An Inspiration Trust Academy
We care, we share, we dare to do more
Our Vision ‘Leading the Way’ Welcome
At Wayland Academy, we proudly work together to have a positive impact on each other, our happiness, our grades and our lives. We are delighted this ethos was seen by Ofsted during our inspection in July 2023 in which we were rated as ‘Good’ in all four categories.
“The culture of the school is defined by high expectations and underpinned by clear structures. From lining up at the end of lunch, to working quietly on ‘starter activities’, pupils know what to expect. They learn through wellestablished pedagogical teaching approaches. They benefit from the high levels of consistency in how staff behave and in what staff require of them. As a result, pupils’ school experience is a safe and positive one.” Ofsted Report July 2023.
The school has changed dramatically for the better over the last few years - we welcome anyone within our community to come and witness firsthand why they should be proud of their local secondary school. We are committed to ‘Leading the Way’ for our students and the local community - ensuring students achieve their best with the support of those around them. We envision a future where every student leaves us with strong qualifications, memorable experiences and the skills to face life’s challenges. We will achieve this together by working hard for our futures; being kind to ourselves, each other and our environment, and working towards independence every day.
Supporting Pupils Through Every Step
We pay a great deal of attention to the care and wellbeing of all our students, as we want everyone to enjoy their time at Wayland Academy. We aim to support our students in all aspects of their school life – socially, emotionally and academically to prepare them for their next steps.
New students joining Wayland Academy in Year 7 enjoy a structured programme of transition days. During this time, parents have the opportunity to meet the students’ form tutors and staff members.
We offer an intensive support programme that includes school visits, tours of Wayland Academy, and opportunities for additional transition. The purpose of the transition period is to:
Introduce students to their form tutors and key members of staff.
Find out about secondary school and begin to understand the differences between KS2 and KS3.
Reassure students and parents alike that they will be well cared for when they arrive at the academy.
Ask academy staff any questions whether they are pastoral or academic.
We aim to work with parents and carers to help our students flourish and develop into accomplished, cultured young adults over their time with us. Our new students have:
An allocated pastoral support adult –which we call their Head of Year and Assistant Head of Key Stage.
An allocated SEND Key Worker – if required. Opportunities to work closely with existing students within the academy.
Our Curriculum
The curriculum is at the heart of what we do at Inspiration Trust, and our work in this area is nationally recognised. We believe in the power of knowledge and have created a knowledge-rich curriculum in our schools.
With the individual conventions and histories of each subject discipline at its heart, our curriculum is inclusive, ambitious, and rigorous. We are proud to have a nationally recognised knowledge-based curriculum that has traditional subjects at its heart. It is properly sequenced to ensure systematic and thorough teaching for all. The curriculum is designed with long-term learning in mind. Students should be able to take what they learn into adulthood and use it to succeed in life. Our curriculum takes students beyond what they already know and enables them to be more socially mobile, ensuring they secure knowledge they wouldn’t ordinarily have access to.
Where students have special educational needs, we do not narrow our curriculum. We adapt our curriculum and teaching approaches to ensure everyone can access the curriculum and achieve success.
Our students study a rich curriculum covering a range of academic disciplines, creative and performing arts, and vocational subjects. All of these subjects are taught by our knowledgeable and enthusiastic teachers who work hard to bring their subject to life.
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students study art, computing, drama, English, food technology, French, geography, history, maths, music, personal, social and health education (PSHE), physical education, religious education, science and technology.
In Years 10 and 11, all students study maths, English, science and physical education. In addition, students select from a set of options that includes art, business studies, computer science, design technology, food technology, French, geography, health and social care, history, and sport science. We also offer language GCSEs for those who speak more than one language.
The curriculum is balanced with a comprehensive PSHE programme, CIAG programme (Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance), exciting extracurricular activities and student leadership opportunities. Relationship and sex education (RSE) is taught to all year groups in an agesensitive manner through a combination of lessons, drop-down days and assemblies.
