Key Information

At MVLA we offer a range of academic and vocational courses

Our students study GCSEs in Maths, English Language, English Literature, Biology, Citizenship and Statistics. We also additional subjects such as Art and Design, Physical Education and Humanities. Lessons are taught to small groups so that teachers can cater for an individual’s specific personal and academic needs.

All children will be taught in groups based on their ability, allowing them to receive the support that they require. As well as one to one and small group support, extra support will also be offered to EAL pupils by qualified teachers. Each child’s progress both from a pastoral and academic view will be carefully monitored with regular feedback to carers, schools and other relevant agencies. We pride ourselves in our positive relationships with partner schools, with many of our students successful returning to mainstream provision.

Alongside our main curriculum we also offer extra-curricular activities.

Monday – Maths (after school)
Tuesday – Book club (lunch time)
Wednesday – Art and crafts (lunch time)
Thursday – Art and crafts and Scrabble clan (lunch time)
Friday – Science Club (after school)

Ofsted Information

We are an Ofsted registered independent school. Our last full inspection by Ofsted took place in December 2019. We were judged to be ‘Good’ in all areas. Please click on the link to view a copy of the report. Ofsted Report December 2019

We had an additional inspection in November 2020 in order to enable us to move to a new building. The report for this can be found here Ofsted Report November 2020. The number of pupils that we can accept on roll was also increased as a result of this inspection. We are now registered for up to 45 students.

Many of our students return to their mainstream school to take their final GCSE examinations. A small number remain with us. If you would like detailed information about the school’s academic performance or examinations data, please contact the school and we will provide this for you. Please click here for a summary of the 2024 GCSE results for the small number of students that remained with us to complete their exams.

Please click here for our term dates.

Complaints

Our Complaints Policy is published on our policies page and sets out how to make a complaint and the procedures that will be followed if a complaint is made about the school. Since opening in 2015 we have had one anonymous complaint.

Attendance

Good attendance is vitally important. If pupils do not attend at MVLA they will be unable to benefit from the support on offer to them.

If your child is going to be absent, please phone the school on 0161 2250567 to inform us of the reason. If you do not let us know we will contact you and if we are unable to get hold of you a home visit will be carried out either by ourselves or your child’s referring school.

Please click here to download a leaflet about attendance at MVLA.

Our Courses

Maths

We use the White Rose Maths Scheme to ensure that pupils gain all of the skills and knowledge required to become fully numerate and confident in maths. For those students who require extra support we provide additional intervention sessions. Most of our students will work towards a GCSE in Mathematics. For those students who are not able to achieve this we offer a level 1 or 2 qualification in the subject.

Our curriculum cornerstones for Maths are:

To have both confidence and competence when working with numbers.
To be able to use mathematical skills to solve real life problems.
To develop the skills required to function in the workplace and everyday life.
To be financially literate.

English

Most students will work towards a GCSE in English Language and Literature. For those students who are not able to achieve this we offer a level 1 or 2 qualification in English Language.

Students who take their GCSEs at our school follow the AQA syllabus for English Language and Literature. However, as many of our students return to their referring school, we select texts that are used by multiple exam boards to ensure that they do not fall behind their peers and are not disadvantaged upon their return to school.

Our curriculum cornerstones for English are:

To be able to communicate effectively in a wide range of contexts by expressing ourselves accurately and articulately.
To know how to read, explore and think critically about written material.
To be able to share ideas, emotions, beliefs, and information in written form.
To be able to use language to initiate, develop and enhance relationships with others.

Science

Students will be introduced to a range of scientific concepts during Science lessons. All pupils will have the opportunity to complete a GCSE in Biology. In some circumstances, students will also be offered the opportunity to do additional subjects. We follow the AQA syllabus.

Our curriculum cornerstones for Science are:

To develop a sense of curiosity about the world around us.
To have the ability to learn about the natural world through observation, experimentation, and analysis.
To know how to develop and test a hypothesis.
To be able to explain a phenomenon based on the available evidence.

Humanities

Students cover a range of historical and geographical topics.

Our curriculum cornerstones for Humanities are:

To think critically about the past and evaluate what relevance this might have for the future.
To understand the world that we are live in.
To be able to ask questions to support understanding.
To look for and identify bias.

PSHE and Citizenship

PSHE and citizenship sessions will include looking at a number of topics to do with personal, social, health and emotional development. These sessions will also provide an opportunity where pupils can share their thoughts and ideas which can help them reflect on their own behaviour and social skills. We also offer a full programme of Relationships and Sex education in line with national requirements. Students are offered a GCSE in Citizenship at the end of Year 11.

Our curriculum cornerstones of PSHE and Citizenship are:

To acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills to be able to participate positively in society.
To understand how communities function and interact.
To recognise some of the dangers and pitfalls posed by society and how to avoid these.
To understand how to interact with and relate to others, including those from different cultures and backgrounds.

Physical Education

All students will take part in a programme of physical education. This will comprise of individual and team sports, Healthy eating and life style choices will also be explored.

Our PE sessions take place near to the school at Rushford Park. This venue offers excellent sports facilities and high quality changing and showering areas for students to use.

Our curriculum cornerstones for PE are:

To understand the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle.
To be able to participate in physical activity and develop physical competence.
To develop teamwork and cooperative skills.
To build determination and resilience.

Art and Creative Skills

The sessions will involve a wide range of opportunities for the young pupils to express their creative skills. The programme encourages young people to explore their artistic side and develop their creative talents. Pupils will have the opportunity to explore various artists and techniques and have the opportunity to create their own pieces of work.

Our curriculum cornerstones for art and creativity are:

To be able to express ourselves creatively.
To be able to explore the emotions and ideas of ourselves and others through art.
To explore and appreciate other cultures.
To understand the aesthetic, therapeutic and influential benefits of art.

Statistics

We teach statistics as a separate subject as we believe that students need know how to understand and use data as well as being aware of the way that data is used and misused. Statistics is also taught as a seperate GCSE subject, enabling students to take a total of six GCSEs which is a requirement for many of the local sixth form colleges.

Our curriculum cornerstones for Statistics are:

To be able to gather, understand and present data.
To be able to interrogate what data tells us and what the implications of this are.
To understand how statistics can be used and misused.
To be able to use data to predict outcomes and manage risks.

Technology

The use of technology is threaded throughout the curriculum. Students have specific sessions about how to use technology safely and how to be safe online during PSHE and Citizenship lessons and this is further enforced during daily discussion sessions.

We have our own digital literacy framework which we use to evaluate whether pupils have the skills required to know how to use technology safely and effectively.