The Edge Academy Trust

Welcome to the website of The Edge Academy- I hope it provides you with a flavour of academy life and all of the information you require. I was immensely proud to be appointed Principal of The Edge in 2018 and am thoroughly enjoying what is now my fifth year in role- I live locally, was born and bred in Northfield and have a great affinity for the academy having initially joined it as Vice Principal before becoming Principal. Prior to joining The Edge, I started my career as a French teacher, became a Head of Year and went on to work on senior leadership teams for ten years in three secondary schools in Nottinghamshire and the West Midlands. The Edge Academy aims to be a welcoming, stable and friendly place for our students. We aim to provide the best possible environment for students to learn and develop with an understanding of the world around them. Together, we strive to bring the best out of our students, ensuring that they maximise their potential and are prepared as fully as possible for reintegration to mainstream education or for progress to further learning and life – be that post-16 study, employment or training. Full details of our “Safe, Ready, Respectful” curriculum can be accessed on the “curriculum” tab of our website or directly by going to https://www.theedgeacademy.co.uk/curriculum/ Our aim is to offer what our students need to help them make the most of their potential. This requires a highly flexible approach, specialised skills and lots of experience in working with young people with additional needs. Our challenge and motivation is to “Unleash Greatness through our Safe, Ready, Respectful Values”. Whilst mainstream schools are incredible forces for good in society, helping to socialise, educate and engage the next generation, the journey through mainstream education, for some youngsters, is not a smooth one. For some students, success in the education system means we have to offer something different. At the Edge Academy, we challenge students to take responsibility for being SAFE, modify their behaviour, improve attitudes to school life and make academic progress across the range and breadth of curriculum opportunities available. In addition to classroom-based learning, students are provided with enrichment opportunities throughout the academic year. We respect that all of our young people are individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds and life-experiences. We passionately believe that by assisting them to overcome their personal barriers, they should be entitled and READY to access the full-range of opportunities available in society. One of our core values is to place children and families first. At The Edge, our families get to know the teams who support their child well and are actively supported to work in partnership with professionals. Right from the start, we make sure that we are RESPECTFUL to spend time listening to our young people and their families to find out as much as we can, as together we develop the start of their Edge learning journey. We continually develop and adapt our support for each family, so that whilst caring for their children, we also acknowledge our responsibility to listen to and understand the needs and priorities of parents and carers.