NEWS
EVENTSWe are consulting on a change to our admissions policy for 2026-27 entry.
You can download a copy of the proposed admissions policy 2026-27 (Pdf).
The consultation period is Thursday 4th December 2024 to Thursday 30th January 2025.
Any comments should be submitted to the admissions registrar email: enquiries@ikbacademy.org.uk by 30th January 2025.
Thursday 3rd October from 6 - 8pm:
We have designed an exciting and broad curriculum for our students to study from, enabling them to equip themselves for employment, higher education and life. Students can choose to study from a wide range of A levels, T levels and BTECs, in a caring and supportive environment.
Students considering 2024/25 entry can find out more at our Open Evenings:
Year 10 Open Evening: Wednesday 18 September 6-8pm
Welcoming all Year 9 students in the Bristol and Bath area to look around our modern state of the art school.
Inspired by Bristol’s most famous engineer, Isambard Kingdom Brunel, IKB Academy is a 14 - 19 school specialising in science, technology, engineering and maths subjects. At IKB we run an exciting range of option subjects including engineering, product design, construction and computing but you can also choose to study geography, history, languages, music, business and more.
Personal development and employability skills is a focus at IKB and during your time here you will undertake work experience, take part in enrichments trips, visit local organisations and work with industry professionals through our extensive partnerships.
Come to our open evening and meet teachers and students and see for yourself!
BE THE BRAINS BEHIND THE BUILD
WHO’S IT FOR?
Students aged 16-19 with a keen interest in Civil Engineering
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
At least four GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths
WHAT ABOUT VOCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS?
Level 2 pass or above in Construction and the Built Environment would be an advantage but is not essential
WHERE WILL I STUDY?
You will spend 80% of your time in the classrooms and workshop at IKB. The rest of the time is on a work placement within the industry
EXAMS OR ASSESSMENT?
Two core papers: Science and Building Technology / Construction Industry and Sustainability, plus a real-life project set by your employer
APPLY ONLINE
DOWNLOAD
Open evening for all current Year 9 students in the Bristol and Bath area on Wednesday 20 September 2023 from 6-8pm.
Thursday 2 February 2023 6pm
Open to all Year 11 students in the Bristol and Bath area. Come and hear all about what IKB can offer at Sixth Form and have a look around our state of the art building.
If you’re in Year 11 come and check us out!
If you are currently in year 9 and interested in joining IKB Academy then we are hosting small group tours at 9.15am every Friday throughout term 2.
Please call the school office on 01179 161 025 to secure a place.
IKB Academy is celebrating after being rated Good in all areas by Ofsted.
Inspectors said pupils, staff and leaders were enthusiastic about the ‘unique’ school and its specialism in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
“Pupils feel valued at IKB. They say staff know them very well and as a result they feel supported to do their best. Some pupils told us their experience at IKB has renewed their enthusiasm for learning,” the report said.
Three inspectors from the education watchdog visited IKB on April 5 and 6.
Their very positive findings included:
Inspectors noted the school’s intention to give young people experiences of the world of work to enhance their learning of the STEM-focused curriculum and to develop their interests. While this ‘important aspect of the school’s offer’ had been affected by the pandemic, school leaders were beginning to rebuild it. Year 10 students were out on work experience at the time of the visit.
Ofsted praised the support given to the personal development of the 162 students, who are aged 14-19. This included a comprehensive personal, social and health education (PSHE) curriculum and leadership opportunities for sixth-formers. Inspectors said children felt safe in school and knew they could talk to someone if they had concerns.
The report also highlighted the contribution of Futura Learning Partnership to the school’s success. “Leaders are well supported by the trust. Staff welcome opportunities for professional development with their colleagues across the trust. Teachers say leaders are considerate of staff workload and wellbeing,” it said.Head of school Debbie Gibbs said she was delighted at the inspectors’ findings, which rated IKB as Good for quality of education, behaviour and attitudes, personal development, leadership and management and sixth-form provision.
"This is an important milestone for IKB Academy and is a tribute to the hard work of our staff team and our students with the support of families, the community, and the trust," she said.
"I am so pleased that our students were able to talk with enthusiasm about their learning and experiences at IKB and that the strengths of our provision were recognised by the inspectors.
“We are ambitious for all our students and do all we can to ensure they have the knowledge, skills and experience to succeed."
Further information
If you missed our Open Evening don't worry, you can still come and see our fabulous school and hear about everything IKB has to offer students wishing to study GCSEs or A levels at IKB starting September 2022.
