Prospectus Supplement
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prospectus supplement INTRODUCTION CONTENTS 1. ACADEMIC MATTERS 1.1 Curriculum Welcome to The Leys Prospectus Supplement. 1.2 International Support This document is intended to work alongside 1.3 Higher Education and Careers 1.4 Leadership Opportunities the Prospectus to add detail about the overall 1.5 Learning Support 1.6 Library methods and systems employed in the running 1.7 Parental Involvement 1.8 Personal and Social Education of the school. 1.9 Scholarships and Bursaries 1.10 Societies Whilst this Supplement expands on the 1.11 Tutorial System messages in the Prospectus, we also refer 2. EXTRA CURRICULAR you to www.theleys.net for specific details 2.1 Activities 2.2 Art, Design, Technology and IT about the school. 2.3 Drama 2.4 Music 2.5 Outdoor Education We hope you find this information useful in 2.6 Sport and Fitness your decision-making process. The school 2.7 Trips website has further information - please visit 3. WELFARE 3.1 Chapel www.theleys.net 3.2 House System 3.3 Medical Care Please do not hesitate to contact us if yo u 3.4 Pastoral Care require further information. 4. DAILY ROUTINES 4.1 Boarding 4.2 Home Boarding 4.3 Day Pupils 5. FOOD AND DIET section 1academic matters 1.1 CURRICULUM 1.2 INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT The Leys is an environment where individual strengths are There is a dedicated International Support Department which encouraged to thrive and prosper, where the quality and consistent provides diagnostic testing and support. The Department helps standard of education is our priority. The curriculum is designed pupils to achieve their potential across the curriculum, working with to provide pupils with a broad and balanced education, in order to tutors and teachers to identify and resolve problem areas. English develop each child’s literacy, numeracy, creativity, physical well being for academic purposes (reading, writing, use of English, interview and ethical understanding. and presentation skills) forms the core of the department’s work. For English requirements at each entry point please refer to the Current Our curriculum for Years 7-11 broadly conforms to the National Information Booklet. Curriculum. Beyond this, The Leys nurtures a productive and effective use of leisure time, the development of independence 1.3 HIGHER EDUCATION AND CAREERS and a natural ease with computer-based technologies within the learning framework. Weekly tutorials and Personal, Social and Health Pupils are encouraged to consider their futures from an early stage Education (PSHE - see 1.8) are included to monitor progress and and from Years 9-10 they visit the Careers Department where offer advice. Years 7-8 (ages 11-13) approximately 30 Art, Design Technology, Divinity, Drama, English, French, Geography, German (from Year 8), History, Information pupils per year taught in two classes. Technology, Latin, Mathematics, Physical Education and Science. Year 9 (ages 13-14) approximately 100 Core: Biology, Chemistry, Divinity, Drama, English, Geography, History, Mathematics, and Physics. In addition most pupils per year normally taught in five pupils study two Modern Languages (French, German or Spanish) and have the option to study either Latin or Classical classes. Civilisation, and choose five from Art, Computing, Design Technology, Drama, Music and Physical Education. Years 10-11 (ages 14-16) GCSE Core: Biology, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, a Modern Language(French, course approximately 100 pupils per year German or Spanish) and Physics. with core subjects normally taught in five Options: Art and Design, Classical Civilisation, Computer Science, Design Technology, Divinity, Drama, French, classes. Geography, German, Greek, History, Latin, Information Technology, Music, Physical Education and Spanish. Sixth Form (ages 16-18) Sixth Form pupils generally study three subject. The majority of Sixth Form pupils are approaching their seventeenth Year 12 (Lower Sixth) birthday when they join in the Autumn term. and Year 13 (Upper Sixth) approximately 100 pupils per year A level subjects Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Computer Science, Design Technology, with average class size 9/10. Economics, English Literature, French, Further Mathematics, German, Geography, Greek, History, Latin, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Politics, Spanish, Theatre Studies, Theology. For current GCSE and A Level results please visit www.theleys.net 1 1 subject options are discussed and developed under the guidance of 1.5 LEARNING SUPPORT specialist careers advisors. In Year 11, pupils join our formal careers programme in which individual interviews help them to consider The school accepts pupils with a broad spectrum of skills and abilities. options, A level choices and forward plans. Voluntary work experience Our selection process in Years 7 and 9 is designed to identify pupils is available at the end of Year 11. who can succeed in a wide range of GCSE subjects. Sixth Form selection expects pupils to have achieved an average of 5.5 at In the Sixth Form, individual career interviews