Ormiston Venture Academy

Vision and ethos

Ormiston Venture Academy is committed to the creation of a fully inclusive learning community in which excellence and success are common goals, and all of its members feel safe, secure, challenged and supported.

Our highest priority is to ensure learners reach the highest level of achievement possible, and become confident, effective and independent learners.

Every aspect of Academy life will encourage students to aspire, achieve, create and innovate.

Ormiston Trust

Ormiston Venture Academy is proud to have Ormiston Trust as its sponsor.

Ormiston Trust is a charity that is dedicated to investing in the delivery of high quality practice in children’s services and schools that will improve well-being and attainment.

Ormiston Trust is committed to:

Nurture: Developing caring, supportive and respectful relationships that foster well-being
Empowerment: Supporting people to become more confident, self-reliant and engaged in decision-making
Excellence: Striving for the continuous improvement of services in the organisations it supports
Innovation: Funding and developing new and challenging approaches to service delivery. In doing this, the Trust is not afraid to take considered risks
Financial prudence: Making best use of resources
Listening: Listening and responding to the views of its stakeholders

Ormiston Venture Academy and Ormiston Trust … working together to regenerate communities.

Governing Body

Our Governing body is responsible, along with the Principal, for setting and monitoring our educational direction and priorities.

Teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and Norfolk County Council are all represented on the Governing Body.

Our Head Boy and Head Girl also attend meetings occasionally to talk about student engagement at the Academy.

Our Governors are:

James Miller - Chair of Governors
Paul Hann - Ormiston Academies Trust Nominee
Lesley King - Ormiston Academies Trust Nominee
Philip John - Ormiston Academies Trust Nominee
Trevor Wainwright - Community Governor
Gwyneth Gillet - Parent Governor
Melissa Hodds - Staff Governor
Joe Parrott - Community Governor

Student Executive Body

Student Voice at Ormiston Venture Academy

We have developed a robust Student Leadership structure at the Academy with our Student Executive Board leading the way:

Head Boy Luke Deputy Head Boy Matthew
Duval-Woods Brown

Head Girl Susanna Ward Deputy Head Girl Lily Crick

Student Council

The Student Council is made up of the Executive Board (above) and four College Representatives, one from Achieve, Aspire, Create and Innovate College. This year, the College Representatives are:

Achieve: Kaileb Bryant (Y10) Create: Kirsty Graham (Y10)

Aspire: Mackenzie Lodge (Y8) Innovate: Alex Frith (Y10)

The Student Council’s role is to discuss any issues or ideas that students may have. Discussion topics are gathered from both College meetings and Diary Room discussions. To date, the Student Council has helped develop the Venture Café menu, as well as discuss learning and teaching within the Academy.

The Student Council is currently working towards the ‘Investors In Pupils’ Quality Mark, a nationally recognised mark awarded to schools and Academies that demonstrate a student-centred approach. As part of the 14 standards that they have to meet, the Student Council has introduced individual PL group (Form group) logos, designed by students, and is developing a welcome pack for new staff and students.

The Student Council is also responsible for organising events within the Academy. One of the most anticipated is the annual ‘Venture’s Got Talent, a talent competition that is held every Easter.

VABAT and Peer Mentoring

At venture, we encourage students to respect each other and work as a team. Our Peer Mentoring team consists of a group of students from across the year groups who meet with students who have either been referred to them or voluntarily drop in to their mentoring room.

As part of our Peer Mentoring scheme, we have developed the Anti-bullying action team. Students who feel they are being bullied have the ability to press the ‘red button’ on our Academy eportal and post an anonymous email.

The Diary Room

We are really proud of our Diary Room as it gives students the opportunity to share their views on a number of different issues. Once they enter our Diary Room, they have 45 seconds to share their views. To date, topics have included: the role of a PL tutor; how businesses could have the Academy; reading habits; what makes an outstanding lesson.

Videos of students’ responses can be found on the student eMagazine.

Student eMagazine

The Student eMagazine is a student run magazine that features stories about the Academy as well as articles reflecting students’ own interests outside of the Academy.

All students within the Academy have the ability to publish to the magazine and we are currently training students to become Venture Academy football commentators so that they can record reports of our Academy’s sporting successes. As part of this, students will be visiting BBC Radio Norfolk and receiving a master class from their commentary team.

