Academy Life

What’s the Big IDEA?

In today’s globalised, digital and social media age we are witnessing an unprecedented pace of change that shapes all aspects of how people relate to one another, how we work, learn and spend our leisure time. Already, Facebook has become “old” – older in fact than our Year 7 students who joined the Academy in September.

Young people have the world at their fingertips, but they also require new skill sets to thrive and succeed in a constantly changing environment. Like the digital world, education continues to evolve rapidly as new standards and performance measures have been introduced. The new GCSEs and new grading system are now with us.

At Wayland Academy we approach change with a clear focus on the Big IDEA, rather than rush for quick fixes or knee-jerk responses.

Our sense of mission at the Academy is clear: - putting students first, enabling success and building essential life skills.

INNOVATE

We would like our ideas to move education forward; we are not interested in just following others. We prefer originality.

All of this requires students, teachers and leaders to Innovate. We must make changes to previous strategies and initiatives to enable us to predict and stay ahead of change. Like the Academy, students must be willing to adapt as the world around them changes. Innovation is different from invention - we don’t expect the reinvention of education, but rather the adaption of good practice and what is best for our students.

Students are great with innovation; they have only ever experienced a world of rapid change. However, we must also support students to realise that creativity is not dependent on technology.

Our dynamic curriculum is designed to stretch students’ imaginations, raise their expectations and enrich their knowledge across all subjects.

DISCOVER

Young people naturally seek out new products, ideas and trends in a desire to be the first to Discover something new and of value. We recognise that when students join us, they are their own person. We support this individuality and embrace difference and diversity.

Students should be allowed to enjoy the fun of trying things out even if they don’t work and to know the joy of experimentation. Education should always instil a sense of discovery in students; we want students to look for the unexpected and to be willing to search for answers rather than expecting the answer to come easily.

This approach will help equip students for the latest curriculum changes which require students to have a greater than ever understanding of a subject

EXPLORE

We believe that students will only reach their true potential if they feel safe, secure and free to Explore. We focus on providing an environment that enables students to focus on their priorities, like learning, making friends and preparing for life after the Academy.

Students must examine in detail and inquire into their subjects so that they acquire a concrete understanding. They should not only know the answer but also, why that is the answer.

Students will discover what methods and strategies work best for them individually; this alone will make a big difference.

We support this exploration by offering a number of after-school clubs, regular holiday revision and skills training events and we work alongside business and industry to enable creative thinking and planning.

ACTIVATE

Knowing every individual student is at the heart of what we do because, our job is to support and encourage them as they grow up during their learning journey at Wayland Academy Norfolk.

We encourage students to make their own decisions and be responsible for their own actions. We remain aware that this is a process of trial and error but, we are always on hand to support our students, whatever their needs. We have clear and high expectations of all of our students.

All of this should Activate students and set them in motion for excellent progress here and beyond, to amazing careers. Students should be willing to collaborate, whilst dealing with the friction, exhilaration and delight that this can bring, and at the same time releasing shared potential.

Our SAFE team, alongside other trained professionals, also help and support our families and their children.

Our mission is to create learning that enables students to Innovate, Discover, Explore and Activate, underpinned by our core value of Improving Life Chances Through Education.