are more focussed. The GCSE (or equivalent) to be considered for entry. Within this ability Head of Sixth Form Studies organises a full programme of advice, range, we aim to help pupils achieve their best in every aspect of providing help with course selection and the subsequent application school life. Where the natural abilities of pupils are impeded by process at the end of the first year in the Sixth Form. Pupils are specific learning difficulties, our dedicated group of learning support encouraged to seek advice, visit HE institutions and take up work specialists provides the support and guidance needed to help the experience and work shadowing opportunities - Old Leysians and pupils fulfil their potential. parents provide invaluable assistance with this project. All pupils Further information on learning support is available on the attend an annual Careers Conference which includes guidance on website. Gap Year options. Almost all pupils progress to university and so the Sixth Form years 1.6 LIBRARY are key to ensuring that the right career and higher education choices are made. The destinations of recent leavers can be The School Library contains over 13,000 resources supporting found on the website. pupils’ academic and recreational interests. Private study, group work and reading for pleasure are enabled in discrete environments, 1.4 LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES which include an IT suite and study carrels for individual use in the Library, and through a continually updated range of printed, There are many varied outlets on offer for aspiring leaders and those electronic and audio-visual resources. A professional Librarian is seeking to give rein to their initiative. The Heads of each of the on hand throughout the school's working day to help pupils with research and to promote a love of reading and learning. eleven Houses, together with six other pupils, form a body of School Prefects led by one boy and one girl Senior Prefect. Throughout 1.7 PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT school life, pupils are encouraged to take responsibility and are given appropriate guidance and training. The breadth of opportunity is Parents are warmly encouraged to participate in life at The diverse - within their Houses, coaching games on the playing fields, Leys. Contact between Parents, Tutors and Housemasters or directing plays, conducting musical ensembles, organising school Housemistresses is encouraged, as are visits to school events such societies, leadership training with the CCF and Duke of Edinburgh as plays, matches, concerts and Sunday services in the Chapel. award scheme - enabling all children to realise leadership skills. Academic excellence is our goal. One component of this is equipping There are also two pupil committees which meet regularly to discuss Parents with the necessary information to monitor the progress of school matters. their son or daughter. ‘Grades’ provide a snapshot summary of effort 2 1 and performance for all subjects and are issued twice each term. Bursaries are available in a variety of categories and take into ‘Records of Work’ are written twice yearly, giving a more detailed account the financial circumstances of the pupils’ parents. Up-to-date picture of progress, with comments from subject teachers as well as details about Scholarships and Bursaries are available in the Current those involved in pastoral care. Parents’ Evenings are held annually Information Booklet. for each year group, offering an opportunity to meet and talk to the teachers involved with each pupil. 1.10 SOCIETIES Outside these channels, Parents are encouraged to contact their Throughout its history, the school has hosted a wide array of Housemaster, Housemistress or Tutor with any concerns they may academic societies, the best of which have evolved to become have. The school will contact Parents as a matter of course in the some of the School’s most popular societies today. These event of a serious concern. include, The Russell Group (a lecture/seminar society organised by Sixth Formers), The History Society, The Headmaster’s 1.8 PERSONAL AND SOCIAL EDUCATION Society and The Academic Society. Other opportunities for advanced discussion and serious debate are available through Pupils are taught Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) societies such as Debating, Model United Nations and the Ichthus from Year 7 to the Sixth Form, encouraging them to consider and Society (for discussion of Christian issues). Senior pupils are discuss openly some of the many issues which might not normally be encouraged to help lead of many of these Societies and several covered by the formal curriculum. Topics such as politics, citizenship, have pupil secretaries. Our location in Cambridge gives the personal and learning skills, health, relationships, careers and further school access to an extraordinarily wide range of speakers – education are explored, enabling pupils to hear a balance of views exposing pupils to intellectual excitement, a lively exchange of ideas and develop their own thoughts and opinions. and an opportunity to share in the varied experiences of the speakers.