SWADELANDS SCHOOL LEADING LEARNING FOR LIFE
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Welcome to Swadelands School Leading Learning for Life Leading Learning for Life is our target. Below you will see how we want to achieve success at the school; we have a clear picture of how we want our students to be equipped when they leave the school; we do not just want them to be ready for life but to be able to lead themselves and show leadership for others. When students take control of their learning they are more likely to achieve their personal excellence. Our key goal is for every student at Swadelands, through their individual learning experiences, to pursue personal excellence, to be prepared for life and to have fostered a love of learning which will last through life. The Student at Swadelands School Our target is for every student to be prepared for the world of work and to be an effective member of the community; they will be able to take
their experiences of learning into adult life with an understanding and respect for the diversity of people; they will be willing to challenge themselves and explore the unknown and have the tools to continue in their own personal development; they will be able to cope with a competitive world and learn from success and the challenges they face; they will understand the importance of working and learning collaboratively and engage positively with a wide range of people; they will be prepared for living independently and be selfreliant; they will value and celebrate achievement.
“Relationships between teachers and students are a key strength in creating a very positive climate for learning.� OFSTED
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Organisation of the School The school operates a vertical system of tutoring.
How does the system work? •
Why are we using vertical structure? • It has been found that vertical structure aids integration within the school for all year groups. • Students will be in vertical House groups twice a day; 10 minutes for the morning registration and 25 minutes for the afternoon registration. In lessons they are taught in year groups. • Younger students have someone to ask advice regarding options, school work etc. • It enables us to make full use of the qualities of students in the senior school to help guide the academic and social progress of the younger students. • Students mix with all year groups and, therefore, do not find older year groups as intimidating. They will make friends with students from all year groups within their House. Our Houses are named after Olympians: Gunnell House (Sally Gunnell OBE) Holmes House (Dame Kelly Holmes DBE, MBE) Redgrave House (Sir Steve Redgrave CBE) Thompson House (Daley Thompson CBE)
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Students are equally divided between the four Houses. Each tutor group has students from each year group. Each House has access to a Student Manager. Each tutor reports to a House Leader. Additional Educational Needs and work with outside agencies will cross over all Houses.
“I really like the mixed ages in our tutor groups as the older students help us” YEAR 7 STUDENT
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Enhancing Student Learning We believe in personalising the curriculum to best meet the needs of each individual learner. In practice this means that we want students to be able to choose as much of their curriculum as is possible and that we match our curriculum to the needs of different learners. From day one at Swadelands, our students embark on an individual learning plan for their specific needs. Additionally, we have a three year Key Stage Four programme of study which enables students to develop skills and knowledge in their chosen subjects. This secures better grades and assists their progression into the sixth form, college or an apprenticeship. We have a broad range of subjects at Key Stage Four, including Catering, Business, Sport and Computing. We have created pathways within our Key Stage Four framework and guide students onto the most appropriate individual learning journey for them, which gives them the opportunity to succeed in their areas of strength and progress in identified areas of improvement.
“The teachers interact with us and make the lessons as interesting as possible.� YEAR 8 STUDENT Swadelands Sixth Form continues to grow, offering Level 3 courses. The personalised curriculum continues with students being able to pick from a full range of courses. For Year 12, we have introduced a one day a week compulsory work placement which will enable students to develop their employability skills. We also offer the Football Scholarship Programme in partnership with Soccer Elite FA and the Cascade Dance Academy. Students from across the county have applied for these exciting programmes as well as following a Level 3 curriculum. Students entering the Sixth Form who have not achieved a Level 2 in English or Mathematics qualification are required to complete the GCSE resit programme in these subjects to ensure they have the basic skills required by employers.
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PE & Dance Facilities Swadelands School believes passionately in the power of sport and physical activity to raise attainment, self-confidence and personal self-belief. Our aim is to encourage participation so that all students understand the importance of a healthy lifestyle and experience a wide variety of physical activities. We host a Gym Academy with Pegasus Gym Club, a Soccer Elite Football Academy and the Cascade Dance Academy which offers students a wide range of leadership opportunities and an insight into professional training environments. The sports facilities at Swadelands include a large sports hall, a main gymnastics hall, extensive playing fields, netball courts, a sprung floor dance studio, a fully equipped fitness suite, an outdoor heated swimming pool and a full size 3G pitch. Each student at Swadelands takes part in at least 2 hrs of PE and Sport a week within core curriculum time. A high number of KS4/5 students choose PE/ Sport as an option and go on to gain accreditation within Sport and PE.
