Message from the Executive Headteacher
It gives me great pleasure and a sense of pride to welcome visitors to the website for Cockburn John Charles Academy. Nelson Mandela said that:
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
I am confident that the academy’s ‘Learning for Life’ motto fits well with this and I believe that every Cockburn MAT student has the potential to do just that.
On the 1st April 2018, the South Leeds Academy formally converted to Cockburn John Charles Academy. In a short time the hard work of the students and staff at the academy has ensured that we have made rapid progress in our ‘Transformation to Excellence’, leading to the academy becoming over-subscribed in all year groups, excellent outcomes for all cohorts of students and external validation from Ofsted that the would of the Cockburn Multi-academy trust has led to the school securing a judgement of ‘Good and Outstanding in two areas’ in April 2022.
Cockburn John Charles Academy provides an excellent environment for children to develop as learners and to grow as individuals. In a world which places ever greater demands on young people, it is vitally important that the schools of the 21st Century provide a broad and rich education to prepare students for the challenges they will face in their lives. We are dedicated to blending academic excellence with a richness of opportunity beyond the classroom. High standards of teaching combine with opportunities for independent study to create an intellectual curiosity in our students that stays with them for life. A diverse and rigorous curriculum means we are constantly able to drive students to fulfil, or exceed, their academic and intellectual potential.
To support our journey of ‘Transformation to Excellence’ we emphasise the importance of promoting, celebrating, and recognising achievement in all its many forms. We believe in the concept of partnership, working together with parents/carers, governors, and the community to ensure that every student fully participates in academy life – supporting the academy in its vision of offering the very best in educational opportunities.
Cockburn Multi-academy Trust has developed its own teaching and learning model, the Learning Cycle, which is used to plan all lessons throughout the academy. We continue to increase our thinking around teaching and learning and staff work hard to develop innovative approaches to lesson delivery. Our staff embrace continual professional development.
Cockburn John Charles Academy’s five-year development plan has been structured to provide the outcomes of the school, based on thorough evaluation and review, which includes regular observations of all teachers, and surveys of staff, students and parents. This is supported by an analysis of the performance of students in all years and the progress they make alongside comparisons against local and national performance. It is all of this information which is used to determine our focus for the long-term future and the current academic year.
We have a committed team of teachers and support staff who go the extra mile for students and work with them to demonstrate the Values and Expectations of the school.
The enormous range of extra-curricular activities ensures that each student can grow and develop wherever their interests and talents may lie. The educational trips, visits, tours, and work in the community give further evidence of the breadth of our curriculum.
Our vision of ‘Transformation to Excellence’ focuses on a relentless drive to continue to improve and excel in all areas.
Mr David Gurney
Executive Headteacher