Outwood Grange Family of Schools
The Outwood Grange Family of Schools is a multi-academy trust (MAT) consisting of a total of fourteen academies (eleven secondary and three primary). Each of these schools are funded by the Outwood Grange Academies Trust (OGAT). The Trust was borne out of the success of Outwood Grange Academy in Wakefield.
Academies
Secondary
- Outwood Academy Acklam
- Outwood Academy Adwick
- Outwood Academy Brumby
- Outwood Academy Bydales
- Outwood Academy City
- Outwood Academy Foxhills
- Outwood Academy Newbold
- Outwood Academy Portland
- Outwood Academy Ripon
- Outwood Academy Shafton
- Outwood Academy Valley
- Outwood Grange Academy
Primary
- Outwood Primary Academy Kirkhamgate
- Outwood Primary Academy Ledger Lane
- Outwood Primary Academy Lofthouse Gate
Converting and Candidate Schools
- Carlton Community College (to become Outwood Academy Carlton)
Curriculum
Overview
The Outwood Grange Academies Trust has fully embraced the Personalising Learning agenda and feels very strongly that curriculum design and redesign has a major part to play in the meeting of students’ needs. The Trust has tried to provide opportunities for ‘assessment when ready’ and choice, flexibility and progression are key elements of its curriculum. Outwood sees the curriculum as the building blocks on which good teaching and learning can take place.
KS3 (Years 7 & 8) key features
- Broad range of subjects: English, Maths, Science, Design & Technology, Languages (French, German, Spanish), Drama, Dance, Life Skills, Deep Learning, Geography, History, Music, Religious Studies, Art, ICT, PE.
- Students graduate into KS4 at the end of Year 8 provided that their effort has been satisfactory during KS3.
- All students graduating from Year 8 are encouraged to take part in the Outward Bound residential which takes place at the start of Year 9.
KS4 (Years 9, 10 & 11) key features
- Each week has 25 periods.
- Year 9 – 16 periods per week for core subjects and 3 periods per option subject. (students choose 3 options)
- Year 10 & 11 – 15 periods per week for core subjects and 5 periods per option subject (students choose 2 options)
- Core subjects: English, Maths, Science, Citizenship, PE, Life Skills (including Religious Studies)
- Options subjects are designed to be two year courses in year 9 and 1 year courses in years 10 & 11.
- Range of vocational courses on offer.
- All students are entered for English, Maths and Science GCSEs at the end of Year 11.
- Options in science include separate, Environmental Land Based Studies (ELBS) and vocational science courses.
- Opportunities for students to have extra ‘booster’ time for English and/or Maths.
KS5 (Years 12 & 13) key features
- Students are able to begin level 3 courses where appropriate in Year 11.
- A broad range of level 3 courses allow progression from KS4.
- A range of vocational courses are available.
- Level 2 courses accessible to Year 12/13 students in vertical teaching groups.
Praising Stars ©
Overview
The Outwood Grange Academies Trust uses its very own Praising Stars© system to inform parents/carers about their child’s progress. Each year parents/carers will receive six reports. This frequency of reporting enables the academies to improve the quality and impact of intervention with their students.
Effort (E1-E6)
Parents/Carers MUST look at the effort grades first and foremost as a measure of your child’s performance towards meeting/exceeding their target grades. This will provide a clear indication of the work ethic in particular lessons.
- E1 – Star students
- E2 – Very promising
- E3 – Hard working
- E4 – WAKE UP CALL
- E5 – TARGET
- E6 – EXCLUSION
Predicted/Attainment
This is either a National Curriculum Level, GCSE grade or AS/A2 grade (depending on the Key Stage). The teacher will predict what your son/daughter will attain at the end of their current Key Stage/course based on their current performance and the teacher’s professional judgement.
Homework/Coursework
This indicates, where marked, that the teacher has a coursework concern © or a homework concern (H) or both (HC).
Attendance
This indicates, where marked with an X, that the teacher has a concern that your son/daughter’s attendance in lessons is having a negative effect on performance and progress.
Enrichment
Although formal lessons end at 2.30pm, students are able to choose from a range of enrichment activities and clubs, typically running from 2.30-3.30pm throughout the week, although some go on longer than this.
Most academies of the Trust have over 100 enrichments and clubs for students to choose from each week.
Uniform
Required Academy Uniform
- Academy long or short sleeved shirt – white Academy trousers or skirt – black
- Academy clip-on tie
- Academy jacket – black
- Plain black socks
- Plain black shoes – no trainers, boots, pumps or canvas shoes will be allowed
Optional Academy Uniform
- Academy V neck jumper – sleeves need to be at full length
- Academy V neck slip (tank top)
Shirts, Jumpers and Jackets
- Jackets must be worn with the sleeves down.
- Sleeves on shirts, jumper or jackets must not be rolled up at any time.
- Shirts must be tucked in.
- Only badges issued by the academy may be worn on jackets. Other badges, e.g., charity badges, must only be on outdoor coats or bags.
Shoes
Only plain black shoes are allowed to be worn with the uniform. No trainers, boots, pumps or canvas shoes will be allowed. Heels should be no higher that 2.5 cm/1inch. If students are not wearing the correct footwear they will be expected to borrow a pair of shoes from the Academy – the shoes will be treated with a hygienic spray after each use. Failure to wear the shoes provided will result in an exclusion (refusing a reasonable request).
Outdoor Coats
Outdoor coats should be dark in colour, e.g. black or navy and should have no large logos. Please note, hoodies, fur, denim and studded leather jackets are not allowed.
Bag
Students require a school bag which can fit in an Academy planner and A4 workbooks.
Required PE Uniform
- Purple Academy polo top
- Purple/black Academy reversible games top
- Black Academy shorts
- Plain black knee length games socks
- Indoor trainers – None marking sole with laces, providing support to ankle & foot
- Outdoor trainers – Good grip with laces providing support to the ankle & foot. Pumps do not provide adequate support for the foot or ankle
Optional PE Uniform
- Gum shield – for rugby/hockey (strongly recommended)
- Shin pads – for football/hockey (strongly recommended)
- Football boots
- Academy tracksuit top
- Academy tracksuit bottoms
- 3/4 zip fleece
Drama
- Academy tracksuit bottoms or plain black tracksuit bottoms
- Purple Academy polo top
Dance (Girls)
- Plain black cotton leggings
- Purple Academy polo top
Dance (Boys)
- Academy tracksuit bottoms or plain black tracksuit bottoms
- Purple Academy polo top
Music
- The academies strongly advise that students use a hard case to transport their instrument to and from the academies to offer the best possible protection for the instrument. The case must be clearly labelled with the student’s name. The Trust will not be responsible for damage caused due to improper storage or unsuitable protection.
Suppliers
The Outwood Grange Academies Trust has one official supplier of uniform only, Trutex.