To read our eMagazine: https://www.radiowaves.co.uk/venturestudentmagazine

Venture Journey

During it's first year, progress at Ormiston Venture Academy was assessed by the Young Person's Learning Agency. As part of this review, Peter Johnson, of the YPLA, met with Principal McCartney and the Vice Principals, various members of the middle leadership team and members of the Student Executive Board. He also analysed data and reviewed the Academy's self-evaluation process and observed a number of lessons. In his final report, Mr Johnson made the following conclusions:

The Academy has continued to develop and improve at an astonishing pace. Inspirational senior leadership has established a confident community where staff and students work together to achieve the ambitious vision for success; the Academy’s capacity to achieve excellence is outstanding.

Students’ progress has improved rapidly through much improved teaching and learning. As a result the Academy is on track to achieve results that are much higher than ever achieved in the predecessor school. Predictions based on accurate and reliable data indicate that GCSE results in 2011 will exceed targets, past results and Fisher Family Trust estimates by considerable margins.

Students’ personal development has improved significantly in the last year, they have become conscientious learners who work hard in lessons to meet the increased expectations for their academic and personal development. Their behaviour has improved substantially and exclusions have fallen dramatically. Attendance has risen by 7 percentage points compared to the predecessor school and is now above the national average.

Leadership is outstanding; governors provide robust challenge to the Academy and support it effectively. The development of middle leadership has been a particular success and together with the senior team they now provide the means by which further improvement is assured.

Ormiston Venture Academy ... going from strenght to strength!

Specialisms

Mathematics and Digital Media are our specialisms and are embedded in everything we do.

Our ICT equipment is second to none, and we focus on numeracy, digital media and social communication across the curriculum. Both specialisms give students the skills needed to be competitive in further education, higher education and in the world of work.

Venture Videos

This bit of our awesome website is not yet complete. We're working on it, but quality takes time!

Success Centre

At Venture, we believe in being proactive about ensuring that every child achieves his/her potential from Day 1. To that end, we have created the Venture Success Centre which focuses on raising the achievement of our new Year 7 and the progress of Year 8 prior to starting their options courses a year early at the start of Year 9.

The Success Centre's work primarily targets supporting every Key Stage 3 child in reaching a level 5 or above in English. This level is indicative of students being in possession of the necessary literacy skills to succeed in other curricular subjects.

The Success Mentors provide in-class support for extended writing tasks, additional Catch-Up reading sessions, use of the Lexia diagnostic programme and the running of the Community Reading Group during Personalised Learning time. Support is also available every night for students who would like to remain on site to complete home learning tasks.

We're creating confident, literate and independent young people by giving them the skills to succeed.

Venture's Praise Culture

At Ormiston Venture Academy we celebrate achievement in all its forms. All staff take every opportunity to praise students both in and out of the classroom, for academic and personal achievements.

Merits are issued by staff for students achieving their learning objectives and achieving their personal learning targets, as well for outstanding contributions to the wider life of the Academy. Gaming Room merits are issued to students who have made an exceptional contribution to their lesson; receiving five merits in the same subject admits students to the Games Room for one lesson, to play on the x box Kinect, Wii or PS3. Students who have 100% attendance and no negative behavioural incidents recorded for a term are invited to ‘Pizza with the Principal’. The student with the most merits in the Academy over the duration of a term is awarded the ‘Venture Voucher’ - £300 to spend on resources for the Academy of their choice.

Principal's Commendation Awards

Principal Commendation Awards

The very first Principal’s Commendation Awards ceremony was held at Ormiston Venture Academy recently. Peter Lauener, Chief Executive of the YPLA, was visiting the Academy and he was delighted to present awards to the following students, for their outstanding contribution to both Venture, and the wider community:

Brogan Lawes – Brogan is an outstanding photography and has designed and created a very cool animated movie, “At The Airport “. Brogan clearly has spent hours making her movie, which consisted of hundreds of screen shots put together into a movie using playmobile figures. Students enjoyed watching Brogan’s movie, and Mr Lauener was highly impressed with her creativity.

Alistair Nicholls, Ryan Martins and Benjamin Turner also received awards for their film-making. Most Venture students have seen some of the films made by these budding film directors, but do be careful, some of them are VERY frightening. Well done to Alistair and Ryan, in particular, who write, direct and act in their films.

Hadyn Jeffrey and Kurt Burgess were awarded medals for their services to engineering. These young men entered the iSMART TFT competition and competed against a range of Norfolk students. They were awarded first prize for their graphics and came overall second for their prototype. These can be seen in our main reception. Young Steve Jobs in the making!

Kaileb Bryant was the final recipient of an award. Kaileb in a highly talented musician, and recently won Venture’s Got Talent. She also proudly represented Ormiston Venture Academy in December, when she was asked to play to a number of Headteachers at a Conference in Birmingham.

