Transfer from Primary School And

- A Humanities and Maths & Computing College -

Federated with Alderman Blaxill and Thomas Lord Audley Schools

Prospectus 2011/12

2 CONTENTS

Page No.

The Stanway School Mission Statement 2 A message from the Headteacher 3 Staffing 3 Admissions Policy 5-6 Governing Body 7 Term Dates 2011-12 & 2012-13 8

General Information:

Lesson Times Accommodation/The Learning Resource Centre 9 Attendance & Punctuality/Catering 10 Transport /Home School Agreement/Links with Parents 11 Parental Partnership/The Curriculum/GCSE Assessments & Coursework 12 Music Tuition/Primary/Secondary Transfer/Further Education Links/Medical 13 Attention/ Website/Security

Student Information:

Uniform 14 Jewellery/Books/Equipment/House Organisation/Homework 15 Codes of Behaviour/School Council 16 Sport/Clubs & Extra Curricular Activities 17 School Trips/Student Rewards 18 Main Highlights of 2010-11 19-21

Examination Policy and Results:

School Performance Summary 2011 22

School Policies:

Assessment/Attendance/Behaviour/Child Protection/Collective Worship/ 23-26 Community Cohesion/Curriculum/Disability Discrimination/Equal Opportunities/ Gifted & Talented/Race Equality/Sex Education/Special Educational Needs/

Back Page:

School Map and contact details 27

3 THE STANWAY SCHOOL VISION STATEMENT

Our Vision

The Stanway School and Humanities, Maths & Computing College aims to provide education of the highest quality for all the young people of Stanway and the surrounding villages. In school we will develop a culture where everyone’s contribution and successes are celebrated and where students are prepared for life in an ever changing society.

Our Mission

The Stanway School and Humanities, Maths & Computing College exists to educate our students to achieve to their maximum potential; enable them to meet future opportunities and challenges within a safe, caring, healthy, stimulating and enjoyable environment. We encourage students to make positive contributions to their communities and achieve economic well-being.

Our Objectives:

1. To encourage students to take pride in themselves and their school through reaching high standards of work, behaviour and appearance

2. To provide a clear framework for monitoring and evaluating the school development plans including the involvement of key members of the community

3. To positively promote the school to the wider community with public celebration of our achievements

4. To develop and support staff, within a performance management framework, to deliver high quality teaching and learning

5. To continue to improve and upgrade the premises and facilities of the school to enhance the learning environment.

6. To maintain financial stability

4 A MESSAGE FROM THE HEADTEACHER

The Stanway School is a community in which each and every student matters and every student is accountable to that community. Respect and good manners are important, good behaviour is expected as the norm and lessons are well taught and learning productive.

We have highly committed and well-qualified staff who encourage students to give their best in all aspects of school life. We are a happy school with students who respond to our high academic, cultural and sporting expectations. Our excellent accommodation and resources help us to ensure that these expectations are met.

The school continues to move from strength to strength. This year’s exam results at both GCSE and Key Stage 3 were once again outstanding and staff and students can be proud of their achievements and full details can be found on page 22.

Parents have a pivotal role to play in the success of The Stanway School. Much of our planning and endeavour is committed to developing and maintaining the partnership between home and school. We can provide your child with an education second to none, but we require your total support.

We want our students to feel comfortable at The Stanway School from day one. This is why we hold Taster Days for prospective students from our feeder schools when they are in Years 5 and 6 and Induction Days for all new students in July prior to their start in September. This means that transition from primary to secondary school runs very smoothly.

The details in this prospectus should give you a flavour of The Stanway School. I would strongly recommend that you visit the school during our Open Week (3rd-7th October - tours at 9.15am daily) or on our Open Evening on Wednesday 5th October from 5.00- 8.00pm to enable you to see the school in action and form your own opinion.

We recognise success wherever it occurs and will acknowledge it publicly. Our view is that success is a journey not a destination and we stress the view that education is a lifelong process. All members of the school community are expected to achieve their full potential and derive pride from their achievements.

With your support, we will give your child the confidence and skills to be successful.

STAFFING

Since March 2010 The Stanway School, Alderman Blaxill School and Thomas Lord Audley School have been in a Hard Federation called The Stanway Federation. All schools have benefited immensely from this partnership and a number of Stanway staff are seconded to the other two schools to help raise standards.

The Stanway School places a high priority on the quality of its staff, both teaching and support. During the past four years we have increased the number of teaching and support staff. We are committed to continuous professional development; all staff have access to a wide range of external and internal courses which help them to develop their pedagogy and practice. Since 2008 teachers from the three schools have been taking part in a new

5 wide-ranging training programme where there is the opportunity for their work to be validated by the Teacher Learning Academy. The aim of the programme is to provide all teaching staff with opportunities for high quality in-service training, which will lead to ongoing school improvement.

The Stanway School is a founder member of the Colchester Teacher Training Consortium (CTTC). Every year this enables us to appoint highly qualified new teachers from our own local pool of expertise.

Support staff are also involved in CPD designed to assist school improvement and many support staff are undertaking a variety of courses ranging from basic computer skills to degrees.

6 THE STANWAY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS POLICY 2012/13

1. SEPTEMBER INTAKE 2012 – YEAR 7

The school is able to admit 223 students into Year 7 through the Essex Coordinated Admission Scheme. Where applications for admissions exceed the number of places available, the following criteria will be applied, in the order set out below.

1. Looked after children.

2. Children who have a sibling* attending the school in Years 7-10 at the time of application and date of proposed admission.

