Astor College
Prospectus
Ambitious Broad&Creative The Dover Federation for the Arts Multi Academy Trust
“Astor College is a good school with a good Sixth Form and many features are now outstanding.” Ofsted
Welcome We are a friendly, caring and successful College, that strives to enable all of our students to achieve their very best. We have clear, shared aims:
We know that our students will only fulfil their potential in an environment where they are happy, motivated and inspired to achieve.
• To provide a safe, caring and friendly environment, where all students can take pride in their work and be valued as individuals.
Our students’ happiness is of paramount importance. Ofsted acknowledge that our “students are known and valued as individuals” and students “enjoy College, feel safe and learn a lot.”
• To promote real opportunities and experiences for students to find enjoyment and pleasure in their learning. • We encourage good relationships, respect for others and the importance of good manners.
our whole College community spirit and value its influence on the emotional wellbeing of our students. Our strong pastoral support highlights our commitment to our students as individuals, with each child having a dedicated team of professionals who work alongside them throughout their time with us. These include Personal Tutors, Attendance officer support, Director of Year, Directors of Departments, Pastoral Manager and a full time First Aider.
At Astor, we place great emphasis on the smooth transition from primary to secondary school. This induction process and our strong links with primary schools enable us to welcome our new Year 7 students into our community. We are proud of
• We champion academic excellence and work to ensure all students have the opportunity to follow the most appropriate qualification for them as individuals. We endeavour to provide our students with the skills to become well rounded adults, who are able to make valuable and worthwhile contributions to society and play a positive role in their own families, work and at leisure. Astor College is an integral member of The Dover Federation for the Arts Multi Academy Trust: an exciting and vibrant community, whose combined expertise and resources offer the very best opportunities and experiences for our young people. The DFA MAT is overseen by our Chief Executive Officer, Mr C Russell.
“The outstanding care, guidance & support provided contribute significantly to students’ confidence, self-esteem and good behaviour.” Ofsted
Mr E Pallant Principal
Mr C Russell CEO DFA MAT
Astor College
An inspiring Cur riculum We offer our students a broad, balanced and inspirational curriculum. As a College we set challenging expectations for both teaching and learning outcomes. This can only be achieved in an environment where there are high standards both in terms of behaviour and work. Our broad and balanced curriculum offers both traditional and academic subjects and a range of vocational courses, so that all our students are able to follow the most appropriate courses for them and their future aspirations. A range of different learning and teaching styles are promoted and we are committed to creativity, innovation and student participation to bring the curriculum to life.
“Lessons are well planned and taught by staff with secure subject knowledge. Students enjoy their lessons and value the positive relationships with their teachers.” Ofsted
The core subjects of English, Mathematics and Science are central to our examination success at Astor and at the heart of each child’s curriculum experience. Ofsted recognises that we have worked “Resolutely to raise attainment in English and Mathematics.” Each core subject is suited and staffed by vibrant teams of highly
Astor College
experienced specialists. The College is driven to ensure all students achieve their potential in these crucial core subjects. It is our belief that secure literacy and numeracy skills are the foundations for student success in our diverse academic, vocational and creative curriculum.
“The variety of subjects offered at Astor is the best in the area.” Laura
Astor College
Performing Arts Astor College
Music, Drama and Dance are strong elements in our College life, both in terms of the curriculum and as part of our rich and diverse extra curricular activities. We have an outstanding reputation for our international work in the Performing Arts and put on major productions in The National Theatres of Croatia, Siberia, France, Belgium and the USA. Our Dance group ‘Rebound’ has performed at Her Majesty’s Theatre, London and The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. Our own College theatre ‘The White Cliffs Theatre’, is of a professional standard, enabling our students the very best performance space to demonstrate and hone their skills and talents. We also offer our students the amazing resources of professional Drama, Music and Dance studios, as well as KETV, a fully functioning film and sound production studio. Astor is a member company of The National Theatre and we also work in partnership with The Royal Shakespeare Company.
“Students’ extensive engagement with Music and performance, locally and internationally in Europe and America is recognised by the International Schools Award.” Ofsted
To develop young talent we annually produce a junior production which is always a lively and thoroughly entertaining event. We have a College Choir and a Chamber Choir, both of which perform regularly in College concerts and community events. Other growing musical ensembles include African drummers, rock groups and Music Technology. Dance clubs are available for all ages and abilities, encompassing the diversity of dance. Our students’ outstanding achievements are showcased in our annual Summer Dance Show where the students’ commitment, enthusiasm and exuberance for dance is always a joy to witness.
“I have travelled all over the world thanks to the productions at Astor College!” Sarah
Visual Arts Astor College We are one of the country’s leading Specialist College for the Arts. We are exceptionally proud of the calibre of work produced by our students. Our students’ experience of the Arts enriches their learning and achievements across the College as a whole. Student work is displayed throughout the whole College, embedding our commitment to the Arts and further creating an inspirational environment within which the whole College community can work. All students will have Fine Art, Textiles, Graphics and Ceramics lessons during their first three years with us and have further
opportunities to follow these subjects as examination courses with the addition of Photography. We are also thrilled to offer the undergraduate qualification of a Foundation Art Diploma, a qualification otherwise only available at Higher Education establishments.
