Manchester Academy Awarded National Literacy Award

Manchester Academy picked up the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust [SSAT] Literacy Award in recognition of the academy’s progress with literacy in all lessons and its sustainable system for improving students' literacy levels.

On Wednesday 29^th September, 2010 a judge from the SSAT came to spend some time in school, popping into lessons, meeting with staff and students and seeing all the ‘fantastic’ things that go on at the academy.

The award recognises the literacy support and intervention provision received by all students, including those with specific literacy needs; the confidence of all teachers to engage with literacy in the teaching and learning of their lessons; the creative approach to producing a positive and enthusiastic attitude amongst students to their literacy development; the innovative and creative pedagogy and innovative curriculum design.

In addition, Manchester Academy was praised for the literacy work it carries out with the wider community such as the Somali Women’s Group, who come into the academy each week to learn English as well as the academy’s partnerships with business mentors, who also come to the academy to support students’ literacy development.

The judge commented on the ‘fantastic, calm atmosphere’ of the school and how engaged all the students were whilst on her tour and during her observations. She said: ‘The SSAT literacy award is presented to the school that has interesting, innovative and sustainable literacy practice. They also have a proven track-record of raising students' literacy levels, resulting in raising achievement and providing students with the opportunities to succeed in life.’

The academy’s most recent development is the piloting of The Literacy Leaders Award. This involves six Year 10 students working with a personal mentor from Pinsent Masons law firm, to help develop literacy in the academy. In order to gain the award the students undertake thirty hours of work such as running literacy activities with the Year 7 Transition team; planning with the English department to run World Book Day; cross-curricular literacy work with the PE department; as well as developing their leadership skills in other units.

Kathy August, Principal of Manchester Academy and Deputy Chief Executive of ULT said: “We are doing many things to improve the life chances of our students many of whom do not have English as a first language. Most notably, we offer a specialised reading recovery programme, designed to improve reading ability, vocabulary and pronunciation skills, as well as improve confidence in speaking aloud. Our continually improving results are testament to the whole-school literacy drive and the work being carried out every day - in every classroom across all subjects; ensuring our students enjoy school, achieve their very best and leave us with bright futures.”

Manchester Academy’s 2010 results of 81% of students achieving five or more GCSEs at grade C or above (73% gaining a C or above in English) is a significant improvement from when the academy took over from its predecessor seven years ago.