Results day is always an enjoyable day in the school calendar and we were delighted to see so many students and their families, celebrating their A level and Btec results with staff. At IKB Academy we are so proud of our fantastic Year 13 students. They have shown resilience and determination managing the challenges that have faced them and they fully deserve the fantastic results they achieved. It was a joy to share in their achievements born out of all the hard work throughout their time with us in the 6th Form.
We are immensely proud of all our students and we would like to highlight the following who have achieved some outstanding results:
Most of our students have already been offered places in the next stage of their chosen route in either education, training or employment. As a school specialising in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) we are extremely pleased to see 75% of our students gain places to study or work in STEM areas. These include: medicine, engineering, microbiology, motor engineering, computing and architecture at Russell group universities and highly competitive apprenticeships with Rolls Royce.
Although we will miss them all we wish all our students the very best for the future and congratulate them on their achievements.
Following a hugely successful A level results day we have been delighted to see so many students and their families today, celebrating their GCSE and Btec results with staff. At IKB Academy we are so proud of our amazing Year 11 students, they have shown resilience and determination managing the challenges that have faced them and fully deserve the fantastic results they collected today. It was a joy to share in their achievements born out of all the hard work throughout their time at IKB and confirm their enrolment into IKB 6th Form. As a small school we really get to know our students and their families and look forward to so many students continuing their educational journey with us.
We are proud of all our students who have made outstanding progress through year 10 and 11 at IKB. We would like to give a special congratulations to the following:
IKB 6th Form offers the outstanding support and personal care of a small organisation where students really are treated as individuals within the larger Futura Sixth Form, giving access to over 40 different courses across three centres. Applications for September 2021 and September 2022 can be made online via our website.
Students were invited to submit pieces of work they felt express their own mental health.
We had a great response and are very privileged to be able to share a selection of this work with you here.
Please also see our mental health and wellbeing section for more information.
Information for parents and carers of secondary school aged children and young adults
IKB Academy take the emotional health and wellbeing of every child seriously. We believe that the school can help students build resilience and support them to be mentally healthy. We are especially aware of how important this is during the current Covid-19 pandemic when some of our students may be feeling extra anxious and struggling with the changes that are going on around them. This is likely too true for many of us adults too. We all want to try and protect our children from experiencing our own anxieties around the virus.
We all have ups and downs in life but in childhood it can be particularly hard to cope with sad feelings and worries that arise when things are hard or scary. There may be times when your child is unhappy or struggling emotionally. You may notice that they seem low or worried or that their behaviour changes. We may notice that they seem withdrawn or upset at school.
If you are worried about your child’s mental health then you are not alone. Many parents and carers have similar worries and stresses. There is good support available from local and national organisations. The sooner you seek help the better for your child and you.
The leaflet: Mental health problems in children and young people: guidance for parents and carers provides some useful tips for helping your child plus links to local and national services.
Local services for children and young people
Please talk to us about your concerns, so that we can work together to help your child feel better. Call our Learning Mentor Miss Offord on 0117 916 1025.
A GP can check any physical symptoms linked to your child’s health and talk with you about their emotional well-being, making a referral to a specialist service if necessary.
Parents/carers can contact the Bath and North East Somerset School Nurse Service for advice and support on a range of health issues.
A free NHS service that assesses and treats 0 -18-year olds with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
Children and young people aged 11 and over are also able to access support themselves from B&NES Kooth. This provides links to advice as well as online counselling.
Information and advice
The following organisations provide reliable information and advice to help parent/carers to support their child when experiencing emotional difficulties:-
Young Minds: help for parents Information about all aspects of child mental health, including a parent Helpline: 0800 802 5544.
Childline lots of information and tips for children of all ages about feelings and difficult situations.
Minded for Families free learning resource about mental health for parents and carers.
Happy Maps lots of information about health topics including mental health, organised under different age groups including secondary age and young adults.
Looking after your own mental health
In order to support your child, you need to stay strong and well yourself. It isn’t easy being a parent or carer especially when you are experiencing problems of your own such as relationship difficulties, money worries, problems with work etc. Often it helps to talk to someone, so don’t be scared about doing this, with friends, family, your GP or a support service. The following organisations can also offer information and advice to help you.
Directory and database of groups, activities and courses in the community that can support adult wellbeing.
Accessed through your GP or self-referral.
MyScript- Social prescribing service
Available to anyone registered with a GP in B&NES. This service provides support in finding specialist services and community groups to help individuals experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues to take control of their situation.
Tel: 01225 316199
Free phone: 116 123
Helps manage stress, anxiety, depression. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing
CALM Campaign against living miserably
Agencies and services to support parents and carers in vulnerable situations
B&NES Directory of services: Wellbeing Options
Links to a range of services supporting physical, social and emotional needs across the area.