3. Children who live within the priority admissions area (a map of the area is available at the school office) and who attend the following main feeder primary schools:

 Birch Primary School  Holy Trinity Primary School, Eight Ash Green & Aldham  Chappel Primary School  Layer-de-la-Haye Primary School  Copford Primary School  St Andrew's Primary School, Marks Tey  Fordham All Saints Primary School  Stanway Fiveways Primary School  Great Tey Primary School  Stanway Primary School  Heathlands Primary School

4. Children residing outside the priority admissions area who attend one of the feeder primary schools.

5. Children residing within the priority admissions area who do not attend one of the above feeder primary schools.

6. All other applications.

Applications- September admission into Year 7

The closing date for applications for admission into Year 7 in September 2010 is 31st October 2011. Late applications will only be considered after those received before the closing date. Applications for admission to The Stanway School should be sent to the Essex County Council, Planning & Admissions, County Hall, Chelmsford CM1 1GS. Parents have a statutory right of appeal to a panel constituted in accordance with the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 if they disagree with a decision not to admit their child to a particular school of their preference. Parents appealing against the decision not to admit their child must do so in writing to The Clerk to the Appeal Panel, c/o The Stanway School.

Other Applications

Children with Statements of Special Educational Needs that name The Stanway School in the statement will be admitted to the school.

7 2. ADMISSION OF STUDENTS ALREADY IN SECONDARY EDUCATION

Where students already in secondary education apply for admission, they will be admitted according to the criteria listed above, providing that the admission would not prejudice the effective education of existing students or the efficient use of resources. If the appropriate year group has already reached the agreed admissions limit, admission will usually be refused.

In-year Applications – Children already in secondary education

For mid year applications, a mid year application form needs to be completed and returned directly to School Planning and Admissions, who will apply to the schools you list, including The Stanway School, on your behalf. A copy of the application form is available from our school, or can be requested from School Planning and Admissions, Essex County Council, P.O. Box 4261, Chelmsford CM1 1GS, Tel: 0845 603 2200, Email: [email protected]. Alternatively, a form can be downloaded from School Planning and Admissions website: www.essex.gov.uk/admissions. Full details of the mid year application process are provided in the mid year application form’s accompanying booklet.

3. OVER-SUBSCRIPTION

In the case of over-subscription when any of the above criteria are applied, the places will be allocated according to the proximity of the child's home to school, as measured by a straight line, with those living closest being accorded the higher priority. Distance will be measured using the Local Authority’s Geographical Information System.

Where the school is over subscribed it will maintain a waiting list. The waiting list will be in the order which meets the above criteria. Children will remain on the waiting list for one term, at which point parents will be contacted regarding continued interest.

* Definition of Sibling

A sibling is defined as a child living in the same family unit in the same family household and address as a child who attends The Stanway School in any year group excluding the final year. This includes brothers, sisters, step-brothers and step-sisters.

In addition, biological siblings who attend The Stanway School in any year group except the final year will also be treated as siblings irrespective of place of residence.

Children residing in the same household as part of an extended family, such as cousins, will not be treated as siblings.

8 GOVERNING BODY

The members of the Stanway Federation’s Governing Body work as an integral part of the school community visiting not only for the regular committee meetings but also on numerous other occasions to attend important school events, monitor lessons, share in training sessions and participate in other meetings related to the everyday life of the school. Over the past 4 years this involvement has grown due to increased demands placed on governors in monitoring the school’s future development as well as progress on the school’s rebuilding plans.

The opportunities for the governors to share in the life of the school continue to increase. The school continues with its plans to expand its already strong links with parents and its involvement with the local community, both within its catchment area and in Colchester.

The 24 members of Stanway Federation’s Governing Body are variously parents, staff, the headteacher, local business people, residents and LA nominated governors. They work through four sub-committees of the Governing Body dealing with Finance, Curriculum & Welfare, Premises and Personnel to fulfil their statutory duties in respect of the way the school operates, the employment of its staff and management of the buildings. Current governors are:

Community Governors LA Governors 1. Carol Binmore 1. Brian Palmer (Chair) 2. Julian Lamb 2. Liam Ward 3. Valerie Pratt 4. Barry Wild

Parent Governors Partnership Governors 1. Jeremy Carter 1. Richard Bourne 2. Nicholas Evans 2. Andrew Davenall 3. Phil Houghton 3. John Knight 4. Helen Bayliss 4. Valerie Endean 5. Carol-Ann Frogley 5. John Spademan 6. David Kay 6. Caroline Tighe 7. Barbara Williamson

Staff Governors Clerks 1. Jonathan Tippett Sharon Burns 2. David Boggis Lindsey Wright 3. John Heffer 4. Helen Marr

9 TERM DATES 2011-12

Autumn Term 2011 Monday 5th September 2011 Non-Student Day Tuesday 6th September 2011 Term Commences Friday 30th September 2011 Non-Student Day Monday 24th – Friday 28th October 2011 Half Term Thursday 24th November 2011 Non-Student Day Friday 25th November 2011 Non-Student Day Friday 16th December 2011 End of Term

Spring Term 2012 Tuesday 3rd January 2012 Term Commences Monday 13th – Friday 17th February 2012 Half Term Friday 30th March 2012 End of Term

Summer Term 2012 Monday 16th April 2012 Term Commences Monday 7th May 2012 May Bank Holiday Monday 4th - Friday 8th June 2012 Half Term Friday 20th July 2012 End of Term Monday 23rd July 2012 Non-Student Day

TERM DATES 2012-13 (PROVISIONAL)

Autumn Term 2012 Monday 3rd September 2012 Non-Student Day Tuesday 4th September 2012 Term Commences Monday 29th October – Friday 2nd November 2012 Half Term Friday 21st December 2012 End of Term

Spring Term 2013 Monday 7th January 2013 Term Commences Monday 18th – Friday 22nd February 2013 Half Term Thursday 28th March 2013 End of Term Friday 29th March 2013 Good Friday

Summer Term 2013 Monday 15th April 2013 Term Commences Monday 6th May 2013 May Bank Holiday Monday 27th - Friday 31st May 2013 Half Term Tuesday 23rd July 2013 End of Term

Four non-student days have yet to be allocated.

