Welcome from PACA

Ms Katie Scott
Principal

Since becoming Principal in September 2015, I have been immensely impressed by the students and staff at PACA. The energy and commitment shown by all staff in supporting young people to achieve their potential both academically and as rounded and employable adults that make a positive contribution to society, is inspiring.

In planning for the future, we are developing an even more dynamic curriculum that utilises some of the award winning aspects of the school STEM and Social Action Committee.

Having the highest of expectations for ourselves and each other is a key principle of our school improvement journey and is demonstrated by the trust we place in our student leaders. All visitors comment on the calm and purposeful atmosphere during the school day and the impressive facilities that we have. I would encourage anyone considering applying for a post, to get in touch and arrange a visit.

About us

Unlocking potential

Portslade Aldridge Community Academy (PACA) is a highly successful, forward thinking Academy, with high expectations. Results this summer saw the Academy achieve GCSE results of 63% 5A*-C including English and Maths, the best the Academy has ever seen.

A Level results saw a rise in both the overall pass rate and A*-B rate. The combined A2 and equivalent pass rate was 99% and the A*-B was 55%, an impressive 26% increase on last year’s results.

PACA is a co-educational school for 11 to 18 year olds based in the heart of the Mile Oak Community in Portslade, Brighton. There has been significant development of the Academy site over recent years with £12.7million being invested in an impressive new state of the art building and fantastic new facilities such as a Dance studio, Mac suite, community library, superb sixth form and a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Centre with excellent laboratories. The Academy has seen a strong improvement in results since opening and the development of a number of specialist Academies for Sixth Form in Cricket, Dance, Football and Digital Media and for Year 7 onwards in both Football and Dance. There is also a strong emphasis on an entrepreneurial approach throughout both teaching and extra curricular activities.

PACA has exciting partnerships with The University of Sussex and the Royal Institution.

PACA’s motto is ‘Unlocking Potential’ and we are committed to unlocking the full potential in our students and staff. With our wonderful new buildings and facilities, an educational transformation is underway. PACA is part of a gsg-rowing family of Aldridge Academies – all very different, but with a shared commitment to inclusivity and limitless aspiration – in a strong community context. We work closely with our sister school in Brighton, the Brighton Aldridge Community Academy, and both governing bodies are committed to continuing collaborative work. Our students are rightly proud of their school already, but we have very ambitious plans for the future.

Click here to view our prospectus
Click here to view our 6th form prospectus

Mission

Our mission is to change lives and bring about positive outcomes for all our learners. The Academy is underpinned by an ethos that supports the highest possible personal achievement for each student. We encourage and help all students to develop a passion for learning. In particular we want young people to recognise the potential that they have and we will provide the opportunities to unlock it. We believe that every student can achieve success at school, irrespective of their starting point.

We foster independent learning; students take responsibility for their own education in order to develop an entrepreneurial attitude of self-motivation, leading to success.

Students are encouraged to become leaders within the school and wider community. They take on a variety of roles such as peer mentors, prefects, officers and charity ambassadors. It is important to us that our students develop a strong sense of social responsibility and make a positive contribution to the local and global community. We foster community spirit and help create compassionate, active and responsible citizens.

Our foremost aim is to fully prepare students for adulthood and ensure that they are ‘life ready’ by the time they leave us. As such, we pledge to parents and carers that we are committed to make a difference to the life chances of every student attending PACA.

Vision

For all members of the PACA community there will be:

• a clear purpose, high expectations and culture of achievement and success
• a positive ethos, characterised by integrity, respect and compassion for others
• a strong sense of service to others
• courage to innovate: a creative approach to personalising learning, experience and support for students
• a relentless focus on learning to secure the best opportunities and outcomes for students
• a culture of lifelong learning for the whole community
• clear accountability for all members of Academy community
• a sustainable, creative and distributed model of leadership for staff and students
• an evidence based improvement culture

Our pledge to our students and their families
is that every PACA student achieves their maximum potential.

