Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
MYP at LAHC
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The Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
The Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
Welcome to the Middle Years Programme (MYP) at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie — an exciting and inspiring stage of learning that encourages every student to grow as a thinker, communicator, and caring member of our community.
The MYP is part of the International Baccalaureate (IB) family of programmes and is designed for students aged 11 to 16. It provides a broad and balanced education that connects learning across subjects, encourages curiosity, and helps young people make sense of the world around them.
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, the MYP is the foundation of our curriculum in Years 7 to 9. Through engaging, inquiry-based lessons, students learn to ask meaningful questions, think critically, and apply their knowledge in real-world contexts. This approach not only supports academic success but also nurtures creativity, independence, and confidence.
Central to the MYP are the ten IB Learner Profile traits — qualities such as being reflective, open-minded, principled, and caring — which are woven through every aspect of academy life. These values guide how students learn, how they interact with others, and how they contribute to their wider community.
Students also develop key Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills — communication, organisation, research, collaboration, and reflection — that help them take ownership of their learning and prepare them for future challenges, both within and beyond the classroom.
Throughout their MYP journey, students explore global contexts, encouraging them to connect their studies to real issues in society and to see themselves as active, responsible citizens of a wider world. They demonstrate these values in action through projects such as Service as Action in Years 7 and 8 and the Community Project in Year 9.
The MYP experience at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie builds confident, curious learners who are ready to make a difference — not only in their studies, but in their community and beyond.
Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is a candidate school for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Middle Years Programme and is pursuing authorisation as an IB World School.
IB World Schools share a common philosophy — a commitment to high-quality, challenging, international education — that Leigh Academy Hugh Christie believes is important for our students.
International Baccalaureate® and IB® are registered trademarks of the International Baccalaureate Organisation. This prospectus includes references to the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), which is an educational framework developed and owned by the International Baccalaureate Organisation. Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is a Candidate
School for IB MYP. We are currently pursuing authorisation as an IB World School. We share a common philosophy—a commitment to high quality, challenging, international education that we believe is important for our students.
Life as an International Baccalaureate (IB) School
Life as an International Baccalaureate (IB) School
We are dedicated to offering every student an exceptional educational experience, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and personal qualities needed for success as lifelong learners. To support this vision, we have introduced the International Baccalaureate MYP programme at Key Stage 3.
IB programmes are delivered in 150 countries worldwide and these programmes are underpinned by the IB Learner Profile, which consists of ten highly desirable characteristics that will pave the way to success for all our students. These profiles link directly to your child’s merit award points!
The IB Learner Profile Attributes
The IB Learner Profile Attributes
Balanced
Caring
Communicator
Inquirer
Knowledgeable
Open-minded
Principled
Reflective
Risk-taker
Thinker
The IB Learner Profile at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
The IB Learner Profile at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, the IB Learner Profile sits at the heart of everything we do. It shapes how our students learn, how our staff teach, and how our community recognises and celebrates success.
Across all Key Stage 3 classrooms, the Learner Profile is clearly visible — displayed on classroom walls and embedded in teachers’ Google Slides as part of lesson delivery. Teachers highlight specific traits at the start of lessons, explaining which Learner Profile qualities students will demonstrate or develop through their learning that day. This shared language encourages reflection and helps students understand how learning goes beyond subject knowledge to develop who they are as individuals.
The Learner Profile is also fully integrated into our academy reward system. Every positive behaviour point earned by a student is linked to a Learner Profile attribute, reinforcing the values of being principled, caring, reflective, and balanced. Each week, during our Hot Chocolate Friday celebrations, staff nominate students for exemplifying a particular Learner Profile trait — with nominations including a written reason explaining how the student has lived that attribute in action.
Throughout the year, students take part in assemblies dedicated to exploring the Learner Profile, understanding why these ten attributes are important and how they help them grow as confident, respectful, and internationally minded learners. For example, assemblies have explored what it means to be an “Inquirer” who shows curiosity in every subject, or a “Caring” learner who contributes positively to others both in and beyond the classroom.
The Learner Profile continues to shape our students’ experience right through to the end of Key Stage 3, when they take part in the MYP Graduation Ceremony. As part of this celebration, staff nominate students who have embodied each of the ten Learner Profile traits. From these nominations, three students are shortlisted for each attribute, and one overall winner is recognised during the graduation event — celebrating their personal growth and contribution to the academy community.
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, the Learner Profile is more than a set of values — it is a way of learning and living. It inspires our students to become thoughtful, principled, and compassionate young people, ready to make a positive impact in their community and the wider world.
Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills are at the core of how our students learn and grow. They help every young person become an independent, confident learner who understands how they learn, not just what they learn.
In every Key Stage 3 classroom, ATL skills are made explicit and visible. Teachers introduce lessons with a focus on the ATL skill students will develop that day — such as communication, research, organisation, or reflection — which is displayed clearly in their Google Slides and discussed during the lesson. This helps students take ownership of their learning and see how these transferable skills support them across all subjects.
To deepen understanding, assemblies and advisory sessions regularly explore ATL skills and their importance in learning and life. Students reflect on questions such as “How did my organisation help me complete this task?” or “When did I show perseverance or communication this week?” This reflective approach builds metacognition and helps learners make connections between effort, progress, and success.