Venture students are proving to be some of the most talented and creative in Norfolk!

Colleges in Action (The CIA)

At Ormiston Venture Academy, a vertical College system complements the Personal Learning structure. Colleges meet regularly to take part in competitions and events, which provide a broad range of opportunities for healthy competition and the development of a team spirit.

We have four Colleges: Achieve, Aspire, Create and Innovate. Each College has approximately a quarter of the Academy population, and it is traditional that siblings are allocated to the same College, maintaining a supportive “family atmosphere”. Staff are also allocated to a College and may involve themselves in the running of College activities as well as supporting major events.

Each College is able to pursue its own identity, but with the overall responsibility for direction being in the hands of the relevant College Leader and Assistant Principal. Pupils, particularly seniors, are encouraged to take on responsibilities within the College and these include: preparations for and delivering assemblies; any group meeting activities as required, and the organisation of inter-College competitions. The input of the College Leader and Assistant Principal is one of active encouragement in trying to create a sense of belonging, inspiring sportsmanship and collective responsibility.

As well as competing against each other, representatives from each College have played a pivotal role in supporting local and national charities, and work closely with the Venture Student Voice.

Personalised Approach

At Ormiston Venture Academy, we believe that every child does matter, and has unique talents, gifts and needs. Therefore, we take a personalised approach to everything we do. All young people in the Academy will meet with their Personalised Learning Tutor in small groups each day, to ensure that their programme of learning, support and enrichment is bespoke and personalised. Further to this, each student will receive an hour of personalised intervention time each week to make sure that their specific needs are being met.

At Ormiston Venture Academy, students will be supported, guided and nurtured in one of four colleges: Aspire, Achieve, Create and Innovate. Each college is staffed with both educational and support specialists, to ensure that all students have access to the resources they need, and are part of a smaller family within our larger Academy community.

Attendance and Punctuality

Attendance

Ormiston Venture Academy is committed to providing a full and efficient education to all students and embraces the concept of equal opportunities for all.

We endeavor to provide an environment where all students feel valued and welcome.

For a child to reach their full educational achievement a high level of Academy attendance is essential. We will consistently work towards a goal of 100% attendance for all children. 100% attendance at school is critical if your child is to make the best use of their opportunities. Research shows that less than 90% attendance is enough to drop an attainment level/GCSE grade or equivalent.

Academy Procedures

The parents/carers of any child who is absent from Ormiston Venture Academy must notify the Academy before 8.25 am. The Academy can be notified of absence on 01493 660270.

Lateness

Morning registration will take place at the start of Academy at 8.25am. Students arriving after this time will be marked as late. Students who receive 2 or more lates in a week/ 3 in a half-term will be placed into Principal’s Detention.

Code of Conduct

At Ormiston Venture Academy, we aspire to achieve excellence in all that we do. To ensure that we can learn effectively, all students follow the Code of Conduct set out below:

Code of Conduct

We arrive to class on time and in full uniform

We enter in an orderly way and have our planners and equipment out on our desks

We listen to instructions and follow directions

We work to the best of our ability at all times and behave in a way that allows others do the same

We respect our staff, our peers, our environment and our community

We stand in silence when a visitor comes into the room

Venture Dress Code

UNIFORM GUIDELINES

Our students taking pride in themselves and their learning community is priority number one at Ormiston Venture Academy. To that end, the standard of uniform and the way in which our young people present themselves will be high and consistent each and every day. Therefore, the uniform guidelines are a follows:

Blazers: Blazers must be worn at all times, both indoors and outdoors, whilst at the Academy. In the case of warm weather, students may request to remove their blazers while in lessons. In severe warm weather, students will be informed that they may travel around the Academy without their blazers.

Jumpers: Jumpers should be worn under blazers in cooler weather at all times, but may be removed in cases of warm weather at the students’ discretion.

Shirts: Boy’s shirts must be white, long-sleeve, button up shirts. These may be purchased at any retailer. Shirts are required to be buttoned up to the top, so please ensure a comfortable fit when purchasing.

Blouses: Girl’s blouses must be purchased from our uniform supplier.

Ties: Ties must be worn by boys at all times at the Academy.

Shoes: NO TRAINERS may be worn at any time (excluding PE) at the Academy. Only proper, black school shoes may be worn, with no visible branding of any kind. Girls may wear black ‘dolly’ shoes, but they may not have any embellishments (glitter, gems, etc). No exceptions will be made to this rule without a doctor’s certificate. Notes from parents/carers will not be accepted.

