FAQs
What is The East Manchester Academy?
The East Manchester Academy is part of a wider programme across Manchester that will see seven brand new Academies open by September 2010, four in 2009 and the remaining three in 2010, each one linked to future growth sectors of the city's economy, and each one linked also to other schools in the city. The East Manchester Academy is a publicly funded independent local school that is set up to provide first class free education. It brings a distinctive approach to school leadership drawing on the skills of sponsors and other stakeholders. It will give leaders and staff new and exciting opportunities to develop educational strategies to raise standards and achievement. The East Manchester Academy is an all ability school.
Why is it different to other schools in the area?
The East Manchester Academy will become centre of excellence for its specialisms (the Built Environment and Performing Arts) sharing this expertise with other schools across the city. With schools closer to the Academy, additional links will be formed to share knowledge and resources across a wide range of subjects and interests. Finally, the Academy is located in the community, for the community.
How will the Academy link with the local community?
The Academy will house the new District library for the benefit of all community members. It will aim to be the very hub of the community and will provide extended services for young people, their families and the wider community. The Academy will also have extended opening hours, outside of normal school times so that its buildings and grounds are available for community groups, clubs and adult learning facilities.
How many pupils will be at the school?
Initially 180 places will be available for Year 7 only, gradually building up to 900 pupils over the next five years. The Academy will also include post-16 provision, starting with 60 students in 2010 and increasing to the maximum of 120 by 2011.
What are the specialisms?
The Built Environment is the primary specialism, with a Centre of Excellence for The Performing Arts.
What do you mean by The Built Environment?
The built environment includes architecture, engineering, art, project management, environmental design and planning, science, technology and computing.The global challenges of energy and climate change, population growth and the need for sustainability require new ideas for construction, engineering and technology. Our pupils will be the scientists, mathematicians, designers, engineers and architects of the future.
What do you mean by The Performing Arts?
‘Performing Arts’ is The East Manchester Academy’s centro of excellence. Arts are a curriculum requirement, but through the specialism we will provide a whole host of activities to inspire young people both in and out of school.Our pupils will be able to participate in performances, exhibitions, artist-led workshops, individual tuition and visits.
We will enable pupils to work in the arts and creative industries and to enjoy artistic experiences outside the classroom.
Does every student have to study one of the specialisms?
No. The specialisms will be a strong but not exclusive focus of the academy, which will ultimately concentrate on offering students a full, broad curriculum and will encourage every student at every level to maximise their own potential through a personalised programme of study. The academy will not be about narrowly promoting the specialisms to students, but will incorporate some of the principles of the specialisms in some of its everyday operations.
What will the sponsors do?
Laing O’Rourke and Bovis Lend Lease are two of the largest and most successful construction companies in the UK, with a long track record of working in Manchester. Both companies have worldwide operations. Both organisations have a passion for education, learning and development and together with co-sponsors New East Manchester, the City Council & The Manchester College, they bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the academy.
Working in partnership with the Principal Designate and Academy staff, they will help to embed business thinking in the leadership, management and organisation of the Academy. They will provide knowledge of business environments and opportunities for relevant skills development and practical learning in a ‘real world’ context.
Isn’t an Academy elitist? Or can any child go?
The East Manchester Academy is a publicly funded independent local school that is accessible to the whole community.
Will the curriculum be the same as other schools in the area?
The curriculum will include all of the core subjects and required topics of learning, but aims to enhance this and approach curriculum design in an innovative way, developing a 21st century curriculum to fully engage all learners across the ability range. This will include opportunities and activities that will equip pupils with the necessary skills, knowledge, citizenship values and competencies for a positive and economically secure future and one that encourages them to actively and constructively contribute to society locally, nationally and globally.
The East Manchester Academy will provide an innovative thematic and skills-based curriculum, which allows pupils to achieve mastery of essential literacy, numeracy, ICT and communication skills within a stimulating cross-curriculum learning environment allowing for creativity and critical thinking. The East Manchester Academy has five designated areas for learning: Design & Create (Arts & Design, Technologies, Media Studies), Perform (Performing Arts, Sports & Leisure), Scientific (Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Sports Science, Psychology), Communications (English, Literacy, Languages, Communications Skills, Humanities, Citizenship), Post-16 specialist facilities.
When did construction start?
January 2009
How long will it take to build?
Construction will be complete in August 2010
Who is building the Academy?
Balfour Beatty is a construction partner in Manchester’s Building Schools for the Future and Academies programme and is responsible for the construction of The East Manchester Academy
When will it open?
September 2010