10 GENERAL INFORMATION

SCHOOL LESSON TIMES

8.40 - 9.05am Registration/Assembly 9.05 - 9.55am Period 1 9.55 - 10.45am Period 2 10.45 - 11.05am Break 11.05 - 11.55am Period 3 11.55am - 12.45pm Period 4 12.45 - 1.25pm Lunch 1.25pm Warning Bell 1.30 - 1.35pm Registration 1.35 - 2.25pm Period 5 2.25 - 3.15pm Period 6

ACCOMMODATION

The school currently has three major buildings, with a large playing field on the site. There are specialist rooms for all subjects. The facilities include:

Tennis/Netball Courts 2 History Rooms Gymnasium 3 Geography Rooms Sports Hall 2 Religious Studies Rooms Assembly Hall 1 Drama Studio 7 Science Laboratories 7 Mathematics Rooms 4 Computer Suites 7 English Rooms 2 Music Rooms 5 Modern Languages Rooms 2 Music Practice Rooms 1 General Classroom 2 Art Rooms, incl ceramics/printing/ photography Learning Resource Centre 2 Design Technology Workshops Reprographics and Printing Area 2 Design Technology (Food) Rooms Learning Support Room 2 Design Technology (Textiles) Rooms 2 Conference Rooms 1 Design Technology (Graphics) Rooms Fitness Suite 1 Design Technology (Control) Room

THE LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE

The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) is a key area in the school and plays a vital role in promoting the aims of the school. A handbook has been produced and is given to students when they enter the school. Students are able to access information for their schoolwork from reference books, specialist subject books, newspapers, magazines and journals.

We stock fiction books to suit all reading ages and our classification system follows that of the Essex Public Library Service. Permission from a parent or guardian is required for students below Year 9 to read Young Adult (YA) or Adult fiction. Permission slips will be given to all Year 7 students at the start of the term. Every student is automatically a member of the LRC when they join the school. Reading Club, for all years, is held in the LRC once a week at lunchtime. During the autumn and spring term we read the Essex Book Award (EBA) books and in the summer

11 term we ‘Shadow the Carnegie’. Both awards are a fun time for all and entail reading as many of the shortlisted books and voting for our group winner. Book Club members have the opportunity to attend the EBA award presentation and meet the author of the winning book. Authors who have won the award include Morris Gleitzman and Siobhan Dowd.

Students are encouraged to become members of the LRC Team who assist in the smooth running of the LRC during break and lunchtimes. Selected students in Year 10 can become Reading Coaches, undergoing training to enable them to support and assist younger students with their literacy skills.

The LRC is open at 8am daily and stays open at break, lunch and after school until 4pm. Students can choose books and research homework tasks at these times.

Students also use the LRC during lesson times, either as a whole class activity or in smaller groups. Accelerated Reading also takes place in the LRC.

The school works closely with the Essex School Library Service which supports us with topic and artefact loans and professional advice on all matters relating to libraries.

ATTENDANCE & PUNCTUALITY

Electronic Registration

A register is taken every morning, afternoon and at the start of every lesson. The information collected is sent to the office electronically and is used to collect attendance and punctuality figures and for our attendance officer to make first day calls. Students with 100% attendance are rewarded with termly attendance certificates. Weekly attendance figures for each form are published and each Head of House will announce these in assembly. Our target is to ensure the best possible attendance by all of our students so it is very important for us all to work hard to achieve this. We hope that parents will only allow children to stay at home when they are too ill to cope with a full day in school.

Absence from School

All absences should be reported to school as early as possible on the first day of absence. If only one day's absence has occurred, then a phone call is sufficient. However, if your child is likely to be absent for more than one day, then a phone call to the school should be made on the first day, and a note sent in with the child on the day of return. If we do not receive a call from you, one of our office staff will ring your home during the school day.

CATERING

The kitchen and the upper hall have been adapted to become the ‘Oak Hall Bistro’. The quality of food, service and the environment has improved greatly.

We have Healthy School status. Food served in school is provided by in-house caterers. We aim to provide a variety of good food at reasonable cost. Students may:

 bring sandwiches

12  buy a lunch, hot or cold, or snacks and drinks from the Cafeteria or the outside Snack Shack  go home to lunch (if they live very close to the school & have a lunch pass).

Students who are entitled to free meals should collect their ticket from Student Services. The ticket is valid until the date notified by the Awards Service at Essex County Council.

TRANSPORT

Home-to-school transport remains the responsibility of the Local Education Authority. Enquiries should be made to the County Planning Department at County Hall, Chelmsford on 0845 603 7627. In school Mr Wiltshire has responsibility for school transport on a day-to-day basis.

Students travelling on contract buses must carry their tickets at all times so that they may be available for inspection by the driver. Tickets are valid for a particular bus and are not transferable.

School staff supervise the arrival and departure of contract buses. Students who, for any reason, do not intend to return home on their regular bus must inform a member of staff on each occasion.

Students riding bicycles to school are asked to take great care at all times. During peak times - 8.20-8.35am and 3.15-3.30pm - they are requested to dismount and WALK their bicycles onto and from the premises via the side pedestrian gate.

Students travelling by car. At peak travel times the road outside the school becomes particularly congested, especially when the buses are arriving and leaving. We request that in the interests of safety, parents transporting their son/daughter by car do not park in the immediate vicinity of the school at the beginning and end of the day, thus avoiding causing an obstruction for students, pedestrians, cyclists and bus drivers.