We have been awarded Artsmark Gold, the top grading, continually since its inception. This is an award created by the Arts Council of Great Britain, which provides a rigorous assessment of the level of Art provision provided by an educational establishment. Our Gold Award recognises that year on year, both our students’ work and our Arts provision are outstanding.
Astor organises and exhibits at the annual National Students’ Art Exhibition under the patronage of The Royal Society of British Artists at the Mall Galleries in London. This is a prestigious exhibition and the only national showcase for the art work of students in English secondary schools. We are proud that our students have won numerous school and individual prizes.
“We particularly enjoyed the wealth of art around the college and were pleased to hear of your national and international successes in art, drama and music.”
We are also luckily enough to have an Artist in Residence, who further cements and enhances the opportunity for creative dialogue and helps talent to flourish. We believe that if young people engage with and enjoy what they see around them, levels of self awareness and achievement can be significantly raised.
“The Art Department is where I spend most of my time, working until my heart is content. The support, resources and guidance which you will receive through Astor’s art department is phenomenal.” Jamie
Ofsted
Astor College
Astor College
Extra Curricular & Enrichment Astor is committed to developing the whole child. We believe that education goes far beyond the boundaries of classroom based learning. Astor has a flourishing Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and
“The curriculum is broad and considerably enhanced by the extensive opportunities for enrichment.” Ofsted
“The CCF is worth getting involved in. The experience, confidence, skill and friends I’ve gained are for life.” Katie
Military Cadre that promotes responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance and self discipline in exciting and challenging ways. Our CCF and Cadre are closely associated and supported by The Duke of York’s Royal Military School and enable our students to gain leadership qualifications including The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Our strong links with The Duke of York’s Royal Military School facilitate further opportunities for extra curricular activities. We are committed to sport and physical activity for life long health. We offer an all encompassing range of sporting clubs. Our students compete both nationally and internationally with particular success in Power Lifting. Our students benefit from a refurbished fitness suite and gym. In addition we have strong international links. Foreign trips are regularly arranged. Recent trips have included visits to Turkey, Bulgaria, Estonia and Portugal.
Astor College
Successful Sixth Form Astor College
Astor’s Sixth Form offers a supportive environment where students are able to build upon the qualifications they have gained at the end of Year 11. Our aim is to ensure that students have the qualifications, aptitude and resilience to be successful in adult life and to obtain their personal goals. Astor’s Sixth Form welcomes students from other schools and overseas students. Sixth Form courses can run for one, two or three years. We offer a wide range of academic, Arts based and vocational courses. We offer a clear programme of support to ensure that students who choose to apply for a place at University have the opportunity to continue their education. This includes help with UCAS application and University visits. Students are highly successful in obtaining places at their chosen University.
We enjoy a collaborative curriculum with the Duke of York’s Royal Military School, enabling our students to enjoy their facilities and resources. Our commitment to student wellbeing is reinforced by our dedicated pastoral team. Sixth Form students have their own common room, computer suite, study room and specialist classroom areas. The role of the Sixth Form as ambassadors for College values is reflected by their work as prefects and mentors. The opportunities offered by our Young Enterprise Scheme epitomise the enrichment activities available in our thriving Sixth Form.
“I don’t want to leave Astor! I am staying on another year to study the Art Foundation Diploma.” Shaun
Astor College
Community Cohesion
Astor College In our most recent OFSTED inspection the report stated: “The attention paid to the care, guidance and wellbeing of its students and the strong links forged with the community are outstanding. The use of the specialism in the arts to develop students’ emotional intelligence, providing a bridge to the local community and enhancing the spiritual and cultural appreciation of students, is excellent.
Students are respectful to their peers and communicate well with adults. Behaviour is good both around the college and in lessons... Students know how to keep themselves safe and say that there is always someone available to talk to should the need arise. They understand exactly what constitutes a healthy lifestyle and older students perform well as ambassadors talking about health-related issues in local primary schools.
Students have a good awareness of their career options and are well prepared for further education, training and work. They have an excellent understanding of moral and social issues through the well-devised programme of personal, social and health education. Their spiritual and cultural development is very well supported through the arts. Students’ extensive engagement with music and performance, locally, nationally and internationally in Europe and America, is recognised by the International School Award.” We are extremely proud of the extensive charity work that the students are involved in every year. Our community work has fostered very strong links with Charlton Church, community organisations, the Dover District Council and local businesses.
The National Students Art Exhibition
Dover War Memorial Project
CONTACT Mr.E.Pallant (Principal) Astor College Astor Avenue Dover Kent CT17 0AS Tel: 01304 201151 Fax: 01304 200152 Email: admin@astor.dfamat.com
Astor College A specialist College for the Arts
www.astorcollege.org