OUR ACADEMIES
We run a number of different optional Academies in a wraparound programme.
An Academy is an exciting programme of additional opportunity opportunities in a subject or discipline you feel passionately about.
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You don’t need to be studying this subject. Academies are there to enable you to pursue what you love doing for your own development, experience or pleasure.
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You will be with like-minded individuals who feel the same way and will be provided with opportunities to go above and beyond in your chosen subject. Whether it’s sports, or performing arts or maths, we provide extra hours of intensive support, a programme of extracurricular activities and further study preparation that enables you to take your subject to the next level.
Trips, visits and excursions.
Extra timetabled hours in your academy, to fit around your studies
Professional support both at the college and through local institutions
Practical experience
Through our academies, you will enhance your CV and your UCAS application.
We are dedicated to helping you make your goals a reality.
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Click on the 'Curriculum Guide' button to find a summary of our Academies, otherwise you can take a look at the descriptions below.
If you have joined our Football, Rugby or Athletics Academy and need to purchase kit, please use the button below.
ACADEMIES
ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY ACADEMY
The Art and Photography Academy is a weekly programme that will give you access to a creative world beyond Newman College and its classroom walls. You will learn new skills and begin your journey on a creative career path, with guidance from professional creative practitioners. It will run alongside your Creative Arts A-level and BTEC studies.
ASPIRE ACADEMY
Our Aspire Academy will nurture your abilities by giving you challenges that you would not ordinarily face in your A-Level or BTEC curriculum.
We want to inspire you to go above and beyond your current studies to make successful applications to the most competitive universities and to prepare you for life beyond college. You will be prepared for the rigorous application, testing and interview process of the country’s most respected universities and engaged socially and ready to make a difference. The Aspire Academy is a year round programme, giving you the very best master-classes and guest speakers from a range of different backgrounds and disciplines.
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Our Aspire students have had guest speakers and Q and A sessions with the following:
Brighton and Hove MPs
Steve Bassam (Member of the House of Lords)
Paul Samuels (Executive Vice-President AEG Global)
Allison Ferns (BBC Radio Presenter)
Air Marshall Sir Stephen John Hillier (Former Chief of the Royal Air Force)
The students have also had ‘master-classes’ in different subject areas (for example law and legislation), and have led groups of younger students in Years 9 and 10.
ATHLETICS ACADEMY
The Newman Athletics Academy supports Elite, county, club and school representative athletes in making their goals a reality.
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Improve your athletic ability and gain an understanding of all aspects of training.
We look at the theory behind reaching peak performance and the steps an athlete takes to lead a healthy lifestyle and enhance their progression. We meet at Withdean once a week to train. For six hours a week, students in the academy will experience coaching in their own event(s), and events that they may not have considered before.
Throughout the year we aim to compete as a team, as well as entering school competitions and open meetings as individuals, to gain entry into county and national competitions such as English Schools.
DANCE ACADEMY
We work in partnership with Sussex Dance Network to provide you with a range of exciting experiences, guest speakers, workshops and performance opportunities as well as connections to the wider professional dance industry.
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We offer twice weekly dance training (in our beautiful purpose built Octagon Dance Studio with mirrors, ballet barres and a sprung wooden floor, and college Lecture Theatre with a lighting rig and tiered seating for shows and events) to develop your technique and skills in contemporary, ballet, jazz, commercial dance, choreography and improvisation. Each member receives a Newman Dance Academy kit.
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The Dance Academy provides you with the opportunity to perform at live theatre venues, work with local artists and choreographers and build your leadership and teaching skills through running lower school clubs or working with local primary schools in dance.
DRAMA ACADEMY
Develop your drama skills alongside your academic A-level Drama & Theatre Course.
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The Drama Academy acts as a theatre company and works on a project throughout the year. Our students work together to create and perform a play aimed at a target audience.
As well as opportunities to develop your acting skills, we also provide opportunities for you to develop your skills in directing, theatre design and theatre management.
EQUESTRIAN ACADEMY
Achieve your equestrian goals alongside your academic studies in a friendly, knowledgeable and inclusive environment.
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For some students that will mean competing at an elite level within our Equestrian Team which will be competing in County and National competitions which include the NSEA, British Riding Club and Grass Root competitions.
