Da Vinci Prospectus

The Da Vinci Studio School o f S c i e n c e a n d E n g i n e e r i n g P RO S P EC T U S

Message from Fintan Donohue Chairman of North Hertfordshire Studio School Trust The Studio School will meet the demands of industries in the locality for highly-skilled technicians that provide the platform for the advancement in Science and Technology needed to sustain our global competiveness.

It will add value to the educational offer in North Hertfordshire and early indications suggest that students and parents are keen to engage with the new curriculum and the more specialist opportunities it offers.

Working in partnership with the key education stakeholders we expect the Studio School to promote Science and Technology as a career for many more young people in the locality.

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Welcome Message from Donna Lodge Principal Designate

A warm welcome awaits you at The Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering. This pioneering school is for 14-19 year olds and is sponsored by North Herts College.

I am delighted to be leading such

should increase motivation, attainment and provide a

an innovative school and to be in a

competitive advantage in the work place.

position to offer something different

will be personalised with a broad and balanced option

for students who have a particular

programme coexisting alongside the core areas of study

interest in Science, Technology,

in English, Mathematics and Science.

Engineering

assigned coaches who will work hard with students to build

and

Mathematics

(STEM subjects).

Learning

Students will be

self-esteem, cultivate confidence and value the unique talents of each individual. Course delivery will be varied with

The Da Vinci Studio School affords the opportunity to

experiential learning, cross-curricular projects and input

study qualifications alongside skill development and work

from businesses.

experience and has the support of some of the major employers and Higher Education institutions regionally.

I hope you enjoy finding out more about the school from the website and prospectus, but the best way to see if this is

It provides a ground breaking approach that will enable

the sort of school which appeals to you is to pay us a visit.

students to appreciate the academic content of their

Come and enjoy a ‘Taster Day’ at The Da Vinci Studio School

courses in addition to the skills developed through

and discover for yourself the excitement of 21st Century

teamwork, problem solving and creative thinking, which

learning.

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Contents What is a studio school?

How will I learn?

What will I learn?

Key Stage 4 Post 16 What skills will I develop?

What employer links are anticipated?

What enrichment activities are available?

What else do I need to know?

Will it be right for me?

As a parent – how can I get involved?

What about uniform?

How do I apply?

Admissions for Key Stage 4 Entry requirements for post 16 intake Everyone is equal Protecting young people How to find us

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What is a studio school?

Studio Schools are new state schools for 14 to 19 year-olds of all abilities. They are based on extensive research and best practice from Britain and around the world and have been developed to address the growing gap between what young people require to succeed in life and the skills and knowledge that the current education system provides.

The schools are smaller than traditional secondary schools. The Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering will not exceed 400 students when operating at full capacity. The key difference lies in their approach to curriculum delivery, by offering a unique practical and enquiry based approach to learning with enterprise projects and real work experience. This academic yet practical approach to learning, rooted in the real world, supports young people on pathways into employment, apprenticeships, further education and university.

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Offering a unique practical and enquiry based approach to learning with enterprise projects and real work experience.

How will I learn?

The curriculum will be delivered in a range of different ways. Learning coaches are similar to teachers and they will facilitate subject delivery; a large proportion of your time however, will be devoted to working on both personalised and team cross-curricular projects, sometimes involving employers. The Studio School day is slightly longer than in a normal school.

This is deliberate and is designed to help

students develop resilience in their working practices and to have the opportunity to undertake assignments. It mirrors the real world of work and students will be timetabled to attend from 8.45am to 4.45pm Monday to Thursday and from 8.45am to 4.00pm on Friday.

Although planned teaching sessions will take place for 38 weeks of the year, the school itself will be open for coaching for 51 weeks of the year. This enables students to have access to support and to the facilities outside of their timetabled activities.

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What will I learn?

We hope to encourage you to think creatively. This is

alongside the core curriculum. Students will also develop

crucial since we need scientists, engineers and

finance and enterprise skills by setting up their own

technologists who can work together to solve problems

student ventures. The curriculum is enriched with many

and make the most of our resources to create a sustainable

clubs and societies and students will regularly take part

future. We are seeking students who have a love for

in events across the Science and Engineering calendar.

Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering and a thirst for wanting to understand our world, how it works and how we harness and control it.

A broad and balanced curriculum will allow students to attain national qualifications as well as study more of what they enjoy in Science and Technology. A range

We are seeking students who have a love for Science, Mathematics, Technology and Engineering and a thirst for wanting to understand our world, how it works and how we harness and control it.

of qualifications across the disciplines will be on offer

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Key Stage 4 Examination subjects include: •

English, Mathematics and Science – students will be guided on whether to aim

for single or double qualifications (in the case of Science up to triple subject)

•

Options choices include:

• BTEC Engineering (single or double)

• BTEC Business

• BTEC Information and Creative Technology

• GCSE Product Design

• GCSE Environmental and Land Based Science

• Project Qualifications

• Finance Award

• Sustainability Award

He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.

