About RSA Academy Arrow Vale

Thank you for your interest in working at RSA Academy Arrow Vale and within the Central RSA Academies Trust. Our students are outstanding in many ways – people who visit us often comment on the amazingly calm, business like, but warm and friendly feel to the school, where students and staff are thriving in a tangible atmosphere of mutual respect. 

Our school is an ‘outstanding school’ and has been designated as a National Teaching School – this enables us to train people to become teachers, and also to train existing professionals due to the quality of teachers at our school – for instance, we run a subject enhancement programme for Physics teachers from other schools. (For more information about our TSA click here.) We are also a National Support School, providing support for teachers and schools within the West Midlands Region. These initiatives make Arrow Vale a very desirable place to teach, and to learn to teach, which means we can attract and develop the very best staff to work at or school. This clearly enables us to secure the best possible learning environment for our students.  

We are an inclusive school where everyone works together to be the very best they can be. As one of the schools in the RSA Family of Academies, our community benefits from the support and resources of the RSA, providing students with innovative learning and life-enhancing opportunities. RSA Academies are distinctive, with a particular passion for academic success generated through creative teaching and learning, and skills development, that best prepares students for the world beyond school.  Our students get an experience that gives a range of quality experiences and opportunities that most schools can only dream of. We believe in generating the best possible learning experiences in all subject areas, whether it be English, maths, the creative and expressive arts, sport, science, languages, design, and a whole host of other subjects we offer at GCSE and A Level. 

Students being able to discover and follow their passion is a passion of ours. We aim to give them the Power to Create.   Our ethos is simple. We expect a lot of our students  – we expect them to work very hard to fulfil their potential and reach the highest standards through high quality teaching and caring support. We aim to keep them safe and happy so that they discover and learn new things, and achieve highly whilst at school. We do all we can to prepare them for higher education or high quality employment, and to be able to lead a fulfilling and successful life. We aim to provide an outstanding platform for them to be the best they can be. Our standards are high. 

We expect all students to wear our full uniform, attend well, behave appropriately and support each other. If you take the opportunity to visit us you will see that our students meet our high standards. We expect them to give their best effort and participate in the full range of learning experiences on offer at RSA Academy Arrow Vale. In return, our staff are fully committed to ‘going the extra mile’ to ensure that students excel in all that they do. 

Examination results: The results our students achieve at A level are at an all-time high. Many of our students choose to do 3 Academic A levels – some choose to do 2 A Levels and a vocation post-16 qualification, and a few choose entirely vocational routes. We believe in curriculum choice, but with strong advice and guidance to help students achieve their destinations having studied the best courses. Many access the highest grades and we have a high number of students who progress to the very best universities to continue their education. 

At GCSE, whole school progress measures are strong for all groups of students and many subjects secure outcomes for students that are truly outstanding.  Students have access to a wide range of courses, including separate sciences, history, geography, a range of languages, drama, art, photography, catering, hair, PE and a host of others. Again, advice is strong but we also have a philosophy of not forcing certain pathways where the rationale from student/parent is sensible. 

We have featured on the Midlands and the national news in recent years in recognition of outstanding examination results.  Our students deserve this recognition and we are very proud of their achievements! Who knows what is possible in 2018?! The school is so much more than exam results however – please take a look at the information provided to give you a full flavour of the opportunities on offer.

Ian Mellor

Principal