Learning at Manchester Academy

In-Class Learning

Students in Sixth-Form are young adults and this is how we expect them to behave.  There will be expectations placed upon you to allow teaching and learning to take place in a positive atmosphere. Manchester Academy has strategies in place to deal with any student who persists in disrupting teaching and learning and appreciates parental support. In extreme circumstances this could result in permanent exclusion.

We wish to develop a clear ethos where respectful behaviour and a positive attitude to learning is celebrated and rewarded.

Being Ready to Learn

Students choose courses at Manchester Academy because they want to learn. It is important, therefore, that they come prepared with a bag large enough to carry not only their books but also their equipment which should include a pen, pencil, ruler, rubber and pencil sharpener, as well as a set square, protractor and calculator if Maths GCSE is a chosen subject.

If English is a second language, students should come equipped with a dual language dictionary. There are some available in the library. All mobile phones should be switched off in lessons.

All mobile phones should be switched off in lessons.

Knowing About Progress 

Manchester Academy has systems in place to track student progress. Students who need to develop their literacy skills significantly will follow a course designed to enable them to follow courses which will lead to GCSE and BTEC qualifications later on. Other students will be guided to courses which lead to these qualifications after one or two years at the Academy.

Whichever course a student follows, teachers complete half-termly progress reports. In addition, once a year there is a more detailed report and a Consultation Evening to which Parents and Carers as well as students are invited.

Helping the Student to Progress

Manchester Academy recognises that problems can arise at any time and that sometimes students are reluctant to discuss them, often to the detriment of their progress. Students who feel a need to discuss their problems should feel confident in approaching staff when necessary. Keeping the problem a secret is not the best solution!

Teachers at Manchester Academy are expected to set homework once a week for each subject and students will be expected to complete this. In addition to your timetabled lessons, students will have non-contact time and will be asked to work independently in the LRC. You will have specified LRC (Learning Resource Centre) time identified on their timetable and the manager there will be only too pleased to assist students in the completion of their tasks. We try to give opportunities for independent learning so that our students can become more effective workers in the future.

All students take part in the rainbow reading programme which allows you to further develop your reading skills so that you can access the curriculum more effectively.

Deep Learning Days

All Sixth Form students will have the opportunity to take part in Deep Learning Days. There will be 5 across the year. Each day will have a different focus. We have planned days on Health, Study Skills and Careers. 

Using the Internet

Upon enrolment, each student is given their own personal computer system ID and asked to sign the Acceptable Use of the Internet Agreement. This username and password must not be given to anyone else. In common with other providers of internet access, Manchester Academy reserves and exercises the right to monitor the use to which its computers are put. Some sites are blocked; students attempting to access these sites or otherwise misuse the system will have their access rights withdrawn.

Students will find that independent work using the internet forms an important part of their learning. In addition to the dedicated ICT rooms, the LRC also has computers for student use.