Westminster Academy The Naim Dangoor Centre 255 Harrow Road W2 5EZ 020 7121 0600
Westminster Academy opened in
2006, and moved to this building in September 2007. It has specialist status in
International Business and Enterprise and is fully DfE funded through the City
Academies programme. The Academy won the RIBA London Building of the Year award
in 2008 and the building has won several other awards listed below.
Our Business Is Learning
Our curriculum is based on the RSA
21st century curriculum, which was developed based on the
competences employers said they looked for in young people. The learning
activities are thematic, relevant and topical. We place great emphasis on the basic skills of
literacy and numeracy, as the gateways to learning. All Academy learning
activities are designed so that the students practise thinking and
problem-solving skills. Most important of all, we value personal and social
skills, ensuring students learn how to co-operate, work in teams and respect
others.
At Key Stage 3 students are taught
in “home groups” and have a consistent base, for security and to facilitate
extended projects and in-depth learning. Each home room is equipped with
computers as well as wireless access to ICT. Throughout Years 7-9 the curriculum
is increasingly personalised, as students choose options, have relevant support
or begin fast-track courses.
At Key Stage 4 students have a free choice from a large range of GCSE and BTEC subjects and Year 10
students undertake internships in local businesses for one day per week.
Our Sixth Form opened in September 2007, specialising in Business, Languages and ICT-related
subjects. Within the Westminster 6F consortium, our students can take other
BTEC and “A” level courses at other schools and colleges. We are authorised as
an IB (International Baccalaureate) World School and started delivering the IB
Diploma Programme from 2008. In 2009 and 2010, 100% of our graduates gained
university places including prestigious institutions such as Durham University,
London School of Economics, Loughborough University and Queen Mary University,
London.
Awards
International Schools Award 2009
Building Magazine: Public Building of the Year 2009
Civic Trust Award 2009
RIBA Stirling Prize shortlist 2008
RIBA Sorrell Foundation School Award 2008
RIBA London Building of the Year 2008
Designshare Citation Award 2008
Design Week Wayfinding and Environment Graphics 2008
BCSE Industry Award for Inspiring Design-Secondary School 2008
Best Incorporation of Daylight Award, Lighting and Architecture Foundation Awards 2008
Specialist School & Academies Trust Future Vision Award 2007
The Students
Our admission policy is a local
and comprehensive one, with the main criteria being residential proximity to
the Academy. There is no selection process and admissions are managed through
the pan-London central admissions system.
The Academy is currently
expanding, particularly with the introduction of the International
Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. We currently have 950 students and can grow
further in the future. The number of
students achieving 5 or more subjects with higher grade passes has more
than tripled over the last three years from 23% in 2007 to 74% this year. At A
Level, 100% of students gained university places and 76.2% gained A Level grade
A-C equivalents.
Community Regeneration
Westminster Academy has played a
key role in the regeneration of the local community. Crime fell by 14% in the
immediate area of the Academy in the six months after it opened and we welcome
community groups and sporting organisations to use our facilities after school
and on weekends. The building is also used as a conference and training
facility.
Sponsors
Our sponsors are the Dangoor
family, through their Exilarch’s Foundation. David and Judy Dangoor are members
of the governing body and active in their support for the Academy. This
includes setting up an Advisory Board which includes Lord Marshall of
Knightsbridge, Professor David Begg of Imperial College’s Tanaka Business
School, Professor David Latchman, Master of Birbeck College, Kenneth Durham,
Headmaster of University College School and Gillian du Charme, Leadership
consultant and ex-Headteacher of Benenden School.
What our most
successful students say:
“I want to be a top neuropsychologist and Westminster Academy and the International Baccalaureate(IB) diploma will help me achieve my ambition. I want to go to a top university-Oxford, Cambridge or Imperial College. The IB is a more prestigious qualification, so it will give me a better chance if I’m competing against other students with A-levels.”
-Amina Ahmed who achieved (4) A*’s, (7) A’s,
and (2) B’s at GCSE in 2009
“This school is very close to my heart. Both the students and the teachers have real character. They are lively and interesting. I loved my science classes and also found time to enjoy maths club, chess club, archery and fencing.”
-Anuar
Abdulhakeem who achieved (2) A*s, (6) A’s and (2) B’s at GCSE in 2009
“The teachers are excellent at Westminster Academy. They always encourage you and will help you after school, explaining the same thing again and again. They helped me to believe in myself and really got me thinking about my career and how to get there. I want a career in international banking and I feel that I’m on my way.”
-Marwa
Elmasri who achieved (5)A*’s, (2) A’s and (5) B’s at GCSE 2009