Excellence in a caring, learning community
Welcome Dear Parent/Carer Welcome to The Lakes School Prospectus, and thank you for showing an interest in our school.
you, the parents, to ensure that your child’s time at The Lakes School is as happy and successful as it can be.
Choosing a secondary school can be a daunting task but I hope we are able to give you the information you need. In addition to this prospectus, we are very happy to provide you with any other details or to show you around the school.
Our school continues to perform very well in national examination league tables as well as in ‘value added’ measures. I look forward to welcoming your child to The Lakes School and working with you in the future.
The Lakes School is an 11 – 18 mixed comprehensive school, with around 640 students. We are immensely proud of the school and the achievements of our students. High academic performance, excellent standards of behaviour, attitude and appearance, and ensuring that all learners are happy, secure and stimulated are the goals which lie at the heart of our school. We care passionately about achieving the best for each young person and we will work tirelessly in partnership with
Dr David Selby
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The quality of care, guidance and support provided for students is good. Students are known as individuals, their needs are well understood [OfSTED, March 2011]
Vision, Values and Key Principles Vision
Key Principles
The Lakes School is:
Learning:
with every student having a broad range of experiences and challenges, both inside and outside the classroom, and receiving first class teaching to ensure that they achieve their full potential.
Caring:
where every student is safe and secure so that they can learn with confidence, and where consideration for others and self discipline are developed.
Community:
to be a centre for learning for our whole community and, through this, to provide the best possible opportunities for every person who uses the school.
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a place of excellence and enjoyment where each person strives to fulfill their potential in academic, personal and physical development by being challenged to be their best, a caring place where each person sees their own contribution and is respected and valued as an individual, a place of partnership between young people, parents, staff and governors and our wider local, national and international communities.
Values
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Be enthusiastic about learning Try to fulfil your full potential Be equipped to learn Get involved in the challenging opportunities offered Make a positive contribution to school and community Show respect to all others in our community Be healthy and active Develop quality relationships Care for each other Respect our unique environment and appreciate its impact on our culture
All quotations attributed to OfSTED are taken from the OfSTED Inspection Report in March 2011, copies of which are available from the school.
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High expectations and a range of teaching and learning styles challenge the students well [OfSTED, March 2011]
Excellence in our Curriculum The Lakes School Curriculum
Key Stage Four (Years 10 and 11)
The Lakes School prides itself on the broad and balanced curriculum we offer our students. Monitoring and evaluating our students’ progress is one of the keys to our success and we set challenging but realistic targets throughout their school career.
In addition to the common core of National Curriculum subjects (English, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry Physics, Physical Education and Religious Studies), which is enhanced by a programme of personal, social and health education, we offer the following options:
Our curriculum aims to challenge and stimulate, and to meet the needs and aspirations of our students. To enable all students to achieve their very best, some subjects are grouped according to ability whilst others are taught in mixed ability classes. We inform parents about their children’s sets before the start of the academic year. Detailed handbooks give more information about individual subjects.
Key Stage Three (Years 7 to 9) All students follow the National Curriculum with its core and foundation subjects. Additionally, we enrich students’ academic experience by providing them with the opportunity to study modern languages and drama. They also take part in outdoor and adventurous activities.
Art Business Studies Catering Dance Drama English Literature French Geography German
History Music Outdoor Education Physical Education Product Design Religious Studies Sport Textiles
Each student’s Key Stage 4 programme is planned to meet their individual needs, preferences and plans for the future. We use vocational and other work-based approaches in some areas, and have well established partnerships with other educational providers including Kendal College and local employers to help us do this.
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Key Stage Five (Years 12 and 13)
The Sixth Form
Any of the subjects taken at Key Stage 4 can be continued in the sixth form together with:
We are justifiably proud of our excellent Sixth Form. Our results are strong and above the national average. We offer a wide range of subjects and very good facilities.
Media Studies Computing Further Maths Travel and Tourism
Photography Psychology Sociology
Commitment from students both in class and in homework is essential in developing self-discipline and independent study, resulting in academic success.
Academic Excellence We believe strongly that all students, whatever their ability, should be encouraged to fulfil their individual potential and their ambitions. Our target setting procedure means that all students aim high. Students are entered early for GCSE examinations where appropriate. Every year these policies lead to many outstanding academic performances. In recent years, several young people have achieved 9 or 10 A* or A grades each at GCSE level, with individual students being identified as achieving examination success in the top ten marks of all students across the country in a number of subjects
Marking, Targets and Reports All work is marked in accordance with a common marking policy, which allows students and parents to see at a glance how well an individual is doing in any subject. Students are awarded a grade for academic achievement and for their attitude to learning. These are based on individual target grades for every subject, which are agreed at the beginning of each academic year. The school provides parents with formal progress reports three times a year but we welcome enquiries about any individual’s progress at any time.
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Our Sixth Form students are involved in all aspects of school life, as ‘buddies’ to new Year 7 students, as prefects, as positive role models to younger students and in helping with activities such as after school sports. They work hard in a stimulating atmosphere of co-operation and friendly competition.
