Raising Achievement by Learning Together and Caring for Each Other
Alperton Community School We are a school at the heart of our community. We are committed to providing all of our students with an exciting and challenging education where achievement and enjoyment are central to everything we do.
Location Alperton Community School is situated close to the Alperton Underground Station and is served by several major bus routes (79, 83, 224 and 297) all of which stop next to the Lower School site.
The Upper School, a fine traditional building which was previously Wembley County Grammar School, is only a few minutes away and includes a newly built Sixth Form centre, and specialist Technology, Drama and Art facilities.
We have a wide range of facilities.
The whole school has the most up-to-date digital technologies and benefits from a wireless network which connects the two sites.
The Lower School site is set in spacious grounds backing on to parkland. The outdoor learning and play spaces have recently undergone extensive improvements.
Welcome from the Headteacher I am very privileged to be the Headteacher of a school which has such a wonderfully diverse, welcoming and vibrant student community. Our school is at a very exciting stage in its development. We are preparing for a new school building, improving our examination results and evolving as an academy with coÂoperative values. Our priority as a school is simple. We seek to provide a learning environment where every student will meet or exceed their own expectations. Our aim is to ensure that all our students achieve the best possible examination results, develop a passion for lifelong learning, and are equipped to excel in further studies, either academic or vocational, or the world of work. We are totally committed to equal opportunities and achievement for all. We believe that all students can succeed and exceed expectations through hard work and commitment. We aspire to achieve these objectives by delivering high quality teaching and learning. We are fully aware of the importance of developing the literacy of our students and this will be an important focus of our development. We also place great value on the personal development of the whole student so they are
equipped with the skills, confidence, motivation and selfdiscipline to achieve in and beyond school. We aim to make digital technology accessible to students to enhance teaching and learning. We are proud to be a community school which is extremely inclusive. Students from a very wide range of backgrounds learn and develop harmoniously in a culture of mutual respect. We expect nothing less than exemplary student behaviour. We very much believe in the school motto “raising achievement by learning together and caring for each other�. I look forward to serving the school and the local community and providing our students with the opportunities to succeed and achieve their ambitions. We are proud of the past achievements of our school with many students progressing to the very best universities such as Oxford and Cambridge to study medicine, law, the sciences, humanities and arts. I very much look forward to working with students, staff, parents and Governors to achieve even greater successes. Gerard McKenna BSc (Hons) NPQH
Our Aims: “Raising Achievement by Learning Together and Caring for Each Other” • To provide an inclusive education which ensures that all students achieve in line with their full potential
• To work in partnership with parents and the community, serving their learning needs and interests
• To ensure that all students have equal access to a curriculum that offers opportunities for academic, physical, social, moral and spiritual development and economic wellbeing
• To enable students to recognise, challenge and combat inequalities in society
• To provide a stimulating environment in which all learners feel happy, safe and secure • To ensure that our Specialist School Status in Mathematics and Computing raises attainment and contributes to school improvement through high quality innovative approaches to teaching and learning
• To empower students to become responsible and active citizens • To provide and promote opportunities which encourage trust and develop self-discipline and self-esteem • To promote education as part of a lifelong learning process which can help fulfil high aspirations
Pastoral Care Every student is allocated to a tutor group. The tutor group is led by a Personal Tutor, who stays with the tutor group for the duration of the period spent in the Lower School. The Personal Tutor is a key member of staff and is responsible for establishing a happy, secure and supportive relationship with the tutor group. When students arrive in Upper School they join a new tutor group. The tutor group is made up of students in the same year group. Each tutor group is part of our House System. The whole tutor group is part of one of our Houses. This provides students with an identity and many opportunities to take part in a range of House and inter-House activities. Tutor groups are led by the form tutor. This allows students to have a consistent and secure place and time were they can look to support and guidance, We have a registration and tutor time every morning. The form tutor plays an active role in the keeping an overview of both the pastoral and academic performance of each of the group.
‘Excellent care, guidance and support, detailed tracking of students’ progress and personalised extra-curricular interventions are provided for students not on track to achieve their potential.’
Our Curriculum
Examination Results
We have developed a curriculum which ensures that our students are involved, inspired and curious about the world around them.
Consistently good examination results, combined with national success in the Arts and Sport, reflect the school’s commitment to an all round education where every student is expected to strive beyond their apparent potential.
