Sixth form back at Newark Academy

Sixth-form education is returning to Newark Academy after a two-year absence.
From September the school will offer 16 to 19 year-olds a range of A-levels and Level 3 Extended Diploma courses.

The head, Mr Andy Seymour, said: “We are now able to re-ignite the sixth form after what was a turbulent year previous to making that decision (to cancel sixth-form provision).

“We are very much on our way to being a good local school for the community we serve.

“Parents did lose confidence in the school. Numbers enrolling were low. We have worked tirelessly to give them that confidence back.

“We are delighted to be offering a predominantly academic choice to our students.

“We are progressive. I am really pleased with the momentum we are achieving. We are nearly full going into September.

“We have an opportunity to grow together.”

Around half the 83 students in year 11 have signed up to join the sixth form.

Mr Seymour said the fact the year group was so small was an indication of where the school was five years ago.

In the run-up to the 2016 academic year, the decision was taken to cancel the sixth form.

It came amid a turbulent time for the school as it sought to improve after being placed in special measures by Ofsted.

“It has been a tough period — a lot of confidence was lost within the community,” said Mr David Palethorpe, who will run post-16 education at Newark Academy.

“We needed to win that back — parents needed to have confidence in the school and the students needed to believe they were in the best place for learning.

“We want this to be a test of what we want to nurture — that last part of schooling here in Newark and for our students to leave here best prepared and fulfilling their potential.

“Each student will have a unique experience, not necessarily as a cohort, but as an individual readied for the next step full of understanding and engaged.”

The A-levels on offer will be English, maths, physics, chemistry, biology and psychology.

There will be Level 3 Extended Diploma courses in sport and in health and social.

Art and product design are being offered supplementary to the main timetable. The National Citizenship Scheme will also feature.

Places are on offer to those moving up from year 11 at the academy and to new starters from elsewhere.

There will be a focus on leadership. The head boy and head girl will be drawn from the sixth form.

Taster sessions are on offer on July 18 and 19.

Ebonie Edwards, 16, is among those staying on to the sixth form, having joined from primary school before the new school was built on London Road to replace the old Grove School buildings.

“When I started and we were in the old buildings, it felt like my school years were a bit wasted,” Ebonie said.

“Things have changed now and I know the teachers will support us. I am glad sixth form is returning.”