MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
“We are committed to making sure that students of all abilities are challenged …”
I am delighted to be able to welcome you to The Highcrest Academy.
We are a vibrant, happy school in which every student is given the opportunity to develop their talents and to flourish as individuals. Your child’s education is as important to us as it is to you and we are relentless in our pursuit of building a cohesive culture and curriculum that matches the varied needs of our students.
Our motto, ‘Aspire and Achieve’ is central to our philosophy. We are committed to making sure that students of all abilities are challenged and able to make outstanding progress, both academically and in terms of their spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. Indeed, we value a strong work ethic and aim to develop, sometimes hidden or unsuspected talent, into fruition.
We have a series of six virtues linked to our motto: Ambition, Sensitivity, Purpose, Integrity, Resilience and Eloquence. These virtues help us build, develop and refine our students’ characters, so that they don’t only go on to become happy and successful members of our community, but one day, happy and successful members of society. All who work at the academy reinforce these virtues, lesson by lesson, day by day, week by week, helping us instil a culture of excellence that runs throughout every strand of our Academy.
Here at Highcrest, we are committed to setting high expectations for the conduct of our pupils and believe it is crucial for there to be an established culture in which all are able to excel. We want all the children who come to the academy to enjoy their learning and to become thoughtful, articulate, confident and responsible members of society.
Our personalised curriculum is enhanced by numerous extra-curricular opportunities, community and business projects, national and international competitions and a thriving House System. This encourages staff and students of all ages to work together.
Our website will give you a brief insight into our ethos and our work. I would, however, encourage you to arrange a visit so you can see for yourself what makes The Highcrest Academy so special.
G D Burke | Principal
Click into each of the virtue buttons above to find out how students in each year group can develop their character.
A Welcome from our Head Girl
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Welcome to The Highcrest Academy, a school built on encouragement, curiosity, and the belief that each student can shine.
Everyday we’re surrounded by teachers who are genuinely supportive, kind, and are always willing to go the extra mile. The school doesn't just prepare students for exams, they prepare us for life, helping us build strong soft skills and give us real‑world experiences like work placements, Bridge to Employment, and inspiring talks from people across every sector. It’s a place where learning goes far beyond the classroom.
I started here in Year 7, and I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without the guidance and gentle nudges in the right direction from staff. At The Highcrest Academy, every teacher wants nothing but success for you, tailoring your learning so you can reach your full potential.
As Head Girl, I will commit myself to work hard and bring fresh ideas that'll take our school from great to amazing. I'm ready to represent our community with determination and pride.
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A Welcome from our Head Boy
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I would like to extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of The Highcrest Academy. Being a part of the diverse Highcrest alumni from Year 7 has allowed me to prosper, and I am grateful to see the incredible progress made by both myself and the school over the years.
During my time at Highcrest, every member of staff has been willing to offer their spare time to help my cohort. During Year 11, intervention sessions for all subjects were set up after school to target any gaps in knowledge, a prime example of how Highcrest goes the extra mile to ensure the academic success of every student.
From the improvement of existing facilities, like upgrading computers and interactive smart boards throughout the school, to offering new opportunities like the Engineering Experience Programme, the student experience at Highcrest continues to grow. As Head Boy, I look forward to continuing the incredible progress that Highcrest has already made, enabling all our students to achieve excellence.
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A Welcome from our Chair of Trustees
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Welcome to The Highcrest Academy and thank you for showing interest in our school. Within the pages of this website, we promote our commitment to deliver an inclusive, high-quality learning environment that will be truly supportive of your child’s needs.
At Highcrest, we ensure our pastoral care and personal development are important elements of our offer. By developing a character curriculum which is deep-rooted within our educational one, we work together to inspire our students to be successful, caring and joyful contributors.
We sit at the heart of a diverse community, that can face great challenges but also shows great resilience, sensitivity and talent. We hold our students and their families central to our purpose and actions, an example of which is working with them to develop the virtues of the school, and these are now embedded in the daily landscape of their experience.
Our Board of Trustees, which consists of Parent Trustees and Community Trustees, includes people who are knowledgeable and caring, with a wealth of experience, and reflective of our community. We take a collaborative approach to ensure we put the safety, welfare and education of our students first. Collectively we are well-placed to provide support to the Principal and his leadership team, while challenging them to ensure accountability, compliance and strategic clarity. We continuously review our impact and strive to make The Highcrest Academy a happy place to celebrate success, express the best version of ourselves and learn how to learn.
As Chair, I endeavour to keep you up to date with the work of the Board of Trustees. However, if you wish to contact me directly to discuss any matters, I can be reached at jhearn@highcrestacademy.org.uk.
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Our Objectives:
Our Motto, Vision & Virtues
Challenge Partner Reports
Not content to rest on our laurels and wait for our next inspection, we have taken it upon ourselves to invite in a former Chief Ofsted inspector to scrutinise our provision each year. You will see in his reports below that he believes we continue to move in the right direction.
Reports
Mr Ralph Batten's Visit: 15 May 2024
Mr Ralph Batten's Visit: 14 June 2023
Mr Ralph Batten's Visit: 22 June 2022
Mr Ralph Batten's Visit: 18 June 2019
Mr Ralph Batten's Visit: 20 June 2018
Dr Peter Daw's Visit: 8 June 2017
Dr Peter Daw's Visit: 17 May 2017
Dr Peter Daw's Visit: 1 February 2017
