Ethos and Vision

Here at The Axis Academy, we put each student at the centre of their education, making the experience as personally tailored as possible and providing the right environment for all to succeed, while allowing them to understand and address the nature of specific mental health needs.

Emotional Wellbeing (EWB) is a continuum, not a set need. Students can move up and down that continuum, so our EWB activity impacts more broadly than simply addressing exhibited problems. EWB is a key element in student development, and promoting readiness to learn, particularly for SEMH students, where dynamic support enables them to become resilient learners. We have mapped out direct-learning time in the curriculum to cover this core value and encourage students to become resilient, mindful, and able to manage life beyond school.

We see great importance in early intervention measures. This variety of strategies identifies strengths and weaknesses and builds resilience, to nurture learning and coping strategies.

A major role of the SLT will be to undertake regular, school-wide mapping exercises, where students are learning about themselves, to highlight appropriate interventions, what strategies are employed, and how opportunities will impact positively.

Working with students on skills, such as:

Travelling independently – learning how to use public transport facilitating students travelling to school independently; planning trips and itineraries for residential visits.

Living independently – understanding how to pay bills and set up direct debits; understanding credit ratings; having a personal bank account; looking at basic needs, and how to shop appropriately; developing a greater sense of self-awareness and appreciation for others.

Domestic skills – carrying out household chores, and understanding why it is important; how to take care of basic maintenance & repair; how to shop and prepare food; how to stay safe at home, especially in the kitchen; how to do laundry and clothing selection (eg. for work).

Applying for college/employment – access high-quality careers advice so all students can make an informed choice about their next steps into adulthood; visiting post-16 providers, and completing high-quality work placements (where appropriate).

Budgeting and financial education – learning the importance of saving/budgeting, living within your means; how pensions work, so and understanding loans/mortgages.

Participating in, and contributing to, the local community – co-ordinating events to support local communities, and take part in activities; develop cross generational learning. The Academy will focus on four key areas in promoting these life skills, helping all to become confident, effective and skilled members of their communities.

Being healthy – looking at being a healthy individual with the right balanced diet; meal planning; why it is appropriate, and how to maintain, good hygiene; smoking, drug and alcohol misuse; understanding healthy relationships, and safe sex (age appropriate).

We strive to empower children by giving them the tools to recognise and manage their own needs through a bespoke education, which focuses on mental health awareness and vocational subjects as well as academic subjects. This helps them see the relevance of what they are learning so they can relate it to the wider world.

We aim to:

• Inspire children to develop a sense of awe, wonder and curiosity
• Raise children’s aspirations, both academically and socially
• Make sure children build a strong sense of independence and to be resilient to the trials and troubles of life
• Inspire children’s minds and get them to think outside of the box with creativity
• Give children motivation and purpose, so that they move forward, with the belief  their dreams are possible
• Provide a safe and secure environment, where everyone can learn, staffed with patient, understanding and trusted adults, who show them respect and empathy

The Axis Academy offers a nurturing, therapeutic educational setting. Each student is given an Individual Learning Plan as well as a Therapeutic Care plan. Our Pastoral Lead looks to support each child and their family from their initial meeting, building a profile, ensuring that each member of staff knows each child well and can adapt their approach accordingly, to reflect the needs of the student. As well as in-house support, staff work closely with a number of outside agencies to ensure holistic support for students and their families.

The Axis Academy is committed to:

• Meeting the individual needs of all students,
• Raising students aspirations,
• Raising the quality of their education and maintaining standards,
• Promoting fundamental British Values

We believe inclusion in this manner is vital to advance learning for our cohort. Staff work flexibly across their subjects to make sure all course material is accessible for all students. We ensure the work is challenging and stretches students, whilst guaranteeing it is appropriate to their stage of education.