Albany Academy

Albany Academy is a small school by design, which allows staff to know students well and provide consistent, high-quality teaching across all year groups. The school maintains high expectations for behaviour, effort, uniform, and achievement, underpinned by a set of four 'Amazing' behaviours—Amazing People, Learners, Employees, and Leaders—which are taught to all students. The school's approach to student wellbeing incorporates the 'chimp paradox' model of the mind to help students develop healthy and happy habits.

The curriculum is designed to build upon Key Stage 2 and prepares students for post-16 pathways, including college, apprenticeships, or work. Students follow a broad and balanced curriculum with subjects taught up to GCSE level, including core subjects like English, Maths, Science, PE, and Life Studies, alongside foundation subjects such as French, Spanish, History, Geography, RE, Art, Music, Drama, Computer Science, Design Technology, and Food Technology. The school timetable is structured into 50 one-hour periods over a two-week cycle.

The school provides personalised support, challenge, and guidance to all students from Year 7 through Year 11. A dedicated Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) is available to manage support requirements, and the pastoral team provides interventions based on the 'chimp management' model to help students develop self-regulation and mindfulness.

Albany Academy is a heavily oversubscribed school that admits 150 students into Year 7 annually, drawing from a geographical priority area that includes Adlington, Chorley, Brinscall, Abbey Village, Euxton, and Rivington. Applications must be submitted through the local authority by October 31st, with places offered on March 1st. The school operates a waiting list ranked according to its published oversubscription criteria, which prioritizes children living closer to the school.

The school calendar generally aligns with the Lancashire local authority, though it incorporates a two-week October half-term break to provide a more balanced year. The academic year includes ten staff training days, most of which are scheduled adjacent to holiday periods. Term dates for 2026-27 are published, with the autumn term running from September 1st to December 18th, the spring term from January 4th to March 25th, and the summer term from April 12th to July 21st.

The school offers an 'Amazing Leaders' programme that embeds leadership development within the curriculum and provides opportunities for students to earn Bronze, Silver, and Gold awards. Students can apply for various leadership roles within their tutor groups, including anti-bullying, environmental, wellbeing, fundraising, reading, careers, LGBT+, and creative leaders in art, drama, and music. This programme allows students to build an evidence portfolio of their leadership journey for future applications and interviews.