We strive every day to be ‘shaping character’ and ‘cultivating ambition’ in all that we do.
PETER HOLLYWOOD
Principal, Boston Spa Academy
At Boston Spa Academy, our central focus is to empower our students to develop their character to help them to grow into confident, kind and well-mannered young adults. Our school cultivates an environment that allows our students to explore what excites them and fulfil their ambitions, both inside and outside the classroom. In doing so, it equips students to secure the ‘Gift of Choice’ and impact positively on the wider society.
Our community is built on kindness, respect, hard work and aspiration and our enabler to achieving this are the academy core values – Participation, Purpose, Positivity, Professionalism and Principled. Developed in partnership with our students, staff body, parents/carers and governors, I am proud that the core values permeate through our academy, in all aspects of our work and day-to-day life. Through our core values, our vision is that Boston Spa Academy will positively impact the lives of those that attend our academy, now and long after they leave us.
We are proud that Boston Spa Academy is renowned for providing students with access to exceptional academic excellence, delivered through inspirational learning environments, outstanding teaching and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities such as trips to China to study Mandarin. In the last set of published GCSE results (2019), our Year 11 students’ collective achievement placed us in the top five schools in Leeds for academic progress.
As well as opportunities inside the classroom, those attending Boston Spa Academy are able to find their passion through an extensive Enrichment++ programme, of which we have over 80 clubs and societies to choose from. We encourage all students to take part in at least one club, where many go on to develop life-long skills, interests and build friendships. Clubs and societies on offer range from traditional – drama, debating, choir and art club – through to those unique to The GORSE Academies Trust, with the ‘Big 3’ of rowing, karate and volleyball being central to this.
Our school community is diverse, consisting of students from different backgrounds with different perspectives and life journeys. Even so, we make sure that each student that attends Boston Spa Academy is ‘known, valued and understood’ through both our teaching professionals but also our pastoral team. Each school year, from year 7 to year 13, have dedicated wellbeing and pastoral officers who are able to tailor and offer support to those in their year group.
The Post-16 provision at Boston Spa Academy benefits extensively from its close partnership with the flagship Elliott Hudson College. Elliott Hudson College Boston Spa, offers a unique opportunity for students to continue their education with us, in a setting that cultivates and supports their ambitions. Each year, we also have students join us from other local schools and academies, and actively encourage those that wish to join us to contact the academy to book a tour. The culture of our post-16 provision is the backdrop in which students feel inspired and supported to grow into confident, kind and well-rounded young adults, who go on to university, apprenticeships or straight into the world of work.
As part of our focus on student development and the opportunities open to them, we have already invested over £2m into new facilities including a state-of-the-art 6th form centre and other facilities. In October 2022, the latest phase of our refurbishment work will be completed with the opening of a £1.2m Performing Arts Centre, with our students being able to benefit straight away from new partnerships with Opera North and Northern Contemporary School of Dance.
We greatly value the opportunity to work in partnership with our community. If you are considering joining us or would like to find out more about the daily experience at Boston Spa Academy please contact us via email at [email protected] or by telephone on 01937 846636.
