of high quality assemblies produced by the tutor teams during Anti-bullying week (wb: 14^th Nov.) and Charity Focus week (wb: 21^st Nov.).  There has been a tangible collaboration of talents between our 6^th form and year 7 students in each tutor group.  Each group has raised the bar for the next group in their house.

The launch of the Moodle for online curriculum access has increased the number of activities and the overall amount of independent study completed by students.  The laptops have certainly increased the range and types of activities that are stretching all to achieve more. 

Our Session 3 programme of after academy activities (4-5.30pm) has really taken off with lots of sporting and vocational activities starting this term.  Table tennis before the academy day, trampolining, football and basketball, Art Club and Glee club for our performers, library support and reading clubs.  Please see the website for more details of the programme.   

The 6^th Form Open Evening was well attended.  I know it seems early for year 11 students to be thinking of next year but applications should be handed in as soon as possible.  Through being able to show the academy in its full glory and with our current 6^th form students demonstrating the range of qualifications on offer, there will be much wider interest in the places available for September 2012.  Early applications will ensure an earlier interview and an offer being made.  So do not delay.  Use the website to download an application form and email or send it in!

We aim to have some community use of our MUGA weekdays from 5.30-7pm.  See our website for details. Thanks to QPR for providing the coaches for these sessions.  Look out for the posters.  Further, we aim to launch our Parent and Community Advisory Council after Christmas.  We are still finalising details but the voice of our community is important to us and can help to make us more successful.  From all at the academy, thank you for your support.

Heads Newsletter - October 2011

I would like to start with a very big thank you to our parents and carers for the support that you have provided your child and the academy in the transition from primary to secondary school.  Students have been punctual and very well presented and ready to learn daily.  They have responded brilliantly to the high expectations we set for their appearance and performance inside and outside the academy. The next two weeks provides the opportunity for a well-deserved rest.  We have set some independent learning work for students on the Moodle for the second week to ensure they are ready to return bright and focused for the next half term. 

The last six weeks have flown by but it has been a hive of activity here at the academy. Students have used the entire academy from DT on the ground floor through to Science at the top.  We have held various show events for prospective parents and students, as well as a large opening event with our sponsor, The Worshipful Company of Information Technologists.  On each occasion our students and staff have performed as if we have been at the academy for 6 years rather than the six weeks.

Many trips have been taken in year 12 and year 7.  Trips to the Royal College of Music, who have also kindly donated 3 pianos, a Bafta gaming conference, the British Technology Show, the World Skills Careers Conference, a history trip to the docklands and many more.  It is a great way to enliven the learning and make real connections for our students.  Also, girls’ and boys’ teams have played and won football and basketball matches against local schools.  An auspicious start to our sporting future.

We have celebrated Black History Month throughout October.  Students have researched and learnt about the history and impact of black culture in class, tutor time and through assemblies.  Further, I have been amazed by the science projects brought into the academy by year 7 over the last couple of weeks, dinosaurs with different textures in Art, a celebration of poetry in English and many other projects across the subjects.  Year 12 continue to push to reach their targets as the mock exams loom in December.  Our learning culture continues to strengthen. 

It has been a wonderful start for the academy and I would like to thank my staff whose dedication and hard work in the summer and throughout this term is driving our ambition to be outstanding.  Further, I would like to thank the wider community for your continued support and kind messages. 

Enjoy the break and we look forward to seeing staff and students on Monday 7^th November.

Up and running at last!

We have now completed our second full week since opening.  The students’ arrival has transformed the building in to a live functioning academy and it feels brilliant.  To see our incredibly smart and professional student body arriving on day one, with anticipation and excitement, made my heart leap.  All the hard work of the whole academy team came together with the smooth transition into a place of learning.

Parents’ anxieties were soothed by the confidence of their sons and daughters.  Last kisses and hugs at the gate and a wave goodbye after our ceremonial cutting of the ribbon at the entrance.  It is always a tough transition from primary to secondary for parents, as well as students.

Our students have come from many different primary schools and secondary schools for our first cohort of year 7 and sixth form.  The preparations have paid off as I visit classroom upon classroom where students are engaged in their learning.  Books being read and journals written in, questions being answered and sports facilities ringing to the sounds of excited action.  It is music to our ears.

The tie ceremony on the first day really made our opening day special.  Students recited our mission statement to their Head of House and committed to be an HA learner.  They have already taken ownership of what it means to be a Hammersmith Academy student and are setting the very high standards required of others in years to come.  Also, the competition for naming the houses has begun.  It will culminate with presentations by students to the governors to select the four best. The theme, of course, is technology around our specialisms in IT and creative and digital media.