The curriculum for Key Stage 3 students builds on the work of the primary schools so that there is no break in education. In Year 7 students follow a broad and balanced curriculum. We have created a curriculum that starts students on the pathway to GCSE. We start early by building the right skills and understanding into our curriculum to ensure our students are equipped to succeed at GCSE and beyond. Students in Year 10 and 11 are offered a broad and balanced curriculum with optional choices including vocational courses at GCSE level in Business, Computing, Design and Technology, ICT and Health and Social Care. A wide range of A-level subjects, vocational level 2 Diplomas and Foundation Studies are offered in the Sixth Form.
The academic achievement is evident from the large number of students entering university education including the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Universities and medical establishments. A detailed analysis of the most recent examination results can be found in the Annex at the end of this prospectus and also on our website. The school has been awarded the Sportsmark for excellence in curriculum provision in PE. We have a long history of participating in national competitions in sport and music with some notable successes, including students being selected for county teams or gaining music and art awards.
Enrichment A wide variety of clubs and extra-curricular activities are available and provide an added dimension to the students’ education. Extra Curricular Activities At Alperton, we believe in offering the young people in our charge a rich and varied diet of extra-curricular activities. The activities on offer will vary from year to year and for each year group. Over the last few years the enthusiasm and skills of the school staff have enabled us to increase activities both in variety and coverage. Club and Activities We provide many extra-curricular activities. Sports teams enter leagues or competitions. Lunchtime clubs including science, chess and computing run regularly. After school clubs such as Art, Drama, Dance, Cheerleading, Computer Club for Girls (CC4G) and Music are offered, as well as tuition and homework clubs. Our ICT Facilities The school is extremely well equipped with over 600 networked PCs and over 300 laptops and tablet computers which are used to support the learning of students during lessons. In addition, there are 3 learning resource areas, which incorporate the libraries. The learning resource centres are staffed in the morning before school and open into the early evening to provide students with
opportunities to use computer facilities to support research and home learning. We have a state of the art Apple Media Facility that offers all students the opportunity to use high end digital video production and editing of sound and film. Trips / Visits Students are taken on a range of trips during the school year to enhance their knowledge and understanding. We run residential trips to France, Spain and Italy which allow the students to practise their language skills as well as learn about life in different countries. Field trips for Science and Geography are organised, as well as visits to the theatre, museums and art galleries. These trips always link closely with the courses being studied in the curriculum. Extended Learning Days (ELD) During the school year we run Extended Learning Days. On these days, students do not follow their usual timetable, but instead take part in a range of inspirational and adventurous learning activities. Students are able to develop teamworking and problem solving skills in different settings in and out of the classroom. Sports A large number of sporting activities are available to students. We run football and cricket for boys and girls as well as netball, athletics, basketball and dance.
Our Facilities The quiet working atmosphere of the school is complemented by attractive surroundings and modern facilities. Starting in September 2015 we are undertaking the building of a brand new Alperton Community School. This will give us not only a new school with fantastic new classrooms and resources but will, for the first time, allow us to be in one school. The new school will have brand new science labs, ICT and Computing rooms, state of the art media suites, two purpose built dance studios and a full size sports hall. The new library and resource centre will be stocked with the latest books and resources as well as the technology students need in their academic work. We have much more detail on our website. John Boyle Inclusion Centre At Alperton we believe in a fully inclusive school. In partnership with Woodfield School, we opened the John Boyle Inclusion Centre in 2012.
Our Specialisms: Maths and Computing and Arts College Specialist School Status in Mathematics and Computing was awarded in 2004 and re-awarded in 2008. This has assisted in raising the achievement of the students by strengthening and developing the quality of teaching and learning both in the specialist subjects and across the whole school. Maths Our results in Mathematics at all Key Stages are excellent, and are consistently above the Borough and National average. The School is in the top 1% of schools in England for student progress in Mathematics from Key stage 2 to 4. A subject-specific inspection of Mathematics in 2009 graded Mathematics as ‘outstanding’ for every judgement. Computing and ICT Computing and ICT are an integral part of our learning. This is reflected in the popularity of the subject at both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 and into the Sixth Form. Results for ICT are excellent at GCSE and in the Sixth Form. We offer students the opportunity to take the lead in ICT by becoming Student Digital Leaders and taking on responsibility for developing the schools digital technology. Arts College Alperton Community School is a centre of excellence in the Visual Arts and as such is used as a beacon school that shares good practice with other schools nationwide. We are committed to raising the standards of achievement in the arts for all our students. We do this by making connections between the Arts and learning across the whole curriculum.