Links to a wide range of useful information for families including Ofsted registered childcare, parenting support, groups, clubs and events.
Signposts to organisations, services, support, activities and groups for children and young people aged 0-25 with additional needs.
Independent charity that provides free, impartial advice and information on a range of issues including housing, employment and debt.
The information on this page has been provided by B&NES Council Public Health Team
If you wish to request a keyworker childcare placement for week commencing 8th June please contact the school directly by phone or email.
The clear message from government is:
“YOU SHOULD ONLY SEND YOUR CHILD TO SCHOOL IF YOU HAVE TO, BECAUSE YOUR WORK IS CRITICAL TO OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE. IF YOU ARE ABLE TO KEEP YOUR CHILD AT HOME YOU SHOULD”
IKB/Wellsway Hub for key workers and vulnerable students will be at IKB from Monday 1st June.
COVID-19: Partial School Closure (Pdf) posted: 18/03/20
Watch our very own Renee Weber on ITV West Country News talk about Bath's new clean air zone and the work she did coordinating Bath's Youth Climate Alliance strike.
IKB students excel in the STEM subjects
Students at IKB Academy have received their GCSE results today and for a third year running the results have been positive for the STEM area of specialism for the school. IKB opened in 2015 to meet the local and national need for skilled and highly qualified students in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) areas and for a third year running students have achieved highly in these subjects. 40% of all grades in STEM subjects were at a grade 6/B or above and students excelled in Engineering where over 40% of the grades were a Distinction or Distinction * equating to an A/A* grade.
A successful cohort studied an additional GCSE in further maths and many gained at least a B grade in this subject.
Students also achieved highly in other subject areas with over 70% of the students gaining a grade 4 (C grade) in English, essential for access to A level courses and University.
A special mention goes to Jack, Ewan, Lizz, Harriet, Tom, Nathan and Triada who each achieved 6 or more grade 7s (A grades) and above.
Students
Many of these students will be continuing their successful academic journey with IKB into the sixth form studying a range of facilitating A level subjects.
IKB delivers successful STEM results for students for a third year running:
With a quarter of all A level results at grade B and above and an impressive 63% of all Level 3 Engineering grades at Distinction and Distinction* the students from IKB Academy have again secured fantastic places at University and on degree apprenticeships.
For us at IKB the results are of course important, but what’s more important are the opportunities and destinations that are made possible because of these results, so many of our students are able to follow their dreams and this is what makes it all worthwhile.
One notable student is Bridie Bates: Bridie joined IKB in 2015 (our opening year) as the only girl in Year 10, this was a brave step, but Bridie had the resolve and foresight to recognise IKB as the place she needed to be to follow her lifetime dream of a career in the motor sport industry. From an early age, Bridie developed a passion for motor sport that began at home watching Formula 1 with her Dad and at IKB, her success at GCSE and in the Sixth Form has led to a place at university to study Motor Sport engineering. She also benefited from IKBs unique work placement programme that saw her gain invaluable experience with Jaguar Land Rover. We will miss Bridie at IKB but enthusiastically look forward to following what will be a hugely successful career in her dream industry.
Other students are also beginning degree apprenticeships for example with Rolls Royce and Dyson whilst for many who have chosen university they begin their studies in a variety of subject areas including aerospace engineering and biochemistry. As a small Sixth Form we really get to know our students and wish them all every success in the future.
Year 10 information evening: Thursday 4 October 2018
Year 11 information evening: Thursday 11 October 2018
Sixth Form results
At IKB we are thrilled with this year’s results that yet again show parents and students that studying in the sixth form at IKB delivers the highest grades and progress.
There is so much to celebrate and we are really pleased that our students have achieved highly in both the academic and vocational qualifications across the full range of subject areas.
IKB students achieved a 100% pass rate in all the A level Science and Maths subjects, and we also achieved a 100% pass rate in all the Level 3 BTEC qualifications.
Over 60% of our students gained at least one top grade (A*/A or equivalent) and impressively 48% gained at least two of these top grades.
In only our second year, these results place IKB firmly on the map as a learning institution where excellence is achieved not only in our specialist areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths but also across the full range of subjects available through our collaborative provision across the Wellsway Multi Academy Trust.
Most importantly these results give our students the opportunity to follow their dreams to study at university and on high quality degree apprenticeships. These include Roland who achieved A*A*AA and will be studying engineering at Oxford University and Robbie who achieved A*AB and will be studying maths at Cardiff. George gained three Distinction* grades and has won a place on a civil engineering degree apprenticeship with Exeter University.
