Specialisms

Performing Arts

GCSE Dance, Drama and Music will be offered. The Academy will investigate alternatives to GCSE so that it can provide a 14 - 19 curriculum which will match the aspirations, abilities and aptitudes of all students. These will include BTEC's in Performing Arts and Acting and the development of the Creative and Media Diploma.

Outside the formal curriculum the aim is to maintain/build on the excellence, national and international reputation of the band while widening the range of opportunity and the levels of excellence elsewhere - choirs, popular music, drama, public speaking & debating, dance etc. We hope that by providing a top rate theatre in the new academy building, we can draw in other organizations to offer opportunities to young people and professional theatre companies.

To learn more about the Abraham darby Bands please visit http://www.abrahamdarbymusic.co.uk/

Business & Enterprise

This is a new specialism that will be developed over the coming years. There will be a number of significant strands within it:-

The establishment of a framework within the pupil development systems which will track (& therefore emphasise) the development of the traits necessary for students to be successful /enterprising in life. These traits can be subdivided into three groups as follows:

• Higher Traits: judgement, recognising others' styles, sense of justice, integrity, loyalty, initiative, decisiveness, moral courage, good listener, resilience, accept responsibility and sense of community.
• Intermediate Traits: enthusiasm, selflessness, knowledge of others, physical courage, endurance, teamwork, tact, trust, motivation, self-confidence, respect and self-esteem.
• Building Blocks: self-knowledge, organisation, continuous learning, individual responsibility, communication, independence and dependability.

The employment of an Industrial Fellow/creative partner who will look to create links/experiences for students/subject areas - music, languages Business & Enterprise, D&T - in museums, tourism, business & enterprise, community projects, primary schools etc and drawing parents into the school.

Shaping the curriculum experience - looking at and emphasising Business & Enterprise in all subject areas.

Enhancing curriculum time and opportunity - in KS3, Applied GCSE & A Levels, 14 - 19 diplomas to match the aspirations, abilities and aptitudes of all students.

Providing entrepreneurial opportunities for students both within the Academy and the local community - such as a ‘Starbuck's café and a shop'.

The development of opportunities offered to students beyond the classroom - leadership roles, sports, music, drama, student council.

Stand alone experiences.

Creative Partnerships 'Change School.'

The Academy has already become T&W's first Creative Partnerships 'Change School.' This is a three year funded programme enabling schools to look at whole school change and as such is complimentary to the academy agenda. It will enable the development of innovative and long-term partnerships between the Academy and creative professionals from all aspects of business and commerce, and in so doing create real, imaginative and challenging opportunities to actively engage students in their learning and build their self confidence.

Training School Status

Abraham Darby will also share the Training School status held by Adams'. The Federation between the two schools will lead to a sharing of culture, the opportunity for teachers, to share ideas and ‘best practice', the improvement of Teaching and Learning, the Training School, Gifted and Talented opportunities, joint events and activities for pupils, and joint services. The Training School will become a catalyst for the improvement in Teaching and Learning, new ideas, change and development in both schools via sharing best practice, training teachers and support staff and providing a supply of young, dynamic and dedicated teachers.