Trousers: Trousers must be purchased from our uniform supplier.

Skirts: Skirts must be purchased from our uniform supplier and may not be ‘rolled up’ to achieve a shorter length.

Socks: Black or skin-colour tights may be worn with skirts. These may not be patterned in any way. Alternatively, girls may wear short socks, which must be white, black or grey. No knee socks (over or under the knee) will be allowed.

Jewellery: There is no jewellery allowed at the Academy. This includes earrings. As piercings normally take around 6 weeks to heal, please ensure that any new piercings take place at the start of the summer holiday, as they will not be allowed to remain in during school time. Any jewellery seen will be confiscated*

Make-up: Natural make up may be worn at the Academy. No bright colours or heavy application will be allowed.

Nail Varnish: Only natural colours will be allowed at the Academy. French manicures are acceptable provided they are not patterned or embellished.

Hair: No extreme cuts or colours will be allowed at the Academy, only natural hair colours are permitted. No two-tone hair is allowed. All hair accessories must be small in size and in school colours: red, black, white and grey are acceptable.

Planners: Planners are considered part of the school uniform and should be carried by students at all times.

PE Kit: Students are responsible for bringing PE Kit to the Academy when necessary. Failure to do so will result in a sanction from the PE Faculty.

No mobile phones or mp3 players are allowed at the Academy. If they are seen or heard, they will be confiscated*

Students not in full uniform at the start of the school day will be asked to return home and change or will be kept in our Exit Room. Students who travel by bus, or from long distances should keep this in mind to avoid unnecessary logistical problems.

*If an item is confiscated, it can only be retrieved by a parent/carer at the end of the Academy day. We will not be held responsible for lost or stolen items, and therefore encourage students not to bring these items to the Academy.

Learning and Teaching

At Ormiston Venture Academy we aim to encourage all our students to find the most appropriate way to learn to the best of their ability. We aim to challenge and support all students in their learning by creating a learning environment which is clear, orderly, supportive, stimulating, challenging and fair.

The quality of learning is the most important aspect of the Academy, and the quality of teaching is one of the most important factors contributing to this.

Students/the learners are responsible for ensuring:

They are willing to engage in learning activities in a positive way
Strategies for learning are tried out to improve learning
Each others’ learning is supported
Appropriate equipment is brought to alllessons
Homework is recorded in planners and completed on time
Targets for improvement are agreed and worked towards

Parents contribute by following the home-academy agreement and show:

Interest in their child’s learning
Awareness of the Academy's procedures and rules
Willingness to support activities related to the Academy
Awareness of their child’s role within the Academy community
Ensure their child arrives to academy on time, dressed appropriately and with equipment for learning

Parents will communicate with staff effectively by:

Reading and responding appropriately to Academy letters
Making appointments to see staff about any concerns when necessary
Attending all learning evenings and Academic Review Days

Home Learning

At Venture, we consider the learning process outside the classroom to be as crucial as that which takes place inside. We believe in respecting students' and parents' ability to plan time for home learning so our scheduling is flexible.

Our policy is simple, sensible and personalised. Every student is set one home learning task per subject, per week. Many subjects use project-based tasks over a 6 week half-term with deadlines given well in advance.

The curriculum maps of study are published on our outstanding Venture Eportal and each map, for each Year Group, for each subject includes the respective home learning task. This means students and their families can research topics in advance of studying them to achieve the best possible results.

At Venture, Home Learning is not additional work for its sake - it underpins all that we do and demonstrates our belief in our students to be independent, inquisitive learners.

Enrichment

We want our young people to be active, not only in the Academy community, but also in the wider local community.

We are dedicated to becoming the heart of our local community and offer activities and learning opportunities for members of all ages to enjoy. Our Student Executive Board take an active role in organising events and partnerships geared towards sharing good practice, resources and expertise to benefit our students and all members of the local community.

We also run a range of clubs in order for students to develop their academic and sociall skills, at the end of the Academy day.

If you are interested in any of the opportunities offered at Venture, please come in and have a chat.

Senior Year

At Ormiston Venture Academy we pride ourselves on working closely with our student's and we are immensely proud of each and every one as they prepare to leave with the qualifications, skills and aspirations to further their goals.

To be a student in the Senior year at Venture is a demanding time with high expectations but we ensure each of our student's reach for success on a daily basis. We are focused on supporting the individual academic needs of every student to unlock their potential. Through a dedicated team of Academic mentors, high quality learning and personalised support we ensure all student's graduate with a high quality education and the qualifications to match.

