GCSE Results Thursday 21st August 2014
10am - 12 Noon
Thank you!
As I write this message, I am reminded of the same time last year when I put together some similar words and similar sentiments. That final letter of the academic year was one of celebration and an opportunity to offer thanks.
In fact, we had so much to celebrate and share that my letter ran to two pages. Not my usual style at all! So, here is my predicament: if I begin to think about all we have done, enjoyed and achieved together just in this last term, my letter will run to three pages. You will be pleased to know that I am not going to do that. Instead, I shall turn straight to thanks.
Your children, our students, have been magnificent. Whatever the year has held for them, they have demonstrated determination, resilience and increasing maturity. They end the year as stronger, brighter, more accomplished youngsters. Their approaches to study, willingness to participate in the full life of the Academy and generosity in contributing back to community life here have made us all stronger, more confident and optimistic. Last week, we appointed our head and deputy head boys and girls. I say appointed, because they have been through a rigorous selection process. As rigorous as the one we use when we appoint our staff. But, as I said to them at the end of the week: we call it a selection process and we talk about making choices, but in truth, they selected themselves by merely being the people they are and have been in their first four years with us. They have stood out. But all of our students stand out, every day. I know that because I see it and I know that because others tell me so. My greatest thanks go to each and every individual student.
In schools, we often talk about the partnership between school and home. Schools have done that for years. For generations. So, it is important to me that we actually do things that make this partnership real. It is our common purpose, to ensure that 'All Will Succeed'; this we will secure, together. Last Friday was our final Academic Review Day of the year. The atmosphere was, as always, very positive. We know how lucky we are to enjoy the high degree of support we receive from families and so to all of our families, please accept my thanks.
To complete that formidable partnership, I would like to say thank you to our exceptional staff. Hard work always brings benefits and there are hard working staff in every school. I, though, have never met a workforce so passionate and determined about what they do; so committed to making very real improvements to our students' life chances; so single minded in their belief in the success of every single student in our care.
I am sure, then, that we are ready for a break. Our final day arrangements mean that students will be dismissed in groups from around 12:15pm, with that dismissal complete by around 12:30pm. Any student wishing to take a meal may do so before they leave, but must eat in the restaurant. Otherwise, students will be free to leave for their much deserved Summer break.
So, we can look forward to September with renewed vigour, refreshed minds and refocused efforts. Term begins for students on Wednesday 3rd September. All students should arrive by 8:20am and will go into their pod groups by 8:30am
Many thanks again for your support during this last year. Best wishes for the Summer holiday and for those of you celebrating Eid, I hope those celebrations go well, too.
Jeff Ellis
Principal
Principal Jeff Ellis pictured with Head Boy Huzaifa Moosa, Head Girl Sana Ismail and their mums.
Exciting Times Ahead
Many parents will know that in September Essa Primary School will
open. Plans are currently being drawn up to spend millions of pounds
refurbishing an existing building on the old school site, however, in
the meantime, the school will open in the building near the Lever Edge
Lane entrance to the Academy. It has created a lot of excitement for
us all. Not least because this takes us into a new phase of the
Academy's life. The Academy's sponsors wish to help support other
children to receive the best education possible and to this end have
now formed a Multi-Academy Trust, meaning that this can become a
reality. This creates so many opportunities for joint working and will
provide parents in this community with an education for their children
from the age of 4 to 16. The commitment from sponsors and governors
remains strong and focused. At the Academy, we remain committed to
working with parents to ensure that 'All Will Succeed'. The letter at
the end of this article gives parents and others visiting this website
an opportunity to find out more about this development and how to make
enquiries and representations.
open. Plans are currently being drawn up to spend millions of pounds
refurbishing an existing building on the old school site, however, in
the meantime, the school will open in the building near the Lever Edge
Lane entrance to the Academy. It has created a lot of excitement for
us all. Not least because this takes us into a new phase of the
Academy's life. The Academy's sponsors wish to help support other
children to receive the best education possible and to this end have
now formed a Multi-Academy Trust, meaning that this can become a
reality. This creates so many opportunities for joint working and will
provide parents in this community with an education for their children
from the age of 4 to 16. The commitment from sponsors and governors
remains strong and focused. At the Academy, we remain committed to
working with parents to ensure that 'All Will Succeed'. The letter at
the end of this article gives parents and others visiting this website
an opportunity to find out more about this development and how to make
enquiries and representations.
