The Bourne Academy

The DfE (DCSF as was) approached Canford in 2008 as part of the original academies scheme to help failing schools. Canford agreed to do this as long as the school was nearby, so that there could be regular contact between the two. A new principal was appointed; a Vision written; a House system was introduced; and the Specialisms became Engineering and English. Since opening as an academy numbers and results have improved significantly. In 2020 Canford and The Bourne Academy (TBA) are celebrating 10 years of partnership.

Canford continues to remain the only sponsor, providing the majority of the governors; but a separate, mutually beneficial relationship between the two schools has continued to grow. Only 7 Independent Schools in the UK fully sponsor an Academy.

The Bourne Academy opened in 2010, and now has around 1000 students including those in the Sixth Form. It is an Engineering & Design and English specialist centre. This year 100% of Year 13 students either secured their first choice at University, an Apprenticeship or entered the job market with training attached, repeating the pattern of the first three years of the Sixth Form. Nearly a quarter of students now go on to Russell Group universities.

The Careers Dept has recently become the Lead School for the Dorset Careers Hub and co-curricular activities remain a strength, particularly in music.

Aims

To encourage students in East Howe to ASPIRE (the acronym written across the wall of the principal's study - Ambitious, Self-Confident, Physically Literate, Independent Learners, Resilient, Emotionally Literate). Initially the DfE identified the need for a new academy, but the key factor has been the quality of the staff at TBA. The beneficiaries will always be the local people in East Howe as TBA will always be an academy for the local area, not one that cherry picks students from other areas.

Ten Bourne Academy students have won academic scholarships to Canford School. Part of our Bursary Programme aims to fully support two pupils per year to be awarded bursaries to transfer from The Bourne Academy to the Sixth Form at Canford School for the full two year ‘A’ level course.

Quotes from TBA Bursary recipients:

“A once in a lifetime opportunity for people from The Bourne Academy.”

“Getting a place at Canford was like a winning lottery ticket.”

And from Canford staff …

“Bursary pupils infect others with their enthusiasm. Their presence is a real asset.”

“Recent Bourne Academy pupils make the most of every opportunity at the school. Other pupils cannot help but be inspired by this.”

Background

Resources

Canford does not provide any financial help, but offers staff time and, to a lesser extent, use of its facilities. Mostly teaching staff are involved, but others involved include the technical head of IT, the development department, CCF staff and other sports staff.

Since the opening of a Sixth Form at TBA in September 2013, Science and Maths teachers at Canford offer practical help, both at Canford and TBA, to teachers at TBA who have not taught 6th form pupils before.

Canford teachers undertaking a PGCE while teaching at Canford are offered second placements at TBA without cost, with a flexible approach tailored to the needs of the teacher involved.

Staff cricket and golf matches between the two schools.

Two joint INSET days for all teachers at both schools and will now be regular events.

Originally a joint project where (mainly Year 10) pupils from both schools built F24 cars and then race them, under the guidance of Canford staff, this year students at the Academy built two cars with no involvement from Canford and went on to success at the international final at Silverstone.

Impact

The effect of the sponsorship can be easily seen in terms of the improvement to the exam results, the behaviour and the numbers attending the school. Ofsted inspection grades have moved from Failing to 'Good with Outstanding features'. The younger year groups are now full (against a background of falling numbers in the borough).

“I do not believe the Canford sponsorship of our Academy would have been so successful had we not been allowed to develop the relationship in such a positive and collaborative way. We have achieved a great deal as a result of the ability to create our own way of working together, helping to improve the outcomes of students at both schools and overcoming problems without the constraints of too much ‘red tape’. However, the definition of success takes many forms. Examination outcomes and Ofsted reports are obviously important and we have been successful in both but how do you measure the impact of some of our most vulnerable students designing and building a Greenpower car that ranked 27th in the international finals at Silverstone (a project first held and supported by Canford initially) or a Careers programme that has been Nationally recognised as fulfilling all 8 Gatsby benchmarks or an opportunity for ALL our Sixth Form students to have access to an individual Business Mentor (Bourne Ambassador) or a Reading Programme that has been purposely constructed so students are exposed to a range of reading sources that offer a high value of cultural capital, a necessity in a school that serves a disadvantaged community. It allows them to see how literature has developed and evolved in line with political and social change within British and global society and exposes them to classic and contemporary texts. In addition we hope that more of our students develop a life-long love of reading. So, whilst awards are visible measures of success, ultimately our shared aim is for every individual student to have belief in, and a positive vision for themselves, their future and their school.” Mark Avoth, Principal, The Bourne Academy

Pupil Involvement

A Year 10 exchange where 24 pupils from each school, split into four groups, spend the morning at each others' schools shadowing their partner.

Science tutoring - The aim is to help Yr 10 students who are struggling to achieve a Grade 4 by providing one-to-one tuition from a Canford pupil.

A Year 9 Book Club which meets regularly at each school.

Participation in Canford-led Years 7 & 8 Geography Quiz

Year 12 Careers Symposium

Canford Sixth Formers – classroom assistants for TBA pupils.

Bourne Academy pupils are invited to join the annual Academic partnership day at Canford.

SALPs train Canford pupil panel interviewers

Bourne Academy pupils join Canford pupils on a CCF RN sailing trip.

Frequency

There are no plans to end the sponsorship or the relationship.