Community and Extended Learning

When Ormiston Venture Academy opened in September 2010, Principal Nicole McCartney vowed to make the Academy a hub for strong community relations. As a team, the staff remarked on the good practice of many schools nationally who ran business meetings regularly to build strong vocational links, but Venture wanted to achieve something more long-term. Above all, the aim was to enable the students to reap the benefits of these partnerships.

Venture held its first Venture Into Business breakfast meeting before Christmas - and the event was well attended by local businesses (big and small) and members of further and higher education institutions.

After a hearty selection of bacon rolls, pastries and fruit, the delegates got down to business, starting by watching a film of clips made by students in the Venture Diary Room. GCSE students explained how they would like help from local businesses to write job applications, prepare curriculum vitae and advice on how to conduct themselves at interview.

As a group set to achieve something tangible, all who attended agreed to make relationships stronger for the sake of the up-and-coming workforce - they vowed to meet again in the Spring Term having achieved something positive.

So far, a Venture Business directory has been set up so students can access the companies who've signed up to help directly - and crucially find out more about their chosen career paths. A student from Venture has designed the Christmas card for local architects, PURE - as well as a training date for students planned for March which helps young people to understand the design process and help them to decide if they would like a career in architecture. Two dates are set for businesses to lead sessions on applying for jobs and training posts and further collaborative work is planned with local award-winners Bradwell Butchery. Several businesses have also expressed an interest in students designing their websites and assisting with marketing.

But it's not all about business at Venture when it comes to the community. A monthly 'Film Club' runs in the Academy Hall, providing a free cinema experience for anyone who would like to attend. A selection of favourites have been shown in recent months including 'Moulin Rouge', 'Casablanca' and 'West Side Story'. Refreshments are provided for all who attend, but bring your own popcorn!

If you'd like to support the Venture Into Business group, please email Naomi Palmer on npalmer@ormistonventureacademy.co.uk

Gresham's

Gresham’s was founded in 1555 by Sir John Gresham, who converted Holt’s Manor House into a Free Grammar School
as a result of Henry VIII’s suppression of the Monasteries.

At the turn of the twentieth century, Gresham’s was refounded under the direction of new and innovative headmaster George Howson. Under Howson, the School moved to the existing site on the edge of Holt and adopted a progressive curriculum which embraced the Sciences, encouraging independent thought and creativity amongst its pupils.

Gresham’s expanded considerably over the twentieth century, yet it retains the warm community atmosphere which has become central to its ethos over the years. They continue to embrace new technologies and follow a modern approach to education, with the construction of facilities such as the Auden Theatre, the Cairns Centre and the Butterwick Centre in recent years. They remain committed to offering a high standard of education and promoting personal growth, shaping generations of
confident and enquiring young people.

Ormiston Venture Acadmey is delighted to have Gresham's as a strategic partner.

Venture Cluster

The Venture Cluster was created in September 2010 and consists of Ormiston Venture Academy, Herman Primary School, Moorlands CE Primary School and Peterhouse Primary School.

The primary schools are all maintained by the local authority, however, Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) sponsor Ormiston Venture Academy, and both Gresham’s School in Holt and Norfolk County Council act as Strategic Partners.

The Venture Cluster’s core vision and objectives are:

To transform learning and regenerate communities
To encourage aspiration in students and their communities
To help the most disadvantaged members of society, particularly children, to achieve and learn
To support educational initiatives and stay at the leading edge of new developments

The Venture Cluster considers:

The local context of The Venture Cluster
The historical challenges faced by The Venture Cluster
The needs of the local community
Current/proposed education reforms

The Venture Cluster’s core purpose is:

To build a 21^st century learning community, where each member feels included, valued, challenged and is able to reach their full potential and make a positive contribution, both within the Venture Cluster and the wider local, national and global community.

Ethos and Values

The Venture Cluster is committed to the creation of a fully inclusive learning community in which excellence and aspirational goals are common and one where everyone feels both challenged and safe. The Venture Cluster seeks to develop lifelong reflective, independent and proactive learners

Inclusion

We will provide a student centred, personalised, innovative and dynamic learning environment with a creative curriculum.

Actively Working With Partners

The Venture Cluster is committed to relationship building and recognises that there are many stakeholders to harness: professional relationships within the Cluster Group, parent/teacher relationships, student/teacher relationships, and a range of relationships within the wider community.

Commitment to community regeneration

We will work together with the local community to ensure a comprehensive and high-caliber best-practice network from which all Venture Cluster children, families and communities benefit.

