Welcome to
Chadwell Heath Academy

I warmly welcome you to Chadwell Heath Academy and thank you for showing an interest in our school.

We, as a school, believe that our role and purpose is to educate young people and equip them with the tools they will need for their future, both for further education and the workplace. Therefore, if your child joins our school they must arrive equipped and willing to work hard to achieve success from day one. As teachers, we have high expectations that can only be met through the hard work and determination of all involved.

We expect our pupils to have good discipline, respect for each other and a willingness to contribute to the school community through involvement in lessons and extracurricular activities. This approach has led us to become a successful, all ability 11 to 18 six form entry co-educational Academy serving the local community with approximately 1300 pupils on roll, including 350 in the Sixth Form.

The
Sixth Form

We are a popular, oversubscribed, comprehensive sixth form, judged to be outstanding by OFSTED. We offer a wide combination of courses, including AS, A-level, BTEC, CTEC and GCSE. As part of our comprehensive ethos, we have entry criteria that are lower than many other schools. Our progress and attainment figures for individual students, when measured against their starting points, are consistently excellent. In addition, we regularly produce higher numbers of top grades than national figures suggest we should. 90% of year 11 stay on to year 12, and our retention rate at A Level is 98% compared to the national figure of 96%.

Our
Curriculum

• Art

  Art

  Head of Department – Miss F Jagger

  Art and Design provides a means in which our students can express themselves visually and creatively unlike any other subject.

  Images surround us in our everyday lives and we are consistently stimulated by Art in ever-evolving forms. From the simplest poster advisements to statues of important figures; Art is all around us. Through the experience of artistic processes from painting to clay, our students are able to access the creative process in a variety of ways and to access both visual and practical learning areas. Our students are able to see that Art is not just about drawing but the whole creative process and this can translate into giving them creative thinking in all subject areas.

  KS3

  At KS3 students are given an overview of all of the main media used in traditional art. Y7 focuses more on the traditional drawing and painting elements with y8 and 9 giving them the freedom to explore more 3D and expressive forms of media from clay sculpture to textile design.

  KS4

  For GCSE students follow the Edexcel Art, Craft and Design specification. This looks closely at the formal elements of Art including drawing but also allows students to explore a range of media which they can tailor to suit their own creative style. Over the two year course, two projects will be completed followed by an externally set exam at the end of y11.  

  GCSE Art and Design is split into 2 units, the Coursework Portfolio; which constitutes 60% of the final grade and the Externally Set Assignment; which constitutes 40% of the final grade.

  KS5

  For A-level, students follow the Edexcel Art, Craft and Design specification for both AS and A-level. During both years, students are encouraged to explore their own ideas by choosing a personalised area of study which interests them. There is also an exam element at the end of the first and second years which contributes to 40-50% (depending on the year of entry).

   

• Business Studies

  Business

  Head of Department: Miss K O’Sullivan

  Business education brings the outside world into perspective. It allows pupils to explore critical thinking and opens their eyes to how global businesses operate. It gives pupils the opportunity to step into the shoes of business owners and make crucial decisions that have short and long-term implications for themselves, the business, as well as others. Flair and creativity alongside analytical thinking are pursued within business education with pupils able to design new ideas, concepts but then have to support why it will work or has that edge over something else in the world right now.

  KS4

  GCSE Business Studies is a popular and successful course with pupils performing exceptionally well and constantly achieving above target. The department currently follow the Edexcel specification.

  KS5

  In the sixth form, we offer a variety of business and finance subjects. A level Economics is about studying the world around us from a social, financial and cultural perspective. The subject looks at all the different factors that affect wealth and well-being.

  Delving deeper into the inner working of a business the A Level Business Studies course takes the GCSE onto the next step and considers running businesses on a global scale.

  The Cambridge Technical Business course prepares pupils for either university or the world of work. Just a few of the skills pupils will learn include; running projects, report writing, presentations and creating promotional material.

  The London Institute of Banking and Finance Diploma qualification focuses on decision making and sustainability of financial institutions as well as personal finance. This qualification allows pupils to learn crucial life skills and an understanding of savings, mortgages and planning for the future.

  Extra Curricular

  The department offers pupils the chance to start and run their own business as part of a nationwide Young Enterprise competition where they compete against other schools in the borough, London and the whole country developing classroom skills into real life.

  We run a trip to Thorpe Park where pupils learn about how the theme park runs as a business and competes against other attractions.

