Academy Aims/vision

High Aspirations and High Expectations for All

The Vision - The following is a statement of the aspirations and intent for the Heartlands Academy, Birmingham: 

The Academy will embrace initiatives and opportunities that reflect its ethos and benefit the students and the local community. Heartlands Academy will therefore be constantly evolving. The Academy will prioritise its plans to meet a set of strategic objectives which ensure that high educational standards are sustainable. 

Heartlands Academy will provide 'Excellence in Education for All' ensuring that the life chances of all its students are enhanced continuously. In promoting educational opportunities for all, Heartlands Academy, Birmingham, will reflect an inclusive ethos that promotes tolerance and respect for others. This will be characterised by diversity, equality and excellence. 

Through appropriate curricular, family and community support, the Academy will raise student expectations of what they can achieve. Ultimately, the Academy expects students to develop into citizens who are able to represent themselves confidently in all aspects of public and community life. The Academy will support its students to contribute fully and effectively to the economic wellbeing of the whole community. 

The Academy has replaced an outstanding school and will seek to develop the effective features of its predecessor school. By providing access to opportunities through its curriculum, specialisms and wider experience, the academy will aim to become a centre of excellence in the local community. 

The Academy Will:

• Raise educational standards.
• Create an inclusive ethos that effectively provides for all students, irrespective of their ability, gender, faith, culture or race, through personalised learning opportunities.
• Develop 'Centres of Excellence' through innovative approaches to teaching and learning to ensure that all students achieve their full personal and academic potential.
• Raise student aspirations and expectations of what they can achieve through exciting and challenging opportunities both within and beyond the formal curriculum.
• Enrich experiences for students through its subject specialisms.
• Use a flexible approach in delivering the curriculum and will incorporate specialist staff including Excellent Teachers and Advanced Skills Teachers.
• Prepare students for the future, in particular in realistic adult working environments which reflect commercial standards and provide real life experiences through the involvement of business, including personal mentors and subject based placements.
• Foster unity, nationhood and citizenship and will provide opportunities for students to develop into citizens who actively contribute towards the building of cohesive and peaceful communities.
• Provide opportunities for students to assume increasing responsibilities in the life and work of the Academy, and to participate in local and international activities, for example the Model United Nations, International School Conference and British Council Link programmes.
• Strengthen support for families by embracing the Every Child Matters and Extended Schools Agendas.
• Actively seek to collaborate and establish partnerships with organisations which are culturally inclusive.
• Nurture greater integration and community cohesion and will seek to invest in the community to improve opportunities for everyone through 'one stop' facilities including lifelong learning, health, fitness and recreation.
• Work with and involve key stakeholders, partners and the local community, including feeder primary and local secondary schools, and will ensure that key stakeholder groups are represented on the Board of Governors.
• Establish strong links with business, the public sector, and further and higher education providers to maximise relevant learning opportunities for progression.
• Ensure that teachers and support staff are positive role models for students alongside community mentors and champions.
• Provide a programme of quality continuing professional development and training for all staff to underpin and sustain improvements in teaching and learning.