“The teachers try and make each lesson unique to keep us interested� YEAR 10 STUDENT 9
A Wide Variety of Extra-Curricular Activities Swadelands offers an extensive range of extra-curricular activities including lunchtime and after school clubs and a range of revision and sports clubs. Students can access a range of different activities over the school year including: Curriculum Links
Creative
Activities for all curriculum areas core and foundation subjects such as ICT, food, graphics, science and many more. We also offer ‘assertive mentoring’ clubs for students at Key Stage 4, these are clubs that students are encouraged to attend by their mentors in order to improve their target grades.
Choir, orchestra, drama, dance, instrumental lessons, performing arts, art and design, textiles and more. There are regular musical and dramatic productions.
Physical Dance, Trampolining, Football, Netball, Gymnastics, Duke of Edinburgh, Fitness, Basketball, Badminton, Athletics, Rounders, Cricket, Rugby and much more. Trips A wide range of trips throughout the year, to enhance learning.
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Independent Learning Support We have a supervised Literacy Centre that is open at lunchtimes and some after school times, as well as subject specific sessions. Community and Well-Being Mentoring, Sports Leadership, School Council, Living for Sport, eco-schools and many more.
Student Voice (Student Council) The school has an active Student Voice consisting of students from all year groups and Houses. Meetings are held regularly and students are encouraged to put forward ideas and views. Students contribute widely to school events and have input into school activities such as charity days and wider community involvement, including entertaining the senior citizens. The group have also been consulted and worked with senior teachers on the new school uniform and colour schemes that are used throughout the school. The Head Boy and Head Girl are selected by interview to represent the school and are encouraged to lead and organise the Student Voice team. Much responsibility and decision making is devolved to students at Swadelands as evidenced in students’ contribution to school planning processes and attendance at civic events. Swadelands students have represented the school at local level on both Maidstone and Ashford Youth Forums. Students have also participated in the Kent Youth Parliament and the UK Youth Parliament in Westminster.
“The wide range of activities offered enriches students’ opportunities for success.” OFSTED
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Stepping Up With Pride P Personal Excellence R Respect and Friendship I Inspiration D Determination and Courage E Equality
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Stepping Up sessions will be held for Year 6 students and their Parents/ Carers throughout June and July (please see additional insert for details). This is provided as a fun introduction to the school, to enable the students to feel comfortable in moving around the school site, meeting staff, and families from other primary schools. We have found that this eliminates a lot of the concerns of starting at a new school, and gives the students confidence. This will ensure a smooth transition and preparation to Swadelands for your child in September. Admissions Policy The Governors have adopted the Kent policy on admissions. Places in Swadelands School are offered on the basis of the following criteria in priority order: • Children in Local Authority Care
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Current family association, i.e. an elder brother or sister in the school at the time of entry Health reasons and Special Access Reasons Residence within a particular scheme of secondary education Nearness of the child’s home and ease of access to schools.
The Standard Number for admission is 150. Commendatory System We believe that students respond positively to praise and we aim to encourage all students to do their best by awarding house points in both KS3 and KS4 for good work, sustained effort or extra special effort in class as well as to those who are especially supportive to the life of the school. There are a number of other rewards that the students can gain. The school holds an Awards Evening during the summer term to celebrate the achievements of all of our students from Year 7 to Year 13.
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Student Provisions Additional Educational Needs Students with learning difficulties are likely to make more progress remaining with their class group and receiving support rather than being withdrawn into a separate group. Weak reading and writing skills do not necessarily prevent a student from understanding concepts, learning facts and developing skills so we work with students to identify different ways for them to learn. In accordance with Kent’s policy for students with Additional Educational Needs it is the practice at Swadelands that such students are often supported in lessons. The type of support will depend upon what is considered most appropriate following consultation between the subject specialist concerned and the support teacher. It may take the form of an extra teacher in the lesson or the presentation of material in forms other than the written word, with alternative ways of recording information and the understanding gained. In this way, we cater for the needs of students with specific learning difficulties as well as those of higher ability requiring extended work. Those students entering Year 7 whose reading ages are significantly below their chronological age may be withdrawn from some foundation subjects for periods of time for intense additional input. Such action would not be taken without prior consultation with parents.