| microsoft_word_-_mat_letter_for_parents_and_stakeholders-1-2-1.docx.pdf |
BBC School News Report Day
On Thursday 27th March, 8 students, (Naseer Ali, Amaan Alom, Kulsum Chanchwelia, Junaid Dadu, Barlin Hassan, Luqmaan Kotwal, Ibraheem Munshi and Manar Yaqoob) who are part of the E-Newsreport E5 team, were invited to visit Media City in Salford to take part in BBC School News Report Day.
In previous weeks, during our E5 sessions, our team had spent time honing their interviewing, reporting and presenting skills in preparation for their involvement in the day. On the day our academy was one of over 1,000 schools across the country who took on the task of reporting the news for themselves and highlighting the stories and issues which were important to them (more information about this project is available via the BBC website-http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/).
Our day at Media City in Salford began by joining the Newsround team’s morning meeting, during which we were asked our opinion of the news stories they would be including in their news broadcast that afternoon. Our students had the opportunity to interview Martin Duggan, a news round presenter, and Andy Hassell, one of the website producers for the show. The team learnt a lot about interviewing and presenting skills from Martin, who told us about his experiences interviewing everyone from our Prime Minister David Cameron to David Beckham and Olly Murs.
In the afternoon we visited the main BBC headquarters in Quay House and met the people responsible for the BBC website and iPlayer apps, and again had the opportunity to turn the tables on the news teams by interviewing them ourselves!
At the end of our day (whilst being followed by two cameramen) we were invited into the Newsround studios and production office to watch the live broadcast of Newsround we had seen the team planning that morning. Throughout our afternoon, some of our students were themselves interviewed on camera by the BBC News and Newsround camera crews and we are waiting to find out where this footage will be used.
Photos taken of our trip by the BBC News team’s photographer have just been added to the BBC News website- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/26793852.
We had a fantastic time with the BBC and our students thoroughly enjoyed their day, from editing their own interviews to bumping into Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood (and taking selfies with him!). The whole team threw themselves into the experience and approached each challenge they were given with enthusiasm and responsibility, many members of staff from the BBC commented on how enthusiatsic and eloquent our students had been throughout the day.
Watch the space to hear more from our wider E-Newsreport E5 group in the coming months.
On Thursday 27th March, 8 students, (Naseer Ali, Amaan Alom, Kulsum Chanchwelia, Junaid Dadu, Barlin Hassan, Luqmaan Kotwal, Ibraheem Munshi and Manar Yaqoob) who are part of the E-Newsreport E5 team, were invited to visit Media City in Salford to take part in BBC School News Report Day.
In previous weeks, during our E5 sessions, our team had spent time honing their interviewing, reporting and presenting skills in preparation for their involvement in the day. On the day our academy was one of over 1,000 schools across the country who took on the task of reporting the news for themselves and highlighting the stories and issues which were important to them (more information about this project is available via the BBC website-http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/).
Our day at Media City in Salford began by joining the Newsround team’s morning meeting, during which we were asked our opinion of the news stories they would be including in their news broadcast that afternoon. Our students had the opportunity to interview Martin Duggan, a news round presenter, and Andy Hassell, one of the website producers for the show. The team learnt a lot about interviewing and presenting skills from Martin, who told us about his experiences interviewing everyone from our Prime Minister David Cameron to David Beckham and Olly Murs.
In the afternoon we visited the main BBC headquarters in Quay House and met the people responsible for the BBC website and iPlayer apps, and again had the opportunity to turn the tables on the news teams by interviewing them ourselves!
At the end of our day (whilst being followed by two cameramen) we were invited into the Newsround studios and production office to watch the live broadcast of Newsround we had seen the team planning that morning. Throughout our afternoon, some of our students were themselves interviewed on camera by the BBC News and Newsround camera crews and we are waiting to find out where this footage will be used.
