BENNETT MEMORIAL Welcome to
PART OF THE TENAX SCHOOLS TRUST
WELCOME TO OUR PROSPECTUS. BENNETT IS A SCHOOL WITH RARE QUALITIES. WE ARE A CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL, ACADEMICALLY HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL, AND WE ALSO SET GREAT STORE BY THE DEVELOPMENT OF CHARACTER AND UNDERSTANDING OF VIRTUE.
We expect commitment and high standards both in lessons and beyond lessons, where students benefit from a vast range of wider opportunities, especially in music and sport.
At Bennett, Christian values run through all we do. We are a happy, tolerant, and inclusive school, yet unshakeably clear about our distinctive character and ethos.
In these pages, we set out to capture something of the spirit of the school in a few words and pictures. There is more information on our website, and you are warmly invited to visit us to form your own impressions.
We hope you will want to find out more about our school.
Mark Cole Tenax Schools Trust CEO
Dr Karen Brookes Headteacher
YOUNG PEOPLE Believing in
BENNETT IS A CHURCH OF ENGLAND SCHOOL WITH A RECORD OF PROVIDING OUTSTANDING EDUCATION, ROOTED IN TRADITION AND PREPARING YOUNG PEOPLE FOR THE FUTURE. OUR DISTINCTIVE CHRISTIAN IDENTITY AND ETHOS INFORM OUR APPROACH TO LIVING AND LEARNING.
We believe in the potential of every young person, academically and personally. Our faith in our students means that we aspire for excellence in all spheres. At Bennett, young people develop confidence in themselves. Confidence breeds success.
Bennett is a happy and vibrant community which fosters values and personal qualities in students. Courage and resilience, determination and perseverance, service to others, courtesy and consideration are put into practice in and out of lessons every day.
Bennett students not only excel academically but have a vast range of opportunities beyond lessons, including in music and sport, travel and adventurous activities.
“There is an extensive range of opportunities to inspire and develop pupils’ talents and interests. Opportunities to serve and volunteer are abundant because of the school’s unshakeably clear and Christian character and ethos. These opportunities help pupils learn how to live out the school’s values of hope, wisdom and love.”
School Inspector
WILLIAM, Y12
“ When I leave Bennett, I am hoping to study Chemical Engineering at university due to my interest in STEM. This is why I made the decision to take biology, chemistry and maths at A level. Although these subjects have challenged me, I’ve really enjoyed them and they’ve been made much easier with the dedicated support of my teachers, who have guided me through these demanding subjects.”
“ I just wanted to thank you for giving our son the opportunity to do DofE, be head student and develop his confidence. We are really grateful for all the commitment and hard work from many staff, shaping him into the man he now is and helping him to fulfil his potential, as well as opening doors that we could never have imagined might be possible.”
Bennett parent
“ This is a highly inclusive school. Regardless of pupils’ starting points, all pupils study the school’s broad and challenging curriculum. Drawing from a diverse range of beliefs, backgrounds and abilities, the school is unashamedly ambitious for all.”
School Inspector
Achieving
EXCELLENCE
OUTSTANDING TEACHING AND IMPRESSIVE RESULTS ARE AT THE HEART OF BENNETT’S SUCCESS. WE ARE RIGHTLY RENOWNED FOR THE EXCELLENT RESULTS BENNETT STUDENTS ACHIEVE AT GCSE AND A LEVEL. THIS IS BECAUSE OUR TEACHERS ARE EXPERTS IN THEIR SUBJECTS AND BECAUSE WE EXPECT HARD WORK, EXCELLENT BEHAVIOUR AND A POSITIVE APPROACH AT ALL TIMES.
The Bennett curriculum has long reflected our traditional approach. Students focus on the academic subjects which provide the best bedrock for their future and which will allow them to compete with the best beyond school.
Mathematics, English, the three sciences, philosophy, Latin, languages, history and geography, music, art, drama, sport and religious studies are all particularly strong.
Bennett students from our large and thriving academic sixth form achieve places at the best universities at home and abroad each year, including Oxford and Cambridge, as well as other Russell Group universities and sought-after degree apprenticeships.
Teaching for SUCCESS
AT BENNETT TEACHING IS RIGOROUS AND DEMANDING, RELEVANT AND ENGAGING, WITH HIGH EXPECTATIONS IN CLASS AND AT HOME.
Bennett students are active and enquiring learners with a thirst for knowledge and a love of learning. They achieve outstanding results, with progress consistently amongst the top schools in the country.
So how does Bennett achieve such strong outcomes for students? Put simply, because we ensure that the quality of teaching and relationships in the school is second to none. The single most important thing that any school does for its students is to provide them with outstanding teaching. At Bennett teachers are experts in their field. Teaching groups are organised flexibly and reviewed regularly to ensure that every student’s progress is as strong as possible and that no-one is left behind.
