Swanlea School - Prospectus

SWANLEA SCHOOL

RESPECT | ASPIRE | ACHIEVE

LEARNING FOR LIFE

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Welcome to

SWANLEA

“ THE SCHOOL’S VERY WELCOMING AND SUPPORTIVE ETHOS… COUPLED WITH ITS STRONG EMPHASIS ON ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT CREATES AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO THRIVE.” OFSTED We are a vibrant community that enables students to fulfil their potential through a combination of academic rigour, personalised support and enriching opportunities.

Our mission is to be exceptional in teaching, leading and learning. Judged by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’, Swanlea School is one of the highest-performing schools in Tower Hamlets and ranks in the top 5% of schools nationally in terms of students’ progress.

Our success is built on a strong sense of partnership between staff, governors, students and parents/carers. We are a family, respecting each other, celebrating our diversity and embracing equality of opportunity for all. We teach with enthusiasm to engage all learners, enabling them to pursue their aspirations and develop into the leaders of tomorrow.

Brenda Landers, Headteacher

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A Tradition of

EXCELLENCE 02

“ TEACHING OVER TIME IS OUTSTANDING. TEACHERS ALWAYS EXPECT THE BEST FROM STUDENTS.” OFSTED

Swanlea’s academic success is based on exceptional teaching, high expectations and highly motivated students.

As an Ofsted outstanding school, we have a proven track record of academic excellence, together with a pedigree in the development of our students’ performing, artistic, sporting and leadership talents.

We deliver a varied curriculum that is tailored to the needs of our young people, providing challenge and support for all abilities, enabling pupils to achieve consistently in their learning. Students at Swanlea have the opportunity to study a range of academic subjects including Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Classical Studies, Latin and a choice of European Modern Foreign Languages.

Students are encouraged to raise their aspirations and we support them in realising their dreams. As a result, many Swanlea students have moved on to study in Russell Group universities and achieved success in a variety of industries and professions.

IFTIKHAR LATIF Law: University of Oxford “During my time at Swanlea, I felt academically stretched and always encouraged to do my best.

When it came to applying for universities, Swanlea reassured me that I was in fact ‘good enough’ for the Russell Group universities, including Oxford. Had it not been for this encouragement from Swanlea, I may not have made it to Oxford University.”

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An Inclusive

COMMUNITY “ STUDENTS FEEL VERY SAFE AT SCHOOL AND ENJOY THEIR LESSONS. THEY ARE ALSO VERY LOYAL AND PROUD OF THEIR SCHOOL.” OFSTED Our core values of respect, aspire and achieve underpin all that we do.

As well as the Investors in People Award, the Healthy School accreditation and the International School’s Award, we are proud to hold the Equalities Award and to have been recognised as a Stonewall Champion School. Swanlea’s sense of family extends beyond the school site to parents and carers, many of whom are involved in our active Parent-Teacher Association.

As a values-driven school, we actively promote and celebrate the diversity of our local community. Our outstanding pastoral care begins before students even join Swanlea. Through a variety of activities within the East 1 Schools’ Partnership, we help children make a successful transition from primary to secondary education.

Pupils receive personalised guidance from their Tutor and Learning Co-ordinator, benefiting from our comprehensive PSHEE programme.

With their behaviour around school recognised by Ofsted as outstanding, our students are excellent ambassadors for Swanlea.

They are active members of the local community, demonstrating their citizenship and compassion through regular charity fundraising events and volunteering activities.

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AMIN HABIB Medicine: Kings College, London “The academic focus of the school is one of the reasons that helped me succeed in my study of Medicine at Kings’. I was always one of the G&T students and so benefited from additional opportunities organised by my teachers. This allowed me to excel in my GCSEs and A Levels.

At Swanlea, they individualise the support they provide, it is tailored to each student.”

“ STUDENTS’ BEHAVIOUR AROUND THE SCHOOL IS OUTSTANDING. THEY ARE VERY FRIENDLY, WELCOMING AND COURTEOUS.” OFSTED

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LEADERSHIP 06

“ THE PUPIL-LEADERSHIP PROGRAMME ALLOWS STUDENTS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND TO SUPPORT EACH OTHER.” OFSTED

Our leadership opportunities help to develop responsible, independent and confident citizens ready for life in 21st Century Britain.

At Swanlea we develop the leaders of tomorrow. Our young people are encouraged to take on responsibility at all levels, from Student Leaders supporting pupils to settle in, to trained Numeracy and Literacy Peer Mentors helping students to develop key skills.

Our School Council – which comprises representatives from each year group and is led by the Head Girl and Head Boy – forms an invaluable channel of communication between the student body, staff and governors. The School Council actively engages with the local community, finding innovative and resourceful ways to raise funds for national events such as Children In Need and local causes such as the Air Ambulance of the Royal London Hospital and Whitechapel Mission’s shelter for the homeless.

