Head of Maths

The world is changing quickly: computers are having a big impact; employers are looking for skills rather than knowledge; and the pace of life will only increase further as our children become adults. And yet, if you visit many schools you will find that they have changed little in the past 20-30 years; indeed, one or two are proud to be much the same as they were 40-50 years ago! Designed for the 21st Century, The Marlowe Academy could not be more different.

Facilities
We have outstanding purpose-built facilities and with what we have achieved in the first year in the old building you will know we are making good use of them.

All under one roof, our new building provides:
• a community library serving the local area
• an athletics track, three full-sized football pitches, cricket square, tennis & netball courts and two sports halls
• dance, drama, music and recording studios
• a 200-seat theatre with additional balcony and wing areas for assemblies and conferences
• the very best specialist facilities for all subject areas
• excellent catering and dining facilities providing nutritional meals and snacks throughout the day

We also benefit from the very latest ICT; in addition to laptops and PCs in classrooms, there are 200+ computers in learning bays outside teaching areas.

The Curriculum
As an Academy, the Government trusts us not to follow the National Curriculum.

We are able to adapt our curriculum, developing courses for students needing extra help, while putting on additional subjects and opportunities for youngsters with particular talents and gifts. We have taken the initiative in delivering vocational courses, similar to those you might take at college, to our first sixth formers.

We have also brought similar approaches back to Years 9 and 10. Our more able students are encouraged to take more examinations, some of them earlier than normal. We have given more time for practical subjects like PE, Performing Arts and Art & Design in Years 7 and 8 as we believe they develop confidence, skills, problem solving skills and the ability to work in teams. The selective system labels students at a young age, with most schools developing one model of courses and trying to make it fit all students. We have students of all abilities; consequently we expect to develop the full range of courses, enabling each and every one of our students to progress and develop at an appropriate pace. We also make our courses interesting and fun so that students want to learn. School should not be something to be endured!

An 8.30am to 5.00pm Day
We believe our day is more relevant to today’s demands and the needs of our students.

For the most part, students complete all their work on site.
Why go home to do homework when you can access computers and be helped by Learning Mentors at school?
Why hold a few sports and other clubs after school when you can put on a more varied programme throughout each day?
Here is our day:
• 8.30am-9.00am - Assembly / Tutorial
• 9.00am-11.00am - Learning Period 1
• 11.00am-1.00pm - Learning Period 2
• 1.00pm-3.00pm - Learning Period 3
• 3.00pm-5.00pm - Learning Period 4

We do not have traditional break times; rather, teachers decide where to place a 10-15 minute break within each learning period to fit in with the activities taking place. All students are given a half hour lunch break at some point between 12.00pm and 1.30pm, but they are never all out at the same time, thereby cutting out queues and congestion. Students also get at least one learning period on individual study in our study centre. This is when the work usually set for homework, and a lot more besides, gets done. It is also the chance for students to take up extra curricular activities.

Leadership
A school is only as good as its Head Teacher and Leadership Team.
Principal - Cassie Ellins

Part of the Community
We open our doors to the community.
The Academy is a brilliant resource and needs to be used.

The best schools are all a real part of the community. Primary Schools are very good at this; Secondary Schools traditionally are not! Newington Library is part of the new building. KCC also have an Adult Education base with us. We are linking closely with Ramsgate Primary Schools as well as Kent and Christ Church Universities. Then there is the theatre, sports halls and other facilities. We are looking to link with local sports, arts and community groups. We are open from 6.30am until 10.00pm each day. Yoga, ICT, dance, cricket, healthy cooking . . . the list is endless, and a future road link to the Haine Road will keep cars away from local roads.

Working with our Students
Our emphasis is upon trusting the overwhelming majority of our students who want to get on with their learning and be successful. We treat all students as adults and expect them to respond accordingly. Where there are issues we deal with them swiftly and sensibly. We do not punish everyone for an individual’s mistakes. The truth is that the vast majority of young people want to get on and be successful. We see our job as supporting, motivating and making students aware of their potential. We are looking to equip our youngsters with the skills to be lifelong learners – it’s what they are going to need throughout their lives. As well as a Tutor, groups of students also have a Learning Mentor who will go to many of the lessons and be on hand to support during individual study periods. Every three weeks each student sits down with their mentor to discuss performance and progress. They will set and review targets as they are going along. In addition we hold termly progress interviews where each family is able to sit down for up to 20 minutes with their son / daughter and their Learning Mentor and Tutor; the meetings are crucial to the partnership between home and school. An individual action plan is completed on Progress Day for every student; it identifies targets as well as available support and resources. We also like to encourage older students to support the younger ones. We train all our Year 12/13 students to work in this way. We also give other students responsibilities to develop their confidence and communication skills. Students are a school’s greatest resource – there are so many of them!