The UCL Academy, Camden

The UCL Academy is sponsored by UCL, a world-class, multifaculty, research-led university. UCL's vision is an innovative Academy for pupils aged 11 to 18. We are a comprehensive, co-educational, non-denominational, fully inclusive and an active member of the Camden family of schools.

The Academy is an exciting place for young people to learn and develop as individuals. It offers a high quality, broad and balanced curriculum which is appropriate for pupils of all abilities, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, social background or faith. Most importantly, it provides an environment in which all pupils are supported to achieve their full potential, and to contribute positively to the community in which they live. The Academy strives for excellence in teaching and learning across the curriculum; develop strong specialisms in mathematics, science and, with a focus on modern foreign languages, provide an education which prepares pupils for "global citizenship". Strong links with community, scientific and cultural organisations, as well as with UCL, are particular features of the Academy.

The Academy is co-located with Swiss Cottage Specialist SEN school on a site in Adelaide Road in Swiss Cottage, London. Both are accommodated in new buildings.
 

ETHOS AND VALUES
 

We want the UCL Academy to fire the imaginations of its students and to support them to develop in ways which stand them in good stead for their future lives and responsibilities as individuals, employees and citizens.

Key elements of the vision of The UCL Academy are:

· Ensuring that students experience a transformational curriculum and pedagogy;

· Ensuring that the systems, cultures and standards support excellence;

· Contributing to the system as an internationally acclaimed training institution;

· Ensuring that meaningful networks support a coherent learning journey.

The UCL Academy has four key priorities which make up its ethos:

· High academic and personal standards for students and a commitment to developing individual potential

· Specialisms in mathematics and science 

· Languages at the heart of the curriculum

· A mission to provide “education for global citizenship‟

The UCL Academy is an exciting, stimulating place to learn, with a curriculum which focuses on problem-solving, skills development and 'real world' issues and ideas.  Students have the opportunity to undertake extensive project work, and to participate in community activities as well as internships and international exchanges.

The sponsor is keen that the Academy should support all students to develop responsibility for their learning, ensuring that they continue to be challenged and stimulated by their learning throughout their time at the Academy. 

The UCL Academy has a strong focus on community and belonging.  Students are members of both a house (the Academy has five) and a mentor group: a small group of students, who meet together regularly and who are 'mentored' by a member of staff.  Houses provide a focus for intra-school activities; mentor groups ensure that students build strong support networks, including with their staff mentor to enable them to tackle the challenges young people encounter during their Academy lives.

UCL, as sponsor, provides a comprehensive programme of activities and support to enhance teaching at the UCL Academy.  This includes lectures and masterclasses from UCL academics in subjects across the curriculum; visits to UCL; and access to the university's extensive resources, including laboratories and libraries.  There is also advice for Key Stage 4 students and Sixth Form students on routes into further and higher education, including support with the higher education entry process from UCL admissions tutors, and contact with UCL students acting as tutors and mentors.

WE OFFER

• State-of-the-art classroom technology – including our unique Superstudios, subject specialism suites and demonstration; theatres for interactive teaching talks by visiting academics;
• Unlimited access to opportunities for self-development and intensive weekly Continuing Professional Learning; 
• Flexibility in start and finish times, longer holidays and more Academy planning days than normal INSET arrangements;
• A whole school wellbeing strategy and designated Academy Wellbeing Lead;
• An exclusive partnership with UCL where teaching staff have access to unrivalled University libraries and resources and to work within our connected curriculum;
• Suitable IT equipment for all teaching staff;
• A generous health care plan, including reimbursement for optical, dental, physiotherapy and a range of other areas, 24/7 GP access.
• A free Employee Assistance Programme that offers free private counselling, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and discounted membership at over 2,000 gyms nationwide.
• A sheltered bike storage facility for those who wish to cycle to work and a generous Cycle to Work scheme.  

LOCATION

Swiss Cottage is a vibrant, dynamic and thriving district in the London borough of Camden. There are assorted shops the length of the Finchley Road and local major hotels include Marriott Regents Park, Danubius Regents Park and Hampstead Britannia Hotel. There is a vast array of restaurants including European, South-East Asian and Japanese cuisine. Swiss Cottage Library, in close proximity of the UCL Academy, is the largest in the borough and has varied facilities including an art gallery as well as extensive seating and study areas. The Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre, adjacent to the UCL Academy, boasts of a fully equipped gym, 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool as well as a climbing wall, squash courts and outdoor football pitches. The Hampstead Theatre is a well-regarded fringe theatre located opposite the Central School of Speech and Drama that prides itself on developing new writers and playwrights. Swiss Cottage is in close proximity to central London, it is a 10 minutes tube journey to Oxford Street. 

South Hampstead (Overground) is an 8 minute walk from the UCL Academy.  The UCL Academy is built within a stone’s throw away from the local tube station Swiss Cottage (Jubilee line) and Chalk Farm (Northern line) is an 18 minute walk from the school. Bus routes 13, 31, 46, 82,113,187, 268, 603 and C11 serve the Swiss Cottage area.