Photos taken of our trip by the BBC News team’s photographer have just been added to the BBC News website- http://www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport/26793852.
We had a fantastic time with the BBC and our students thoroughly enjoyed their day, from editing their own interviews to bumping into Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood (and taking selfies with him!). The whole team threw themselves into the experience and approached each challenge they were given with enthusiasm and responsibility, many members of staff from the BBC commented on how enthusiatsic and eloquent our students had been throughout the day.
Watch the space to hear more from our wider E-Newsreport E5 group in the coming months.
Being 'Good'
There has been a definite theme for the Academy in this early part of
the calendar year; 'Good' might be our 'word of the term'! I have said
my thanks for that OFSTED judgement to all concerned and made clear
that 'Good' isn't good enough. On that, there is little left to be
said and some work to be done.
In my assemblies in the week before half term, I spoke to students and
staff about 'Being good' and 'Doing good'. I know that, together, we
are worth more than the sum of our individual parts. So our charity
day on Friday 14th February was an opportunity to show this
togetherness in action. It truly was a fabulous day. Our efforts were
focused on two charitable endeavours that day. Cans of soup galore
were brought in by students caring for the homeless and monies were
raised through the efforts of the World Challenge team to help support
their expedition to Morocco next year. I see our students 'being good'
and 'doing good' every day. When we all do that together, with the
focused efforts we saw on that day, we are better than good: we are
outstanding!
Jeff Ellis
Principal
There has been a definite theme for the Academy in this early part of
the calendar year; 'Good' might be our 'word of the term'! I have said
my thanks for that OFSTED judgement to all concerned and made clear
that 'Good' isn't good enough. On that, there is little left to be
said and some work to be done.
In my assemblies in the week before half term, I spoke to students and
staff about 'Being good' and 'Doing good'. I know that, together, we
are worth more than the sum of our individual parts. So our charity
day on Friday 14th February was an opportunity to show this
togetherness in action. It truly was a fabulous day. Our efforts were
focused on two charitable endeavours that day. Cans of soup galore
were brought in by students caring for the homeless and monies were
raised through the efforts of the World Challenge team to help support
their expedition to Morocco next year. I see our students 'being good'
and 'doing good' every day. When we all do that together, with the
focused efforts we saw on that day, we are better than good: we are
outstanding!
Jeff Ellis
Principal
Inspection of Essa Academy by Ofsted
Please click on attachment below to download the Essa Academy OFSTED report.
Please click on attachment below to download the Essa Academy OFSTED report.
| essa_ofsted.pdf |
In January we received a visit by OFSTED inspectors. We are now able to publish their final findings and report.
In summary I can tell you that they say that Essa Academy is a ‘Good’ school. Please take time to read the report. There are some things that I would like to say about the inspection: the team was led by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) and not all inspections are fortunate enough to have such high level focus. In my view, their inspection was extremely thorough and their judgements were fair.
Here are just some of the things inspectors say in their report:
- “Students achieve well”
- “the quality of teaching is good”
- “students form a calm and orderly community”
- “The large majority of lessons observed were good and some were outstanding”
“Inspectors saw consistently positive attitudes and good behaviour in lessons”
“Students behave well outside lessons"
The proportion of schools judged as ‘Good’ or better has declined dramatically since last September. In this respect we can be pleased. However, as I said to HMI, even ‘Good’ isn’t good enough. Our children can be rightly proud that they attend a good school, but I want them to be able to say that they attend an outstanding school. I am sure that we all share that ambition. This we will achieve together. It is this work ‘together’ that has helped us to achieve what we have, to date. So I would like to take a moment to say some thanks:
thank you first of all to our students. OFSTED isn’t about putting on a performance. Inspectors talked enthusiastically of the strong, positive and productive relationships in the Academy. These provide the backdrop for an outstanding learning environment. It is not something that can be switched on for two days. It exists because our students are exceptional every day.
thanks next must go to our parents. Since the opening of the Academy in 2009, I have found parents to be nothing short of remarkably supportive. This provides the backdrop for an outstandingly focused and determined ethos. Our students come ready for their business of learning each day because our parents prepare them properly for it.