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Whilst for others it means developing their riding skills through our various training opportunities with well qualified and certified instructors at some incredible BHS approved venues.
Riders with and without their own horses, from complete beginners to experienced equestrians, are invited to join and attend our regular training sessions held at a local BHS approved training centre. Here there will be the opportunity to not only learn, improve and further student's riding abilities they will also have access to the silver award horse care and management scheme and BHS stage qualifications. Training sessions always take place out of school hours at weekends or during half terms, and these range from hour-long sessions to riding camp opportunities.
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Experienced riders with access to their own horses/pony and transport can have the privilege of representing our school at prestigious NSEA inter-school equestrian competitions throughout the country, from local events in Sussex to the annual National Championships.
Disciplines include Dressage, Show Jumping, Arena Eventing, One Day Events, Hunter Trials, Eventers Challenge and grassroots competitions.
All riders are invited to weekly team meetings to catch up about upcoming events, support each other in their equestrian goals and spend time with peers that share the same passion.
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FOOTBALL ACADEMY
Newman College competes at the highest levels of English Schools’ Football, competing in both the ESFA National Cup and SSFA County Cup and League competitions, including the AOC Premier League. We currently have four senior teams (three male and one female) and believe it is important to allow all players, whatever their ability, the chance to flourish in a fully integrated fixture programme.
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A schedule will consist of three training sessions per week and a match, using the Waterhall astro turf and Newman’s excellent new gym facility. With a focus on education and providing opportunities, we aim to help you build the experience and qualifications you need to stand out from the competition when starting your career in football or other pathways.
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Some of the key features include timetabled coaching sessions with UEFA qualified coaches, match day and training kits, specialist coaching, a biennial Academy Tour, external guest speakers – Sports Psychologists, Nutritionists, Pathways into Football, USA Scholarships, the opportunity to gain coaching and officiating qualifications and play in a range of different competitions suited for all abilities.
GOLF ACADEMY
The Newman Golf Academy is for players of all levels who have a desire to improve. The academy is open to any player with an official handicap and who is already a member of a golf club.
The course is delivered over three terms in partnership with Brighton and Hove Golf Club through their PGA Qualified coaching team.
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Students will be given individual programmes of playing and training that aim to develop the technical, physical, tactical and mental components of their game. They will have access to the following coaching and support facilities: Golf Simulator tuition, Golf specific fitness room and instruction, driving range and On Course Coaching, and free Junior Membership to Brighton and Hove Golf Club.
GRAPHIC DESIGN ACADEMY
Grow your understanding of commercial design, and how graphics is used in business. Through workshops and independent projects at the Graphic Design Academy (GDA), your knowledge of enterprise and commercial graphic design will be developed. The GDA will run for two hours every fortnight, alongside your chosen A-level Subject.
LAW ACADEMY
The Law Academy is a weekly programme that will give you access to a world beyond Newman College and its classroom walls. You will have the opportunity to develop your understanding of how the law and legal professionals work in practice, that will not only enhance your core studies, but also help you with the skills and experience you need to move into a legal career in the future. Participation in the Law Academy will not be compulsory for Law students but will be open to all and will run alongside your Law
A-level or BTEC Applied Law studies.
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MATHS ACADEMY
The Maths Academy’s results put it in the top 1% – with over 80% of students achieving A*/A grade and all passing. There are currently many former Academy students studying at Oxford and other top universities with more current Year 13 students already having secured offers.
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The aim of the Mathematics Academy is to support and encourage the study of Mathematics into post-16 education and to create a community within Newman College with academic excellence at its core. All students who study A-level Mathematics or Further Mathematics are automatically part of the Academy and will benefit from exceptional teaching by specialists in both pure and applied Mathematics. They will also be able to take part in enrichment sessions designed to further their Mathematical knowledge and prepare them for further study at university.
MUSIC ACADEMY
The Newman Music Academy offers you the opportunity to develop your performance, composition and music production skills alongside your academic A-level and BTEC studies.
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The Music Academy includes free weekly group tuition on voice or instrument and an extensive programme of termly performance, composition and music production workshops.
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All members of the Music Academy are invited to join our Sixth Form Band and have extra opportunities to perform in our break-time open-mic concerts and termly events.
