A Westbury-on-Trym academy has created a strong sense of community which is helping pupils to reach their full potential.
With the core values of ‘achieve, believe and create’, E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy is a pupil-centred school which makes every decision based on one question: will it improve outcomes for our pupils?
Prospective families can find out exactly what the academy has to offer their children by contacting the school office at [email protected] to arrange a tour of the school and school site.
The academy’s approach means that pupils, as well as receiving an education which builds their knowledge and skills, are helped to grow personally too through the school’s personal development curriculum.
Integral to creating responsible, respectful adults, St Ursula’s is truly helping children get the most out of their education from a young age – St. Ursula’s is a Rights Respecting academy and they encourage UNICEF’s key values of respect, acceptance and helping others in their everyday actions. Pupils are expected to display these positive attitudes and are rewarded when they are seen to be carrying them out
Facilities to foster success
St. Ursula’s is a modern, purpose-built facility that boasts a large playing field, sensory garden and wooded area.
From the very start of their education, pupils receive personalised support. St Ursula’s EYFS offering sees three classes supported by teachers and TAs being able to access their own outdoor garden, as well as their own sensory room/quiet room situated in their corridor.
With a curriculum which is continually being reviewed and developed, and enrichment offered to extra enhance pupils’ learning, St Ursula’s was most recently rated ‘Good’ overall and ‘Outstanding’ for personal development by Ofsted, with comments being: “Pupils love coming to school. Their high attendance reflects this. Leaders have created a calm and caring environment. Staff go the extra mile to make sure pupils feel safe in school and are in the right frame of mind to learn.
“Pupils behave well in lessons and around the school. They are keen to meet the school’s high expectations of their behaviour. Pupils present themselves and their work with pride.”
It isn’t just Ofsted who have been impressed by St Ursula’s practices and work, with the school earning awards from Eco-Schools, The National School Travel Awards, Anti-Bullying Alliance, Young Carers, School Games and Arts Mark.
But learning doesn’t only happen in the academy building. Each term, every year group either goes on an off-site visit or has an outside visitor in to bring learning to life. In addition, Year 6 pupils go on a five day residential where they take part in a wide range of cross-curricular activities.
Support to encourage success
E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy is a safe and nurturing academy where safeguarding and the well-being of its children is its utmost priority.
The academy not only wants children to achieve academically, it values their personal, social, moral and emotional development – wanting them to leave St. Ursula’s well-rounded, knowledgeable, resilient and ready for the next part of their academic journey.
To do this, St Ursula’s has THRIVE and ELSA-trained staff across the academy, as well as THRIVE spaces for all year groups to support with children’s emotional well-being. There are also lunchtime nurture groups, weekly visits from a therapy dog and a pastoral lead employed to support children and to build emotional resilience.
Headteacher, Ms N Hamilton, said: “I am extremely honoured and proud to be headteacher of St. Ursula’s. Staff are dedicated to ensuring both the well-being and academic progress of our children and our pupils are polite, curious and confident.
“As headteacher, I feel strongly that children need to feel safe and happy in the first instance before learning can occur. The ethos promoted and lived at St. Ursula’s is the importance of kindness.”
Find out more
St Ursula’s offers personalised school tours for prospective families. These can be arranged to suit when is best for parents by contacting the school office at [email protected].
Find out more about E-ACT St Ursula’s Academy at stursulasacademy.e-act.org.uk