Marine Academy Plymouth has gone through many changes since its inception in 2010, with perhaps its biggest yet just beginning with the arrival of new principal, Leigh Withers.
Since his appointment this spring Leigh has started shaping the school in a way he feels will make the school an educational establishment second to none in the country.
Leigh’s vision is to turn Marine Academy into a school unlike any other in Plymouth, starting with his sky-high expectations around behaviour. He firmly believes that students should conduct themselves well at all times, saying good morning and good afternoon to both peers and staff, holding doors open for others and conversing with each other politely during break and lunch.
Many may believe this to be old-fashioned, but at Marine Academy these values underpin everything.
The school’s new three core character traits are leadership, resilience and aspiration – three characteristics that Leigh believes will allow the children to go on to great success.
In addition, Leigh believes that confidence, courtesy, respect and empathy have a fundamental part to play in shaping our children as they grow and learn on their pathway to adulthood.
Students are rewarded for doing the right thing with the belief that a child’s happiness is linked directly to having fixed boundaries, consistency, regular routines and being praised for success.
Perhaps the biggest changes are to the school’s new curriculum. Highly academic, its central purpose is to allow every child the opportunity to attend university when they leave the school.
New to the syllabus will be subjects such as Economics and Latin as well as an increased focus on languages and humanities. Leigh feels that learning another language is a key skill, and one that unlocks the cultural capital that enables children to go to university, a key goal for the children of Marine Academy.
The school is open to students from Year 7 through to the sixth form. To give the children of Plymouth and wider catchment area a chance to experience its facilities and find out more about how the school operates on a day to day basis, the school is holding a series of Open Mornings between 9am and 10.30am on July 5, 10 and 12.
To find out more contact the school on 01752 213939 or visit www.marineacademy.org.uk
