A Mansfield academy has provided a blazer and tie for every student at the school.

Queen Elizabeth’s Academy, part of the Diverse Academies Learning Partnership, said it wanted students to be proud of the new uniform.

The royal blue blazers, chosen by students in a full academy vote earlier this year, are eco-friendly, having been manufactured using a process that included recycled plastics as a key material.

Principal Helena Brothwell said: “There is a proven link between strong standards of uniform and positive learning experiences.

“In this time of families having to carefully balance budgets, we did not want the new blazers to be an unwanted financial burden, hence our commitment to supporting every family with the cost of uniform – we will continue to do this for students who will join us in September 2018.

“It is vital that every student in our academy community can proudly wear our new uniform and feel a sense of belonging to Queen Elizabeth’s.

“There is a positive buzz around the site, and the students all look smart, professional and keen to learn.”

Lessons at the academy will be taught through traditional grammar school-style, direct-instruction teaching in a year of ‘accelerated learning’ across all year groups.

Helena added: “We are making this change as we look to continually improve discipline, improve vocabulary, accelerate learning of key knowledge and drive progress.

“Our teachers are experts in their fields and they will deliver the knowledge to all students in a direct manner, from the front, using repetition and firm strategies to ensure that information locks into memory.

“Staff will fill in gaps in student knowledge and will deliver the curriculum of two years into one to ensure that our students end the year in an accelerated position.”

The academy has been part of the Diverse Academies for 12 months, having been rebrokered from its previous sponsor.
As such, the academy is deemed a ‘fresh-start’ academy by Ofsted, meaning previous ratings are wiped-clean — giving it a three-year window to improve before re-inspection.

Helena said: “We have made significant progress in the past year.

“Behaviour and attendance are improving and we have a number of exciting new teaching appointments.

“There is still work to be done to improve, but we have a clear strategy and vision to continually move Queen Elizabeth’s Academy forward.

“Our aim is to become the secondary academy of choice within Mansfield in the next few years.”

The academy is opening its doors to prospective students and their families at an open evening on Thursday, 21st September, from 6-8pm. For more details or to book a place, visit www.queenelizabeths-ac.org.uk/events