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Dear ParentsWelcome to The Ongar Academy, a brand new non-fee paying 11-18 mixed community school opening in Ongar, Essex in September 2015. Built on the principle of offering opportunity for all to achieve at the very highest level, The Ongar Academy will be an amazing place to learn. Our Latin motto ‘Affectare ad Optimum’ translates as ‘Aspire to Greatness’ and that is precisely what we shall be doing alongside you and your children.

We will offer a broad and balanced curriculum with a specialism in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). We will build on the strengths and opportunities offered by a brand new site to create a well-disciplined, supportive yet challenging environment, where every student will be known as an individual and be inspired to achieve excellent outcomes.

At The Ongar Academy every child will be given every opportunity to gain both academic success and personal fulfilment. They will be stimulated and challenged academically whilst building the skills that will enable them to reach their full potential.

I look forward to welcoming you to The Ongar Academy family.

Mr. David GrantHeadteacher

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The campusThe Ongar Academy will benefit from state-of- the-art facilities built to our exact requirements with high-quality teaching and learning spaces. Our students will watch as this superb multi-million pound facility rises from the ground to become their home from 2017.

The Academy will be built on land which was previously part of the former Ongar Comprehensive School on Fyfield Road, Ongar and will benefit from the excellent sports and leisure facilities nearby, including a first rate sports centre, vast playing fields and a well-equipped adult education centre and youth centre, all on a single site.

During the first two years of opening the Academy will be accommodated in high-quality temporary facilities on the same site, which will include elements of new build, alongside some existing spaces.

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Initial artist’s impressions of how our building might look, subject to design development and planning approval.

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To facilitate a smooth transition, our staff will visit all students at their primary school to provide support and advice. Parents will be invited to welcome events and children will be encouraged to participate in our summer learning challenges before term starts.

On joining us in September, every student will be welcomed into a vibrant tutor group balanced in terms of gender, interests and prior academic achievement. All students will become a member of one of four Houses - Agnesi, Brunel, Curie and Darwin - giving them the opportunity to meet and work with students of all ages and abilities throughout their school career.

The Ongar Academy will admit just 120 students into Year 7 so you can be assured of a more personal relationship with the school. Progress will be reviewed and reported on regularly and each child will be known as an individual.

Joining our educational community

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No matter what your ability is, effort is what ignites that ability

and turns it into accomplishment.

Carol DweckProfessor of Psychology at Stanford University

Teaching and learning We will provide a world-class education with the very best research-led teaching.

Our Headteacher joins us from the fourth highest performing non-selective school in the country, where he has developed and delivered high-quality teaching across the curriculum based upon up-to-date research and tried and tested techniques. At The Ongar Academy, we know what ‘Outstanding’ looks like and how to deliver this every day for your child.

The Ongar Academy will:

• Appoint only fully qualified teachers.

• Appoint only experienced teachers in our inaugural year.

• Maintain a good balance between skills and experience as the school grows.

• Continually develop our staff and encourage them to become ‘lead learners’.

• Provide intervention and 1:1 tuition for more able students, or those who require additional support.

• Keep class sizes lower in the setted subjects (such as Mathematics and Science) than in other comprehensives.

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CurriculumThe Ongar Academy will provide a relevant, stimulating and personalised education enabling every student to fulfil their full potential and reach their destination of choice whether it be at university, further training or employment. At Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) we will offer a broad and balanced curriculum including arts, sport, modern languages and humanities with a key focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. All Year 7 students will study Mathematics every day and will take two modern foreign languages. Latin will be available as an enrichment subject.

At Key Stage 4, in addition to the core subjects, GCSE options will include: Ancient History; Art; Computing; Drama; French; Geography; History; Latin; Music; PE; Product Design; Religious Studies; Spanish and Textiles. Full details of the curriculum offer can be found at www.theongaracademy.org/curriculum

Our Sixth Form is planned to open in 2017 and will initially prioritise facilitating subjects so highly valued by Russell Group universities.

Genius is one per cent inspiration, ninety-nine per cent perspiration.

Thomas Edison, Inventor

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Supporting successThe Ongar Academy will have the highest expectations for all our students in keeping with the school motto which translates as ‘Aspire to Greatness’. Leadership will form a central theme in the school with opportunities for all students to build the critical skills that will increase their employability in later life.

We aim to keep class sizes deliberately smaller than in traditional comprehensive schools to ensure that every student is known and is given every opportunity to flourish as an individual. Classrooms will be busy, productive places full of energy and excitement with opportunity for practical activity and interaction.

Students will be encouraged to think creatively and independently, to find new solutions and apply their learning and skills to the real world. We will encourage them to build resilience and understand that their journey to the destination of choice is as important as the destination itself.

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Sports and the artsThe Ongar Academy is fortunate to be based in a community with strong sporting traditions and will benefit from excellent facilities available at Ongar Leisure Centre, including a large and well-equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, dance studios and extensive playing fields.

Exciting partnerships with a range of sports clubs and teams will enable The Ongar Academy to punch well above its weight in terms of sporting achievements.

The expressive arts will also feature strongly within the school and extra-curricular drama and music activities will be offered as part of the comprehensive enrichment programme.

Imagination is more important than knowledge.

Albert Einstein

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EnrichmentIn addition to academic success, it is important that our students become well-rounded citizens, committed to community service locally and further afield. Students will learn about modern British values and be encouraged to establish a global approach to their development, facilitated by overseas visits and relationships with international schools. Opportunities for structured volunteering and flourishing home-school partnerships will extend engagement to wider family members.

Supervised before and after-school enrichment sessions will be held from 8am until 5pm, Monday to Friday and we will offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities. All students will be encouraged and expected to take part in these throughout the school day. These opportunities will be supported by further curriculum extension days and an activities week towards the end of the year.

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AdmissionsFor our first year of operation The Ongar Academy will manage its own admissions. In subsequent years, The Academy will be included in the Essex County Council admissions process and parents will be able to apply for a place in the same way as any other secondary school within the Local Authority. Details about Essex County Council’s free home to school transport can be found at www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Travel-School.

To apply for a place for 2015 or register your interest for subsequent years please visit our website www.theongaracademy.org.

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Correspondence to: The Ongar AcademyInformation Centre172 High StreetOngarEssexCM5 9JJ

Headteacher: Mr David Grant BSc (Hons) PGCE

01277 286255

info@theongaracademy.org

www.theongaracademy.org

/theongaracademy

@theongaracademy

The Ongar Academy Trust is an exempt charity and company limited by guarantee registered

in England and Wales no. 9000501. Registered Office: 7 Torrells Hall Cottages | Shellow Road

Willingale | Ongar | Essex CM5 0SP. Information included in this publication was correct at the

time of publishing but may be subject to change.

John Sear Estate Agents

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Photos © Roy Strutt Photography

Design: www.deciacco.co.uk

The Ongar Academy is grateful for the support of many

local businesses but particularly the following;