HOME SCHOOL AGREEMENT

The school has a Home School Agreement which is discussed with every student and their parents when they join the school. The purpose of the Agreement is to emphasise the partnership between the school, parents and students. Once all three parties have signed the agreement, a copy is given to the parents and a duplicate is kept on the student’s file.

LINKS WITH PARENTS

The Stanway Times

Our school newsletter comes out every Friday. We are always keen to hear about all the wonderful activities our staff and students are involved in. We will publicise any successes and personal achievements which happen outside school if we are given details.

13 PARENTAL PARTNERSHIP

Stanway School is very keen to establish a firm partnership with parents to gain the best for their children during their five years at the school. Parents will receive regular information on the progress their children are making as well as being able to speak to teaching staff at Parents’ Evenings. Other events such as Induction Evenings, GCSE Evenings and Option Evenings are also organised.

THE CURRICULUM

Each lesson is 50 minutes long and there are six lessons a day.

In Year 7, 8 and 9 students study the following subjects:

English Language & Literature, Mathematics, Science, DT (Design & Technology), Languages (French and German), ICT (Information & Communication Technology), Geography, History, RE (Religious Education), Art, Drama, Music, PE (Physical Education), PSHE (Personal, Social & Health Education) and Citizenship.

In Year 8 students are given the opportunity to either carry on studying two languages or to concentrate on one.

In Year 9 the Science curriculum broadens to Biology, Chemistry and Physics in preparation for GCSE.

In Years 10 and 11, in addition to the subjects already mentioned for study, there are choices such as Child Development, Media Studies, Systems Control, Psychology, BTEC Dance, BTEC PE and BTEC Science.

Subject Ability Groups - Students are taught in ability sets in English, Maths, Science, Modern Languages and Humanities. Setting reviews are built into the school calendar and take place at regular intervals.

The school has a Curriculum Complaints Policy in place for any parent who has a concern about the School Curriculum.

GCSE CONTROLLED ASSESSMENTS

There will be key pieces of work, projects and tests in each GCSE subject. Details of these will be issued to parents at the beginning of the GCSE courses in year 10 and updated in year 11. Some of these pieces of work are central to the controlled assessment element of the examination and will be submitted as part of your child’s final GCSE grade. In most subjects it is expected that at Key Stage 4 (in years 10 and 11) your child will be working at or towards the GCSE levels A* - G. Students will be expected to reach or exceed their target grades.

14 MUSIC TUITION

Individual tuition on musical instruments can be made available and students entered for Royal School of Music examinations as appropriate. The Governors have adopted the policy of the LA which is to levy a charge for this tuition. Parents are asked to indicate in advance that they are willing to pay for lessons throughout the academic year.

PRIMARY/SECONDARY TRANSFER

We have very good links with our feeder primary schools. We host a ‘taster day’ for all years 5 and 6 students in late September on a day when they will be the only students in the school. Also in September we arrange an evening information meeting where we can meet prospective students and their parents and tell them about the work of the school. Open Week and Open Evening take place in early October.

FURTHER EDUCATION LINKS

The great majority of our students go on to Further Education at either the Sixth Form College or Colchester Institute. The school enjoys excellent links with both institutions. Year 10 students are given the opportunity to take part in Experience Days at the Sixth Form College and during Year 11 representatives from both institutions come in to school to talk to all students and help them plan the next phase of their education. Students are strongly encouraged to attend the Careers Convention and the Open Evenings at the Sixth Form College and the Institute.

MEDICAL ATTENTION

There is provision within school for basic medical attention from a member of the support staff. In the event of a serious accident a student will usually be taken to Colchester General Hospital and parents contacted and asked to attend the hospital. It should be noted, however, that if students are taken ill parents may be contacted and asked to collect their son/daughter. Tablets and other medications may be left with the medical assistant for safe keeping throughout the day.

WEBSITE

The Stanway School website can be found at www.stanway.essex.sch.uk. The website contains information about the school, as well as being updated each Friday with the newsletter.

SECURITY

The Stanway School considers the safety of its students and staff to be of paramount importance. All visitors to the school are required to book in at reception and are issued with a visitor’s pass. The school’s CCTV system has been upgraded and now has cameras all around the site.

15 STUDENT INFORMATION UNIFORM

Boys Girls

Winter Uniform (Autumn & Spring Terms)

 Navy blue V-necked "Stanway School"  Navy blue V-necked "Stanway School" sweater with badge * sweater with badge *  Traditional white shirt  Traditional white shirt  Traditional black trousers  Traditional knee-length black skirt# or  School tie * trousers  Black shoes  School tie *  Black shoes

Summer Uniform (Summer Term) (Optional)

 Stanway School White Polo Shirt *  Stanway School White Polo Shirt *  Navy blue V-necked “Stanway School”  Navy blue V-necked “Stanway School” sweater with badge (optional) * sweater with badge (optional) *  Traditional black trousers  Traditional knee-length black skirt# or  Black shoes trousers  Black shoes

Sportswear

 Stanway School navy polo shirt *  Stanway School navy polo shirt*  Stanway School Navy shorts *  Stanway School Navy Shorts *  Reversible royal blue/amber rugby jersey*  Stanway School Sweatshirt *  Amber/navy football socks *  Amber/navy football socks *  Short white socks  Short white socks  Training shoes or plimsolls  Training shoes or plimsolls  Towel for showers  Towel for showers  Navy track suit - optional  Navy track suit bottoms - optional  Football boots - optional

* Available from school office only.