Leonardo da Vinci

* Courses will run subject to demand

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The British Chamber of Commerce believes that stronger links between schools and employers are crucial for the future of businesses up and down the country. Studio Schools will do just that, involving local and national business in all aspects of this innovative curriculum model. David Frost Chair of the Studio Schools Trust

(Ex-Director General, British Chamber of Commerce)

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Post 16 Students will be encouraged to select from a suite of Level 3 or Level 2 qualifications.

• A-levels: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics are offered within the school and students have the opportunity to utilise the College offering to complement their learning.The range of A-levels in other subjects in the sponsor organisation (North Hertfordshire College) includes Psychology, Communications and Culture, Sociology, Anthropology, History, English Language

and Literature, Media Studies, Law, English Literature, Citizenship and Film Studies. A-levels will be negotiated with you

according to your aspirations, progression and strengths.

•

Vocational Diplomas or Extended Diplomas in Applied Science or Engineering will be available. These will be offered at Level 3 (equivalent to up to 3 A-levels) and Level 2 (grade C+ equivalent). Students on Level 2 programmes will also work towards achieving their English and Mathematics at GCSE grade C minimum. It is possible to study an A-level alongside a Vocational Diploma at Level 3.

•

Most Post 16 students will complete the Extended Project Qualification.

•

Product Design, Information and Creative Technology, Enterprise, Project qualifications, Sustainability and Finance awards will all be available in the personalised extension studies.

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What skills will I develop?

Everyone is different and has strengths, which we will celebrate. We will also help you to develop the skills sought by employers. Here are a few examples: • • • • • • • • • •

The ability to communicate well and present to a variety of audiences How to adopt a professional approach to everything you do The ability to recognise what you are good at and work on what needs improving The ability to approach problem solving – techniques to help you Practise project planning and taking responsibility for learning new skills Knowing how to work well in teams and understand how your actions influence others The desire to be enterprising, looking for opportunities, being creative Resilience to help you cope when projects don’t work out as you’d hoped Techniques to help you improve your approach to problem solving Techniques to help you make the most of your enrichment time to learn or experience new things

We help you develop these skills using a tool designed by the Studio Schools Trust - Create® and also using the work with employers and with your personal coach.

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Although nature commences with reason and ends in experience it is necessary for us to do the opposite, that is to commence with experience and from this to proceed to investigate the reason. Leonardo da Vinci

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What employer links are anticipated?

We are very fortunate indeed to have the support of some of the major STEM employers in the region.

These include:

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What enrichment activities are available?

Studio School students will be able to

The Da Vinci School will have access

follow their own interests in Science,

to a multi-use games area and

the

and

students also have access to the gym

Engineering by completing enquiry

owned by North Hertfordshire College

based projects and joining clubs and

(5 minutes walk away). Other fitness

societies. In addition the enrichment

activities take place in the Community

calendar will bring fun and fitness

Hall at North Hertfordshire College

activities on a daily basis.

and include team sports, Zumba and

Environment,

Enterprise

so much more.

A wide range of activities will be on offer and these will change according to the interests of the students, who will be asked to help design the programme of activities. Students will keep a simple log or blog of these activities so that they can use these experiences to enhance their applications for the next stage in their education or career.

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What else do I need to know?

The School is sponsored by North Hertfordshire College and in September 2012 will open at the Monkswood Way site in Stevenage. For the first academic year technology facilities at the Stevenage Skills Centre will also be used. A new school will be built for 2013 at the Monkswood Way site and will accommodate all the facilities needed.

Students not living in Stevenage will be able to use the Uno Bus link. This will cost a maximum of ÂŁ1 per day.

NHC Stevenage Centre Monkswood Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 1LA

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Will it be right for me?

We want the best for our students and we know that choosing a school is a big decision.

However, be assured that this new model has been developed in partnership with local and national employers who are telling us that we need to take action to support students in preparing for life, progression, studies and work.

It is suitable if you: • Want to develop linkages between the different technical fields • Enjoy a multidisciplinary and problem solving approach to learning • Want to work in a mature and business like environment • Like the idea of having a personalised programme and working closley with teachers (learning coaches) • Prefer to attend a smaller school

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Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation... even so does inaction sap the vigour of the mind.

Leonardo da Vinci

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As a parent – how can I get involved?