As students progress through the Middle Years Programme, ATL skills form a foundation for the Service as Action and Community Projects, where communication, research, and thinking skills are applied to real-world challenges. These experiences help students to become resilient, resourceful learners who are prepared for both academic success and the wider world.
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, ATL skills are not just part of the curriculum — they are part of our culture. They empower students to be proactive, organised, and reflective learners who are ready to take on new challenges with confidence and curiosity.
MYP Learning Cycle at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
MYP Learning Cycle at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie
1. Inquiry
Every unit begins with a statement of inquiry and a key concept.
Teachers design learning around engaging, real-world questions that spark curiosity and encourage students to explore ideas across subjects.
Students ask questions, investigate problems, and make connections between what they learn and the world around them.
Global contexts (e.g., identity, innovation, sustainability) give meaning to their learning.
2. Approaches to Learning (ATL)
Throughout each unit, students develop ATL skills such as:
Communication – expressing ideas clearly
Research – finding and analysing information
Thinking – problem-solving and creativity
Social – collaboration and teamwork
Self-management – organisation and reflection
These skills help students understand how they learn and prepare them for success across all subjects and stages of education.
3. Assessment
Students are assessed using the four MYP criteria (A–D), with each criterion marked out of eight.
Assessment tasks are designed to measure both knowledge and the application of ATL skills through practical projects, written work, and creative responses.
4. Reporting and Feedback
Teachers provide detailed feedback using MYP criteria to help students reflect on their progress and set goals for improvement.
Parents and carers receive reports that clearly explain achievement in each subject and highlight strengths and next steps.
5. Student Outcomes
By the end of Key Stage 3, students have developed into reflective, principled, and independent learners.
They are well-prepared for future studies and demonstrate the IB Learner Profile attributes — becoming inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and caring global citizens.
The MYP Community Project and Service as Action
The MYP Community Project and Service as Action
Empowering Our Students to Make a Difference
Empowering Our Students to Make a Difference
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, we believe that education should not only develop knowledge but also build character, confidence, and a sense of responsibility towards others. Through the Middle Years Programme (MYP), every student is given the chance to connect learning with real-world action — developing the skills and values needed to make a positive difference in their community and beyond.
Service as Action – Years 7 and 8
Service as Action – Years 7 and 8
From Year 7, students take part in Service as Action experiences that help them understand how their learning can be used to support others. These activities encourage empathy, initiative, and teamwork — whether it’s volunteering within the academy, helping in the local community, or raising awareness about global issues.
Students are supported to reflect on their experiences and recognise how small actions can make a big impact. This early foundation helps them build the confidence, skills, and compassion they need for their later Community Project in Year 9.
The Year 9 Community Project
The Year 9 Community Project
In Year 9, students take these ideas further through the MYP Community Project — a major independent project that challenges them to investigate an issue they care about, plan meaningful action, and reflect on the impact they make.
The project develops vital skills for life: research, organisation, teamwork, and reflection — known as Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills. It also brings the IB Learner Profile to life, encouraging students to be principled, caring, reflective, and open-minded.
Each student is guided by a trained supervisor and supported through advisory sessions, workshops, and resources on Google Classroom. The project is assessed using IB’s four global criteria — Investigating, Planning, Taking Action, and Reflecting — ensuring a fair and consistent approach across all academies.
At the end of the year, students showcase their work during the MYP Graduation Ceremony, where we celebrate their achievements. Awards are presented for each Learner Profile trait — recognising students who have demonstrated qualities such as courage, creativity, and compassion through their actions.
Real Impact, Real Growth
Real Impact, Real Growth
These experiences go beyond the classroom. Students have organised local litter-picking campaigns, led bake sales for charities, and created recycling awareness materials for the academy community. Through projects like these, they see that their voice matters — and that they have the power to make change happen.
Why It Matters
Why It Matters
The MYP Community Project and Service as Action help our students to:
Develop independence, confidence, and resilience.
Strengthen communication, collaboration, and reflection skills.
Become caring, principled young people who understand their role in society.
Experience the joy and pride of making a real difference.
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, we are proud that every student finishes Key Stage 3 not only as a successful learner, but as a responsible, reflective, and compassionate young person — ready to take on the world.
The MYP Graduation for year 9 students
The MYP Graduation for year 9 students
MYP Graduation – Celebrating Growth, Character, and Achievement
MYP Graduation – Celebrating Growth, Character, and Achievement
The MYP Graduation at Leigh Academy Hugh Christie is one of the highlights of our academic year — a vibrant celebration of learning, growth, and character. It marks the culmination of our students’ Middle Years Programme journey, recognising not just what they have achieved academically, but who they have become as learners and as people.
During this special event, we celebrate every Year 9 student’s effort, resilience, and success across the MYP. Awards are presented for excellence in each IB Learner Profile trait — from being Caring and Reflective to Inquirers and Thinkers — showcasing the diverse strengths and personalities that make our academy community so special.
The evening highlights student voice and achievement, with presentations from the Community Project and reflections that capture the spirit of the MYP: curiosity, creativity, and compassion. It’s a moment for families, staff, and peers to come together to applaud how far our students have come — not just in grades, but in confidence, independence, and global awareness.
At Leigh Academy Hugh Christie, the MYP Graduation is more than a ceremony — it’s a celebration of who our students are becoming: principled, caring, and capable young people ready to make a difference in the world.
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