Charles Read Academy

At CRA we have a strong sense of purpose and are fervently committed to the achievement of every individual. We aim to provide a high-quality education for the 11-16 year olds in our local area in a safe, happy, caring and focused environment. We encourage all students to embody our values of confidence, resilience, ambition, courage, respect and aspiration.  

The vision we are passionately committed to providing is an exciting education where there is a relentless focus on high quality teaching and learning, a commitment to a broad and balanced curriculum and an absolute dedication to providing a wide range of opportunities that allow students to excel at what they are good at and enjoy as well as developing new talents, supported by excellent pastoral care. Students will gain transferrable life skills and they will know that they can positively shape their lives through choice not chance. As a school community we are energised and motivated by the prospect of changing lives, of raising community-wide aspiration and improving the life chances for all students.    

We are student and learning focused. There are no limits to outstanding learning and outstanding achievement. Students, staff, governors and parents are totally focused on developing and improving the learning of the students underpinned by positive and respectful relationships. We have high expectations of them, high aspirations for them and demonstrate complete belief in them. As a small academy we can quickly identify barriers to learning putting in support where necessary and equally spot talent and potential giving guidance, support and regularly offering exclusive enrichment opportunities, scholarships and bursaries so that our students can pursue their various talents. 

We are proud to be at the heart of our local community, and regularly work with primary schools in the local area, running programmes throughout the year to secure a positive transition to secondary school. Building strong partnerships with parents is essential to realising a student’s potential therefore we are in regular contact with our families ensuring lines of communication are open. 

Ethos, Vision and Values

At CRA we aim to provide a high-quality education in a safe, happy, caring and focused environment. We encourage all students to embody our values of confidence, resilience, ambition, courage, respect and aspiration.  

Students develop Confidence through interacting positively with our academic and opportunity-enriched curriculum.  They show Resilience in how they approach their studies to secure continual improvement and over time develop strong oracy and literacy skills enabling them to talk about their learning and communicate effectively. They show Ambition aiming to be the best they can be and can articulate what they need to do to improve. They develop Courage taking risks and removing barriers to learning; nothing holds them back.  Students show Respect for themselves, others and for the environment, always leading by example.  They always aim high demonstrating an Aspiration to achieve the best jobs, college and university places in the pursuit of excellence.  

Through the promotion of these values and the ethos of the House system we encourage the students to feel a sense of belonging. We help them develop a strong cultural awareness becoming citizens who make positive contributions to our 21st century society. We believe all students can succeed given appropriate self-belief, challenge and support. Whilst we guide and nurture students holistically, we encourage them to take responsibility for their own learning and personal development ensuring they become lifelong learners who determine their own futures. 

Whilst we demand high standards from our students we equip them with life skills to support them on their learning journey. They feel valued and understand they can positively shape their life through choice not chance.  

Our priority is simply to provide an excellent education for all. 

Curriculum Aims: 

To create: 

• ambitious students who enjoy learning, and make better than expected progress.   
• Confident, culturally aware individuals who are able to  form healthy and respectful relationships underpinned by our values 
• Responsible citizens who make a positive contribution to society. 

Strategic Intent 

To develop a curriculum which: 

• Creates an aspirational high achievement culture 
• Personalises learning and opportunities 
• Is broad and balanced with options that maximise student progress 
• Promotes a growth-mindset culture creating opportunities for all students to suceed 
• Raises academic achievement 
• Which is enjoyable and enables students to develop and flourish as well-rounded individuals 

Curriculum Rationale / Principles: 

• Progress is planned for across a 5-year programme 
• We maximise exposure to English, maths and science whilst retaining and a varied curriculum offer including the humanities, languages, sport and the arts. 
• Additional time is given to English, maths and science to ensure that students have the necessary skills to compete in the world of work. 
• Learning programmes support transition and effectively induct the students into secondary school life. 
• We offer support and challenge helping students to progress beyond national expectations 
• The curriculum is forever evolving to reflect the needs of our learners and to provide them with the essential skills needed in the 21st century.  
• We are student focused; there are no limits for outstanding learning and outstanding achievement.  
• We have high expectations of students, high aspirations for them and demonstrate complete belief in them.  

Principal Sue Jones

Ofsted report

"The school has benefited very significantly from support from a sponsor trust. The trust has made a strong contribution to improving the school’s facilities, strengthening its leadership and improving the quality of teaching. Pupils’ achievement has improved since the last inspection, especially in English, mathematics and science. Pupils made good progress in these subjects last year. Middle-attaining pupils did particularly well. Some pupils made excellent progress. The school’s arrangements to safeguard pupils are strong. Pupils feel safe and know how to stay safe."