the edge academy trust
Birmingham
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.
