Sharnbrook Academy Brochure 2017 by FSE Design

INSPIRING MINDS FOR INSPIRING FUTURES

Principal’s

Welcome In September 2017, Sharnbrook Academy made the

some of the best exam results in the county and have

transition from upper to secondary school. As a very

been nationally recognised over the past 4 years by SSAT

successful comprehensive school located in North

as achieving some of the best results in the country.

Bedfordshire and part of the Sharnbrook Academy Federation, we pride ourselves on our high academic

At Sharnbrook, we appreciate that there is more to school

standards, good behaviour and excellent teaching. This

life than examination grades, and we look to develop

has been recognised on many occasions by Ofsted.

children ‘in the round’. We want our students to enjoy school, to feel safe and to have a sense of belonging,

Being a large school, we are privileged to have excellent

and this is reflected in everything we do. Our hope is that

facilities, a wide curriculum and extensive extracurricular

our students leave school having fulfilled their academic

opportunities for students to get involved in. Our vertically

potential and, just as importantly, that they have developed

structured pastoral system provides a very high level of

into responsible young adults who look forward to taking

care that allows all students to feel a sense of belonging to

on the adventure of life’s challenges.

the school as well as meeting their needs. I hope this prospectus will give you a flavour of what the We set high academic standards and support pupils in

school is like and of the excellent education that we offer.

realising their potential. We spark intellectual curiosity and encourage a love of learning in our students. Sharnbrook is a school where success is encouraged and celebrated, and creativity is nurtured. Our pupils regularly achieve

Peter Rattu

Transition At Sharnbrook, we strive to make our new students feel confident about the transition to secondary school. We understand the importance of making them feel welcome and ensure that they are a valued part of the school community. We work closely with our federated primary schools to ensure that we have a detailed understanding of the needs of all who join us. Our curriculum is carefully planned to complement that offered by our feeder schools.

We have a comprehensive transition programme in place to make sure that students joining us settle in quickly. In the summer term before joining us, students have the opportunity to visit the school for three days. This enables them to start making friends and to know what to expect when they start in September.

Pastoral Care Our pastoral system focuses on caring for every aspect of our students’ needs, whether nurturing academic achievement or looking after the emotional wellbeing of our students. We also deliver our extensive PSHEE programme via enrichment days throughout the year.

On joining Sharnbrook, students are allocated to a tutor group which is made up of around 28 students from years 7 - 11. Form tutors have daily contact with each of their tutees and know them individually. Tutors are skilled in easing the transition to secondary school, and they will make contact with parents of new students early in the first term to establish the parent/staff partnership we regard so highly. For students needing extra help in dealing with difficulties and issues, we have a dedicated Key Services team along with safeguarding officers to make sure that we can look after our children when they need it most.

THE HOUSE SYSTEM All students are allocated to one of six houses led by a head of house who, in turn, is supported by an assistant head of house. Colworth YELLOW Grange GREEN Loring BLUE Ouse ORANGE Parentines PURPLE Templar RED We find this enables students to quickly make friends and offers them an established support network of older students who, guided by the form teacher, will offer advice and assistance to younger students. Our sixth form students will guide and work with younger students in their houses at key times throughout the year.

BEHAVIOUR At Sharnbrook, we pride ourselves on providing a safe, happy atmosphere in which students are able to thrive. Good behaviour is essential in any school, and our behaviour policy is known by all and consistently applied.

BREAK AND LUNCH SUPERVISION Starting secondary school might feel daunting, especially at break and lunchtimes. To ease possible apprehension, year 7 & 8 students finish the lesson before lunch five minutes earlier than other years so they can arrive in the dining rooms first. To successfully manage the number of students we have, lunchtimes are split so that there are no more than four year groups on lunch at the same time. Each break and lunchtime is closely supervised both by teams of teachers, as well as by our dedicated full time site supervisor. In addition, we have a team of carefully selected and trained “sixth form supervisors” to offer help and assistance at break time and to help in the dining rooms at lunch. Students benefit from having the peace of mind that there will always be someone close to hand should they need some help.

ADDITIONAL NEEDS (SEND) Sharnbrook is fully inclusive. We make sure that those students who join us with specific educational needs are

well looked after via our additional needs team. In class, lessons are well differentiated to enable students of all abilities to access learning and, where needed, teaching assistants are available to offer thoughtful, discreet support. In addition, we have a team of high level teaching assistants attached to a specific department who can offer bespoke small group work to augment the learning of the classroom.

HOMEWORK Homework is an important part of secondary school life, and something that grows in significance as students progress through the years. The type of homework set varies according to the specific needs of each subject and is linked to the curriculum. To help students and parents keep track of homework and deadlines, we use an online system called Go 4 Schools. We appreciate parents’ help in encouraging their children to focus successfully on their studies at home.

