We believe that clear support and guidance in a safe, caring community enables our students to feel happy, confident and secure. We work on the principle that teachers have the right to teach and students the right to learn, in a classroom free from disruptive behaviour.

We expect polite, considerate behaviour from everyone. We value courtesy, good manners and respect for others, and will not tolerate rude, aggressive or anti-social behaviour. Our rewards system encourages students to behave well and to achieve their best.

The school has a strong emphasis on promoting healthy lifestyles which has developed since the academy's original status as a sports college. A general feeling of safety, wellbeing and belonging is felt by the majority of students in school when asked. This is reflected in the consistently high levels of attendance and the enthusiasm with which students participate in school life.

We are currently transitioning from a mixed age vertical tutoring system to a year group based horizontal tutoring system. We feel that this is in the best interests of our students as we are able to deliver a more tailored pastoral curriculum to each year group. Students will still be supported pastorally by their Form Tutor and will have a Head of Year rather than a Head of House.

In addition to this, all students get involved in enterprise activities, and we enjoy many links with industry and commerce. Work-related opportunities are provided both locally and nationally as part of a two-week programme in Year 10 and as part of the curriculum at other times. Fundraising is an important part of the Lightcliffe ethos – students are regularly involved in activities to support local and national charities.