Aspiration
At Hammersmith Academy we believe that our More Able students should be identified early and provided with significant challenge, both inside and outside the classroom, which allows them to fulfil their potential. We aim to equip these students with the skills to become inquisitive, life-long learners who have high aspirations and ambitions.
We define ‘More Able’ as those with the ability to attain results in the top 20% of their year group. We aspire for our More Able students to make progress that exceeds the national averages. The attainment of More Able students is rewarded in class and through our termly and yearly awards ceremonies.
Students are offered continual opportunities to challenge themselves in the classroom through our bespoke ‘challenge boards’ in each classroom, where they can choose activities to encourage them to ‘think hard’ at all times. There are a number of Session 3 options designed to challenge students including Science club, the ORBYTS projects, Debate club and Board games club. Selected students are invited to attend the Sixth Form’s weekly ‘Insight’ lecture series featuring inspiring outside speakers. Students are also encouraged to continue to challenge themselves at weekends and during the holidays by participating in specific ‘Challenge Cup’ competitions, which they can access on Show My Homework. Parents can check the More Able page of our website for other suggested ways to stretch and challenge students outside of school time.
Every department also offers a number of more specific curricular and extracurricular projects for More Able students. These include:
Maths: UKMT Junior, Intermediate and Senior Maths Challenge. High scoring students then qualify for Kangaroo and Olympiad rounds. Students are registered onto the Dr Frost Maths website to support them in the lead up to this. Count On Us club for Years 7 to 9 after school on Monday. Students take part in interactive activities involving number, algebra and geometry. 5 students are then chosen to represent Hammersmith Academy in the competition led by Mayors’ Fund for London.
Science: British Science Association’s CREST Award helping students develop an interest in and raise awareness of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths, the pioneering ORBYTS astronomy research club, Imperial College Materials Matter project and ‘Girls in Physics’ club
English: DebateMate club and competitions, Jack Petchey Speak Out competition.
Drama: Session 3 clubs, school productions, workshops led by industry professionals.
Music: A wide range of session 3 clubs. Regular collaborations with the Royal College of Music, The Royal Albert Hall and the Tri-Borough Music Hub
MFL: Day trips to Europe for talented linguists and opportunities for work experience abroad at Key Stage 5 as part of our exchange programmes
PE: Talented sportsmen and women are selected to be part of the Leadership Development and Personal Empowerment Programme, which is designed to encourage and educate students through mentoring sessions and workshops
DT: Engineering Club has enabled students to design, programme and build a Robot, MP3 Amplifier and K’NEX Solar-powered car
Learners are also able to pursue further opportunities through links with our sponsors and our partner schools: St Paul’s Schools and The BRIT School.
The Academy complies with the Special Education Needs (SEN) Code of Practice and, as far as reasonably practical, those with physical and learning disabilities will be offered maximum access to the curriculum.