CAREERS Our curriculum is designed not just to be stimulating but also to lead to a rewarding career. To help and guide our students as they start to consider their future, we offer careers advice to all years delivered both via the curriculum and enrichment days and also 1-1 meetings with a qualified careers advisor.

Curriculum All of our subjects are taught by specialists who are able to offer engaging and highly effective lessons. Each year is an important stepping stone to the next, and our broad and balanced curriculum is carefully designed to provide clear, supported progression through each key stage, all the way through to our very successful sixth form.

Staff employ a range of strategies designed to make lessons enjoyable, yet appropriately challenging, making sure that every student is fully supported. Being two-tier, we offer a three year GCSE programme. This means that students have the time to develop the skills and knowledge needed to get the very best from their studies and ensures they achieve the best they can. The curriculum is designed as follows:

YEARS 7 AND 8

YEARS 9, 10 AND 11

English

Maths

Science

Humanities (Geography, History & Religious Studies)

Religious Studies

Modern Foreign Languages (French, German, & Spanish)

Physical Education

Plus 4 Optional Subjects (See Website For Details)

Design Technology (Food, Textiles & Design Technology) Expressive Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, Media & Art)

Opportunities and Enrichment Whilst academic success is important, we highly regard the development of each child as a whole.

SCHOOL TRIPS We offer a wide range of both residential and day trips designed to augment and develop our students’ understanding of the wider aspects of the curriculum as well as providing enrichment opportunities. Below is just a flavour of what we offer:

DAY TRIPS: • Grendon Outdoor Centre • Luton Crown Court Sociology Trip • Bletchley Park • Tate Modern • Victoria And Albert • Cranfield Business Challenge • Thorpe Park Physics Day • Cambridge Physics Experience (Cavendish Laboratory) • Imperial War Museum, Duxford (Stem) • History - Churchill War Rooms

• English Theatre Trips • Media Imax Visits • Cardington Slalom Course (Kayaking) • Queen’s Tennis Trip • Big Rock Climbing Centre • Geography Field Work In Cromer • Warner Brothers Studio Visit • Sky Academy • Backnoe End Equestrian Centre Stables Visit • Natural History Museum

• Design Museum • Knitting & Stitch Show • Spanish Exchange UK Cultural Trips • French Exchange UK Cultural Trips • Chlitern Hills Outdoor Education Trip • Good Food Show

• German Exchange • Spanish Exchange • Iceland Geography Fieldwork • Norfolk Biology Fieldwork • Belgium History Trip

• Food Trips To Morocco • Food Trips To Sorrento • Grafham Water Centre • Media Live! Conference Disneyland Paris

RESIDENTIAL TRIPS: • Ski Trip • Blue Peris Outdoor Centre • D of E Canoe Expeditions • D of E Walking Expeditions • French Exchange

HOUSE ACTIVITIES Our house system provides opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and roles of responsibility. Activities include our inter-house tug of war, the inter-form “University Challenge”, our Christmas hamper drive and many more. Throughout the year, there are interhouse sports and a whole-school sports day in July. In addition, houses nominate a charity each year and hold fundraising events to raise money for their chosen cause. The house system also offers students the chance to take on roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in real leadership roles. Each tutor group has its own form captains who organise form activities and run events. Each house boasts a team of house captains, who help with whole school events, such as assemblies and fundraising.

SPORT Sport teaches students the value of working in a team and aspiring

to achieve the best whilst showing them how to cope when things don’t go their way. Our PE department is passionately committed to inspiring the next generation to get active through sport. We offer an incredible range of sports and clubs for students and have the benefit of an on-site sports centre which the students can utilise. Our sports teams often achieve great success in the many competitions the school enters. Clubs (which are fully inclusive) include football, rugby, netball, hockey, badminton, basketball, table tennis, athletics, rounders, cricket and tennis.

THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD We are justifiably proud of the opportunities our students can experience if they choose to get involved in our Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. As part of this, students have been able to visit some amazing places, including Nepal, Ecuador, India, The French Alps and many more. Whilst

the scheme’s regulations mean that only students in years 9 and above can take part in the award itself, students in years 7 and 8 can get involved in a series of activities designed to give them a taste of the exciting challenges to come.

MUSIC Music plays a major part in the life of the school. There are regular events throughout the year to showcase our talented young musicians. These include termly concerts for both rock and classical enthusiasts, a Battle of the Bands, music showcases, the Fiddle Fiesta, Christmas concerts and wind and brass days, supported by a strong music team of school staff and peripatetic teachers. These complement our wide range of extracurricular activities, which include studio and computer music clubs, the soul band, rock school, choir, wind band, orchestras, string quartet and our saxophone group. The music teams are always willing to respond to students’ talents and needs, creating many opportunities.