  Each year the department run a variety of extra-curricular activities to boost business and economic knowledge. This includes speakers and we have been previously lucky enough to have a member of the Monetary Policy Committee talk to our 6^th formers about interest rates.

   

• Drama

  Drama

  Head of Department: Mr A Taylor

  Drama is an important means of stimulating creativity in problem solving. It can challenge students' perceptions about their world and about themselves. Dramatic exploration can provide students with an outlet for emotions, thoughts, and ideas that they might not otherwise have means to express. A student can, if only for a few moments become another, explore a new role, try out and experiment with various personal choices and solutions to real world problems.

  KS3

  At Key Stage Three all pupils receive one drama lesson a week. In most lessons pupils participate in active independent learning, to create pieces of drama which they, their peers, and their teachers will evaluate. Developing skills such as teamwork, time management, focus and self control are integral to each lesson.

  KS4

  GCSE Drama is a highly successful course with student achievements significantly exceeding national averages. We currently teach the AQA specification.

  KS5

  Drama & Theatre Studies is offered at A Level; we currently teach the AQA specification.

  Extra Curricular

  The department offers a range of extra-curricular activities for students including a weekly drama club, and opportunities to participate in the Shakespeare Schools Festival. There are opportunities for students to participate in theatre trips and backstage tours.

   

• English

  English

  Head of Department: Miss H Parker

  In English, as pupils learn, they gain more control as speakers, writers, and listeners. English is about being in control of words and ideas, being objective about texts, and being about to write clearly about key messages and meanings behind the material you are reading. English makes us powerful influencers, through understanding constructed written and spoken word. In English, there is a continuing promise of real social, academic, and economic usefulness. Such skills of communication, reading and writing equip our students with the skills they need to be successful in life, work and everyday living. However, English is more than just competence in these areas; it is about fostering a love of the written word and understanding time, humanity, and the world through the texts we are able to explore.

  KS3

  During KS3, pupils have continual opportunities to explore language and ideas, with a balance of modules in English Language and Literature. Students analyse a novel focusing on character and moving to explore texts thematically and structurally in preparation for GCSE. Each year students will read and study a Shakespeare play, as well as some historical and social background on a variety of topics pertaining to Elizabethan England. Students will explore a collection of poetry and have the opportunity to react creatively. Students will also study units in Creative/Non-Fiction writing, exposing them to new genres and literary techniques to use in their own work.

  KS4

  At KS4, we teach two separate GCSEs: English Language and English Literature. Students develop KS3 skills further through units assessing reading comprehension, imaginative and transactional writing during the Language units. Students will also be required to perform a speech to their classmates as part of a mandatory Speaking and Listening performance. Students will study four Literature texts to offer them a broad spectrum of knowledge spanning 400 years of Literature. Students should be able to use historical, social and political knowledge to provide context for the writers’ decisions. In Literature papers, students are asked to analyse extracts, as well as demonstrate knowledge of the development of entire texts. During Language study, students will be required to evaluate, comment, analyse and compare writers’ choices from 19th-century Victorian fiction to 21st-century articles. Students will then be asked to emulate writers’ styles in their own writing, responding creatively to stimulus and writing their own constructed pieces about a modern issue. Our 2 GCSEs are comprised of 2 exams each at the end of the two year course.

  A Level

  If students choose to continue the study of English at KS5, the English literature curriculum features the study of a range of prose, poetry and drama texts from across the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. The new curriculum places a greater emphasis on end of year examination, but coursework will still play a significant part in assessment. For students looking for greater control over the final results of their A-Level, this coursework is highly advantageous and rewarding, and will be worth 20% of the final A-Level grade. Students will develop the skills required to compare texts; to analyse the effects of language; your analytical skills will be sharpened and intensified; to understand the significance of the contexts in which texts were written. Students deal with complex ideas, interpreting information, searching for patterns and examining texts in a wider context. History, culture, philosophy and human behaviour are all at the heart of English Literature. As such, English Literature is a wonderful companion to such courses as law, psychology, sociology, history, media and drama. Students will study texts from Chaucer to Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, from Shakespeare to Angela Carter’s feminist revisioning. Students are given the opportunity to read widely and develop critical thinking, in readiness for the demands of university.

   

• Food

  Food

   Head of Department – Miss F Jagger

  Food Technology teaches not only basic life skills, but builds students confidence with a whole range of tools. Youngsters learn about how food products are manufactured and carry out design and make tasks to enable them to develop their own ideas. They are given the opportunity to make quality products using a wide range of skills from baking to creating healthy meals. Youngsters will learn about the ever-changing food industry as it develops products to meet consumer trends and demands.