# Girls may wear black trousers or skirts. Trousers and skirts must have a waistband to allow shirts to be tucked in properly. Skirts should be straight or box pleated. They should be knee length. Recently a number of girls have worn short skirts made of a clingy jersey fabric. This is not acceptable as the skirts tend to ride up when the girls are climbing the stairs. We are explaining to all the girls which style of skirt is appropriate for school and where these can be purchased at a reasonable price. Photographs of acceptable skirts can be found on the website.

16 JEWELLERY

Students are permitted to wear one stud or small hoop earring in each ear, one ring and a wristwatch. No facial piercings are permitted.

BOOKS/EQUIPMENT

Students should prepare themselves adequately for all lessons and it is helpful if they can provide themselves with the following basic equipment:

Pens Ruler (cm and ins) Pencils Pencil Sharpener Coloured pencils Dictionaries Eraser Calculator

It is advisable that each student has a rucksack or similar bag so that books may be protected whilst being carried about the school. All items of clothing and equipment should be clearly named.

HOUSE ORGANISATION

The Stanway School has four Houses – Gainsborough (Head of House Mr Wade, Assistant Head of House Mrs Abbott), Rutherford (HOH Miss Stewart, AHOH Mrs Dines), Shakespeare (HOH Mr Muir, AHOH Mrs Cant) and Wellington (HOH Mr Buckman/Mrs Reilly, AHOH Mrs Harvey). When students join the school they are placed in a form group in one of these houses. They will normally stay in this form for the duration of their time at the school. This system provides continuity for both students and parents as the form tutor remains the first point of contact during their time at the school.

Throughout the school year inter-house competitions are organised and students will be expected to take part in as many events as possible. The winners of each competition are awarded a house trophy which is displayed in the cabinet in the main reception area.

HOMEWORK

Students will be given a homework timetable, which identifies which subjects will be set each evening. Students soon settle into a routine, which allows them to complete their homework to the best of their ability as well as allowing time for important leisure and sporting activities. We recommend that homework is completed on the evening it is set to prevent a backlog. This will also enable students ample opportunity to seek help at school if any problems occur before the handing in date.

 In Years 7 & 8 there are usually two but no more than three subjects set each evening and we suggest students spend a minimum of half an hour on each subject. Time should also be set aside for personal reading.  In Year 9 students should be spending at least an hour and a half on homework tasks each evening. Time should also be given to reading around the subject wherever possible.

17  In Years 10 & 11 the GCSE students should be spending at least two hours each evening on homework or coursework tasks to develop their knowledge and understanding of these examination subjects. Time should also be given to reading around the subject wherever possible. There are usually two, but no more than three, subjects set each evening.

Students have the opportunity to attend homework club on Monday to Thursday evenings where staff are available to provide help and support.

CODES OF BEHAVIOUR

Everyone who works in the school - student, teacher, support staff - is an important part of the school community and as an individual person has both rights and responsibilities. A happy, friendly community is based on a balance between rights and responsibilities, respect, sensitivity and tolerance.

STUDENTS’ RESPONSIBILITIES STUDENTS’ RIGHTS It is the students’ responsibility to see that: Students have the right:

1. they treat all people with respect 1. to be treated with respect and fairness

2. they look after school property and property 2. to expect other people to treat their property belonging to others with care with respect

3. they help to make their surroundings as 3. to be able to work in a positive environment pleasant as possible 4. to be able to concentrate on their school work 4. they behave well and concentrate on their work, helping other students to concentrate on 5. to feel confident and secure in school theirs 6. to be treated as an individual by teachers who 5. they contribute positively to a safe and secure are interested in them and are consistent and atmosphere in school sympathetic to their needs

6. they co-operate with and accept the reasonable requests of teachers

SCHOOL COUNCIL

Each tutor group nominates one representative to serve on the House Council. These meetings take place termly and are a forum for the students to discuss issues raised by their tutor groups. Items raised at the House Council meetings are taken to the School Council by two House representatives two weeks later.

Over the last few years the School Council has raised over £10,000 and funded the construction of a outdoor shelter that all students can use at break and lunch times. Their current project is a student garden and the Council is discussing future projects. SPORT

18 At The Stanway School all students study Physical Education throughout Key Stages 3 and 4, as well as having the opportunity to study GCSE/BTEC Physical Education or BTEC Dance and to be involved in the many extra-curricular activities offered.

Our aim is to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, encompassing team games (netball, football, rugby, basketball, hockey, volleyball, badminton, tennis, cricket and rounders), athletics, gymnastics and outdoor pursuits (Year 7 Danbury Camp, problem- solving activities and orienteering). Within this framework, we strive to ensure that each student acquires the knowledge, skill and understanding appropriate to their stage of learning and physical development. Students are actively encouraged to responsibility for their learning and to take on leadership roles within lessons. Sport for all and the pursuit for excellence is the ethos of the department.

Extra-curricular activities are considered a fundamental part of our PE Department's work, and we aim to provide all interested individuals with the opportunities to participate in clubs at either a competitive or recreational level. A variety of clubs are run throughout the year and students of all abilities and experiences are welcome to attend. Below is a list of activities planned for the current academic year:

Netball * Gymnastics Tennis Football (boys & girls) * Rounders * Trampolining Rugby * Tag Rugby * Cross Country * Badminton Cricket (boys & girls)* Basketball * Athletics * Table Tennis* Fitness Golf*

Clubs marked with an * have teams attached to them that enter inter-school and district/national level competitions. Throughout the year the department runs various inter-house activities. This culminates in the annual Sports Day with points contributing to the inter-house trophy at the end of the year. Sporting facilities at The Stanway School include a sports hall, newly refurbished gymnasium, eight tennis and netball courts, and a large playing field which is marked for football, rugby and hockey in the winter, and all athletics events, rounders and cricket in the summer.

CLUBS & EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

There are a number of lunchtime and after school clubs as well as numerous extra- curricular activities for students to take part in. At the beginning of the year details of all school clubs will be given to Form Tutors to display in form rooms. The following give a flavour of our clubs: public speaking, mock magistrates’ trial, chess, calligraphy, trampolining, choir, rock school, orchestra and war hammer. We also put on a school production and rehearsals take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays once auditions have been held.

19 SCHOOL TRIPS

Below are examples of the types of school trips which take place:

Year 7 Mountfitchet Castle, Le Touquet, Danbury Camp, local field-work Year 8 Adventure holiday, football/netball tour to Holland, ski trip Year 9 Theatre visit, adventure holiday, football/netball tour to Holland, ski trip Year 10 Theatre visit, adventure holiday, Geography in Walton & residential trip to Wales, football/netball tour to Holland, ski trip, Curwen art centre. Year 11 Theatre visits, ski trip

STUDENT REWARDS

For good work and effort in classwork and homework teachers award House Points. Certificates are awarded in assembly for the following:

Bronze 25 House Points Silver 50 House Points Gold 100 House Points Platinum 150 House Points Diamond (and a special presentation mug) 200 or more

At the end of the autumn and spring terms there is a prize draw for the top 30 students in each year group. At the end of the academic year there is an organised trip to Rollerworld for the top 30 students in each year group as a reward for their hard work during the year.

20 MAIN HIGHLIGHTS OF 2010-11

SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2010

 The new Oak Hall & Bistro opened after kitchen and dining area refurbishments during the holidays.  550 Years 5 and 6 children spent the day at Stanway in a variety of lessons.  Colchester Trinity Rotary Club presented Mr Tippett with the Paul Harris Fellowship Award “in special appreciation of the ways in which a person exemplifies the humanitarian and education objectives of the Rotary Foundation”.  Colchester Rotarians held practice interviews for Year 11 students.  The Student Council opened its new shelter.  Drama Club students presented their version of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’.  MPs Bob Russell and Priti Patel, the Mayor and the Head of Colchester Borough Council conducted citizenship assemblies.  KS3 students took part in the ‘Big Draw’ drawing competition started by Quentin Blake, illustrator of the Roald Dahl books.  Stanway’s sporting teams got off to a flying start in rugby, football, netball and cross country competitions.  Ten gifted & talented Yr 11 students spent 3 days at Surrey University participating in activities to develop teamwork, thinking skills, creativity, personal development, individuality, leadership, presentation skills and motivation.  Ex-Yr 11 students Emma Jackson, Hayley Kelsey, Rebecca Cooke & Rachael Bartlett won a Colchester Youth Volunteer Award for their support at the Stanway Youth Club.  Books and certificates were awarded to students at the annual Prize Day by the Mayor of Colchester.  Yr 10 7-a-side rugby team won the District Tournament.  Yr 9 rugby team won through to the District semi-finals.  Yrs 10 & 11 students spent 5 days in Paris, practising their French.  The annual Alex Launder Memorial football tournament was held on a very wet and blustery day, with Stanway’s Year 7 B team winning their competition.  Yr 9 gifted and talented historians took part in assemblies to mark Armistice Day.  Yr 7 Geography students undertook a fieldwork trip to King George playing fields to assess whether a housing estate should be built on them.  Ex Yr 11 students returned to receive their certificates and prizes from the Headteacher of Copford Primary School at the annual Presentation Evening.  Yr 7 girls’ basketball team became District Champions.  Eleven gifted and talented PE students took part in a Junior Athlete Education workshop, focusing on goal setting.  Jenny Morgan, Assistant Headteacher, retired after 36 years of service to the school.  240 students and staff took part in a Santa Run, raising £357 for the East Anglian children’s Hospice.  A very successful Christmas Fayre and non-uniform day raised nearly £2,000 for charity and the school.

JANUARY - APRIL 2011

21  Stanway’s cross country runners excelled at the North East Essex competition.  Over 50 students and staff travelled to Twickenham to watch the England Samoa rugby test match.  Four students attended the Essex Youth Conference, taking part in activities on Diversity & Equality and Knowing your Rights and a question and answer session with two local MPs.  Yr 10 student Georgia Wilson was elected onto the Young Essex Assembly.  The Intermediate Public Speaking team won the Rotary Youth Speaks competition.  Yr 7 Art students took part in Firstsite’s project ‘Watch this Space 7’.  Seven students were presented with Jack Petchey Foundation Awards at a presentation ceremony at Charter Hall.  Yr 9 History students took part in Holocaust Memorial Day assemblies.  Yr 10 Art students spent a day at the Curwen Print Study Centre near Cambridge, cutting lino for their GCSE ‘Alice in Wonderland’ project.  Over 90 Year 2 students from three of our feeder primary schools visited the school to take part in a Festival of Sport as part of the SSCO programme.  Ten students attended a Netball gifted and talented workshop with ex England player Vicky Sweeting.  During Book Festival Week, three leading authors Martyn Waites (who writes under the pseudonym Tania Carver), Marcus Sedgwick and Stewart Ross visited the school. Stewart Ross also gave an evening presentation on the Middle East.  Two chefs from Colchester Institute showed Yr 10 Food students various cookery skills.  A very successful production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ played over two nights.  Yrs 8 & 9 teams win District Basketball titles.

MAY - JULY 2011

 Stanway’s team was runner up in the local heats of the Magistrates’ Competition.  80 students from all year groups performed in a very successful Dance Show.  Yr 8 talented artists visited the Curwen Print Studio to undertake dry-point etching and monoprinting.  The work of 58 KS3 students was selected for publication in a book called ‘Mini Sagas - Creative Capers Essex’.  Over £2,500 was raised on the non-uniform day to support Comic Relief and setting up a class in a school for Kenyan street children.  Yr 8 students travelled to Germany for a residential visit to Köln.  Yr 7 students visited Kew Gardens to complete Art and Geography projects.  Two successful enrichment mornings took place with more than 60 guests delivering sessions in their specialised areas.  42 students spent a week at Centre Park in Holland taking part in football and netball competitions.  Alison Owen, a film producer and mother of Lily Allen, met with the Filmclubbers and Yr 11 Media students to talk about the film industry.  81 students spent the day at Disneyland Paris.  Wellington House held a very successful charity supper to raise funds for the Teenage Cancer Trust, raising an impressive £2,300.

22  Yr 7 and Yr 10 football teams both won the District Finals and will now play in the Coastal Schools’ Championships at the Weston Homes Stadium on 8th June.  Yr 7 students spent the day at Mountfitchet Castle, taking part in activities and workshops.  Yrs 10/11 Drama students travelled to London to watch Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’.  The annual Music Department Competition Night took place with a high level of performance from many students.  Artist Jevon Watkins-Jones spent a morning in school creating work based on pop artist Andy Warhol with the Year 9 students who have opted to take GCSE Art next year.  The Yr 7 football team won the Coastal Schools’ Championship against the Colne but the Yr 10 team lost against Manningtree on penalties.  The Yr 11 leavers’ assembly was a great success.  201 Year 7 students attended the very successfully annual Danbury Camp week.  The following Year 10 students were appointed as Head/Deputy Girls/Boys for the following year: o Head Boy - Adam Rhaiti o Head Girl - Rebecca Youens o Deputy Head Boys - George Lowe & Joe Storey o Deputy Head Girls - Georgina Stroud & Jemma Youens  15 Year 9 students attended a two-day outdoor learning experience in local woodland based on the novel ‘Lord of the Flies’.  Nine students were given Jack Petchey ‘Young Achievers’ awards to celebrate their special successes and achievements.  Stanway students finished second out of 19 schools in the District Sports competition.  The annual Year 11 Prom was held, once again drawing large crowds to watch our ‘Hollywood Stars’ arriving in their limousines.  224 Year 6 students who will be joining us in September, attended two induction days.  165 Year 7 students had an early start for their day trip to Le Touquet in France.  70 Year 9 students visited the Olympic Park in Stratford.  Students took part in the DT Challenge Trophy by cooking, making greetings cards, designing a motor vehicle chassis or decorating a hat.  Shakespeare took the House Trophy after competing in a range of inter-house competitions throughout the year.  30 students from all 3 federation schools attended an ICT Gifted & Talented day to study the world of digital and e-marketing.  Teachers Rowland Brand, Keith Dawson and Ruth Dawson retired after serving a cumulative 62 years of service to the Stanway School.

23 SCHOOL PERFORMANCE SUMMARY 2011 KEY STAGE 3 (YEAR 9) Attainment in English, Maths and Science at Key Stage 3 in 2011

English Maths Science % of Students achieving Level 5+ 91% 91% 96% % of Students achieving Level 6+ 51% 71% 61%

Year on Year comparison at Level 5+ - maximum 300 Total when each of the core subjects percentages are added together

Year School Essex National 2006 247 228 222 2007 222 226 223 2008 247 Not published Not published 2009 265 Not published Not published 2010 268 Not published Not published 2011 278 Not published Not published

GCSE (YEAR 11) Average Point 5 x A*-C incl 5 x A*-G incl Average Point Year 5 x A*-C Score Eng/Maths Eng/Maths Score Capped Uncapped 2006 73% 46% 96% 439 325 2007 65% 46% 97% 469 317 2008 65% 46% 98% 476 325 2009 66% 51% 98% 490 329 2010 75% 62% 98% 503 342 2011 85% 75% 98% # #

Year on Year comparison – 5+ A*-C Grades Year School Essex National 2006 73% 59% 58% 2007 65% 61% 61% 2008 65% 63% 65% 2009 66% 65% 67% 2010 75% 73% 75% 2011 85% # #

Year on Year – 5+ A*-C Grades incl Maths & English 2006 46% 45% 45% 2007 46% 47% 46% 2008 46% 49% 47% 2009 51% 50% 50% 2010 62% 55% 54% 2011 75% # # # Not yet available

24 SCHOOL POLICIES

Policies can be viewed on the school website or by contacting the Clerk to the Governing Body at the school. A summary of the main policies is as follows:

ASSESSMENT POLICY

At The Stanway School we believe that assessment should reflect our ethos by acknowledging/realising individual strengths and weaknesses because we believe that every child matters; helping students to fulfil their potential in a caring, stimulating and enjoyable environment; encouraging staff and students to share the responsibility for their education through reflection, reviewing and target setting during the teaching and learning process in order to widen horizons, realise their ambitions and prepare our students to meet the challenges of the 21st century; encouraging/helping/enabling our students to reach high standards and generate pride in the school, themselves and the wider community; and recognising, respecting and celebrating achievement and attainment in a partnership with/between parents, students and teachers in the fullest range of curricular and extra-curricular activities.

ATTENDANCE

The Stanway School is committed to providing a full and efficient educational experience to all its students. We believe that if students are to benefit from education, good attendance is crucial. As a school, we will organise and do all we can to ensure maximum attendance for all students. Any problems that impede full attendance will be identified and addressed as speedily as possible. Our school will give a high priority to conveying to parents and students the importance of regular and punctual attendance. We recognize that parents have a vital role to play and that there is a need to establish strong home- school links and communication systems that can be utilised whenever there are concerns about attendance. If there are any problems that affect a student’s attendance we will investigate, identify and strive in partnership with parents and students to resolve those problems as quickly and efficiently as possible.

BEHAVIOUR

It is expected that all students at The Stanway School will work hard and demonstrate good manners and behaviour at all times.

CHILD PROTECTION

Our first priority is your child’s welfare and therefore there may be occasions when our concern about your child means that we have to consult other agencies before we contact you. The procedures we follow have been laid down by the Essex Child Protection Committee. If you want to know more about this procedure, please speak to the headteacher or the school’s senior member of staff for child protection – Mr Terroni.

COLLECTIVE WORSHIP

25 Religious Education follows the County agreed syllabus and is provided on a non- denominational basis. Each House group attends one morning House Assembly per week, which includes the Act of Collective Worship which includes a moral and spiritual dimension. On other days the “Thought of the Day” of a broadly Christian nature takes place within the tutor group time. Students whose parents so request may be excused from these lessons and the assemblies. The request should be made in writing to the Headteacher.

COMMUNITY COHESION

Our school curriculum promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of our students and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. As migration and economic change alter the shape of our increasingly diverse local communities, it is more important than ever that our schools play a full part in promoting community cohesion. Our school is a thriving, cohesive community that plans a vital part to play in building a more cohesive society.

We wish to show that through our ethos and curriculum we can promote a common sense of identity and support diversity, showing students how different communities can be united by common experiences and values. We believe that it is the duty of the school to address issues of ‘how we life together’ and ‘dealing with difference’ however controversial and difficult they might sometimes seem.

CURRICULUM POLICY

Our curriculum is based on the principles of ‘Every Child Matters’. We recognise the term ‘curriculum’ covers everything done in school. Whilst much of the curriculum can be defined by timetabled lessons with published syllabi and schemes of work, values, quality of relationships and ethos are equally important to us. We pride ourselves on being a school which provides a caring and challenging environment within which each individual student can develop the confidence to be successful in their compulsory education, both in and outside formal lessons. We firmly believe that the attitudes students develop at school can shape the focus of their future lives. The curriculum is broad, balanced, cohesive and progressive and meets the needs of our learners. The structure of the curriculum is reviewed annually by the Governing Body.

DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION

The Stanway School aims to develop the full positive potential of every individual student, including students with disabilities. The Stanway School is likewise committed to equality of opportunity for all its stakeholders with disability, including staff, governors and all visitors to the school. The school will work to eliminate harassment related to a disability; eliminate discrimination; promote equality of opportunity between disabled people and other people; promote positive attitudes towards disabled people; encourage participation by disabled people in public life; and take steps to take account of disabled people's disabilities even where that involves treating disabled people more favourably than other people. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

26 The Stanway School recognises and supports the right of all to freedom from discrimination and is committed to providing equal opportunities for all members of the school community, irrespective of gender, race, disability, sexuality, social background, age, religion, culture, diet, perceived ability, marital status, political beliefs or financial status. It aims to create an atmosphere which values all, and recognises the differing needs, expectations and expertise of each individual.

GIFTED & TALENTED

The Stanway School recognises that all students are individuals with their own gifts, talents, strengths and weaknesses, and unique learning needs. Within this range are students who have a significantly higher level of ability than most students of the same age in one or more curriculum areas.

The Stanway School is committed to providing a broad and balanced curriculum, one that entitles every student to have the opportunity to be involved in education that is appropriate to their needs. We aim therefore to provide our more able students with an education that challenges, motivates and rewards their ability. This will enable them to fulfil their individual potential and lead happy, fulfilled and successful lives both at school and into adulthood.

RACE EQUALITY

As a school, we are committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity for all, including people from different racial, ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds. We consider that all manifestations of racism are wholly unacceptable and will act positively to eliminate racial discrimination where it occurs. We take prompt, effective and systematic action to deal with all racist incidents and to identify and address racial, ethnic, cultural and religious inequalities. We are committed to promoting good relations between people of different racial, ethnic, cultural and religious groups. Every student has the opportunity to participate in a curriculum that takes full account of the richness and diversity of the world’s racial, ethnic, cultural and religious groups and develop understanding of some of the main causes of global inequality, disadvantage and poverty. We recognise and challenge racism, racial discrimination and stereotyping and develop the knowledge and understanding, skills and attitudes necessary for life in Britain’s multi- ethnic society and as global citizens in an increasingly interdependent world. We believe that these commitments are as important in the context of a school with limited ethnic diversity such as ours as in schools with a more ethnically diverse population.

SEX EDUCATION

Sex Education (Under Education Act 1993) must be provided for all students. A programme of sex education is presented by members of the school staff who are sensitive to the issues involved. Students are encouraged to have regard for moral considerations and the value of family life. Parents who wish to discuss aspects of the programme are welcome to make an appointment to visit the school. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from any sex education which is not part of the National Curriculum. Parents should indicate their request in writing to the Headteacher.

27 SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS

The Governing Body has approved a policy statement, which is available from the school, with regard to students who are deemed to have special educational needs and disabilities. The school offers students the maximum possible help in accordance with the LA SEN Code of Practice. We also fully utilise the support offered by the Local Education Authority in helping these particular students. Ms Jones has operational responsibility for learning support in school and any queries should be addressed to her or Mr Howkins, who has leadership and management responsibilities in this area. School policies on other issues are reviewed and agreed annually by Governors.

28 The Stanway School

THE STANWAY SCHOOL WINSTREE ROAD STANWAY COLCHESTER ESSEX CO3 0QA

Tel: (01206) 575488 Fax: (01206) 564164 Email: [email protected] Website: www.stanway.essex.sch.uk

HEADTEACHER: MR JONATHAN TIPPETT CHAIRMAN OF GOVERNORS: MR BRIAN PALMER

The Stanway School is a mixed, 11-16 Humanities and Maths & Computing College