our sponsors and governors have offered us support and challenge in equal measure. We need this and really appreciate their time, expertise, drive and ambition. Although they are extremely modest, what they have created here should be properly appreciated and recognised.
final thanks go to staff at the Academy. ALL staff. This, I believe, is critical. Relationships between students and staff at the Academy are a real strength. Some people might think us strange that we talk about “learning” with our cleaners and catering staff. Indeed, those staff might think that from time to time. But every adult here at the Academy is certain of our mission “All Will Succeed” and understands their part in making this happen. Their determination to realise this ambition is second to none; I believe we have a workforce second to none.
And to all, therefore, may I add my congratulations.
When inspectors talk about our ‘self evaluation’, they say that we know ourselves well. For me, this is really important. You can have confidence that we know our strengths and we know the areas in which we need to improve. We have a proven track record of securing these improvements quickly and, you know, we will continue to work tirelessly to this end. We have, after all, the most important job in the world - one that cannot be underestimated: the futures of our children.
Jeff Ellis
Principal
Essa Academy
In summary I can tell you that they say that Essa Academy is a ‘Good’ school. Please take time to read the report. There are some things that I would like to say about the inspection: the team was led by one of Her Majesty’s Inspectors (HMI) and not all inspections are fortunate enough to have such high level focus. In my view, their inspection was extremely thorough and their judgements were fair.
Here are just some of the things inspectors say in their report:
- “Students achieve well”
- “the quality of teaching is good”
- “students form a calm and orderly community”
- “The large majority of lessons observed were good and some were outstanding”
“Inspectors saw consistently positive attitudes and good behaviour in lessons”
“Students behave well outside lessons"
The proportion of schools judged as ‘Good’ or better has declined dramatically since last September. In this respect we can be pleased. However, as I said to HMI, even ‘Good’ isn’t good enough. Our children can be rightly proud that they attend a good school, but I want them to be able to say that they attend an outstanding school. I am sure that we all share that ambition. This we will achieve together. It is this work ‘together’ that has helped us to achieve what we have, to date. So I would like to take a moment to say some thanks:
thank you first of all to our students. OFSTED isn’t about putting on a performance. Inspectors talked enthusiastically of the strong, positive and productive relationships in the Academy. These provide the backdrop for an outstanding learning environment. It is not something that can be switched on for two days. It exists because our students are exceptional every day.
thanks next must go to our parents. Since the opening of the Academy in 2009, I have found parents to be nothing short of remarkably supportive. This provides the backdrop for an outstandingly focused and determined ethos. Our students come ready for their business of learning each day because our parents prepare them properly for it.
our sponsors and governors have offered us support and challenge in equal measure. We need this and really appreciate their time, expertise, drive and ambition. Although they are extremely modest, what they have created here should be properly appreciated and recognised.
final thanks go to staff at the Academy. ALL staff. This, I believe, is critical. Relationships between students and staff at the Academy are a real strength. Some people might think us strange that we talk about “learning” with our cleaners and catering staff. Indeed, those staff might think that from time to time. But every adult here at the Academy is certain of our mission “All Will Succeed” and understands their part in making this happen. Their determination to realise this ambition is second to none; I believe we have a workforce second to none.
And to all, therefore, may I add my congratulations.
When inspectors talk about our ‘self evaluation’, they say that we know ourselves well. For me, this is really important. You can have confidence that we know our strengths and we know the areas in which we need to improve. We have a proven track record of securing these improvements quickly and, you know, we will continue to work tirelessly to this end. We have, after all, the most important job in the world - one that cannot be underestimated: the futures of our children.
Jeff Ellis
Principal
Essa Academy
'2013 GCSE Results'
CONGRATULATIONS to all of our students!
55% of students achieved 5 A*-C
including English & Maths.
98% of students achieved 5 A*-C.
EBacc - 23%
| 2013-08-01-summer-2013-why-gcses-may-look-different-this-year.pdf |
| 2013-07-30-summer-2013-information-for-mps.pdf |