The SENCo and key staff visit Primary Schools during the summer term to meet special needs teachers and students to ensure a full exchange of information and a smooth, positive transition for students. If you have any other concerns about your child’s learning needs you will be able to discuss these with the SENCo. Arrangements For Disabled Students Parents of disabled children are asked to give the Headteacher details of the disability as soon as they apply for a place at the school. The Headteacher will arrange a meeting at a mutually convenient time to discuss the ways in which the child’s disability might hinder her/him from taking a full part in the life of the school. The Headteacher will then make any reasonable arrangements necessary to enable the child to participate fully in all lessons and activities. These arrangements may include briefing staff, obtaining special equipment, making minor adaptations to the building, rearranging classroom furniture and/or employing support staff. These may take time to put into place and may require advice and assistance from the Area Office or specialist agencies, so parents are urged to see the Headteacher as soon as possible so that everything can be ready for the child’s first day at school. The school’s Equality Scheme is published on our website: www. swadelands.kent.sch.uk
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Inspiring Futures Swadelands is a leading school under the Investors in Careers Programme and is a benchmark school in Kent for our careers provision. Careers education, information, advice and guidance are delivered to all year groups through Focus Days by a team of dedicated teachers, with an unbiased approach. However, we recognise that at any time students should be able to establish where they are now, where they would like to get to and how are they going to get there. They are therefore encouraged by all staff within the school, to be thinking about their future choices throughout the year
and lunchtime. All students can use our many career software packages to help them with their future choices. The following aims are designed to assist students in making initial future decisions and also in making the transition from school to the outside world. Students are encouraged to: • • • •
The Careers Department works very closely with other departments in the school. We work in close harmony with CXK. CXK provides high quality, impartial, careers information, advice and guidance. Swadelands has a dedicated Personal Advisor that visits the school during each term. Our PA is available to all Swadelands students and will give students impartial information, advice and guidance on their future choices. When in school, CXK are based in the Careers Library. We have an extensive Careers Library which students can access every break
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Undertake self-assessment. Understand the relevance of subject choices at school. Value intellectual and skill based assets for employment and leisure. Realise that skills, attributes and temperament are part of the job matching processes. (As an adjunct to this, students will also be encouraged to identify negative reactions to certain types of work). Collect knowledge and facts about jobs and work related learning. Consider practical issues involved in relationships and practices at work. Establish the priorities and aims in job selection and the advantages and disadvantages of various jobs.
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Involving Parents Reporting To Parents
Parental Voice
Parents will receive assessment information on their child five times per year. These will report the current working levels of students and progress towards their targets. There is also a prediction for the end of year and Key Stage. These reports will also give an Attitude to Learning (ATL) score for all subjects. This will indicate the amount of effort the student makes in each subject. The minimum requirement for an ATL score is 4, although students should aim for the ATLs of 5,6 and 7.
We value your opinion and appreciate communication from you by telephone, email, letter or through the school’s website www.swadelands.kent.sch. uk Parents are always welcome by appointment. Please make an appointment so that we can ensure the person you ask to speak to is available and able to offer you uninterrupted time. A Parent Focus Group is held six times a year and this provides an opportunity for parents of students attending the school to help shape the direction the school takes in educating the children. Email: admin@swadelands.kent.sch.uk for further information about the Parent Focus Group.
Parents will receive a full written report annually from all subjects studied. These reports will be the main topic for discussion at the progress review with the tutor when strategies will be discussed and agreed with parents for further improvements and continued progress. Parents with children in Years 11, 12 & 13 also have the additional opportunity to meet with subject staff to discuss progress at a Parents’ Evening. Safeguarding Swadelands School is committed to safeguarding all students and complies with all KCC regulations. The school’s safeguarding policy is available from the website: www.swadelands.kent.sch.uk 18
Open Days & Open Evening Parents can attend the open evening or book a visit to see the school in session where they are shown around by students or a member of staff.
“I like all of my teachers, they are very fair. The teachers give us a lot of time and help during lessons” YEAR 7 STUDENT
Ham Lane, Lenham, ME17 2LL Tel: 01622 858 267 Fax: 01622 850 668 Email: admin@swadelands.kent.sch.uk
www.swadelands.kent.sch.uk