Staff Profiles

Chris Cooper - Teacher and Duke of Edinburgh Lead

‘The main reason I love working at PACA is the community of people here! There is a real sense of togetherness among the staff and it really feels like everyone is moving forward together to achieve the same goals. Everyone at the school is really approachable and being part of such a tight-knit group of people really makes me feel part of a team. This helps me to feel really supported in my role, knowing that there is a wide range of people that I can ask for support from, if I ever feel unsure about something. The department I work in epitomises this, with a really strong commitment to collaborative planning and this helps me greatly – both for the strain on my workload and the quality of my lessons. In my first term working at PACA, I was lucky enough to apply for and be successful in a Duke of Edinburgh co-ordinator post for 4 schools in the local area. I was really well supported by my colleagues during the application process and feel really excited for the job ahead. This is just one of the many career development opportunities that are available to me. I have been handed extra departmental responsibilities and these are really helping me to develop the quality of my teaching and the progress of my students. PACA is an absolutely fantastic place to work, and I only ever speak positively about my job here. My friends and family know how much I am enjoying myself at work, and I would recommend a job here to anyone.’

Mr E Vale – Head of Maths

I love working at PACA, simply because of the people; both staff and students. I have never worked with such a talented and enthusiastic body of staff, who put the students' learning and well-being above anything else.

There is an open door culture at PACA which promote teachers learning from each other. Ms Scott, the Principal, has a clear vision on developing staff for the very best outcomes for our students. The students are honest, hard-working and like being pushed outside of their comfort zone. They understand that if they not making mistakes, they are not pushing themselves.

Lauren Moss – Second in charge of English

“Working at PACA doesn’t feel like work. The entire makeup of the school is one of positivity, kindness and productivity and never before have I been a part of a team who are so proactive and eager to improve.

Since arriving at the school for my first day as an NQT, right up to the present day as Second in Charge of the English Faculty, I have received nothing but friendliness and support from both staff and students. Having previously worked in Hospitality for 6 years, embarking on a teaching career carried a certain amount of risk and uncertainty. Thanks to PACA, I haven’t looked back. We are a vibrant school, bursting with energy, and we celebrate staff who are willing to work hard to help continue our successes. I have been extremely fortunate to be on the receiving end of this fantastic support. My strengths were quickly recognised and rewarded with more responsibility, whilst my areas for development have been nurtured by excellent CPD options in and around the city. On a day-to-day level, this recognition makes arriving at the school gates an absolute joy; long-term this gives me the hope and determination to keep pushing myself for our children and community. If you would also like to join our team then it would be a real pleasure to work alongside someone who is as motivated, upbeat and committed as my current colleagues are. I really hope you choose PACA and I look forward to meeting you.”

Anna Coady - Teacher of Maths

‘I started my experience at the Portslade Aldridge Community Academy during my teacher training due to the school’s strong partnerships with local universities. From the beginning, I was welcomed into the Academy’s strong community; with friendly staff and pupils, I felt part of the team straight away. I could make strong relationships with not only the pupils that I taught but other pupils around the Academy. Due to the smaller class sizes that PACA offer, I was able to understand the strengths and weaknesses of each pupil which informed my teaching. Since then, the Academy has provided the opportunities to develop my professional skills, with studies throughout the year as an NQT, including a comprehensive professional studies plan and ongoing feedback from many members of staff.

During my time at PACA I have had the opportunity to attend many CPD courses, such as critical thinking training. This training enabled me to plan effective lessons which allowed pupils to problem solve, a key concept in maths, and think critically. As our Academy gsg-rows we have reached out to local primary schools and gained a better understanding of where our pupils have come from, allowing us to build on prior knowledge.

There are many career development opportunities at PACA and senior members of staff are seeking to promote staff early in their career. It was through this I was offered the chance to become head of one of our schools (houses). ’