Norfolk County Council

Ormiston Venture Academy and Norfolk County Council are proud of their strategic partnership.

Where are they now?

We are proud of our Class of 2011. They exceeded all expectations in terms of their GCSE achievements and they are now reaping the benefits of this.

The vast majority of our students have gone on to further education, but some have taken a different pathway.

Whatever our students are doing, we are delighted that they keep us informed of their progress and we hope you enjoy reading of their success.

Admissions

Ormiston Venture Academy admits girls and boys of all backgrounds, aptitudes, abilities and beliefs. The Academy does not have any religious affiliation.

The published admissions number (PAN) is 180 students per year group.

Admissions to the Academy are through Norfolk County Council´s co-ordinated admission procedure. More information is available from the County and online at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/admissionstoschools.

The Academy admits students with SEN statements in compliance with the SEN Code of Practice.

If there are more applications than places available, the following oversubscription criteria are applied in order of priority:

Students with statements of Special Educational Needs where Ormiston Venture Academy is named on the statement
Students in Local Authority Care
Students who are ordinarily resident in the Academy´s catchment area using the following priorities:

a. It is essential for them to be admitted to the Academy because of special circumstances to do with

Students who live outside the Academy´s catchment area using the following priorities;

             a. It is essential for them to be admitted to the Academy because of special circumstances to do with significant
                  medical or social needs.
             b. Students who are brothers and sisters of, or who live as a family at the same address as, students who are
                  already at the Academy
             c. Students who live nearest to the Academy.

        v. In the event of a tie break under the distance criterion, random allocation will used.

Recruitment

Vacancies at Ormiston Venture Academy

Ormiston Venture Academy is a part of one of the largest Academy Sponsors in the country and at the cutting edge of rapid transformation in schools. We made outstanding progress last year and predict yet more for the class of 2012. We seek innovative, dynamic and passionate teachers to continue in our drive for excellence. As a specialist Mathematics and Digital Media Academy you will have access to the latest technology and an exciting opportunity to work on national pilots and innovations. We are committed to ensuring success for every child at our Academy. If you strive for excellence in education and are committed to transforming the lives of young people, we would welcome your application.

Modern Foreign Language Head of Faculty

We are seeking a qualified Head of Faculty for the MFL department, to join an ambitious, vibrant and innovative team dedicated to raising achievement, transforming learning and creating a truly dynamic 21st century learning community. If you strive for excellence and success in all that you do, and are committed to transforming the lives of young people, we would welcome your application. Informal visits welcome.

Teacher of Languages – full time

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic, innovative and dynamic teacher to help develop languages across Key Stages 3 and 4. The post offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution to learning in our 11 - 16 Academy. Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified and experienced teachers. Informal visits welcome.

Teacher of Science plus TLR for Leader of Excellence

We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic innovative and dynamic teacher to help develop Science as a lead subject across KS3-4. The post offers an exciting opportunity to make a significant contribution in the transformation to an 11 - 16 Academy. Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified and experienced teachers. If you strive for excellence and success in all that you do, and are committed to transforming the lives of young people, please apply.
Ormiston Venture Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. You will be subject to an Enhanced CRB check.
Informal visits welcome, please contact Michaela McGoun, Assistant Principal, to arrange an appointment. Closing date for both posts: 16^th April 2012.

For further details and an application pack, please contact Michaela mmcgoun@ormistonventureacademy.co.uk or 01493 662966.

"Venture in and start something great”

Curriculum

Our curriculum offers a wide range of academic and vocational options, with a focus on quality in the core subjects of maths, English, science and ICT. We offer a three-year Key Stage 4, giving students the opportunity to gain a breadth of experience in their chose options.

Online Reporting

Online Reporting

At Venture we have "live" reporting available to both students and parents. This enables you to look at the latest assessment information, attendance and timetable information. You can also access the latest digital report along with all previous reports. This information is continually updated and unlike other systems, does not rely on key points in the year... if a piece of assessment is completed the results will be added to a learners profile.

To access our online reporting service go to https://www.go4schools.com and follow the links and instructions to either the Students or Parents portal. All the information you need is just an easy login away.

If you have any issues connecting please contact us at info@ormistonventureacademy.co.uk

Key Stage 3

‘Passport To Success’ – An Ethos of Aspiration for Key Stage 3 Students

At Venture, we believe that students’ progress through years 7 and 8 should be marked and celebrated in the same way as Key Stage 4 for the following reasons:

Primary traditions of shared celebration should not be lost
Students are better motivated to work harder and achieve more
Families are engaged in learners’ progress from the start of academy life – crucial to their development as active, independent learners

The Passport to Success programme at Venture means that every level of student progress will be celebrated both at the end of Year 7 and the end of Year 8.

