Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy is a comprehensive school that caters to girls of all abilities from the age of 11 to 19. The academy is very diverse, of which we are very proud and which reflects our local community in Handsworth. Our ethos is based upon mutual respect and students are supported to develop respect for themselves as individuals, for others, and for the studies and activities in which they are engaged through our excellent student welfare system. Our motto of “Aspiring for Excellence” embraces the idea that all our students can achieve success in all that they do during their time here and we make every effort to ensure that each student achieves good grades in relevant qualifications.
As a comprehensive academy, our overriding aim at HWGA is to ensure that our students achieve everything that they are capable of – their ‘Personal Best’ - from Year 7 through to Sixth Form and beyond. We are very proud of our excellent reputation in the local community, and pride ourselves on the quality of education we provide to our students.
Our GCSE, AS and A-Level results have shown continual improvement over the years and our last Ofsted inspection in May 2014 judged us as “Outstanding” in all categories and overall. We are celebrating another great set of A Level results this year with 38 students gaining a place at university to study a wide variety of courses. Equally, our GCSE results revealed some outstanding achievements for our students. Yet again, our Year 11s managed to achieve some very good individual student results. Our students have worked hard and we are proud of their success. They are fantastic young women who have a very bright future.
Hard work is an expectation of all and we strive for continual improvements year on year by challenging our staff and students to excel. It is also important to us at HWGA that students enjoy their time here, and we have a caring and supportive school environment, as well as a diverse range of academic and enrichment opportunities available to all. This is supported by excellent career education, information, advice, and guidance to help students make informed choices for KS4, the Sixth Form, and beyond.
Our vision is To provide an outstanding education in a creative and aspirational environment for all our students. Our Aims:
- To continue to improve teaching and learning and raise standards of attainment.
- To develop students into disciplined and successful independent learners.
- To develop the academy as a thriving, resilient, and successful organization that engages effectively with the community of Handsworth and beyond.
The aim of the Special Educational Needs (SEN) team is to provide support for any student who needs additional support to help them make progress. This is in line with the purpose of our academy which is for every student to fulfill their potential, in terms of academic, personal, and social. Students who, through assessments, teacher referral, or prior schooling are identified as having particular needs will be accommodated to ensure these needs are met. Equally, our academically weakest students will have extra support in the core subjects of English and Maths.
Individual Education Plans (IEPs) will be used to identify the target areas an individual needs to work on to help them make progress. These IEPs will be referred to by teachers and teaching assistants to ensure students have the opportunity to work on their targets. Subject teachers and teaching assistants will liaise to ensure students have learning opportunities that are best matched to their targets.
Our Aim is simple that every student can leave Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy having realized their full potential, having ‘Aspired for Excellence’. Driven by our ethos and values, our curriculum enables students to study the subjects important to them, develop the skills they will need to shape them as citizens ready for a prosperous future in modern Britain or globally. We have very high expectations for every student, with challenging, aspirational, and shared potentials. Students at Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy are supported academically and emotionally developing skills, attitudes, and abilities which will enable them to achieve their life goals. Within the curriculum, we at every point encourage learners to help shape their learning. Our curriculum is designed so that each student has access to a curriculum that will enable them to make the most possible progress guiding choices while offering a broad and balanced curriculum. High-quality teaching enables students to enjoy their learning and ensure they are well prepared for future success in all aspects of their life. Our curriculum aims to develop in all students:
- A sense of inquiry, the ability to question, solve problems, and argue rationally.
- A willingness to apply themselves and an aptitude for learning.
- Knowledge and skills are relevant to adult life and employment in a changing world.
- Literacy, numeracy, and competence in the use of information technology.
- To develop their creative, critical awareness, empathy, and sensitivity.
- A recognition of their own and others’ achievement, in school and beyond.
- Self-esteem, self-worth, and self-confidence.
- The skills of working as an individual and as a member of a group or team.
- Appropriate moral and spiritual values and tolerance of others.
- To value each individual in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
