Welcome
to Stratton Upper School Stratton Upper School is proud to be at the heart of our community and we have a long history of supporting our students in achieving their goals. We are committed to nurturing the abilities of every student in order to equip them with the qualifications and personal skills they need to become confident, independent adults and successful citizens of tomorrow. At Stratton, we set the highest expectations in terms of learning and behaviour, and follow a broadly academic curriculum that includes English, mathematics, science, humanities and languages supplemented with strong provision in the arts and technology. Most students join our thriving Sixth Form, with many progressing to university. However, recognising that some individuals’ abilities lie in other areas, we provide a wealth of opportunities and courses that allow every student to develop and showcase his or her unique talents. The school promotes a ‘can do’ culture in which everyone is encouraged to strive for excellence. We work in partnership with parents and carers to uphold the traditional values of respect and tolerance, resulting in harmony within our community, where the contribution of every individual is valued. I warmly invite you to visit the school to experience for yourself its positive atmosphere and the excellent opportunities it offers students. Roz Hodges Acting Headteacher
One Team, One Mission Our one team includes every student, every family and every colleague. Our one mission is to create self-assured, successful citizens of tomorrow. We will achieve this through: Achievement: Providing outstanding education to all, ensuring our work is purposeful and planned, allowing our students to make rapid progress whatever their starting points.
Challenge: Giving our students confidence to embrace challenge, to be resilient and to own their future.
Partnership: Modelling an environment of strong relationships and
positivity, based on mutual respect, trust and understanding of our shared commitment to continuous learning and development.
Aspiration: Linking access to our exciting world of possibilities
through hard work and endeavour.
Trust: Our starting point is that everyone wants to achieve the best for
themselves and each other.
“There is no contradiction between order and discipline and a belief that a school should be filled with laughter and joy.�
Education Continuity -building on prior learning
The Biggleswade Community Union of Schools (BCUS) is a partnership organisation dedicated to ensure the highest education standards across our area for pupils and students aged 0 to 19. A key function of BCUS is to ensure a seamless transition from one school to another through close collaboration. Teachers from our middle school feeders meet regularly with Stratton colleagues to discuss and plan curriculum development, pastoral support, students with additional learning needs and to share good practice.
High expectations and high aspirations are key Year 9 students enjoy a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares for the rigours of their GCSE studies. A key aspect of Year 9 is to support students and their families through the process of choosing their option subjects for study at GCSE. This process includes a range of subject information, access to independent careers advice and advice and guidance aimed both at students and parents.
In Years 10 and 11 working with families becomes even more crucial The most significant factor in educational success at GCSE and Sixth Form is unquestionably the influence of parents. It is for this reason that we insist on working closely with the families of our students. We know from personal experience and academic research that students who achieve well have at least some of the following advantages at home: • School is important because it is regularly discussed. Parents take keen interest in “how school is going”. Teenagers are not always forthcoming about school but parents model resilience and determination by finding ways of engaging in conversation. • Parents listen carefully to the students’ experience of school and act upon any concerns. • Parents continue to encourage their older children to read for interest and pleasure. They talk about what they are reading and recommend books to their children. • There is good communication between parents and school on a range of matters. • It is possible to provide a quiet and comfortable space within the home for the students to complete homework. We will keep you informed about your child’s work through our regular progress checks and parents’ evenings, however our policy is also to be in contact if we have any concerns or we want to highlight successes. We encourage parents’ taking the same approach and making contact with the school as soon as they think there is an issue. The most likely point of first contact is your child’s form tutor.
Our new Science Centre Boasting twelve equipped laboratories, a computer suite, prep rooms and an impressive mezzanine, the new Science Centre offers our budding scientists, modern and bright facilities befitting the challenging science curriculum. Our new facility not only prepares the school to support Biggleswade’s future growth but delivers university standard laboratories to drive science education forward. Science will be central to our students’ economic future.