  KS3

  Students are given a general introduction to healthy eating as well as how to explore food cultures, provenance and dietary requirements. Alongside this, they learn about a range of topics related to food technology including an introduction to nutrition which is important for encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle.

  KS4

  Our very popular Food Preparation and Nutrition course for GCSE follows the AQA specification with the course being split into 50% exam and 50% coursework. Students learn a range of in-depth cooking techniques building on their knowledge from lower school culminating in a three-course meal they will present at the end of the course. To support this, students will also follow a rigorous theory-based program which works well in enhancing skills from other subjects such as Biology, Chemistry and Geography.

   

• Citizenship

  Citizenship & PSHE

  These lessons are an integral part of our curriculum. We believe that these sessions are crucial in order to ensure that students develop into active and responsible members of society.

  Therefore we aim to make the programme as engaging and exciting as possible by creating workshop opportunities with outside agencies, inviting guest speakers, and staging form projects and competitions.

  Examples of such activities include: a drugs awareness talk led by Paul Hannaford, drama performances, revision workshops, public speaking competitions, Young Enterprise projects, and workshops on online safety.

  The programme is divided into Citizenship and PSHE lessons. It is followed by each Year Group and is taught by the Form Tutor. In these lessons we cover a wide range of topics such as: Drugs awareness, online safety, democracy in the UK, human rights, sexual health education, and careers information.

  In Year 11 students are working on an extended Careers’ Programme, which aims to ensure that they make informed choices post 16. This includes producing a personal statement and a curriculum vitae, as well as discussions about Sixth Form courses, job interviews, further education interviews and career prospects.

   

• Humanities

  Humanities

  Head of Department: Mr D Thompson

  The Humanities are central in developing pupils’ understanding of their place in our unique community. Allowing them to fully contribute to British Society and develop skills which enable them to thrive in any 21st Century work place. In Key Stage Three pupils have one lesson per week, which increases to two lessons at GCSE Level and four lessons at A Level.

  There are four academic disciplines that are taught in the Humanities Faculty; Geography, History, Religious Education and Law (A level only).

  Geography is the subject which provides the key to all pupils’ futures, highly valued by universities as a facilitating subject. At Key Stage Three we study a breadth of topics from sport to coasts; from glaciers to geopolitics and a module on every continent, so students gain an insight into the changing world around them.

  At Key Stage Four we study OCR B GCSE and at A level OCR. We offer fieldtrips in the UK and Europe and as a facilitating subject Geography can take you to the top universities in the UK and abroad.

  History is inescapable, providing a study of the past and its legacies today. It 'roots' pupils’ in time and place, allowing them to understand who they are in the wider complex cultures and traditions created over time. Students study Local, British and World History; taking in the great stories and characters, from the Black Death of the Middles Ages, through the court of King Henry VIII at GCSE and to the edges of the British Empire at A Level. (At GCSE we study the Edexcel specification and at A level OCR). As a facilitating subject History is highly valued by universities and employers.

  Law A level is designed to be studied with no prior knowledge. The OCR spec is a rigorous and stimulating course covering substantive law and the study of the legal system in England and Wales. A variety of topics are studied including: the structure of civil and criminal courts, sentencing, law making including precedent and the theory behind its purpose. Substantive law topics are the law of Tort and Criminal law. Many pupils who study law go on to read Law or criminology at university, while others have joined the police or followed the CILEX route into the legal profession.

  Religious Education is important to help pupils address the big questions in life; such as ‘why are we here?’, ‘Is there are life after death?’, ‘Does God exists?’ Religious Education helps pupils to develop their views on where we’ve come from and why we’re here, whilst becoming aware of opposing views and respecting them. In our ever-growing multi-faith, multi-cultural society Religious Education is more important than ever; to create a peaceful society. Students are able to develop evaluation skills, and engage in analytical thinking. We cover many topics including; religion and life, relationships and family and war and peace. At Key Stage Three pupils will study the 6 major world religions alongside atheism. At Key Stage Four the religious study focuses on Christianity and Islam.

