Accommodation INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES Faculties are based in distinct suites of rooms. In specialist areas like science, design technology and the arts, accommodation is modern, purpose-built and attractive. The quality of general teaching rooms is good and improving. Because we recognise the link between a high quality teaching environment and improved learning, we have a comprehensive rolling programme of classroom refurbishment. A new £2.5 million sixth form centre opened in September 2008.

Enrichment A wide variety of extra-curricular activities is available to pupils and staff. Sheldon is known for its sporting excellence (we regularly win county and district competitions and have representatives in national squads). Drama, music and dance have high profiles and vibrant SHELDON SCHOOL productions. Clubs and societies meet at lunchtime and after school. We have exchange trips to France and Germany; other European trips for history, geography and sport; field trips, residential visits and Hardenhuish Lane outdoor pursuits; and a sixth form expedition to Tanzania. Achievements SN14 6HJ Sheldon’s four appearances in ’s roll of honour puts it among a handful of schools in England. We are the only 11-18 mixed Tel: 01249 766020 comprehensive on that list to have subsequently achieved a “perfect” Fax: 01249 766030 inspection report. Sheldon gained specialist school status as a science e-mail: [email protected] college in 2002; and was redesignated in 2006 and again in 2008. This web: www.sheldonschool.co.uk has helped to enrich and transform the scientific aspects of numerous subject areas. We were identified as a high performing specialist school in 2006 and took on a second specialism in sport. In 2008 we Thank you for requesting information about Sheldon School. The have achieved high performing specialist school status again and our school is a professionally rewarding and enjoyable place to teach. third specialism in languages began in 2009. Sheldon earned Standards of achievement and behaviour are very good and are SportsMark Gold in 2000 and it was reawarded in 2004. ArtsMark Silver supported by high expectations. The professional development of was awarded in 2007. We also hold the Healthy Schools Award. teachers and support staff is a school priority and newly qualified teachers, in particular, enjoy an excellent induction programme. Finally,I have been headteacher of Sheldon since April 2004. It is a Although the school is already successful, we are committed to pleasure to be leading such an outstanding school. I hope you’ll be improving all aspects of our work. An important part of that tempted to join our exciting, friendly and rewarding community. improvement is the appointment of talented, committed teachers Good luck with your application. who enjoy working with children. We value all aspects of a teacher’s work, including their role as a tutor and their involvement in providing Gerard MacMahon extra-curricular opportunities for pupils, but above all, their expertise Headteacher and commitment as subject specialists. January 2010 Location The curriculum Sheldon stands in an attractive parkland site on the edge of the All the core and foundation subjects are taught at key stage 3, where rapidly growing market town of Chippenham, surrounded by beautiful our broad and balanced curriculum reflects the value we place on all countryside. There are good rail and road links to London. Teachers subjects. At key stage 4 the majority of students follow ten GCSE or enjoy living in the town, but others find the journey from Swindon, Bath vocational GCSE subjects. A vocational course provides opportunities or Bristol convenient. The school is only 5 minutes from junction 17 of for less academic pupils. The sixth form programme comprises a very the M4. The area offers a rich diversity of cultural and leisure facilities wide range of A level and applied A level courses. We co-operate with plenty of relatively affordable housing. with our neighbours, , in providing some courses. All students enjoy a programme that includes general studies, work Pupil intake experience, outdoor and leisure pursuits. Sheldon students have a The school draws pupils from the town of Chippenham and from the proud record of progression to top . villages to the north and west. We have a strong reputation and, in an area well-served by secondary schools, places in Year 7 are heavily Examination results oversubscribed. Sheldon is a genuine comprehensive: our intake is Public exam results at key stage 3, GCSE and A level are all well well-balanced both socially and academically. above national and local averages. Value added measures are high – Sheldon pupils enter with average key stage 2 achievement. At School population 2009/10 GCSE, the percentage of pupils gaining five or more A*-C grades was In September 2009 the school had 1820 pupils on roll. 280 pupils are 79% in 2009. At A level, students achieved over 340 UCAS points each admitted into Year 7 each year and placed into ten tutor groups. The on average. At key stage 3, the proportion achieving level 5 or above sixth form has grown significantly in recent years – there are currently in each of the core subjects exceeds 85%. 400 students, with some further growth expected. Ofsted Staffing Sheldon was last inspected in March 2008, when it was judged to be There are currently 125 teachers (with a full-time equivalent of 111) outstanding in all 38 inspection categories. In January 2009, Sheldon and 75 non-teaching staff. The school is firmly committed to providing was named in the Chief Inspector’s annual list of outstanding schools development opportunities for all staff. A performance management for a fourth time. Sheldon now has the best Ofsted record of any review system is well established and part of Sheldon’s culture; through English 11-18 mixed . We are keen to ensure it, training and other professional opportunities are embedded in the that the 2008 report does not lead to complacency and that the school development plan. school continues to improve.

Structure and organisation Links with parents and the community The academic organisation is based on eleven faculties and they The school is popular with parents, who are very supportive. They have considerable autonomy in the management of day-to-day have plenty of opportunities to be involved in their children’s affairs. The curriculum is structured to allow extensive setting on a education – parents’ evenings and parent year forums are well subject basis. Tutor groups are mixed ability. Tutors and the head of attended. Sheldon seeks to reach out to all areas of the Chippenham year stay with their groups from Year 7 to Year 11. In the sixth form we and North Wiltshire community, an aim which is a feature of three have recently moved to separate Year 12 and Year 13 groups. All specialist school programmes - in science, in sport and in languages. tutors have regular 1:1 interviews with their pupils, supporting and The school is a foundation school and the governing body is monitoring academic progress as well as providing care and supportive and committed to improvement. guidance.