The Passport to Success rewards are visible in the community through the use of blazer badges to acknowledge progress in specific fields of achievement i.e Service to the Academy; Sporting Prowess and Academic Excellence.

Students are presented with awards during special Year 7/8 assemblies. At the end of year 7 a prize-giving ceremony takes place to celebrate achievement. A special day out will be given to Passport To Success holders with high numbers of badges in the summer term of Year 7.

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4

Our curriculum at Key Stage 4 is an exciting combination of personalised opportunities for our students that challenge and extend their learning.

We offer a core of English, Mathematics, Science and Digital Media. Within these core subjects we provide a range of pathways enabling the right student to take the right course. We ensure they leave Venture with the qualifications needed to take the next step in their education, training or employment.

In addition to this, every student has the opportunity to select up to 3 single year options from a wide range of exciting courses. We offer an innovative stage-not-age curriculum that focuses on a students individual ability and not their age grouping. This personalised approach enables our students to achieve high levels of success and engage in courses that provide an opportunity to truly flourish. All students have the flexibility to undertake the English Baccalaureate combination of study and we believe this is a pathway that should be available if a student wishes to pursue it.

Our curriculum has enabled every student to realise success and provide the platform for our students to realise their potential.

Anti-Bullying Team

The Venture Anti-Bullying Action Team (or VABAT) is made up of students who work for students to ensure that bullying is stamped out at Ormiston Venture Academy. They offer guidance and support to any student who is unhappy or experiencing difficulties with their peers. The VABAT Team are on duty in the Behaviour and Inclusion area every break and lunch time. Any incidents can also be reported by students via the ‘Big Red Button’ on the Venture eportal screen.

Gresham's Greats

Ormiston Venture Academy works in partnership with Gresham’s in a variety of ways to give our students the experience of such a nationally renowned establishment. One aspect of this partnership is the fantastic offer of a fully-funded scholarship to Gresham’s VI Form for two years for one of our Year 11 students. It is a package worth in excess of £50,000 over the two years and covers all boarding accommodation fees and ‘reasonable extras’ – everything necessary to be able to study at the school. It also offers the successful Venture student access to all the ‘extras’ that Gresham’s extends to their pupils in terms of extra-curricular activities: flying; shooting; expeditions; performances; concerts in a boarding school environment.

Year 11 candidates are able to put themselves forward for the potential scholarship and in the 2010/2011 academic year, 18 students were willing to take on the challenge and fight it out for the prestigious scholarship!

After the group of 18 visited Gresham’s in October 2010, they were then interviewed intensely in November by Principal McCartney and Head of Faculty Ms Haddleton
to decide who would make it to the final 8!

Principal McCartney and Ms Haddleton requested the candidates then write a report based on their experiences which would be used to support the Principal’s decision
along with the final interviews to select the final four candidates. The interviews to select the final four candidates took place in February and after a very difficult debate and much deliberation, the final four candidates were chosen: Rikki Robinson, Charlotte Barrington, Callum Cooke and Ben Kirchell.

These successful four were then given the opportunity to take their parents for a day at Gresham’s and were offered plenty of interview prep sessions with our Senior Vice Principal, Gee Cook, before the big day, 29 March, when the Gresham’s Headmaster and his team would interview all four candidates and choose a
winner. In addition to the interviews all four candidates were asked to take registration tests to show off their academic skills. And then there was nothing more to be done. The final decision lay with the Gresham’s senior leadership team
who took all the tests, interviews and academic data into consideration when making their final decision.

Principal McCartney was finally informed, a couple of days later, that Callum Cooke had been successful in his application to receive this life-changing award. At a formal feed-back session, Principal McCartney, Ms Cook and Ms Haddleton fed back to all the candidates, highlighting their areas of strength and ensuring that they would look back on the whole experience, in the future, with enormous pride. All of the students proved to be great ambassadors of Ormiston Venture Academy.

And as for Callum? He was elated. Absolutely elated to be on the receiving end of this fabulous award. He immediately set about writing his letter of acceptance and is now looking forward to this new opportunity.

Meet The Team

hover over the images on the left to meet each member of the team.

Nicole McCartney

PRINCIPAL

As Principal I am dedicated to raising achievement, transforming learning and creating a truly dynamic 21st Century Learning Community.

