Northampton
International
Academy update
Issue 7
May 2015
We are excited to be working alongside the community and have been heartened by the
enthusiasm and support for this important part of Northampton’s rejuvenation. It is important
to us, as a group, to harness the views of the community in a consultation process on uniform,
the logo and the expectations. We felt that the best people to ask were the pupils, local
Primary headteachers and members of local governing bodies, in the first instance. We are
exploring our local links with The University of Northampton and are already talking to the
fashion department to help our youngsters design the uniform, in order to ensure that it is
practical, hard-wearing and relevant to life beyond 2021!
As we start to shape the vision for this fantastic, brand new school, we would like to invite you
to start our journey with us. A consultation meeting on the 19 th May will start to gather views
and Lorna Beard, Principal of Castle Academy, has already started to ask parents
for
comments, suggestions and questions. Responses have been outstanding and we warmly look
forward to working closely with you over the coming months.
Thank you for your continued support.
Jan Marshall, Chief Executive, EMLC Academy Trust
Pre-opening team
EMLC Academy Trust has brought together a highly respected group of advisers, including Sir
Michael Griffiths, to assist in the delivery of the Northampton International Academy. They will
be lead by the Project Director, Dr Jane Doughty CBE, former Director of Leadership Design
and Development at the National College of Teaching and Leadership and former secondary
headteacher in Northamptonshire. Jane has significant experience and expertise across the
education system – at a local, regional and national level — and was awarded a CBE for
services to education in the New Year’s Honours List 2014.
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Northampton International Academy update
Consultation
Consultation
with
local
community
groups
has
already started, with a meeting called on the 19th
May, where representatives from local community
associations, headteachers and governors from local
schools have been invited to initially meet, share the
vision and plans for NIA and begin to discuss working
partnerships. Attendees will be consulted on the uniform, the Academy expectations and
professional links. Colleagues will be encouraged to make suggestions, which will be
considered alongside existing plans for provision. We welcome such opportunities to work
alongside the community and believe they are a crucial aspect of the development of NIA
and the rejuvenation of the local area.
On the 29th April, Castle’s parents’ evening provided us with the opportunity to share the
vision, architectural plans and make initial suggestions about the
uniform, logo and expectations. It has felt good to start talking
meaningfully with the parents and carers about being a part of the
Pupil Voice
EMLC Academy Trust are passionate about seeking the views of our
young people, as they are the future of NIA. Pupil consultation on
the uniform is hoped to be supported by fashion students from The University of
Northampton , building on our links with the university. The first meeting at Castle is on 7 th
May, where Joan Mackness, a representative from the Trust, and Lorna Beard, the Principal
at Castle, will meet the Pupil Council at Castle to discuss codes of conduct, a logo
competition and the uniform, including the PE kit.
This work will roll out across the town schools, with a letter going to the local headteachers,
asking for an opportunity to consult with their Year 5 pupils on the uniform, in particular.
Working closely with Castle Academy, we will be offering local Primary schools taster
sessions in Mandarin and Spanish during the summer term, to prepare Year 5 pupils for the
eclectic range of languages offered at NIA and to offer opportunities for early language
development.
We are currently putting together our ‘giveaways’ for the Open Evenings in September/
October at NIA. Watch this space for information about ‘freebies’ coming the way of Year 5!
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Northampton International Academy update
Building work and architect’s drawings
Building work at the Barrack Road site should be starting shortly; already a number of trees
and bushes have been cleared from the front of the site in preparation for the start of the
building work. Obviously there is a vast amount of work to be done as it is a huge building
that has stood vacant for many years, however once it is completed it will be a great asset to
the people of Northampton, enabling the regeneration of an unused site which currently has a
negative impact on the neighbourhood.
Over the coming months the pace of work will increase and people will notice more significant
changes across the site.
Further drawings have been drawn up by the team of architects. These are incredibly exciting
and give us a real picture of the internal layout of the new school.
Please do visit our
information. We are
this with information
well as with general
the Trust.
website for more
regularly updating
regarding NIA, as
information about
www.emlcacademytrust.co.uk
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Northampton International Academy update