   

• IT

  IT

  Head of Department: Mr J Henderson

  Living, as we do, in the digital age, IT is an essential part of a well-rounded academic education. The subject offers excellent opportunities for true creativity and innovativeness. Almost all companies, large or small, have an IT department that handles all the technological issues that arise. IT is an integral part of our school curriculum and is taught not simply so that students obtain a valuable qualification but also to enable them to acquire a set of skills for employment, for everyday life and for leisure in the future.

  KS3

  At Key Stage Three all pupils receive one IT lesson a week. They will spend 8 weeks on each topic which is broken down into 6 lessons of completing tasks followed by 2 weeks of assessment. The topics cover a wide range of subjects designed to give a comprehensive foundation in IT. The areas covered include programming, databases, spreadsheets, animation and websites.

  KS4

  The GCSE course is new. We have recently changed over to OCR Cambridge Nationals qualification. This course is structured as follows:

  An exam on pre-production techniques in Jan of year 10

  A mandatory coursework unit on Creating digital graphics

  A coursework module on Creating a multipage website in Year 11 (September – Christmas)

  A coursework module on Creating interactive multimedia products in Year 11 (January – May)

  This is the first year that we have integrated this qualification and hope that it will prove to be as successful as its predecessor.

  KS5

  In the 6th Form our students study for a Cambridge Technical Level 3 qualification in IT. We have 2 options on offer. These are:

  Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma in IT (equivalent of one and a half A levels)

  This course includes 2 examined elements and 6 coursework modules

  Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT (equivalent of two A levels)

  This course is the same as the Foundation Diploma with the addition of 1 exam element and 2 additional coursework units.

  These qualifications include a range of mandatory, optional and specialist pathway units; allowing students to really focus on what is right for their chosen career path.

   

• Languages

  Languages

  Head of Department: Miss A Jones

  KS3

  In MFL , years 7 and 8 study both French and German. We aim to give pupils a good base in both languages. Topics covered include classroom language, family and friends, school, free time and entertainment, life in a town, food and drink and holidays. At the end of year 8 students decide on a language to continue and in year 9 all students sit the FCSE exam in either French or German. This is a nationally recognised qualification which is either an end in itself, or a springboard to GCSE.

  KS4

  In years 10 and 11, students prepare for the AQA GCSE in French or German. Themes covered are Identity and culture, Local, national, international and global areas of interest and Current and future study and employment. All themes are assessed through the skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing.

   

• Maths

  Maths

  Head of Department: Mr K Ibn-Adam

  Mathematics and its importance cannot be emphasised enough; nearly 97% of employment requires the candidate to pass GCSE Mathematics with grade 5+. It is one of the most crucial tests that students must take during their secondary education. Mathematics aims to prepare the student for real life problem solving and teaches logical/rational thinking, through core mathematical topics, to develop the scientific mind.

  KS3

  Pupils in Key Stage 3 study mathematics up to 3 lessons per week (2 lessons per week in Year 7) and study from resources that teach core skills that can then be applied to solve real life problems, thus, developing functional skills. The schemes of work are designed to build on basic ideas and advance them to higher levels. Pupils in year 9 (gifted and talented) also undertake a one year course in GCSE Statistics which has an exam in the summer.

  KS4

  Pupils at Key Stage 4 further develop the core foundation skills learned from Key Stage 3 to solve mathematical problems and learn new concepts such as advanced trigonometry and vectors etc. Pupils are banded into two tiers Foundation (grades 1-5) and Higher (grades 4-9). The examining board is Edexcel and pupils take 3 papers in the summer (Paper 1 – non calc, Paper 2 – calc & Paper 3 – calc).

  Extra Curricular

  The department offers higher ability students to take GCSE Statistics in Year 9 and, pupils who are expected to attain grade 8 or 9 at GCSE Maths, the opportunity to undertake AQA GCSE Further Mathematics in Year 11 (exceptional students can take in Year 10)

   

• Media

  Media

  Head of Department: Mr N Clarke

  Media provides a basis for students to interpret society and express themselves in a critical and creative way. In a society where media consumption plays a growing role in our everyday lives, it is important as citizens that we are literate and can effectively scrutinise the media we consume which is where Media Studies also plays its role. The state of the art equipment in the media department gives students the chance to create a Film, advert, music video, magazine etc. which carries a message for a potential audience of millions to see.

  KS4

  GCSE Media Studies is a successful course which offers students the opportunity to marry analytical skills with practical ability. Our Live Days where students plan and record a live TV show is something that is unforgettable for all of our students and is an experience that ex-students comment on years later.