Gee Cook

SENIOR VICE PRINCIPAL - STAKEHOLDERS AND STANDARDS

As Senior Vice Principal, I am responsible for ensuring that teaching and learning is a truly dynamic and personal experience for all of our students and providing optimum opportunities for everyone to attain their targets and maximise their potential, in order that... more

Naomi Palmer

SENIOR VICE PRINCIPAL - ACHIEVEMENT AND INNOVATION

As Senior Vice Principal my remit is to ensure every graduate of Ormiston Venture Academy holds a passport of relevant and appropriate qualifications, ready to embrace a bright future of lifelong learning.

Simon Gilbert-Barnham

VICE PRINCIPAL - RAISING ACHIEVEMENT AND SPECIALISMS

As Vice Principal I believe in success, enjoyment and achievement. Through personalised opportunities, exciting experiences and raised aspirations we ensure a bright future for all.

Andy Giles

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - COMMUNITY AND EXTENDED LEARNING

As Assistant Principal Community and Extended learning, I am committed to the Academy being at the heart of the community and promoting lifelong learning at the Academy and within the community.

Nicole Rossage

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - BEHAVIOUR AND INCLUSION

As Assistant Principal I believe in success, enjoyment and achievement. Through personalised opportunities, exciting experiences and raised aspirations we ensure a bright future for all

Steve Sorrento

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - GUIDANCE AND PATHWAYS

As Assistant principal, I am committed to making sure that all of our students reach their full potential and gain the recognition that they deserve. I passionately believe that student voice has an important role to play in further developing our students'... more

Kate Williams

ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL - RAISING ACHIEVEMENT

As Assistant Principal for Learning and Teaching I am passionate about raising standards of learning and teaching across the Academy so that all students are inspired and challenged through innovative and personalised teaching that ensures all make maximum progress...

Steve Plume

DIRECTOR OF MATHS

As Director of Mathematics I am constantly looking for exciting and innovative ways to use Maths to raise standards across the whole curriculum.

Mark Thompson

DIRECTOR OF DIGITAL MEDIA

As Director of Digital Media I am constantly looking for exciting and innovative ways to use Digital Media to raise standards across the whole curriculum.

Alison Kerr

COLLEGE LEADER - ACHIEVE

My aim as Achieve College Leader is to ensure that students journey through the Academy is challenging, rewarding and enjoyable and to assist them in achieving their goals

Justin Peach

COLLEGE LEADER - ASPIRE

My aim as Aspire College Leader is to ensure that students journey through the Academy is challenging, rewarding and enjoyable and to assist them in achieving their goals

Sonya Remblance

COLLEGE LEADER - CREATE

My aim as Create College Leader is to ensure that students journey through the Academy is challenging, rewarding and enjoyable and to assist them in achieving their goals

Andrea Cockrill

PA TO THE PRINCIPAL AND SENIOR VICE PRINCIPAL

Ad-Ventures Out

Venture's European Adventure

Venture's European Adventure

Venture's European Adventure
The story of our trip to Germany and Poland

During February half term Venture students went into the fields of Germany and Poland on an exciting six-day visit. This visit was to see Berlin and the dark history of the City, to Krakow to see the evidence of the Nazi’s final solution of the Death camps and also to experience some new cultures. Everyone was moved by what they saw. The places we visited included: a tour of Berlin, The Jewish museum, Checkpoint Charlie and the T.V. Tower which we all wanted to climb with its massive 986 steps.

In Poland we went to the Salt mine – where the madness continued with the licking of walls! We also visited the Jewish quarter of Krakow, where Schindler’s List was filmed, and Auschwitz/ Birkenau. This was a humbling experience and many of us were left shocked and saddened.. To finish the trip we had a traditional Polish meal and folklore evening which included dancing and singing.

The view from the T.V. Tower, in Berlin, was amazing. The city is a mix of the old and the new.

The trip was one of the most amazing trips we have ever been on. A tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau was very shocking and upsetting. The gate that was on the smallest camp had the following signage: ‘ARBIET MACHT FREI’. Translated, this means ‘work sets you free’, probably the worst lie ever told.

Overall this quote from a year 10 student sums the trip up perfectly: “It was a truly inspirational, educational and emotional trip. It has definitely changed my perspective on life.”

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Ormiston Venture Academy
Oriel Avenue
Gorleston
Norfolk
NR31 7JJ

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Parent Zone

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All parents involved have the opportunity to become involved in any aspect of Academy life that they chose. Committes include Learning and Teaching, Community and Support and Guidance. We will also be surveying parents and carers throughout the year to gather their opinions and views on current practice and future ventures

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