Alford Academy is a six-year secondary school located in the village of Alford and situated approximately 20 miles to the west of Aberdeen. The Academy draws pupils from 13 associated primary schools geographically spread across a large catchment area of approximately 600 square miles. The catchment area stretches from the Lecht in the West to the villages of Dunecht and Echt in the East.

Alford Academy recognises that one size does not fit all. Our young people are born individuals and should leave school as individuals. Alford Academy is committed to unlocking each youngster's potential, raising their aspirations and helping them to be all they can be, in a safe, healthy and caring environment.

• Attainment and Achievement Alford Academy aims to raise standards of educational attainment for all its pupils, especially in each of the core skills of literacy, numeracy, information technology, working with others and communication.
• Learning and Teaching Alford Academy staff aim to promote high quality learning experiences for pupils by investing in professional development to create knowledgeable, confident and skilled teachers capable of raising the attainment and achievement levels of our pupils.
• Inclusion and Equality Alford Academy aims to provide equality of opportunity to access education in a way that is engaging and appropriate to the pupils' interests and physical and intellectual needs.
• Values and Citizenship Alford Academy aims to work with pupils, parents and employees to promote self-respect, respect for others and interdependence within society. This will allow our pupils to understand the duties and responsibilities of citizenship in a democratic society.
• Learning for Life Alford Academy aims to equip pupils with positive attitudes and expectations, encourage creativity, ambition and entrepreneurial skills that will help them prosper in a changing society.

A Confident Start - P7 to S1
The move from primary to secondary school can be an anxious time for both pupils and parents. At Alford Academy, we work closely with our associated primary schools, P7 pupils and parents to ease the transition. Good communication ensures that families are comfortable with transfer procedures. A P7/S1 Open Evening in September, P7 parents' tours and an Enterprise event in May culminate in a five-day visit for P7 pupils in June.

Personal support for pupils is provided by a visit to primary school by Guidance teachers and by an extended transition programme for identified pupils. In addition, S6 buddies and bus mentors support pupils during the 5-day visit and throughout S1.

First and Second Year Curriculum
Courses in S1 and S2 are based on the national 5-14 Guidelines. The courses seek to build on pupils' experiences from primary school and develop a range of skills through subjects, including Mathematics, English, Physical Education, Technical, Art & Design, Music, Drama, Religious, Moral & Philosophical Studies, Home Economics, Science, Social Subjects (Geography, History, Modern Studies), Modern Languages (French or German), Information Technology and a course in Personal and Social Education (Guidance, Health, Relationships, Enterprise, Personal Development). In most subjects, classes are of a mixed ability. However, some classes are organised according to pupil ability.

In February of S2, pupils choose the subjects they wish to study in S3/S4. They are given a lot of support and information in order to help them make their choices. The range of subjects chosen should reflect the pupils' capabilities, interests and their possible career aspirations. The choice is made from the range of subjects in the 'Alford Academy S3/4 Course Choice Booklet'. A copy of the 2006/2007 course choice sheet is available from the school office.

Homework and Study
All pupils are expected to carry out regular homework and study. Homework is set to encourage revision of class work and independent learning. Examples of homework are:
a written task which reinforces or develops work done in class (e.g. sample questions, exercises, essays)
regular practice or revision (e.g. French vocabulary, musical practice)
general revision/organisation of notes/class work
a task which requires to be researched and/or investigated outwith class (investigations/projects)
completion of work which was unfinished in class
‘catch up’ work because of absence

Every pupil is issued with a homework planner to record all homework tasks. The planner is designed to help pupils organise homework and revision. Parents are encouraged to play an active part by ensuring that pupils have a suitable area to study and by checking the planner and quality of work being undertaken.

There are no set rules about the quantity of homework. Every pupil should expect to do homework 4/5 evenings per week. As a guide, we suggest the following amounts of time for overall homework/study per evening.

S1: 1 Hour
S2: 1 - 1½ Hours
S3: 1½ - 2 Hours
S4: 2 Hours
S5/S6: 2 - 3 Hour

School Dress Code

The school dress code is as follows:
 White shirt
 Alford Academy school tie
 Black pullover with school logo
 Black skirt/trousers - girls may wear trousers
 Black/ dark shoes or trainers
School tie and pullover may be ordered from Reception. Orders are also processed during parents' evenings.

Physical Education Kit
 Shorts / t-shirt or sports shirt / gym shoes or trainers
 Appropriate clothing for an activity (e.g. swimming, skiing)
 Towel for shower after PE (optional)
 All items of clothing should be marked with the pupil's name.
 All items of jewellery should be removed for safety reasons before class.
 Valuables should be handed in to the class teacher.

School equipment
 Pens, pencils, rubber, Tippex
 Mathematical set
 Calculator
 English dictionary
 French or German dictionary