DRAMA, DANCE & THE PERFORMING ARTS

ART

LANGUAGES

Our drama department is incredibly successful and showcases this via regular performances throughout the year, such as the Creative Arts Festival and the BTEC Performing Arts Show.

A walk around the school will demonstrate the incredible level of talent of our art students. There are a number of art clubs and trips to local galleries along with visiting artists introducing professional ideas and practices.

As a core skill, languages are a valued part of the curriculum. Our highly qualified, enthusiastic and innovative languages teachers offer a range of cultural and linguistic enrichment opportunities, both in and out of school. These include residential trips abroad, theatre experiences, Christmas market trips and a film club.

Innovations School of Dance is an initiative for students interested in dance. Students can join in year 7 and move through the companies: Sparkz, Ignite, Activate and Fully Charged. Fully Charged has gained national recognition for its high end performance standards in dance competitions.

The art department aims to have an open access policy at lunchtimes so that students who wish to continue their art work can do so.

Activities are designed for students to learn language and experience the culture in a relaxed and supportive setting.

CLUBS AND SOCIETIES Our students have the opportunity to join a wide range of clubs and societies which run at lunchtimes or after school. Current favourites include: • Art Club (open to all year groups and will run Mondays after school from 3.15 4.25pm) • Learn Photoshop Club (for years 7 and 8) • School Dance Club • School Drama Club • A range of sports clubs • Christian Union

• STEM Club (science, technology, engineering & maths) • Science Club (for years 7 & 8) • Studio Music Club • Computer Music Club • Maths homework club • French Club • Writing Club (for years 7 & 8)

• Library Club • Debating Club • Languages Film Club • Climbing Club • Canoe Academy (aiming at Slalom competition) • Wakeboarding and many more…

LEADERSHIP AND STUDENT VOICE Young people deserve to have the opportunity to develop their leadership potential and have their voice heard. Students can join our team of trained and experienced peer mentors who help younger students develop strategies to deal with issues and provide a listening ear for those who need it. They are also involved in planning and delivering a programme of powerful and well-received PSHEE events for their peers. A significant number of sixth form students also engage in academic

mentoring, passing on their experience and expertise in organisation, study skills, revision and exam preparation, as well as subject-specific knowledge. Our live weekly TV broadcast is manned almost entirely by students, both behind and in front of the camera, providing them with the opportunity to develop technical and presenting skills. It also provides the school with a means to share a breadth of experiences and viewpoints with the whole student body, ranging from language exchanges and trips to current affairs and school events.

Those with a particular interest in the world of politics have prepared debates for the student body linked to significant current affairs, culminating in the whole school casting their votes. This always stimulates much debate and discussion around the school!

Facilities, Communication & General Information FACILITIES

Sharnbrook offers a large and impressively equipped campus that enables our students to enjoy experiences that are not available elsewhere. Highlights include: • • • • • •

A dedicated covered area of the playground for year 7 & 8 students; A remodelled library for students in years 7-11; A staffed 6th form study centre; A coffee bar for 6th form students; A state-of-the-art science block; Our dedicated music centre, boasting a suite of practice rooms, professional quality mixing facilities, a performance Area, a suite of music pcs and much more;

• A suite of fully equipped media editing rooms; • A professionally equipped tv studio; • Projectors and whiteboards in every teaching room; • A live televised broadcast every thursday; • “AA1” – our dedicated, large presentation centre; • A large dance studio; • Two specialised drama studios;

• A large gymnasium and sports centre, including a fitness suite, aerobics studio and well equipped changing rooms; • A full-size climbing wall; • A large all-weather sports ground in addition to our tennis courts and sports fields; • Computer suites across the school site; • Two dining facilities serving a broad and varied range of hot and cold meals;

we can arrange to call you back. We also use email to contact parents with important information.

Additionally, parents receive a detailed written progress report on their child during the year for each of their subjects, which will provide information about progress to date and advice on how performance might be improved.

COMMUNICATION At Sharnbrook, we highly regard the relationship that we have with parents and excellent communication is key to making that a success. Parents are encouraged to contact the school whenever they need to, with their child’s form tutor being the first point of contact in most cases. Should the need arise for more serious or urgent issues to be addressed, then the head of house can be contacted as well as our senior team. If you are unable to speak to the person you need immediately, then email is available, or

Our online system, Go 4 Schools, provides easy access to a wealth of information about how your child is getting on at school, available 24 hours a day via a simple login. Parents are invited into school to meet their child’s subject teachers as well as their form tutor so that they can discuss progress and work together to help their child succeed.

Our website is another useful source of information, including a calendar to let you know when key events are happening throughout the year, news items and extensive information about all aspects of the school and its organisation.

ODELL ROAD SHARNBROOK BEDFORDSHIRE MK44 1JL Tel: 01234 782211 Email: information@sharnbrook.beds.sch.uk www.sharnbrook.beds.sch.uk

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