Our Subject Leaders work closely with the Inspiration Trust curriculum team to develop high-quality teaching materials that benefit our students at Wayland Academy, as well as the many students across the Trust.
“Teachers follow leaders’ plans, teaching subjects in a logical order and revisiting knowledge pupils need to learn to make sure it sticks in pupils’ memories. Teachers check what pupils have learned and adjust what they teach accordingly. Pupils learn well.” Ofsted Report July 2023.
Reading
Central to our curriculum is an emphasis on reading, and it has been constructed with an understanding of the links between reading performance, knowledge, cultural literacy, vocabulary and writing.
Therefore, our curriculum is a deliberately sequenced, content-rich journey embedded with specific vocabulary, designed to expose students to high quality texts which will contribute to them being confident accessing reading. Where reading presents a barrier to individual students accessing the curriculum, we act quickly to provide expert-led and research-informed literacy interventions.
Reading is fundamental as we know a strong reading ability directly correlates with a student’s ability to access the curriculum and achieve well. At Wayland Academy we have several strategies in place to support students.
Students will:
Have regular reading tests to track any need for support.
Have a reading book as part of their daily equipment.
Use Bedrock Learning for homework and in school to support vocabulary and grammar development.
Read at home with a family member as this helps to improve their fluency and comprehension skills.
Read along in Form Time four times a week.
Have access to a well-stocked school library.
“Reading is central to leaders’ thinking. They have put in place a range of approaches to help those who struggle to read. Some pupils follow a phonics programme. All pupils read regularly in school and teachers are trained in how to help pupils to read in their subjects. Pupils’ reading is successfully enhanced as a result.”
Ofsted Report July 2023
Extra-Curricular Activities
Wayland Academy has a strong commitment to the added value of learning outside the classroom and beyond the academy’s premises. We seek to provide a broad and balanced range of opportunities for all our students.
We will arrange and facilitate activities that take place within and outside of the academy hours that extend beyond the curriculum. These activities include clubs, workshops and events, sports teams, day visits for particular groups, local and national visits, overseas trips and adventure activities.
Each year we run an Activities Week where a full programme of activities is scheduled for students in Years 7, 8 and 9 designed to cater for a variety of interests. Families and students have the opportunity to opt into either a paid or free programme of events. Additional support is available to those in receipt of Free School Meals.
Extra-curricular activities may include: Macbeth performance, Diana Award and Anti-Bullying conference, Theatre Trips, The Battlefields of France and Belgium, Ski Trip to Italy, Paris and Disneyland, Water Sports activities, Escape Room activities, visits to London, Theme Park trips, and more.
“Pupils can join in with a broad and increasing range of activities outside lessons. There are multiple sports clubs and a recently reintroduced school production. More trips are available to pupils than in the past. Pupils can pursue their interests and experience new things.” Ofsted Report July 2023.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is the world’s leading achievement award for young people aged between 14 and 24. It aims to create a world where our students can reach their full potential, whatever their circumstances. Their ethos is to enable every young person of every background to do their DofE and succeed, regardless of any barriers.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award provides a balanced programme of activities that develops the whole person – mind, body and soul – in an environment of social interaction and teamworking. Taking part builds confidence and develops self-esteem and has a lasting impact on the attitudes and outlook of all young people who take part.
Achieving the award isn’t about competition or about being first, it’s about setting personal challenges, pushing personal boundaries and completing the award is not an easy feat. We are proud to say that
a significant number of our students commit to the challenge and persist and persevere through to the end.
Each year a cohort completes the Silver Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in their own time. Our students volunteer for six months, completing physical and skills sections. Students go on to complete a practice expedition for 3 days (2 nights) for the Silver before participating in the assessed expedition elsewhere in England.
Music Matters at Wayland Academy
Inspiration Trust strongly believes in the power of music to enhance lives, both through the sheer pleasure of listening to and enjoying music, and through the discipline of individual and group playing and singing.
