Raising Achievement

Hewett Academy, as part of the Inspiration Trust, is committed to getting the best possible life chances for the young people we serve.

Hewett Academy is within a highly deprived catchment area, for example with 37.5% PP students, but our pupils’ background should not limit where they can go in life. This is why we run such an extensive Raising Achievement programme - because the best way to tackle economic and social disadvantage is to get an excellent education with outcomes that open up pathways that would otherwise be closed to them.

We have spent a lot of time considering the barriers our students face and how we can tackle them, which is why this plan is so far reaching. Every child can reach their potential if we dare to do what is required. Those barriers should be seen in the context of our school which is 26% SEND, 25% EAL and with a large number of in-years transfers to us.

Our identified RA areas are:

  • Underperforming students (Strategies 1 & 2)

  • Reading ages (Strategies 3 & 4)

  • EAL students (Strategy 5)

  • Higher achieving students (Strategy 6)

  • Maths subject specific strategies (Strategies 1, 2 & 7)

  • Lack of exam practice (Strategy 8)

  • Lack of access to coaching (Strategy 9).

 

Strategy 1 - Teacher-led intervention

We believe the best form of intervention is when the class teachers deliver to the students they know and teach during the week. This means that the intervention can be sharply focused on gaps in knowledge or exam application.

Revision timetable for Year 11

 

Strategy 2 - School led tutoring

We have a team of tutors employed by Hewett Academy who work directly with the department team to offer 1:1, 2:1 and small group tuition in Maths and English. The tutors liaise on a weekly basis with the class teachers and HODs to ensure the work is appropriate and focused.

 

Strategy 3 - Reading Intervention (development)

Led by Hewett’s Reading Mentors, we identify the students who are significantly behind on their reading and use a nationally recognised programme of high-intensity phonics to help them rapidly improve. These are three times a week, half hour 1:1 sessions.

 

Strategy 4 - Reading Intervention (17+)

The school librarian and the English Department collaborate to bring more of our students to the 17+ reading age earlier in their school career so they can benefit from strong articulate and accurate reading fully at Key Stage 4. This is both in the weekly reading lessons at Key Stage 3 and in the ‘advanced reading’ book club throughout the school.

 

Strategy 5 - English as an Additional Language

We know that a strong grasp of the English language is required for GCSE, so we use a nationally recognised programme in Rosetta Stone to support all of our EAL students. Those operating at a band A or B will have tutored support to improve their English, whilst those at C or above will have a drop in session to support them. All students can access this online from home.

 

Strategy 6 - Path to 9 Tutors

We have a partnership with UEA to provide undergrad tutors in a range of subjects to support our most able students to get the very highest grades. Working with them is both good for their education but also, we hope, aspirational too.

 

Strategy 7- SIN Maths Tutors

After a successful pilot at Jane Austen College, in conjunction with Angles Maths Hub, we have a number of top year 13 Maths students from Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form who come to work intensively with our students. They are trained and prepared with resources from the Maths Hub, including QA of their work. 

 

Strategy 8 - Exam Practice Group

Some of our students need exam practice above and beyond that which is typical in class. We therefore set an additional exam paper per week for them and provide detailed individual feedback with short term targeted areas for improvement.

 

Strategy 9 - Sports Coaching

We have some students with high sporting potential who, with extra coaching, could exceed in this area.