There is a very strong emphasis on high quality student support, giving individual attention that goes well beyond the traditional pastoral approach in many schools.

Each student is placed in a “coaching group” eventually of no more than 14 students and currently only nine. As the Academy grows, these groups will be made up of a mixture of ages – with older students coaching and mentoring younger students under the guidance of the member of staff who is the group’s Learning Coach. Coaching groups meet every day, to monitor work, progress, achievements and conduct; students learn to set themselves challenging goals and targets.

Support of this quality enables students to become active in their learning and to reflect on their progress. This, in turn, helps them achieve their potential.