Our School
Our School
Introduction
This is a new school and a new way of learning for the families in west Newcastle. We aim to provide space and time for children to develop a deeper way of learning, seek and for parents to be engaged in that process. By exploring learning in small groups and in many different contexts; the city, forest, beach, school and home we will ensure every child has many opportunities to learn in ways the best match their interests.
We hope that supportive environment, together with a high ratio of skilled staff, volunteers and parents, will enable children to be enthusiastic and independent learners.
Children will be encouraged and expected to outperform their peers educationally, socially and make a positive contribution to their community.
The School’s Aim
To enhance the school choice for families in west central Newcastle by providing a different way of learning in varied contexts.
Our Ethos
The school’s ethos is based on respect for the intrinsic capabilities of children and the recognition that all children are unique individuals with a wide range of abilities and potentials. Children will be valued as strong, sociable and capable individuals, constantly learning and enquiring about the world around them. The school will be a place where children will be encouraged to be curious, to ask questions, to learn from one another and to create their own theories and solutions.
We believe that, for children to flourish, the educational opportunities provided at school must be supported by caring, knowledgeable adults in the home. Parents and carers will therefore be encouraged, welcomed and respected for the knowledge and experience that they bring to a child's education. Moreover, they will be invited to partake in the ongoing program of training to further enhance their nurturing skills and improve basic skills in literacy and numeracy so that they are better able to support their child?s learning.
Dialogue with, and democratic decision-making between, children, staff, parents and the wider community will be central to the running of the school, with parents actively involved in school activities.
Moreover, as much learning as possible will be experiential, open-ended and enquiry-based and undertaken in rich and exciting learning environments, including the outdoors. As often as possible, the arts will be utilised to encourage free expression, imagination and creativity. We recognise, acknowledge and celebrate the uniqueness and individuality of every child, not least by cultivating and celebrating the various talents and interests every child possesses.
The School’s Vision
All children will achieve their full potential, with holistic support, whilst they enjoy, own and drive their learning, gaining self-respect, self-esteem and self- belief.
All children:
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Will achieve their full potential and all can achieve excellence
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Have a supportive learning environment at home and school with parents valued as the primary educators
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Develop a love for learning when seen as unique individuals and engaged in meaning projects
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Have high levels of respect, self-esteem and self-belief when they learn through collaboration with others
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Cultivate a variety of intelligence’s and competencies when given the opportunity to learn from experts in a democracy.
WNA is a place where children are encouraged to be curious – to ask questions and learn from one another. Teaching and learning is child-centred with a balance between teacher-led and child-initiated learning.
Children spend two days every week learning away from the school – in ‘forest school’, at the beach or visiting museums, farms and parks.
Our Inspiration
Sir Ken Robinson says "Bring on the learning revolution" - TED Talk
Sugata Mitra shows how kids teach themselves - TED Talk
School Day
8.45 - 3.30pm with Prep for KS2 pupils until 4pm
Term Dates
We follow Newcastle City Council dates which are available here:
Accessible Access
West Newcastle Academy is fully accessible. At the main site there is an accessible lift whilst at Benwell Nature Park there is wheelchair access to the school via a ramp through the YR classroom. There is disabled parking at the main site and Nature Park. Please call the school office for further information.
Contacting the School
Please call the office if you require any information. You can call the main school on 0191 273 9477 or Nature Park on 0191 273 4463. Email us on wna-admin@westnewcastleacademy.org
Pupil Premium & Free School Meals
Pupils whose parents are in receipt of certain benefits are entitled to Pupil Premium, which gives free school meals and school uniform to the pupil and gives extra funding to the school to ensure every child reaches their full potential.
All children in Key Stage 1 (EYFS, Year One and Year Two) are entitled to free school meals.
Apply online here
Breakfast and After School Club
Breakfast Club 7.45-8.45am FREE (with thanks to Greggs)
After School Club 3.30 - 5.30pm (£5 per session)
Parents and carers can register their child for West Newcastle Academy's Breakfast or After School Club by calling or emailing us at wna-admin@westnewcastleacademy.org
Places are booked on a termly basis.
School Uniform
All children are encouraged to wear school uniform to help foster a sense of belonging to the school community. Details of our school uniform can be found here.
Links to our pages on Ofsted and Parent View
We always welcome feedback – please visit Parent View to give yours:
Our most recent OFSTED report from 2015 can be found here. Further information can be found on our OFSTED and Performance page.
LA: 391 Newcastle upon Tyne
DfE Establishment No: 2019
GSS LA Code: E08000021
Company registration: 07647538
Safeguarding at West Newcastle Academy
Effective safeguarding at West Newcastle Academy is paramount. A link to our Safeguarding Policy can be found here
Eco-Schools Award - We are proud to announce we have been awarded the Bronze Award and Silver Eco-Schools Awards and have submitted our work for our Green Flag!
Healthy Schools -We have undertaken our 4th Healthy Schools review and submitted our School Stories for Healthy School Plus.
Learning Outside the Classroom (LOTC) -We have achieved the Gold Award of Learning Outsdie the Classroom
We are currently working towards:
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Rainbow Award for Inclusion
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Unicef Rights and Responsibilities Silver Award