We will miss our fantastic group of students, but know that the results they have gained at IKB along with their work placements and skills have secured them fantastic university places, apprenticeships and jobs which will equip them well for the next stage of their lives. We wish them all the very best of luck.
GCSE results
A second week of fantastic exam results for IKB Academy!
At IKB we are extremely pleased with our examination results. This is only the second set of GCSE results for the school and we have seen a strong increase in the percentage of students achieving the nationally recognised grade 4 or above in English and Maths from 53% in 2017 to 65% this year.
As a school with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) subjects we are especially pleased with results in these areas. Students at IKB achieved 100% pass rate in all the STEM subjects and this is particularly impressive in the GCSE sciences where almost 20% of students achieved at least one top grade (7+) across Biology, Chemistry and Physics. In engineering over 70% of the grades were a Distinction or Distinction*, a huge achievement for both students and their teachers.
We are also pleased to report success across other subject areas with 68% of all students having achieved at least one top grade in their results this week. This is a fantastic achievement for all students but a special mention must go to Riana Cano who achieved 9 top grades and Jasmine Neal Long who achieved 6 top grades. In addition we are equally proud of so many of our students who exceeded their expected grades to make great progress at IKB. A special mention goes to Amelia Nicholas, Ellianna Glanville, Emma Chaney, Marcus Hales, James Lau and Casey Smith who all took away fantastic sets of results after two years of hard work at IKB.
If you are interested in applying to IKB for either 2018 or 2019 entry into Years 10 or 12 please our admissions section.
New GCSE grading system FAQs (Pdf, 329kb)
Years 10 and 12
Term 1 commences on Wednesday 5th September for Years 10 and 12 only (new students).
Years 11 and 13
Term 1 commences on Thursday 6th September for Years 11 and 13 (all students in school).
As an IKB Sixth Form student you get:
• Fantastic qualifications, taught by passionate teachers in excellent facilities
• Full study programmes designed to fulfil your future aspirations
• Independent learning experiences with support and skills delivered through a bespoke IKB mindset programme
• The opportunity to experience specialist work placements that will support your applications into competitive degree courses and apprenticeships
• Membership of a small tutor group, meeting weekly with your individual tutor to support and guide you
• To be part of a small unique Sixth Form where you are known and understood and encouraged to excel
• Recognised as young adults and given the freedom to manage your own free time, wear your own clothes, build mature relationships with teachers and adults within the school
• Subject specific trips and visits in the following areas:
• Physics/Maths – theme park trip to develop kinematics and mechanics
• Physics/Engineering – residential trip to Cern in Geneva, Switzerland, to develop understanding of particle physics and cuttingedge engineering
• Biology – residential field trip to develop ecology techniques
• Chemistry – a university residential with industry visits
• Product Design – a trip to London to visit the Design Museum, local trips to areas of design interest
• Engineering – industry visits to experience production and manufacturing processes across a wide variety of engineering sectors
• An additional summer enrichment trip abroad for enjoyment with your peers, with activities to entertain you.
Changing the School Day: Consultation (Pdf, 436kb)
South Gloucestershire Bus and Coach Company recently announced that it intends to cease operating the 432 bus from 8th February. This service is used by some students from Longwell Green, North Common, Oldland Common and Willsbridge to travel to and from Wellsway School and IKB Academy.
We are working closely with Wellsway School and representatives of the parents affected, the Bus Company and the Principal of Wellsway School are meeting tomorrow in an attempt to resolve this matter. We will continue to work with families in an attempt to ensure a transport provision that meets their needs.
Post 16 mock exams and Year 11 exam timetable (Pdf, 35kb)
GCSE results
We are thrilled with our examination results. This is the first set of GCSE results for the Academy and our students have a 100% pass rate in all GCSEs and Btecs.
This is particularly impressive in the sciences as all IKB students study separate Biology, Chemistry and Physics GCSEs. All students gained at least one grade at a B or above in their GCSEs and Btecs and 67% of students achieved at least one A grade or above. This is a fantastic achievement for all students but a special mention must go to Tom Jackson who achieved a Grade 9 in Maths, 2 A*s, 1A and 5B grades. Azam Javid who achieved 2 A*s, 2 As and 4Bs.
Owen McDermott who achieved 1A*, 5As and 3 Bs and Sam Joy who achieved 4 As and 4 Bs. Our initial figures give IKB a positive Progress 8 result – the way the government performance tables compare schools– this means students perform better at IKB than other schools and you only get results like this from excellent teaching, motivated students and supportive parents, something we are proud of here at IKB.
There are still places available in the sixth form at IKB so please contact us or drop in to discuss option choices.