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Members of the Music Academy would be expected to attend weekly band rehearsals on Fridays from 10.40-11.40am and to choose a minimum of two two-hour workshops per term from the programme. The workshops take place on Wednesdays from 3.00-5.00pm and will cover performing, composing, recording and mixing skills.
NETBALL ACADEMY
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Cardinal Newman is delighted to offer aspiring and talented netball players an advanced netball programme delivered in partnership with 5Ways Netball Club (England Netball National Outstanding Club of the Year).
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Students will enjoy an intensive and focused weekly programme of netball training and match play sessions alongside their academic studies including netball specific strength and conditioning, technical and tactical development. The Netball Academy at Newman is suitable for committed players with experience of competitive netball looking to continue their development in a performance environment with pathways into local, regional and national league competitions.
Head Coach, Danielle Lewis-Collins (Active Sussex Coach of the Year and UK Sport Children’s Coach of the Year finalist) brings many years of coaching experience at junior, senior level, as well as international experience, having been part of the Zambia national coaching team for the 2018 African Nations World Cup Qualifiers. As a player, Danielle has also represented at both National and International level.
NEWMAN RUGBY ACADEMY
The Rugby Academy was created to allow students to develop themselves and play a high standard of Rugby alongside normal academic courses. It is an all year round (three term) programme that trains within all 3 codes of rugby (Union, 7's and Rugby League). The programme offers multiple different training types, from normal field training, Individual positional crafts, video analysis, Grappling for rugby, S&C, Rehab sessions, Physio, Nutrition and Lifestyle. It is as much a mentorship programme as it is a rugby.
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We have created an environment that develops high playing levels and understanding, establishes a strong team environment for like-minded individuals and creates ongoing pathways, such as university scholarships and big clubs.
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Newman Rugby Academy has now been running for 7 years and we are delighted to be 3 x National Premiership title winners, 3 x 15's National cups, 1 x National Rugby League final, and Girls Rosslyn Park Cup Winners. We are the only school to ever be in both the Rugby Union and Rugby League National Finals in the same year.
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We have a formal contract with Harlequins (boys rugby) and Ealing Trailfinders (girls rugby) as a feeder schools. We will be representing them in the ACE competitions from Sept 2024.
Video clip of our Girls Team in the Semi Finals at Rosslyn Park, before becoming National Champions!
SWIMMING ACADEMY
Newman College is excited to be launching a Swimming Academy. The college will provide squad style coaching sessions and S&C provision to aid those already maintaining a high training schedule outside of school hours whilst potentially uncovering some hidden gems within the school that are not currently competing regularly in the sport. We aim to provide students with an environment to work hard, learn new skills and improve on existing ones, whilst promoting a positive, empowering environment.
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The Academy will be led by Matt Naunton, a Swim England qualified coach with experience in competitive swimming of all levels and ages. Matt plans to use his experience in swimming and his knowledge from his MSc Strength and Conditioning to improve and motivate the students joining this program.
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An education sector competitive schedule is being drawn up to allow those in the academy to compete regularly under the Newman banner. From local school Duel galas to National School Swim meets, there will be plenty of opportunities for a variety of standards to compete amongst their peers. Whilst the primary aim of this endeavour is to create a new College Academy, we envision a provision of opportunity throughout the school to compete and inspire the future cohorts to Newman College.
TEXTILES ACADEMY
The Newman Textiles Academy is a full and exciting programme that offers you opportunities to learn new skills and be inspired by people working and studying within the creative industries.
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The programme is suitable for students who are looking to pursue a career as a, maker, textile artist, or one of the many specialist career strands within the industry. It is suitable if you are planning on studying an art-based course at a higher or degree level and would like to build up a portfolio of work to take to interviews.
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Many people say that sewing and textile work is really good for their mental health and having this creative outlet allows them to have a good balance alongside more academic subjects.
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​The Textiles Academy is a year-round three term programme giving you opportunities and experiences to gain new skills or expand and develop your existing skills within this subject area. The Academy consists of two hours of timetabled sessions a fortnight alongside your other subjects but it is highly likely you would need to put in extra hours of your own time in order to finish individual projects.