  KS5 FILM STUDIES A LEVEL

  At Key Stage 5 we offer Film Studies which provides the opportunity to study a wide range of fantastic films from many different cultures. As well as this, students get the opportunity to create a short film which reflects particular themes which take their interest.

  KS5 DIGITAL MEDIA CTEC

  CTEC media offers students the opportunity to study a wide range of media, from radio and adverts to films and special effects. It is a very practical course which over the years has produced outstanding results and pieces of work.

  Extra Curricular

  The department offers a range of extra-curricular opportunities to students including the BBC School Report where students learn how to find news stories and create a news broadcast to film in the TV studio.

   

• Music

  Music

  Head of Department: Mr M Weight

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• PE

  PHYSICAL EDUCATION

  Head of Department: Mr S Elia

  Physical Education is an important subject to increase awareness of well-being. As students in this school are at a critical age in their development; acquiring strength, improving aerobic capacity and encourage a stronger mental attitude are just some of the key characteristics pupils develop during their lessons. It offers a way for pupils to enhance physical attributes, learn how to successfully work in a team and develop their problem-solving skills.

  KS3

  At Key Stage Three, all pupils take part in two Physical Education lessons a week, which enables us to cover a broader range of sports such as Basketball, Trampolining and Athletics. Pupils will develop many skills in these lessons as well as improving their physical and mental health.

  KS4

  In Key Stage Four all pupils complete one core lesson of Physical Education a week to encourage pupils to maintain a healthy active lifestyle. Pupils can also choose to take GCSE Physical Education and we also offer GSCE Dance, of which both have been an extremely successful course in the school.

  Extra-curricular

  The department offers numerous extra-curricular activities before school, during lunchtimes and after school. Pupils will compete in Redbridge competitions against other schools in the area and in recent years pupils have been competing nationally against schools from all over the country. This offers a great opportunity for pupils to develop confidence and potentially compete at the highest level possible.
  
  

• Science

  Science

  Head of Department: Mr J Sanderson

  Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge. A high-quality science education provides the foundations for understanding the world through the specific disciplines of biology, chemistry and physics. The science department at CHA teaches all pupils essential aspects of the knowledge, methods, processes and uses of science. Through building up a body of key foundational knowledge and concepts, they are encouraged to recognise the power of rational explanation and develop a sense of excitement and curiosity about natural phenomena.

  KS3

  In Years 7 and 8, all pupils receive two science lessons a week (increasing to three in Year 9). We currently teach the Exploring Science Working Scientifically course. 36 units of teaching are spread over three years.  The first 30 units cover the 2014 Key Stage 3 National Curriculum for Science. The final six units cover GCSE preparation and skills, extended projects, a final end of Key Stage 3 exam, and a revision period leading up to the exam.

  KS4

  We currently teach the AQA GCSE Combined Science: Trilogy specification. GCSE Science is a highly successful course with student achievements significantly exceeding national averages. 

  Sixth Form

  As well as the traditional AS and A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Physics, the science department also offers a Cambridge Technicals Level 3 qualification in Applied Science.

   

• Tech

  DESIGN & TechNOLOGY

  Head of Department: Mr L Foster

  Design & Technology allows our pupils to be creative, imaginative and inspired. Under the guidance of our committed and talented staff, pupils produce work of an outstanding standard. A number of past students have gone on to fantastic careers in Engineering, Architecture as well as the Manufacturing and Building industry. Together with our superb purpose built facilities and consistently strong results, the Technology department has earned a reputation for getting the best out of students as it is a subject pupils enjoy.

  KS3

  At Key Stage 3, our focused curriculum steers pupils toward working with all types of materials within product design from woods, metals, plastics to smart and modern materials. Our spacious, well-equipped design studios, CAD facilities and workshops offer pupils the opportunity to explore fully designing and manufacturing while applying the principles of artistic creativity, science and ICT. Students are encouraged to push the limits of their project work and we always enjoy seeing what they can achieve.

  KS4

  At GCSE students gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers. Students have the opportunity to develop their CAD and CAM skills independently using a range of professional software, with industrial standard Laser Cutter and 3D printers. This is a demanding and energetic course where pupils get to be hands-on through every stage of the design process. GCSE Product Design is a highly successful course with students learning vital key skills from problem-solving, working as a team and being able to meet key deadlines. We currently teach the AQA specification.

  Extra-Curricular

  The department offers a range of extra-curricular activities for students including a trip to the BMW factory, entering a number of design and engineering based competitions and trips to design museums and events.