Dear Parents/Carers,
Every student in Years 7, 8 and 9 follows the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme (MYP) which encourages our students to make practical connections between their studies and the real world, preparing them for success in further study and in life. The programme aims to develop active learners and internationally minded young people who can empathise with others, and pursue lives of purpose and meaning.
The programme empowers students to inquire into a wide range of issues and ideas of significance locally, nationally and globally. The result is young people who are creative, critical and reflective thinkers. Longfield Academy offers the MYP to its students because research shows those participating:
- build confidence in managing their own learning
- learn by doing, connecting the classroom to the larger world
- outperform non-IB students in critical academic skills
- consistently have greater success in IB Diploma Programme examinations
- thrive in positive school cultures where they are engaged and motivated to excel
- develop an understanding of global challenges and a commitment to act as responsible citizens
A central aim of the MYP is to ensure our students are developed into young citizens who have the necessary attributes and skills to be successful, lifelong learners. In lessons, form time, assemblies, school events, competitions and around the academy, we consistently promote these learner attributes so every student is prepared for their GCSEs, further education and the world of work.
In order to ensure we provide your child with the best MYP education, we invite experienced IB experts to evaluate the MYP at our academy. Last week, we were fortunate enough to receive a visit from an IB education consultant who works across the Leigh Academies Trust with a number of our academies. This was an opportunity for them to evaluate what we are doing well and offer recommendations on where we can improve even further.
I was sent the report yesterday and I am pleased to inform you that the visit went very well. In particular, the consultant praised the extent and speed of our progress since our accreditation to teach the MYP in April 2020. They were impressed to see that we had exceeded the post-accreditation progress when compared to other schools. We were particularly proud of your child and how they were able to present themselves as young people who uphold all ten of the learner attributes.
Longfield Academy will now be working hard to further improve other aspects of the MYP. I look forward to the consultant’s return visit later this year and writing to you all to celebrate our continued success.
Should you require any further details about the MYP at Longfield Academy, please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teachers in the first instance, or Mr O’Leary, our MYP Coordinator.
Yours faithfully,
Dr F Donkor
Principal
