The Edinburgh Academy

Senior Pupils (6ths/7ths - age 16+)

The foremost aim is for our pupils to achieve a qualification in English which will enable them to enter a British university. The following examination courses are offered:

1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System, UCLES.) This examination is widely known and required by universities. Potential candidates have the opportunity to sit sample tests at regular intervals as the school is an official pre-testing centre for IELTS examinations and the examination board (UCLES) supplies and marks trial tests, giving candidates valuable practice and feedback regarding their level. All pupils are prepared for this examination in small groups (if timetabling arrangements accord) or individually via either:

• a one year course for those entering the 7ths and those at a suitable standard on entering the 6ths or
• a two-year course, with preparation for First Certificate(UCLES) or the London Tests (Edexcel) in the 6ths followed by IELTS in the 7ths.

2. EFB (English for Business, LCCI). This examination (at Level 3) is regarded as a suitable qualification for entry by many universities and is therefore both a viable alternative to IELTS and a valuable addition to a list of qualifications for those seeking to pursue business-related studies. The Academy has been registered as a Centre for pupils taking this examination.

Pupils are advised to continue to study English to as advanced a level as possible even when they have achieved an IELTS score appropriate for university entry. This may be done with reference to textbooks aimed towards English for Academic Purposes or those at Cambridge Proficiency level. Particular attention will also be given to both the reading material and the written work expected for pupils’ own academic (A level or Higher) courses where appropriate.

Senior Pupils (4ths/5ths - age 14 -15)

Here pupils may either work towards GCSE English or an alternative ESOL examination, depending on the English level of the pupil. In recent years entries have been made in the following:

1. PET (Preliminary English Test, UCLES)
2. FCE (First Certificate in English, UCLES)
3. London Tests, Certificate of Attainment in English, Levels 1-3 (EDEXCEL)

Junior Pupils (1sts/3rds - age 10 - 13)

External examinations are not required, but can be offered when requested e.g. if an overseas pupil is returning to their homeland and needs a certificate to show their level of English. The examinations listed above may be suitable, or alternatively one of the papers from the LondonTests of English for Children (EDEXCEL).

English is taught as an additional language in a structured way and at an appropriate level in terms of grammar and vocabulary.

Summer Courses

Pupils from overseas are welcome to participate in short courses, which have been tailored to the needs of pupils who attend The Academy for a term or less.

Our most frequent short - term visitors are fifteen and sixteen-year olds from Europe who join us in the Summer Term. A programme has been devised which incorporates practical, communicative language, together with cultural information about Edinburgh and associated visits.

Activities for ESOL students

The Academy offers a very full programme of extra-curricular activities and overseas pupils are encouraged to participate in order not only to further their interests but also to have the opportunity of widening their circle of friends and practising their English.

Sport

Participation in sport is popular, and in addition to the regular lessons within the curriculum, a number of pupils, due to their interest and talent, have been chosen to represent the school in a team, for example football, basketball, rugby, tennis and cross country running.

Music

Music is a vibrant feature within the school and pupils are encouraged to join an orchestra, band or choir. Performances are given at regular intervals within the school and once a year at prestigious concert halls within the city such as The Queen’s Hall and The Usher Hall. The Academy Pipe Band performs regularly and competes successfully in many competitions.

Cultural Events

There are a number of key events during the year, such as Burns Suppers (dinners dedicated to the memory of the Scottish poet Robbie Burns) and a Speakers’ Dinner, in which a number of overseas pupils have participated, both as speakers and guests.

Visits

Overseas pupils are encouraged to familiarise themselves as much as possible with Edinburgh, which is a city of great historic interest and birthplace of world famous authors Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott. Most of our ESOL pupils are new to the area, and therefore visits are regularly arranged within the city, for example to Edinburgh Castle and the Writers’ Museum and to the surrounding area.

In our visits outwith the city, the new is generally combined with the old. Our ‘Braveheart’ trip, for example, involves travelling west to visit sites connected with the Scottish hero William Wallace, such as Stirling Castle, together with a modern feat of engineering, the Falkirk Wheel. When we travel east, we visit castles such as Tantallon or Dirleton, set within scenery of spectacular beauty, and combine this with marvelling at aircraft both ancient and modern at the Museum of Flight. A paddle in the sea at one of our magnificent east coast beaches is then on the agenda, come rain or come shine! A visit is also made to Glenkinchie Distillery to investigate the production of whisky, a traditional Scottish product! Visits south include excursions to Sir Walter Scott’s house at Abbotsford and if we travel north we cross the Firth of Forth into Fife to see the castle and abbey at St Andrews, located in a magnificent setting on the coast.

Festivals

The festival celebrated by a large group of our pupils, Chinese New Year, has been brought to the attention of the wider school community via the morning assemblies at the appropriate time of year, given largely by the pupils themselves.

Entertainment

Entertainments within the city are also explored, for example groups of pupils who have expressed interest have been accompanied to various events such as The Beating of the Retreat at Edinburgh Castle, where the Academy Pipe Band gives a magnificent display of traditional Scottish music.

Groups have also been accompanied to theatre shows such as the Chinese New Year Celebrations at the Festival Theatre and the musicals such as Grease, Jekyll and Hyde and Starlight Express at The Playhouse Theatre.

Responsibility

Senior pupils are encouraged to take on responsibilities within the school, such as mentoring younger pupils, either individually or as a class. They are also expected to help on public occasions, such as conducting prospective pupils and parents round the school on Open Days and helping at events such as concerts and plays by issuing programmes and refreshments.

Those who have proved themselves to be reliable and to have good communication skills may become part of the school team of ‘ephors’ (prefects), with key responsibilities within the school during their final year.