Achievement for All Nationally, 20% of young people fail to reach their potential every year. At Stratton we aim to ensure that every student is successful. Supported by the AfA charity we have provided additional support to students who have fallen behind and are no longer thriving as they should. We work with families to ensure that strategies are implemented to allow young people to take ownership of their education and success. In 2017 Stratton Upper School was named Achievement for All Secondary School of the Year. The Chief Executive of Achievement for All, Professor Sonia Blandford said as the award was made “the quality of mentoring at Stratton Upper School and the work ethic displayed by staff should be a blueprint for any secondary school looking to introduce any form of mentoring.�
Stratton Sixth Form Stratton Sixth Form is the natural progression route after GCSEs. Built around the values of Pride, Passion and Perseverance the progress our students make regularly places us in the top 20% of Sixth Form providers.
Pride We are very proud of our Sixth Form and obviously would like Stratton students to continue to study with us. Our students are proud to study here, are passionate about their work and persevere when the going gets tough. Our upward trend in student attainment in the face of ever more stringent exam criteria. This means that increasingly our students are able to follow their chosen path. The achievement of our students has allowed them to explore many opportunities including degree courses at Cambridge, Oxford, Durham and medical school, sports scholarships in the USA and degree level apprenticeships.
Passion Our careful guidance ensures that our students embark on courses that will test them and develop their skills and passions.
We guide students to choose course combinations that support university entrance or that are favoured by employers. Recently, over 90% of our students were accepted into their first choice university. Learning is monitored and supported from day one to the end of courses. Timetabled lessons take up the majority of students’ time and therefore organisation, attendance and motivation are crucial.
Perseverance We aim for everyone to start and finish their programme of study and we never give up. Progression into Sixth Form studies can be challenging and we appreciate the need to support our students with the increased demands of A Level study. With our guidance students develop good learning habits and provide them with the facilities to support continued learning. Learning to manage time and to build in purposeful relaxation is important. Our students learn to prioritise and achieve the essential balance between commitments, which is vital to being successful. We challenge and celebrate our students so that they become strong, independent learners ready for university, higher level apprenticeships or employment.
“Creativity is as important in education as literacy, we should treat it with the same status� (Ken Robinson)
During your time at Stratton… We offer a wide range of enrichment activities beyond the classroom. Students who commit themselves to participating fully in our community enjoy the greatest academic success. Our extra-curricular activities include sports, performing and visual arts, debating, library clubs and many more. Stratton is one of only a handful of schools nationally with a fully operational farm. Although all students receive lessons based on the farm, the opportunities to combine study with extra-curricular involvement are endless. Students play an essential role in the day to day operation of the school. Election to School and Year Group Councils offers opportunities to lead and strengthens aspiration to become Head Students or Leadership Group members in Sixth Form.
If you dream and have ambition and want to work hard, then you can achieve” (Mo Farah)
Our students are encouraged to support the wider community. We offer Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards. Our students have participated in Camps International expeditions, making valuable contributions to community-based projects abroad, whilst gaining vital experience and skills. Sixth Form students complete community projects including organising our annual Senior Citizens’ Christmas Party and volunteering at a local vineyard.
Our Journey Stratton School opened in 1950 as Bedfordshire’s showpiece Grammar School, drawing students from all over the area. In their design, the architects recognised that the physical environment could promote achievement and aspiration; and to this day few fail to be inspired by the entrance and exhibition halls, which in turn lead to light and airy classrooms. As a result of the national reorganisation in 1974, Stratton became a 13-19 Upper School, providing comprehensive education for Biggleswade and the surrounding villages. Since 2012 Stratton Upper has been an Academy and part of Stratton Education Trust. In 2017 our new Science Centre opened to students. With twelve laboratories and a computer suite, the Science Centre meets the demands of a modern science curriculum, whilst maintaining the bright, open feel of the original school building. The educational values of the school are drawn from its history, but the theme of constant improvement ensures each generation of students is fully prepared for their future.
Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. SG18 8JB 01767 220000 office@stratton.beds.sch.uk www.stratton.beds.sch.uk
Prospectus designed and produced by staff, students and alumni of Stratton Upper School