As part of our extended Arts and Culture Programme, students have the opportunity to take part in a variety of plays, concerts and music competitions. As part of our commitment to music education, we also offer our students a range of lessons with
our highly skilled and experienced team of Visiting Music Teachers. These include piano, guitar, singing, and drum lessons. Learning to play an instrument helps students to develop cognitive skills, expand language and motor skills, as well as help build determination and patience. Plus, it is fun!
Our students are encouraged to participate in numerous Trust-wide music competitions including Battle of the Bands, Piano Competition, and the Annual Music Competition.
Every year our students get to take part in our Trust-wide Carol Service.
An annual tradition, the Carol Service sees students from all across our sister schoolsprimaries, secondaries and sixth forms - join forces to perform a series of traditional carols and hymns in the winter term.
Always a big calendar event, the Carol Service is a fantastic opportunity for our students and staff to showcase their brilliant musical capabilities, whether through playing instruments or singing, while getting to perform in an iconic location.
The Carol Service is a fun Christmas event that always makes for a lovely family evening.
Our House System
At Wayland Academy we are extremely proud of our House System and the values it promotes - we work hard for our futures, we are kind to ourselves, each other and our environment, we develop our motivation and resilience in all we do, and we work towards independence every day.
Our Houses are named after historical figures that link to us locally, they are:
Boudica Carter
Chapman
Lincoln
We operate a year-group based pastoral structure, with each year group led by a Head of Year and Assistant Head of Key Stage. The House System operates across all year groups as each House comprises a form group for Year 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. This structure helps us to drive our school culture and encourages student development through access to a wide range of experiences. It motivates students to work together and share ideas, allowing them to learn from each other.
When students join Wayland Academy, they will be allocated one of four Houses which students represent through participation in termly competitions and fundraising events. Students are awarded House Points for showing our values across all their activities in school and they are awarded badges for the different stages they reach.
Every staff member is also part of a House, and each House is led by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. To help reinforce the communities of each House, students attend a House Update Assembly each half term where everyone can reflect and celebrate the events they have been part of. House rivalry is also embedded into weekly Year Group Assemblies.
Taking Part in Trust-wide Sports Competitions
At Inspiration Trust we pride ourselves on our sports provision which not only includes a nationally-recognised sports curriculum, but includes half-termly Trust-wide sports competitions.
These competitions include football, athletics, swimming and rugby, and we work in partnership with brilliant local organisations such as the UEA Sportspark and The Nest (Norwich City Football Club) in order to offer our students the very best facilities in which to compete. The atmosphere is always described as electric!
By taking part in sporting competitions, our students are given the chance to shine outside of the classroom and learn vital skills such as the importance of teamwork, determination, patience and perseverance.
It is also proven that taking part in sport encourages higher standards of achievement, improves cognitive function, and improves overall wellbeing through having fun and making friendships.
Whilst outstanding sports provision is often overlooked within the state sector, all of us at Wayland Academy believe it is a core part of what every student should expect from their time in education and we are proud to deliver that.
Secondary Olympiads
All students have the opportunity to be involved in our Trust-wide Olympiads. These see students compete in competitions within their favourite subjects, allowing them to shine in areas where they are gifted.
One of our strategic aims is to ensure each and every child fulfils their potential. We believe this potential is not only achieved through academic success, but through wider opportunities such as competitive programmes.
Our Olympiads cover everything from maths and modern foreign languages through to geography and computer science. They help children learn about teamwork, morals, and offer a fun, alternative way to explore the subjects they love.
Student Voice
We believe that students play a pivotal role in shaping the future of Wayland Academy. Listening to student voice is a vital part of our continuing success and it helps us to strive for even higher standards and outcomes. Students from all year groups take part in setting the agenda for the school, with leadership opportunities built into a structure that mirrors the staff leadership structure.
To support this, we have our Academy Council and our Junior Leadership Team. The Academy Council meet every half-term and each student provides information on what they have been doing within their roles. The opportunity to serve on the council includes working as part of a team, representing peers, developing listening skills, improving self-confidence and public speaking, and leading on putting ideas into action.