Based on the fringes of the City, we also have access to and special expertise in; business, enterprise ICT and commerce. Swanlea benefits from a strong network of corporate links developed over the years. Our students work with a number of organisations including Bank of America, Lloyds of London, Deloitte and Norton Rose, developing their business acumen and leadership skills.

FARJANA KOBIR Theology & Religion: University of Birmingham “I successfully applied for a Russell Group University, in part due to the fantastic support I received with university entrance.

Swanlea organised interview practice, application form guidance and admissions tutors from outside were brought in who knew the university system and UCAS. They were able to answer all our questions and give us guidance and direction.”

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ENRI SAMINA MUKIT

“ VERY COMPREHENSIVE AND EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES ARE PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS’ SPIRITUAL, SOCIAL, MORAL AND CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING.” OFSTED

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Civil Engineering: London South Bank University “Swanlea’s careers advice, guidance and mentoring is superb. They organized work experience with TfL for civil engineering, and work-shadowing with top international engineering companies.

Swanlea gives you many opportunities, if you don’t make the most of your opportunities, then you won’t be able to discover all that’s out there.”

ICHING

Opportunities Learning extends beyond the classroom, with our extra-curricular activities enabling students to pursue their passions and develop their skills.

At Swanlea we offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities before school through to early evening.

From ‘The Brilliant Club’ to public speaking, from learning mandarin to philosophy, from sharpening debating skills to junior journalism, the opportunities at Swanlea are endless.

Students enjoy a variety of experiences such as trips to heritage sites or cultural events, including operas and West End musicals. They also have access to subject-related visits both in the UK and abroad, with recent destinations including the CERN Laboratory in Switzerland, Barcelona, Iceland and Paris. Many students work with peripatetic musicians in school in order to complete ABRSM examinations.

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Swanlea

SIXTH FORM With purpose-built facilities, inspirational teaching and a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities, Swanlea Sixth Form is great place to study.

Offering a full range of academic A Level subjects as well as BTEC courses in Business, IT and Health & Social Care, Swanlea’s post-16 provision is outstanding.

Almost all students go on to higher education, including Russell Group universities such as Oxford, UCL, King’s College and Queen Mary. Students receive personalised guidance for their UCAS applications and career aspirations, with specialised support for STEM candidates through our links with hospitals for medical work placements and mock interviews with qualified medics.

KHADIJA BEGUM Criminology and Sociology: City University “There was always support available with all my subjects, I had no problem asking for help during my time at the Sixth Form. Swanlea has prepared me very well to be independent and cope with university. As much as I miss knowing that I can go to my Sixth Form teachers for help, I know that I am able do it by myself now.”

Students are encouraged to undertake work experience, with our Sixth Form team securing a number of placements in the City. Many also benefit from additional support to shape their future through the Lloyds Business Mentoring programme. All this, together with a full range of sports and other extra-curricular enrichment, ensures that study at Swanlea Sixth Form provides the perfect platform for our young people to enter the world of higher education and step beyond into the workplace.

“ SIXTH FORM ACHIEVEMENT AND THE QUALITY OF TEACHING IS OUTSTANDING.” OFSTED

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Raising Aspirations

FOR ALL “ STUDENTS ALWAYS COME TO LESSONS READY TO LEARN. THEY FULLY ENGAGE IN A RANGE OF CHALLENGING TASKS AND WORK EXTREMELY WELL TOGETHER.” OFSTED Swanlea students aspire to be the best in all that they do.

We promote curiosity about the world around us, reward innovation and raise aspirations through a variety of activities including university visits, public speaking competitions, artistic performances and mock interviews with local employers.

We regularly welcome guest speakers such as authors, politicians and entrepreneurs to inspire our young people.

In addition, mentoring opportunities are offered by the alumni network of the Tower Hamlets Business Partnership in order to maximise the employability of our students.

“ THE SCHOOL FULLY EMBRACES EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL ITS PUPILS. IT IS WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE AND BASED VERY STRONGLY ON MUTUAL RESPECT.” OFSTED

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ZACHARIYA BENAMMOR Journalism: University of Roehampton “The confidence I gained from Swanlea in public-speaking, meant that I went from someone who was very quiet to one who is able to speak publicly at my university.

I’ve been able to teach lessons to my class and also travel across Europe because of my ability to take risks – that’s all because of the time that I spent at Swanlea school.”

“ THE CURRICULUM CAREFULLY AND IMAGINATIVELY MEETS THE SPECIFIC NEEDS OF STUDENTS.” OFSTED

SWANLEA SCHOOL 31 Brady Street , Whitechapel London, E1 5DJ Email: officeadmin@swanlea.towerhamlets.sch.uk Tel: 020 7375 3267 Fax: 020 7375 3567

swanlea.co.uk

RESPECT | ASPIRE | ACHIEVE