We will ensure that you are kept in touch with the life at the School by: •

A half-termly newsletter, partly written by the students

•

Making sure you have all the curriculum information you need to

help you support your child in discussing their studies at home

•

Events and exhibitions

•

A programme of ‘for interest’ lectures

•

An opportunity to be involved in the clubs and societies

•

Parents’ consultation evenings

•

Publicising our policies via our websites

•

Work with parents who, as employers, wish to be involved in

curriculum projects

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What about uniform?

Students are expected to dress smartly as we are preparing you to progress easily to work, apprenticeships or higher education. We do expect our students to comply with the full uniform policy which is available on our website.

To summarise what this might mean for you: Both Key Stage 4 and Post 16 students are expected to have a black suit and wear our branded Da Vinci business shirt. We also have available Da Vinci polo shirts and cargo pants for employer challenge days and field trips. All branded Da Vinci apparel is obtainable directly from the School.

Uniform images throughout this prospectus are not a true representation of The Da Vinci Studio School uniform and are for illustration purposes only.

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How do I apply?

Studio Schools are designed to be small and we will grow over the first few years to a maximum

in Year 9 and wish to apply to start in Year 10 please complete the Hertfordshire Local Education

All our knowledge has its origins in our perceptions.

Authority in-year transfer application form. Information is available on the website. Please note

Leonardo da Vinci

of 400 students. If you are wanting to enter at Post 16 please apply directly to the School by contacting us on enquiries@davinci-school.co.uk. Include the address and contact name details for yourself and your parents. We will then send you the information you need. If you are currently

that for 2012 places are limited.

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Learning never exhausts the mind.

Leonardo da Vinci

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Admissions at Key Stage 4 Students currently in Year 9, who have an interest in STEM subjects and a willingness to work hard and embrace this new method of learning are encouraged to apply using the application process outlined on the website. As an inclusive school, we do not stipulate formal entry requirements.

Following receipt of your application you will be invited into school to negotiate an appropriate programme of study.

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Entry Requirements for Post16 intake All applicants for Post 16 will be invited to a meeting to discuss their requirements.

Those students wishing to enter Year 12 will need to meet set entry requirements for specific courses. Entry requirements are a way of helping us negotiate the best options, to make sure that you take on something in which you can be successful. We will also ensure that students accepted at Post 16 who do not possess at least a grade C (this is Level 2) in GCSE English and Mathematics will achieve, or work towards achieving, a Level 2 qualification in these two subjects.

To access Level 3 programmes: To commence Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics A-levels or Level 3 Engineering/Level 3 Science, you need to have achieved, or be predicted to achieve, at least five GCSEs at minimum grade C including English, Mathematics and Science. If you are applying whilst in year 11, then if we consider that the interview has been successful, you will be made an offer which is conditional on your Key Stage 4 results. This is normal practice for entry to Post 16 study at Level 3. Any specific entry requirements will be explained to you at interview.

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A well-spent day brings happy sleep.

Leonardo da Vinci

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To access Level 2 vocational programmes:

To access Level 1 vocational study

You must have achieved, or be predicted to

Level 1 programmes and students not yet ready for

achieve, at least four grade Ds at GCSE.

Level 2 or 3 will be referred to North Hertfordshire

Our sponsor organisation has a very wide range of

College for guidance.

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Apprenticeships Entry requirements are set by employers who

However,

will recruit their employees and then work

apprenticeships in allied industries with a

to

balance

this,

there

are

with us on the training programme. Entry lower technical requirement that offer very requirements do vary considerably, however attractive options for students. It is clearly an applicants for apprenticeships in science

area where each student needs personalised

and engineering are normally expected to advice. This can be provided at the school have GCSEs at C in English, Mathematics

by working with North Hertfordshire College

and Science. Some apprenticeship providers and can also be obtained by contacting will favour students after completion of sixth

the apprenticeships team at our sponsor

form studies due to their increased portfolio organisation North Hertfordshire College. of experiences and skills.

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Everyone is equal At the Da Vinci Studio School, we provide appropriate opportunities for everyone to maximise their potential regardless of background, circumstances, faith, gender, sexual orientation or disabilities. We will promote a supportive environment free from discrimination.

Opportunities for everyone to maximise their potential

Protecting young people Student safety and well-being is paramount. We are required to take any reasonable action to ensure the safety of our students.

If teaching or non-teaching staff are concerned that one of our students may be subject to ill-treatment, neglect or any form of abuse, then we will inform the designated Safeguarding Officer at the Da Vinci Studio School. Our policy is consistent with national standards for safeguarding procedures.

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How to find us The Da Vinci Studio School Stevenage Centre Monkswood Way Stevenage Hertfordshire SG1 1LA

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