To be part of the Junior Leadership Team students apply for a position and through a series of interviews take on one of the Leadership roles. This could be Head Student
“or a Prefect with responsibility for one of the following areas of interest: Academic (including Homework and SEND), Behaviour and Culture (including Anti-Bullying, Diversity, Environment and Rewards), Extra-Curricular (including Careers). These students meet with the Principal to present ideas and opinions from their peers.
One of our students said:
Open Evening was really useful. I was shown around by students and they were polite, inviting and respectful. They introduced me to teachers who were really helpful. This all helped me feel less nervous about moving up to secondary school, Wayland Academy felt really friendly. Since starting here all of that has continued.
SEND Support
We work closely with our families and Norfolk County Council to ensure our provisions for students with Special Educational Needs are second to none.
We remain curious throughout a student’s time with us to identify any potential barriers to learning and recognise our responsibility to support every child in reaching their potential.
Our evidence-informed approach to teaching and learning means all of our students experience high quality universal provision in every lesson. Meeting the needs of every student is central to our vision and values. Beyond our universal provision, we can provide support through a graduated response.
If your child has a Special Educational Need or Disability (SEND) then you will have the opportunity, during the application process, to meet with a member of our SEND team to discuss the needs of your child and any adjustments they may need. We offer a wide
range of interventions to support students with SEND, and this provision is reviewed with families on a regular basis.
For more detailed information about what our academy does to support learners with SEND, please read our SEND Information Report, available on our website.
“Pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) benefit from the way in which the curriculum details and revisits the important knowledge they need to know. Their individual needs are identified and supported well.”
Ofsted Report July 2023
School Meals
We take our responsibility to encourage our students to eat healthily seriously.
Breaks in the morning and for lunch ensure our students have time to relax, recharge and socialise, with all students staying onsite to enjoy their meal. Students may bring a packed lunch from home. Alternatively, students can enjoy the food on offer from our on-site caterers.
School meals are provided by Caterlink. The menu evolves to replicate food innovation and trends. Wholesome, healthy food is produced by our chef who works hard to create a bespoke menu which benefits students wellbeing and their ability to study.
We often host themed events and special taster menus throughout the year. Our school is cashless, and all canteen purchases require students to use the biometric or PIN system.
Free School Meals (FSM) are available at the canteen, this is all automatically taken care of at the till with the biometric/PIN system. If you think you may qualify for free school meals, but you’re not sure how to apply, please speak to a member of the team who will be happy to help.
The School Day
The school day at Wayland Academy runs from 8:40am until 2:45pm on Mondays and Fridays, and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, school finishes an hour later at 3:45pm.
Due to our extended school day students receive three extra hours of learning per week compared to most other schools. This is offered alongside a broad range of extracurricular options at break times and after school which allows our students to try new things and become well-rounded individuals.
Our Uniform
Our expectation is that students will always be in full uniform when on the academy site.
We want our students to take immense pride in their dress, behaviour and learning. Our students wear their uniform with pride when representing the school in and off site; whether that’s at an event or to and from school. You can order your uniform from our supplier, Stevensons. Please note only four items have to be purchased through Stevensons and they are shown with *.
Our mandatory uniform includes:
Academy blazer with logo*
Academy tie (House specific)*
Plain white shirt (long enough to tuck)
Black tailored trousers (straight legs)
Black socks
Black shoes (smart and polishable)
Optional uniform includes:
Plain black V-neck knitted jumper
Black pleated skirt (knee length)
Black tights
Mandatory PE kit includes:
Academy T-shirt with logo*
Academy shorts with logo*
Blue and white PE socks
Trainers
Gum shield (when appropriate)
Studded boots (when appropriate)
Optional PE Kit:
Academy ¼ zip training top with logo (available at Stevensons)
Academy Skort with logo (available at Stevensons)
Plain black leggings or tracksuit bottoms
Preparing Students for their Next Steps
We begin a student’s career journey in Year 7, where we support students to understand themselves, their interests, likes and dislikes, what they are good at and how this affects the choices they make.
