Woodham Academy welcomed its first cohort of Year 7 students on Tuesday this week. Formerly Woodham Community Technology College, the school has taken the opportunity to become an academy after having achieved a glowing Ofsted report last year.
Some changes are immediately obvious – the distinctive new logo, smart uniform and interior decoration. However what will really make a difference to students is the investment in the latest digital technology. Wireless technology, a new Apple Mac suite, iPads, the Woodham App and a sophisticated Virtual Learning Environment will all help to support students’ learning.
Additional direct funding from the government has also been used to create more opportunities for students. The range of options available has been extended to include GCSE Dance and many more students will now be able to follow GCSEs in Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Sports coaching is also on offer to elite athletes in a range of sports through Woodham Sports Academy.
Some things, however, will not change. Woodham remains committed to its aim of “Achievement for All”. The highly successful Learning Centre has been extended to provide individual study support to even more students, with teachers available to help with homework at the end of every school day.
Headteacher Christine Forsyth, says, “This is a very exciting time for Woodham. We had a fantastic year last year, culminating in our best-ever examination results. The changes we have made will help us to continue to improve not just the day-to-day experience for students, but the GCSE results essential to their future success.”
Woodham Sports Academy Trials Begin
Next week, Year 7 students will compete to join Woodham football academy. Professional football coaching will be delivered by former Premier League player, Neil Maddison and Woodham Sports Academy Director, Liam Clough.
All new students are encouraged to try out the range of sports on offer and to commit to membership of one or more of the sports academies. Woodham Sports Academy also offers professional coaching opportunities in dance, swimming, American Football, gymnastics, table-tennis, softball, cricket and basketball. Coaching is delivered by members of Woodham’s award-winning PE department, in partnership with Durham Cricket Board, Durham Wildcats, Newton Aycliffe Spartans and Premier Player Football Academy.
Extra-Curricular Activities
This year offers even more opportunities for students to get involved in the life of the school. Woodham Sound, Samba Band, Jazz Band, Instrumental Group and Keyboard Club will all perform in the Christmas Concert on 6th December. Budding actors, singers and dancers will take part in the school show, ‘We Will Rock You’, which is based on the music of Queen. Performances will take place on 5th, 6th & 7th March 2013. Later in the year there will be a summer concert on 2nd July. Head of Performing Arts, Miss Jackson, says “Woodham offers a fantastic range of opportunities for performing arts. It’s great that so many students get involved every year”.
For those interested in sports, Woodham Sports Academy offers professional coaching in Football, Cricket, Basketball, Softball, Table Tennis, Dance, Gymnastics and Swimming. There is also the opportunity for some lucky students to spend a month working with American children during the summer holiday at Camp Cody in New Hampshire, USA. Other annual educational visits include: French language visit to Normandy in July, the football academy trip to Barcelona and a History and German trip to Berlin in December.
The STEM club runs lots of activities to develop Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. In July 2012 the Woodham team came second in the STEM Challenge 10: The Maths and Science Challenge 2012, winning a cash prize for the school and tickets to the Olympics.
Jonathan Lumb, Deputy Headteacher says “It is fantastic to see such a diverse variety of enriching activities on offer to students at Woodham Academy. All of our departments contribute to a very successful extra-curricular programme which enhances the learning experiences of our students”.
First Day at Woodham Academy
Tuesday, 4th September, 2012 was a day that many Aycliffe youngsters will never forget – their first day at secondary school. Some arrived as early as 8 o’clock, too excited to wait any longer. Many admitted to having got up especially early to make sure that they were ready. All looked wonderful in smart new uniforms with shiny shoes and brand new school bags.
John Clough from Stephenson Way Primary said, “I am very excited at being at Woodham. I can’t wait to make new friends, meet my new teacher and have lots of fun”.
Hannah Bussey from Sugar Hill Primary said, “My mum was taking photos of me this morning as I was so smart in my new uniform. I am excited about doing proper maths in particular”.
Broden Forster from Vane Road Primary said, “I am excited about being at an academy and all the sports I am going to do”.
Tracy Tait, Head of Year 7/Primary transition, said “it is wonderful to see the first students of Woodham Academy eager to begin their five year journey with us. It is a privilege to be their Head of Year”.
And the Best Thing Was . . . Dinner
There was universal approval for Woodham Academy dinners. Students chose from a selection of hot and cold dishes, including pasta pots, jacket potatoes, freshly made sandwiches and a traditional hot dinner, pudding and custard.
Woodham’s chef, Linda Vipond, and her team are committed to using only fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Menus change daily and include items made following popular request.
House Competitions
All students at Woodham Academy belong to one of three houses, Brancepeth, Raby or Lambton. Each house competes for the Bulman Trophy which is awarded annually in memory of former student, Mark Bulman. Students are awarded house points for good attendance, effort and achievement. There are also regular house competitions held after school when students take part in fun activities with their friends.
Academic Excellence
Woodham seeks to develop students’ talents in all subject areas with a curriculum which fully reflects the demands of the National Curriculum and recent developments. It has been designed to be broad, balanced, relevant and responsive to the needs of learners, their community and society.
GCSE options include Art, History, Geography, Drama, Music, Media Studies, PE, Dance and a second Foreign Language. Vocational options include Heath and Social Care, Creative Media, Engineering, Sport, Applied Art and Design, Travel and Tourism and Business Studies. In 2012, over one third of students gained three or more A*/A grades at GCSE and 57% achieved 5 or more A* – C grades including English and Mathematics. This represents a 5% improvement on 2011 results against a year when results fell nationally.
Deputy Headteacher, Ian Bickerdike says, “We are delighted with the successes of all our students. Our curriculum is widely recognised for its flexible, personalised provision and this allows students to fully engage, thrive and progress to exciting post-16 options”.
