A very warm welcome to GCA. The successes of our students and the school as a whole are the result of a relentless focus on high standards of academic and personal achievement, positive attitudes towards learning, and exemplary behavior. We make sure the learning environment is well-ordered so that all students can feel safe and enjoy learning. Our students are the best ambassadors for the school - they are positive, lively, and courteous and interact well with one another in and out of the classroom.
Students will achieve high academic standards at the Academy through the broad, balanced, and challenging learning experiences we offer and they will always be encouraged to enjoy learning for its own sake.
In most subjects, students learn in mixed ability tutor groups (KS3) and teaching groups (KS4 and 5). In maths, students are placed in ability sets at the beginning of Year 7 to target work more precisely. Students are placed in ability sets in English in Year 8 and science in Year 9. Progress is monitored regularly and students move between sets where appropriate. At KS4, students are placed in ability sets in all three subjects.
Students choose up to four Level 5 subjects for which they must meet the entry requirements. In Year 12, students also take ‘Ethics' which is designed to help students assess and develop an argument, understand ethical reasoning and decision-making, and develop their critical reasoning skills.
We offer a very wide range of A and AS Level GCEs and BTEC Level 3 courses as well as several Level 2 courses. Course details are available on request.
Our well-established links with universities across the country will give you opportunities to learn more about the realities of higher education. In the last year, university open days, Saturday schools, master classes, and summer schools in subjects as varied as classics, medicine, psychology, law, performing arts, engineering and oceanography have helped our students decide on courses and prepared them for the application process.
As a member of the Chrysalis Partnership hosted by Highgate School, we offer subject-specific extension work for those applying to highly selective universities.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths - it's increasingly the case that people do not need STEM spelling out but at GCA we add another M - for Medicine - to reflect the work the school does create opportunities for students keen to progress into careers in this field.
STEMM education is vital to our future. Also, STEMM is everywhere it shapes our everyday experiences. STEMM professionals help solve the complex problems of today’s world and its future. They are working to find solutions for global warming, cancer, third world hunger, disappearing habitats, and an interdependent world economy. Yesterday’s stereotype of the ‘geek’ in a lab coat is not representative of today’s STEMM teams, where economists work with researchers on technical transfer and engineers build state-of-the-art equipment for businesses working with cutting-edge technologies. STEMM careers are both challenging and fun - people in them enjoy going to work every day.
As a result of participation in the many curricular and extra-curricular STEMM activities we offer, students of all ages have the opportunity to learn and apply new skills related to STEMM careers and to understand the need to succeed in a variety of subjects as their career pathways develop.
As a Church of England school, we work to build a healthy community of young people who are happy to live and learn in an atmosphere that reflects those simple values central to the Christian faith, including caring for each other and working together for the good of all. Students have many opportunities in lessons, assemblies, and enrichment activities to think through what are sometimes difficult moral, social and ethical issues, and to develop an understanding of, and respect for, other people’s backgrounds, values, and beliefs.
Of course, having the values listed above does not mean that all our students come from a Christian background. The school has always welcomed students from many different backgrounds and faith traditions as well as those who have no religious belief. All we ask is that everyone who comes to Greig City Academy will be happy to support the school as a Christian foundation.