We help students to find out about the local labour market, as well as different local and national courses, qualifications and opportunities that they may be interested in currently and in the future.
As part of our Careers Programme, we offer students workshops, careers weeks, talks from local businesses and alumni, work experience and one-to-one guidance with a Careers Advisor. We also work closely with Thomas Paine Sixth Form, Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form College and Jane Austen College Sixth Form to facilitate taster days for our Year 11 students.
“Pupils learn about important issues like healthy relationships and consent in a way which they find helpful. Leaders have judged well when to approach these. They have worked effectively, to ensure that pupils understand the choices they have for their future education and careers.” Ofsted Report July 2023
Post 16 Provision and Sixth Form
After their time at Wayland Academy, students go on to study at a variety of Post-16 providers. Whether that be institutions in Norwich, or a provider based in one of our local towns and villages.
As part of Inspiration Trust, we are fortunate to have excellent links with Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, Jane Austen College Sixth Form and Thomas Paine Sixth Form, all commutable from Watton.
Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form
Rated Ofsted ‘Outstanding’, Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form is a specialist Maths and Science sixth form in the heart of Norwich. At Sir Isaac Newton there is a focus on academic excellence and high aspirations for the future.
With encouragement to aim high, staff are supportive and committed to helping students achieve their goals. Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form has the vision to create the next generation of leaders within STEM industries. Named as one of the best sixth forms in the UK, this A-Level provider gives its students the very best learning opportunities so they achieve the very best possible outcomes.
Jane Austen College Sixth Form
Jane Austen College Sixth Form is part of an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ school and is one of Norfolk’s top sixth forms, students from Jane Austen College Sixth Form consistently achieve some of the county’s best results.
As a sister school to Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form, there is an option to study some subjects at both sixth forms - perfect if you would like to study a mixture of STEM and Humanities subjects.
The school is focused on academic excellence and is committed to creating a supportive learning environment for all students. Students at Jane Austen College Sixth Form are encouraged to aim high and achieve their goals with the help they need to reach these targets.
Thomas Paine Sixth Form
Connected to Thetford Academy, Thomas Paine Sixth Form offers various academic and vocational subjects alongside personalised pastoral support. They are committed to ensuring that young people have access to the high-quality education they deserve, and ensures that students do not have to travel further afield to achieve highly.
Pastoral and Safeguarding
At Wayland Academy we are committed to keeping staff, students and visitors safe and happy. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead ensures that effective support is provided to all students that need it, and our strong pastoral system ensures all students are well known and their needs understood.
We actively educate our students about current affairs and the responsibilities they have within society and our wider community. This includes the responsibility for each child to stay safe at home, school and online as well as how to maintain a healthy mind.
Our pastoral system provides clear support for each child, from their form tutor to the senior leadership team. Our student leadership team includes the PALS - a group of trained Year 10 students who support others with making friends, and who can identify and support with emerging social time issues; they are an invaluable resource of support and encouragement to our students.
We work in close partnership with families and provide regular progress data as well as the opportunity to come into school to meet and speak with teachers about the progress their child is making.
Communication between school and home is critical to ensuring the right support is given to enable our students to make excellent progress. Throughout the year we organise specific year group events to keep families informed of progress. We also arrange events to coincide with important times in students’ school lives when they are making choices that will impact their future.
The pastoral team are really good. They really helped me when I needed support and they gave good advice.
STUDENT
The Admissions Process
Applying for a Year 7 place at Wayland Academy is straightforward and is organised through Norfolk County Council. Any students that wish to join us mid-year or into other year groups must apply directly to Inspiration Trust.
The process for starting Year 7 begins in the autumn of the year before students are due to start school, with applications closing at the end of October. Norfolk County Council then allocates places with offers sent out at the beginning of March.
More information about the admissions process and oversubscription criteria can be found on our website - waylandacademy.org/admissions
Admissions Team, County Hall
Martineau Lane
Norwich NR1 2DL
Telephone: 0344 800 8020
Email: admissions@norfolk.gov.uk
We are part of Inspiration Trust, twice ranked the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress
