Prospectus2014/15
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SawstonVillage College PROSPECTUS2014/15 Founded 1930 Welcome Introduction Welcome to the Sawston Village College prospectus. offers a vibrant and extensive programme of extra- I am delighted that you are considering our school curricular activities, believing that such opportunities allow for your child’s secondary education. We are pupils to forge strong relationships with each other and committed to providing a happy, safe and stimulating with their teachers, helping them to develop their potential environment in which your child will achieve his as people. or her full potential. We welcome all parents who share this ambition, as a strong partnership between home Sawston Village College is a highly successful school and school is essential if each child is to do his or which strives for excellence in all areas of its work. her best. We expect our pupils to be the very best they can be, supported by well-qualified and well-motivated staff who Learning is the core business of the school. We are have high expectations of themselves and our pupils. determined to be outstanding in all aspects of our work I hope that once you have read this prospectus you will and to develop in pupils the key attributes that will ensure want to experience what the College has to offer you and they are successful not only in GCSE examinations but as your child by attending our Open Evening in October or lifelong learners, prepared for further and higher education by making an appointment to visit the College during the as well employment and training. These core skills are working day. We would be proud to introduce you to our encapsulated in our ASPIRE principles, which reflect our school, its staff and its pupils. ambition that all pupils will Achieve to their potential; that they will be Self-motivated and Positive learners; that they Jonathan Culpin, Principal can demonstrate Independence and show Respect at all times to others and their community; and Engage with the opportunities around them. ASPIRE is at the heart of our “Sawston Village College is a very ethos, aims and values as a school. effective school that provides a Children thrive in a school community where they are known, valued and feel safe. Our strong system good standard of education and of pastoral care supports young people to become an outstanding standard of care successful learners. We also understand that school is about more than just simply qualifications. The College for its students.” (OFSTED 2008) Sawston Village prospectus | 1 “The ideals of Henry Morris, the college’s founder, are very much alive and flourishing and, in many ways, this is a school at the heart of the community but also with its communities at the heart of the school.” (OFSTED 2008) 2 | Sawston Village College prospectus Community ethos The first Village College Learning for life Sawston Village College was founded in 1930, realising Today, the College’s campus encompasses some 30 the vision of Henry Morris, the Secretary for Education, acres of classrooms, laboratories, workshops and sports Cambridgeshire. He believed in life-long learning ‘from facilities, which include a fitness suite, a swimming pool, the cradle to the grave’ and created the Village College gymnasium, sports hall, an all-weather playing surface, to bring that ideal to life. Morris’ vision encompassed a a squash court and extensive playing fields. Our Arts centre of learning for people of all ages, with no barriers Centre includes a studio theatre, Music tuition rooms separating it from the community it served. and dedicated Music practice rooms. The Science Wing provides the College with nine state of the art laboratories, Henry Morris also believed that education must take place while a bespoke hospitality suite and café, a hairdressing in an environment that offered inspiration. The original salon and a construction area have recently been added buildings reflect those ideals, based as they are on to enable the College to provide a full range of vocational Cambridge University courtyards. courses for our learners. Eighty years after its founding, the College’s emphasis At the same time, we have not lost touch with our on rigorous academic standards, enterprise, innovation history and the College maintains a vibrant adult learning and community makes it a fitting monument to Henry programme, with more than 1500 members of the local Morris’ ideals. community attending courses, seminars or events each week or as customers at the Sawston Sports Centre. We believe that our pupils benefit enormously from the presence of so many adults engaged in educational activity on the College site both during the day and in the evening. It reinforces our message that learning is for life, one that Morris would have endorsed. Sawston Village College prospectus | 3 “The school has an outstanding ethos of care and support that guides students throughout their time at the school.” (OFSTED 2008) 4 | Sawston Village College prospectus Care and guidance Care Primary liaison Our approach to providing care to all of our pupils begins the College meet on a regular basis to share information even before they join the College. We have an extensive about the pupils and our curriculum. This ensures that programme of primary liaison with our partner primary we are prepared to provide a high level of challenge and schools and senior staff make regular visits to get to know engagement to pupils from the moment that they join our new pupils before they join in Year 7. Sawston Village College. Pastoral care A strong partnership with Sawston Village College is a warm, friendly and welcoming parents community, with a team of staff who care deeply about the A strong partnership between home and school is academic progress and pastoral welfare of the children essential, if we are to support our young people to achieve in their charge. We consider it vitally important to get to their best. Parents can access up to date information know all of our pupils as individuals. Each year group is about their child’s academic progress through online overseen by a Pastoral Leader, a non-teacher, who has reporting, which will also record the number of credits a overall responsibility for the achievement, well being and pupil has achieved. Parents in Year 7 will also have the happiness of all pupils. The Pastoral Leader can respond opportunity in September to meet their child’s tutor quickly to any concerns raised by parents or pupils. and later in the year the parents’ evening provides an Furthermore, all pupils are placed in a form group, led by a opportunity to discuss progress in each of their subjects. tutor. This member of staff sees their form each morning, For pupils who may experience difficulties in their will closely monitor the progress and welfare of the pupils learning, parents can make appointments during the day in the form group and intervene to make sure that they are or early evening with Pastoral Leaders, the Special Needs achieving to the best of their ability. Co-ordinator or other relevant staff members. The College We offer all Year 5 pupils the opportunity to visit the is also supported by an extensive Locality Services team College in June for a ‘taster morning’ to help remove any which can provide more bespoke interventions to ensure anxiety they may have about their transfer to secondary that pupils make good progress at school and at home. school. In addition teachers from the primary schools and Sawston Village College prospectus | 5 “There is some outstanding and inspirational practice where fast-paced, interactive teaching is complemented by detailed marking and assessment.” (OFSTED 2008) 6 | Sawston Village College prospectus Academic excellence Achieving We are proud of our achievements in public examinations. a course to support pupils to become independent, Our Mathematics, English and Science Faculties attain successful learners. Pupils who may have difficulties results well above local and national averages every with literacy at primary school will be given additional year at GCSE while our performing arts provision support and grouped accordingly – our ambition is is second to none, with our pupils achieving the to ensure that no child falls behind in their learning. highest standards of performance in Music, Dance and Drama. The quality of the teaching within our History Department is acclaimed by the University of Extra-curricular success Cambridge and the results gained by pupils taking One of the strengths of the College is the breadth of GCSE RE are amongst the best in Cambridgeshire. opportunities on offer beyond the regular curriculum. In short, we aim for excellence in everything we do. In July 2012 the College achieved Artsmark Gold status from the UK Arts Council in recognition of its extensive High expectations for all programme of extra-curricular opportunities available We believe that all pupils have the right to educational to all pupils which includes film making and exceptional provision that meets their needs and offers them the provision in the performing arts. Sawston Village College opportunity to realise their full potential where excellence was awarded International School Status in 2011 by the is expected of all children and also supports their British Council, a reflection of our widespread links with progression after they have completed their GCSEs. schools across the world and the successful work to raise To support these aims, we offer a diverse curriculum awareness of global issues and to celebrate diversity and to suit the whole spectrum of interests and academic difference. Pupils also represent the College in a wide profiles. Our most able pupils will be able to take GCSEs range of sports, with some going on to win county and in Triple Sciences, Ancient History and a wide range of even national awards for their level of performance.