And so we begin again.  The Open Evening on the 10^th October is fast approaching.  We are two weeks into opening and we are thinking about the transition of the current year 6s.  It will be so much easier this year.  We have an academy and our own students to show off and I think parents and their children will be impressed.

We are also able to take on a few more sixth form students.  We have had to split courses because of large numbers and so have a few additional places available.  If you are a sixth former and have the grades, then make an application now.  

Contact us at the academy and send in a completed application form available through the website at http://www.hammersmithacdademy.org/

Well, I sign off now with pride in the way our students have risen to the challenge of being the founding members of Hammersmith Academy.

Only days and hours to go....

The final splashes of touch-up paint are going some of the walls.  We want it to be perfect! Pin boards and display cabinets are being erected.  They look empty without the work of students displayed within them.  Furniture is being moved into position.  Cleaners are hoovering and dusting.  No doubt a daily job for the next few months.  Parents are arriving with excited year 7s collecting uniform and asking last minute questions. We await the final plants and shrubs for the bedding areas around the academy. 

This ‘intelligent’ building is new to everyone and we are all quickly learning how it works. Rooms have automatic lighting and filtering of air.  Windows that know when to open if it’s too hot and close when it’s raining. 

The induction of our staff continues.  The buzz of excitement is tangible.  Teachers are beavering away making final adjustments to the curriculum and taking delivery of equipment and books.  They are itching to meet their new charges in both year 7 and year 12. 

Our new catering contractor, Innovate, is providing excellent food for our staff.  Students will be impressed by the sparkly Restaurant area and choices on offer.  We are using an online payment system called ‘Squid.’  Letters have been sent out to parents on how to do this. This means parents can pay online so that students do not have to bring money to the Academy.  Another technological solution to support our student community.

All we need now are the students.  The long summer holidays draw to a close and the anticipation is building toward day one, Thursday 8^th September.  We have enrolled a fantastic group of students into our sixth form and expanded some of our courses as we continue to enrol late applications.   Courses are filling up and teachers allocated, so be quick.   

The vision is truly becoming a reality.  

Energised by our outstanding founding staff and students

The excitement is building. The countdown has truly begun.  We have been meeting with our founding staff and students over the last month and we’re now moving purposefully towards our September start.

We really enjoyed meeting all our year 7 students and parents to find out more about them, organise uniform and answer key questions about the Academy.  We look forward to meeting them again at the Academy in July. 

The building is completed and we are now waiting for the delivery of furniture and equipment to change spaces into operational classrooms.  We’ve got a really busy summer ahead for all staff in getting it all perfect!

We held an excellent Founding Staff Induction Day at the Mercers’ Hall on the last day of the month.  This was a chance for all 30 staff, both support and teaching, to meet each other for the first time and start working towards achieving our vision and values in more detail. It was a fantastic event with staff travelling from as far as Bradford and Southampton. We ended our day at the Academy with a continued sense of excitement when many of the staff saw their curriculum areas for the first time – their eyes lit up in anticipation of teaching in such cutting edge facilities. We felt a real sense of pride and collegiality as we became aligned to the vision of starting this exceptional Academy.  It feels like we’ve been working as a staff together for years rather than just one day…

We are still interviewing for more support staff over the next few weeks to widen the team supporting our students with their learning. There’s no let up in meeting our project plan and getting all the right people to join our team.  Keep checking the website if you are interested in working for the Academy as support staff.

The sixth form acceptance letters keep flooding in.  If you want to make a late application, there’s still time, or if you have not had an interview, please contact admissions to arrange one by emailing tahliacoleman@hammersmithacademy.org . 

We are planning to hold a sixth form Open Event on the 23^rd August to give you an opportunity to see and feel the Academy and talk about options for September.  In the mean time, well done for completing your exams, get a good rest and we look forward to hearing about your successes when you come to join us.  Remember to confirm your place as soon as you get your results - we will be waiting for you at the Academy.

Our City Dreams competition was a tremendous success and congratulations to Rowan Enis Race and Hamza Khayoun for their winning entries.  Prizes will be given out at the Academy to inspire the new Year 7 students in the creative and digital media opportunities offered by the Academy.

So the preparations continue.  We will move into the new Academy completely within the next 3 weeks, checking and testing everything to ensure a smooth start for opening on 8^th September.  We are extremely grateful to St Paul’s Girls’ School for hosting us for over a year and look to continue our warm and close partnership over the coming years.

Three months and counting!

The Easter break and a royal wedding seem such a distant memory.  Time is racing on but the vision is very much becoming a reality.  The onsite team are working feverishly as the building nears ‘practical completion;’ it’s a strange term but it means that the technical staff can then begin to connect the IT system and ensure the telephony is working effectively.  In turn facilitating the education team to begin to operate from the building itself by mid July.  It’s all coming together now...

