Education with Character

We are proud of our commitment to deliver outstanding Education with Character.  We aim to develop character, compassion, and service.  Throughout their time at Irlam and Cadishead Academy, students are expected to contribute to our school community and society.  We want students to try things they cannot do, to persist in the face of difficulty, and to become resilient in overcoming obstacles. 

Our Aspire offer equips our students for the world after education with positive character traits, useful experiences, and a greater sense of their own worth and wellbeing.​ We deliver this through our Aspire programme which encompasses the following areas: 

• Aspire Careers ​ 
• Aspire Days ​& Aspire Educational Visits ​ 
• Aspire Enrichment ​ 
• Aspire House Competition​ 
• Aspire Student Leadership 

Irlam and Cadishead Academy is dedicated to ensuring our students have meaningful encounters at school which prepare them for their working lives. Careers education is delivered across all subject areas as well as PSHE.  Our bespoke careers programme runs throughout all key stages and focuses on Further Education and Higher Education destinations and raising aspirations at KS3​.  Students experience a range of careers related activities designed to expand their horizons and give them the life skills to succeed in their future careers. 

These include: 

Form time activities | Enrichment days | Careers fairs | University visits | Mock interviews | College visits | Employer events | University mentoring | Inspirational guest speakers | Presentations from colleges/apprenticeship providers/employers. 

We have a designated careers department with a full time qualified L6 Careers Adviser and Senior Leader for Careers.  

When students attend their transition days at Irlam and Cadishead Academy, they are assigned to a House.  We have four distinct Houses – Dragon, Griffin, Kelpie and Phoenix – all named after mythical creatures which were chosen by the students.  These Houses become our students’ families within our school community and students compete to earn House points by living our READ values and through House challenges and competitions which we hold weekly and half-termly. 

Each House has a Head of House who is a member of staff.  The Head of Houses work together to organise and lead house activities. Our students can become House Captains who lead the other students in their respective houses.  To achieve these positions, they apply and are then selected by their peers through a democratic vote.  Each house is affiliated with a charity and houses fundraise throughout the year. 

We believe that well-rounded students make a highly positive, tangible contribution to the life of the school and wider community.  Our student leadership team is elected democratically through a process of elections at the end of the academic year. The student leadership team has supported a wide range of activities key to ensuring that students' views are sought and drawn upon in decisions relevant to their own experience of school. This group of young people is articulate, enthusiastic, aspirational for themselves and others. 

There are 15 different student leadership roles held by over 70 students across the academy​.  Students are assigned a READ committee which are made up of two students from each year group from Year 7 to 10 and two prefects from Year 11.  Each READ committee meets fortnightly to discuss and debate their areas of focus. 

READ Committees 

• RESPECT – Antibullying, Wellbeing and Diversity & Inclusion 
• ENTHUSIASM – Eco, STEAM and Student Voice 
• AMBITION – Aspire, Librarian and Peer Mentor 
• DETERMINATION – Community Action, Sports Leader and Transition