The first year in the Academy will be a year in which students adapt to the unique learning environment which the Academy offers, and prepare themselves to take on the responsibilities for developing their own programme of study in the years ahead. They will develop a wide variety of skills essential for effective learning and work with their teachers to identify their targets for future progress. There will be an emphasis on the UCL Academy specialisms of Mathematics and Science, together with modern languages. In the foundation level, English will play a key role. All students will develop literacy and numeracy skills in other subject areas and through cross-curricular projects.
After students have completed their Foundation Level, they will begin to be given choices as to which courses they follow. Minimum entry requirements will be set for each level and for particular courses. Students will move through three Levels – 1-3 – which correspond to National Qualifications Framework Levels. (For comparison, GCSEs are Level 2 qualifications; AS and A2s are Level 3 qualifications.)
Most students are likely to be enrolled on Level 1 and Level 2 courses across ages 14 -16 and Level 2 and Level 3 courses across ages 15+ to 18. All students will be expected to follow English, mathematics and single or double science courses at Level 2 before age 16+. Thus, in practice, most students will follow these courses at either age 14+ or age 15+. Some students on Level 2 courses will be able to follow Level 3 courses in their second Level 2 year. Some 16-19 year old students may elect to follow some Level 2 courses.
All students will be required to complete the statutory courses (including English and Maths at GCSE) at some point during their Academy careers.
Our specialisms: Maths and Science
UCL will work closely with the Academy to develop an exciting, cutting-edge, hands-on approach to the teaching of maths and science. Teaching will encourage students to put their theoretical knowledge to use in designing experiments and coming up with solutions to ‘real world’ problems. The school will have state-of-the-art facilities for the teaching of science, including a science demonstration theatre which will allow UCL academics and UCL Academy staff to stage interactive experiments.
Students will also regularly have the opportunity to visit laboratories at the university.
Our UCL sponsors expect the Academy to become a centre of excellence for the teaching of mathematics and science, and to develop innovative approaches to the curriculum, including through the use of new technologies.
The UCL Academy will also pioneer the teaching of ‘engineering science’, bringing together the D&T curriculum, some elements of the Physics curriculum and the proposed Engineering diploma qualification to give students a understanding of what ‘engineering’ is about in industry and at university-level study.
The UCL Academy will be an exciting and inspiring place, with high quality teaching and outstanding facilities.
A core aim is to provide the highest quality teaching in a first-rate learning environment. Subject specialists will develop and deliver teaching programmes for all students, and will be supported in their subject knowledge through links with UCL staff. UCL students will be encouraged to work in classrooms as tutors and mentors.
The university will support UCL Academy staff to engage in further professional study, including providing fully-funded places on UCL master’s programmes (particularly the MA in Academic Practice), as well as opportunities to undertake formal research into issues relating to teaching and learning.
The key features of the teaching provided at the school will be:
- A strong learning culture with excellent, creative and imaginative teaching across the curriculum;
- An emphasis on empowering learners, student choice and programmes of study which are tailored to the individual’s interests, aspirations and progress to date;
- Regular reviews and assessment of students’ learning and progress
- A strong tradition of mentoring within the school to ensure that students are supported to make positive decisions about their academic careers
The UCL Academy will operate a ‘stage-not-age’ approach to the curriculum. This means that students progress through the curriculum at their own pace, though rapid progress is expected for all. Students will take qualifications at a particular level when they are ready, and not when they have reached a particular age. The Academy curriculum and building has been specifically designed to support this approach.
As a result, students who have been identified as having special educational needs, or those who require particular stretch and challenge, will be expected to build a programme of study which accommodates those needs, and will be supported to do so. All students’ progress will be carefully monitored, and students will work with their staff mentor and other colleagues to ensure that their programmes of study are challenging and appropriate for the student’s future ambitions.
In addition, the Academy will be co-located with Swiss Cottage Specialist SEN School. Although the two schools will remain separate and distinct from one another, this co-location will allow for collaboration between the staff of the two schools and for the sharing of expertise. This will be of benefit to students at both schools.