In the meantime, we are still gratefully using St Paul’s Girls’ School facilities.  We are looking forward to seeing all our successful Year 7 applicants when they come to SPGS on 13^th June with their parents for interviews and for fittings of the new Academy uniform.  We will be also be able to welcome our new Year 7 students and their parents into the new Academy building on 14^th July at 6pm.  This will be the first test of our new facilities, it is quite a challenge as most furniture is scheduled for later in the summer but we will keep pressing the theatre seating engineers to be complete on time!

We have recruited all our teaching staff who we communicate with via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE).  They are already working on individual aspects pertaining to their faculty areas.  We are confident we have made high quality appointments and have assembled an incredible team to open the Academy.  We are now moving on to complete our support staff appointments.  They will be advertised via our website in the coming weeks.

Potential 6^th form students continue to be interviewed for places in September.  Be sure to check the website for updated information and application details.  Good luck to all those year 11 students’ who are now on study leave preparing to take exams; it is a nerve wracking time for all but good revision and self discipline will support your success.   The City Dreams media competition also continues – year 11 students can submit video entries for the chance to win a digital video camera – so check the website for more details.

Back on site, hundreds of litres of paint are turning plaster walls into classrooms of colour.  Each department has its own identifying colour.   Carpets have been laid, radiators fitted and light switches connected.  Orders are going out for equipment to all subject areas.  It’s truly a monumental task but we are so excited about having it all ready for our first cohort of students in September.

As the dust settles over the next month we will put more photos of the internal spaces on the website – keep an eye on the buildings pages of the website for how it is progressing.  We will have an Open Evening in October for new prospective parents and at some point, we hope to invite the community in to see our building operational with students learning. 

The mid-term break is upon most schools so enjoy the rest.  I look forward to sharing the next instalment and sharing photos of our founding staff, students and parents at upcoming events.  

Building the Team

We have had a real focus on staff recruitment over the last month, and

we have read through over 1000 applications from potential staff, finally we are almost there! 

Since I last wrote, Facilities Manager David Ashley and Assistant Head Teacher Beth Humphreys have come on board. Beth has overall responsibility for performance management, CPD as well as English.

Beth is an English specialist who has spent her teaching career to date in inner London schools: at Aylwin Girls' School, Harris Academy Bermondsey and City of London Academy. In addition to leading in her own subject area, especially at KS5, she has led on student leadership and literacy across the curriculum. She was the Lead Practitioner on a DCFS project, the Transatlantic Schools Innovation Alliance, partnering schools in London with schools in New York to share best practice and improve adolescent literacy.

She achieved a distinction in her MA in Leadership at the Institute of Education where her dissertation focussed on the leadership of brand new start-up academies. She is also on the board of the College of Teachers.      

April Update

 The Easter break is upon us and a great time to take stock of where we are and what we have achieved so far.  The office is somewhat more cramped with new staff getting to grips with various tasks and actions to ensure our educational vision is met for September.  Knee high in Post-it stickies, document wallets and staff applications as well as documentation and plans that

make up the structure of a school organisation.

After trawling through over 1000 applications for assistant heads, subject leaders and main scale posts, we have shortlisted and interviewed almost daily.  Further, we have been accommodated in schools and academies across London over the last 5 weeks, enabling us to employ some terrifically dynamic staff.  This has been quite a challenge but with the help of our sponsors and other key professionals we have completed the majority of staff appointments.

The year 7 student admission process has created a real buzz and we now know who will be coming to the academy in September.  We will be sharing lots of information with parents and students after Easter about induction, timetables, uniform and lots of other key areas in preparation for the new academic year. 

We have also been busy interviewing for sixth form. This will continue after Easter.  If you are in year 11 and have a professional attitude or desire to achieve and be successful, then we want you!  Any prospective sixth form students are able to call and receive information about our courses.  It is not too late to make an application so download a form and send it in.  Visit the website for more details, especially for our Media competition.  Have you posted your entry yet?

We are looking forward to receiving the keys to the new academy building.  

We plan to move in during late June and hope to have an opportunity to meet with the new Year 7 and their parents during early to mid-July.  We will keep you posted on the building’s progress.  For more details and photos please see the Building page on the website.

Enjoy the well deserved rest both for students and teachers alike.  This has been a long term and a good rest this Easter shall prepare all for the summer push ahead.   This will be most notable around exams for students in their local schools and for teachers, the demanding drive to create the dynamic curriculum and systems ready for opening in September.

I look forward to sharing the next phase of Hammersmith Academy’s development after the Easter break.