Self-confidence is the springboard for progress and this philosophy underlies our approach. Praise and rewards are used to encourage students to excel, and an atmosphere of healthy academic competition motivates students to greater success.
“In Y9 I really loved textiles so I chose to study it for GCSE. My textiles teacher has inspired me and developed my knowledge in textiles techniques. I hope to go on to work in costume design when I am older.”
Ella, Y10
BELLA, Y12
“I decided to take biology, English literature and psychology at A-level so I could explore a variety of my different passions. In the future I hope to study psychology at university and then pursue a career in law. Ultimately it has been the outstanding quality of teaching that Bennett provides which has allowed me to flourish and reach my full potential.”
“In
the last five years, we have seen our daughter grow as a student, working independently and thoroughly enjoying her time at Bennett.”
Bennett parent
Caring and THRIVING
AS
A CHRISTIAN SCHOOL, WE PLACE PARTICULAR EMPHASIS ON CARING AND SUPPORTING YOUNG PEOPLE AS THEY GROW UP.
We are well-known for our excellent pastoral care. We have a strong and experienced team of dedicated staff who are always on hand to help students through the challenges and dilemmas they sometimes face. The team includes counsellors, a nurse and a chaplain, and they cooperate closely to make sure that students and families receive the advice they need, when they need it.
ELLIOT, Y12
“ Bennett has created an environment that has enabled me to work hard and aim high. I have been benefitting from attending Oxbridge preparation sessions, which have been very helpful in developing my application to Cambridge University, where I hope to read Geography. This guidance has encouraged me to believe that there is no cap to what I can achieve.”
ZAHRA, Y13
“Throughout my Bennett Journey, this school has taught me that there is no passion to be found in playing small and settling for a life that is less than the one I know I am capable of living. I hope to be a successful lawyer when I’m older, therefore being tenacious and holding fast, which I have been taught to do by this school, is what I intend to do to get there. What has been an amazing source of help for me has been actively engaging myself to emulate the Bennett values in and outside of school.”
“ The school has planned and organised the personal development ‘co-curriculum’ superbly. It complements the academic curriculum highly effectively. Pupils learn essential character traits such as resilience and persistence through a variety of different opportunities and activities. The school meticulously plans the ‘Bennett journey’ for pupils so that, from the minute they join, they know that they are a valued part of the school family.”
School Inspector
Taking part and ENJOYING
LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM IS A CENTRAL PART OF BENNETT LIFE. MUSIC AND SPORT, TRAVEL AND ADVENTURE, ALL PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE LIFE OF BENNETT STUDENTS.
Bennett is a truly musical school. Music making and singing, choral and individual, and of every style and period, permeate our school. Our regular productions, musical and dramatic, are quite simply stunning, and the pride and confidence students get from them are immeasurable.
Sports of many types are practised to top competition level, and Bennett excels in local competitive leagues and tournaments. Rugby, cricket, football, netball and gymnastics are all especially strong, and our dedicated sports coaches run a wide range of clubs and teams with frequent training to develop skills to a high level.
Bennett is the largest Duke of Edinburgh Award centre in the region, with most Bennett students taking part in the programme and high value is placed on the Award in school. Every year a large group of Gold Award winners is invited to the Palace to receive their awards.
The adventure doesn’t stop there. Every year Bennett students take part in a breath-taking range of trips and expeditions near and far, from Borneo to Berlin to the culture and history of our great Northern cities; from France and Germany and to the ski slopes of Austria, to visiting our partner school in Tanzania.
Bennett’s co-curricular life truly has something for everyone.
Bennett SIXTH FORM
THE VAST MAJORITY OF BENNETT STUDENTS CHOOSE TO MOVE INTO THE BENNETT SIXTH FORM AFTER GCSE. OUR LARGE AND VIBRANT SIXTH FORM IS CHARACTERISED BY AN ATMOSPHERE OF ASPIRATION AND EXCELLENCE.
“In joining the school she was welcomed by the students and encouraged and supported by the teachers. She’d found an environment where she could join clubs and societies and leave her comfort zone. Having come from a very different school environment, it took her a while to adjust to the open and inclusive climate at Bennett.” Bennett parent
The ethos and expectations established in the younger years are continued and developed further as students prepare for their A Levels.
Expert teaching and highly specialised subject knowledge come into their own in this part of the school, and inspirational teaching enables students to develop genuine passion for their subjects. The Sixth Form centre introduces students to the working atmosphere of the university library, and they are prepared and guided towards university application by a dedicated and specialised team of advisors.
Life in the Sixth Form is not all work however: students are encouraged to take part in a wide range of challenging and enjoyable activities which continue to develop their confidence. Debating and public speaking, sport and music, adventure and travel also feature on the sixth form programme.