Our Links Primary Links Alperton Community School prides itself on the strong links it has developed with the local primary schools. All pupils coming to Alperton should have had some experience of the school during their final year at their primary school. Our annual programme includes: • Open Day and Open Evening in October • Working visits by primary pupils to use specialist resources • A personal meeting between students, parents and a senior member of staff
Community Links Strong links have also been developed with the world of work. The school is involved in Education Business Partnerships and regularly runs Young Enterprise businesses. Employers and community organisations are involved in mentoring students. This creates a keen awareness of the world of work amongst the students. Links with Industry The school prides itself on its close links with industry and the links established with key areas of the curriculum. Alperton benefits from mentoring programmes and sponsorship from industry. The Sixth Form Vocational, Science and Technology courses have forged links with the world of work.
• Induction Day in July • Taster lessons in ICT, Science, Maths and Design & Technology Alperton students and staff visit and work in a number of feeder primary schools throughout the year. Staff from the primary schools sit on Alperton's Governing Body, attend events and are Guest Speakers at important celebrations.
‘Excellent arrangements for transition into school and induction for late arrivals with language needs ensure students make a good start to their education.’
Student Responsibility We have high expectations of all our students and support them in their education, personal and social development. They are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and are expected to have the highest standards of behaviour, attendance, appearance and achievement. Their progress is regularly monitored and reported home to parents. A clear system of rewards and sanctions underpins our approach. Students run their own School Council, which feeds ideas and information into a Governor Committee influencing decision-making at the highest level. The School Council is comprised of two Year representatives from each Year and these are chosen from the eight democratically elected form representatives at the start of each academic year. The responsibility structure for students provides opportunities for them to lead colleagues in a number of ways in every year group. A Year Council meeting takes place once a month, followed by a whole-school council meeting.
The Volunteer project gives Sixth Formers the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised award for voluntary activities and promotes Citizenship. The Alperton Volunteers project is unique having been singled out as a model of good practice at the highest levels. We are very proud of our students’ achievements in this area. This year we have developed an extensive range of volunteering activities amongst younger students and with partners in the independent school sector. The volunteers make a significant contribution to the whole school approach to Citizenship and community cohesion.
‘All students feel highly valued and very safe. They display respectful behaviour, high levels of maturity and good leadership qualities.’
Parents & Community At Alperton Community School we encourage parents’ involvement in supporting and encouraging the students in their school work. Experience shows that by monitoring learning though the student’s diary ensuring full attendance and attending information evenings, parents can make a huge positive difference to a student’s progress and achievement. Every term a ‘tracker sheet’ is sent to the parents outlining their child’s progress. Parents are then invited into school three times per year to allow them to have an in-depth discussion with the Personal Tutor about their child’s achievements. Alperton Community School is at the heart of the local community and local people. Businesses and groups are encouraged to work with us to build strong links that go beyond education. We run initiatives to raise money for charity and invite members of the local community to speak to the students during assemblies, and to watch our concerts and plays. We run Easter and summer clubs which provide a range of recreational activities during the holidays. These are well attended by our own students as well as children from our main feeder primary schools and the local community. ACS Parents and Friends Association We have our very active Parents and Friends Association. They help the school in a number of ways including fund raising, volunteering and other activities that happen at school. They have all their activities on our website.
Post 16 Students at Alperton Community School Sixth Form join a community that is committed to success. We have developed specialist teaching and support that is recognised for its excellence in the local area and beyond. We have continued to develop strong links to many Universities so that Alperton Community School continues to be a school where young people move on successfully to degree courses in an array of fields; many joining Russell Group Universities. Many students have taken up places at some of the most prestigious Universities and Medical Schools in the country.
At Alperton Community School Sixth Form we have a strong tradition of supporting and caring for our Sixth Formers. Many of our young people seize the extra opportunity provided by our Volunteer scheme, which has attracted government attention as a model of its kind, to add extra dimensions to their CVs. As well as achieving the highest possible grades in examinations, our aim is also to develop students with positive moral and social values in order to make a valuable contribution to society.
Upper-school site: Stanley Avenue, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 4JE
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Lower-school site: Ealing Road, Wembley, Middlesex HA0 4PW Tel: 020 8902 2038 Fax: 0208 900 1236 Email: office@alperton.brent.sch.uk www.alperton.brent.sch.uk