A level results
At IKB we are thrilled to receive our first ever set of A Level and Level 3 Btec results – the culmination of and reward for two years of hard work and high quality education from students and teachers.
There is so much to celebrate and we are really pleased that our students have achieved highly in both the academic and vocational qualifications across the full range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subject areas.
IKB students achieved a 100% pass rate in all the A level Science subjects and alongside this we also achieved a 100% pass rate in the Level 3 Btec Engineering qualification – where almost 50% of our students gained a double Distinction * (equivalent to two A*grades at A level). In our most practical and creative area of A level Product Design we again achieved a 100% pass rate.
79% of our students gained at least one top grade (A* or A or equivalent) and impressively 58% gained at least two of these top grades.
These results firmly place IKB on the map as a learning institution where excellence in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths can be achieved.
Most importantly these results give our students the opportunity to follow their dreams to study at University and on high quality apprenticeships. We have students leaving to study in the fields of aeronautical, motor sport, and design engineering as well as the more traditional subjects such as mechanical engineering and economics. Some of our most successful students have gained places on the most competitive higher and degree apprenticeships in areas of engineering, computing and finance.
This has been our first group of students and we will miss them, but know that the results they have gained at IKB along with their work placement experiences have secured them fantastic university places, apprenticeships and jobs and will equip them well for the next stage of their lives. We wish them all the very best of luck.
A new partnership between a Keynsham school and an engineering consultancy is being built on firm foundations.
IKB Academy, which specialises in science and engineering, has formed a link with Campbell Reith, a long-established international practice that has its Bristol base in Pixash Lane.
Campbell Reith has partnered with the academy, which opened two years ago for students aged 14 to 19, under the construction industry's Adopt a School programme. This is aimed at ensuring that talented young people discover all the options available for a career in construction.
Campbell Reith and IKB marked the launch of their partnership with an immersion day, in which employees spent time in the classroom and students visited the company's Holburne Park development on the Warminster Road, Bath, where Campbell Reith is building luxury homes. This enabled them to see various stages of the construction process, visit the marketing suite and talk to the contractors.
The students, who are pursuing academic A-level and GCSE courses as well as undertaking regular work experience with employers linked to science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects were fired with enthusiasm.
Riana Cano said: “There were so many interesting things to see on site and I really enjoyed looking at the different aspects of construction”. Saule Bausyte said: “It was great to see the houses that were almost finished and try to imagine how they’ll look when all the furnishings are in as I’d like to be an interior designer”
Debbie Gibbs, principal of IKB Academy, said: “It is really important for us to collaborate with local employers in the STEM sector. The Adopt a School programme is a great way to make those links for the benefit of the students and the businesses that are involved.
“Partnering an engineering consultancy covers so many areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths and these subjects are at the heart of what we offer students here at IKB. It is also important that we partner an organisation with many different routes into the industry as our students leave to study at university as well as via higher and degree apprenticeships. Working with a local company offering a full range of employability options is a real bonus. I am very excited about the benefits this will bring to the classroom and to the industry.”
Jamie Siggers, from Campbell Reith, said: “We are very pleased to formalise this relationship with IKB Academy through Constructing Excellence South West's Adopt-A-School initiative. We have held a relationship with IKB as our local academy since their inception, but this new relationship provides more scope to support the curriculum and to encourage students into our diverse and rewarding industry. “The launch event was a special occasion for Campbell Reith, allowing us to talk to the students about Holburne Park, which is a key project for our Bristol office with many interesting challenges, but more importantly to introduce them to a live construction site, where every stage of house-building is evident on a very prestigious development. We are proud to be involved in the scheme and look forward to organising future events with IKB Academy”.
We are very pleased to announce that IKB Academy is a finalist in the Bristol Post Education Awards 2017 in the category Education and Business Partnership Award.
The Bristol Post say they received hundreds of entries in their search to find Bristol's best educators and with so many stellar entries, the judges had some tough choices to make in coming up with a shortlist.
We are looking forward to attending the awards ceremony on 4 July.
More information: Education Awards 2017: Our Finalists Revealed - Bristol Post
Thursday 2 February 2017 at 6.30pm: For all current Year 9 & Year 11 students in the Bristol & Bath area
We are holding an information evening on Thursday 2 February 2017 at 6.30pm, for all current students in Year 9 and 11 in the Bristol and Bath area.
Thursday 15 December 6.30pm: For all current Year 9 & Year 11 students in the Bristol & Bath area
Lecture Theatre
Have a look at the photos of our Year 12 students' mock interviews. Well done to all of you, you all represented yourselves brilliantly. Keep it up!
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