Educational Visits Many departments take students on educational visits, locally, nationally and internationally. The purpose of such visits is to enhance the curriculum and give opportunities for active learning. Fieldwork is a regular part of Key Stage 3, GCSE and A level Biology, History and Geography. Theatre visits are frequently arranged for students in most year groups. Year 7 students take part in outdoor activities as part of their induction to the school in their first term. Recently students have visited Ecuador, France and Morocco, skied in Andorra, France and Italy, visited Windermere’s twin town Diessen, in Germany, attended the Clothes Show, visited local businesses and participated in personal development and team building exercises with the Brathay Trust. Students are also offered the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at bronze, silver and gold standards, for which the local environment is used to its full extent.
Target setting is realistic but challenging and the impact can be seen in the good progress and above-average attainment [OfSTED, March 2011]
The school provides high-quality care, guidance and support for all students. There are good arrangements for students when moving in and out of school at key transition points [OfSTED, March 2011]
Excellence in Care Pastoral Care
Transition into The Lakes School
We believe that the pastoral care of each student in the school is of the greatest importance. We have a strong pastoral care system overseen by the deputy headteacher, directors of progress and a team of form tutors. The form tutor sees students twice each day and is therefore able to monitor academic performance, attendance and behaviour. Students normally retain the same form tutor throughout years 7 to 11 to ensure a continuity of relationship between tutor, student and parents.
When a student moves on to secondary school, parents and the student may have concerns with a larger building, more movement around school to different lessons and many new teachers and students. We use a range of successful strategies to help ease the transition process. These include:
We provide various avenues for students to confide in someone if they have concerns or worries. In most instances, the student will approach their form tutor who is central to their life in the school. Parents also have the opportunity to build relationships with the form tutor through parents’ evenings, contact by telephone or email or via the students’ planner. In addition to this we have regular counsellors visiting the school who may be consulted by students who have concerns which they wish to talk over in confidence.
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Taster days for all students in Year 5 from our feeder primary schools. A full induction day for all Year 6 students transferring to The Lakes School. Regular visits to all of our feeder primary schools by a director of progress and our transition and special needs co-ordinators. A parents’ evening for all parents of students in Year 6. An open evening and open days for possible new students and their families. The use of older students as ‘buddies’ for Year 7 students.
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Behaviour and Attendance
Special Needs Provision
Without excellent school attendance and good behaviour, students will not reach their full potential in education.
The Lakes School prides itself on being an inclusive school catering for all children from the community. In particular, we are a designated centre in the South Lakes area for students with physical or medical needs.
We emphasise the quality of relationships between students, their peers and all adults working at school, and believe that this contributes to the good attitudes of our students. These relationships reflect the size and friendliness of the school. We know that students of all ages are very appreciative of our teachers’ efforts in providing quality education and a wide range of extra curricular activities. Taken together, we find that this means that our students want to come to school. Attendance is therefore very good. Any attendance problems are followed up immediately by contact with parents. The school has an active behaviour policy which aims to promote self-discipline. We believe that it is more effective to praise good behaviour than to punish bad, although sanctions are also necessary for a minority of students. We expect parents to support our rewards and sanctions systems. We do not tolerate bullying of any kind. If relationships between students do become difficult, then this is acted on before problems can develop. We use our pastoral support staff, supported by our partners, including our connexions advisor, school nurse and education welfare officer, if needed.
Rewards Rewarding good work, effort and achievement is a constant feature of life at The Lakes School. We use a merit system which allows us to recognise individual success. Certificates are presented to students in our assemblies. We have a formal celebration assembly at the end of each term to reward students for their attitude to learning, progress, attendance, attitude and outstanding achievement.
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The Learning Support Department consists of teachers and teaching assistants providing specialist teaching and in-class support for students with a wide variety of needs. It works throughout the school with the aim of guiding and helping students to achieve their full potential. All Year 7 students take reading, spelling and cognitive abilities tests. These help staff identify which students may need extra help and to monitor their progress through school. In addition, our learning support staff are qualified to make detailed individual assessments. Some students have extra lessons to address any literacy difficulties; these can be as individuals or in small groups. In Years 10 and 11 students may have extra small group support for their GCSE work.
A very large majority of students, parents and carers say that the students feel safe and are kept safe in and around school [OfSTED, March 2011]
There are well-established systems in place for regularly monitoring and evaluating all aspects of the school's work by senior leaders, middle leaders and the governing body [OfSTED, March 2011]
Excellence in the Quality of Staff The excellence of The Lakes School is primarily determined by the quality of our teaching and learning. As such we aim to ensure that our teaching and associate staff teams are well qualified and experienced. These staff are developed by focusing on the following areas:
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An emphasis on teaching and learning – the observation of lessons to identify good practice and then share this with others.
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Use of sophisticated student information systems – using robust reporting and tracking systems to support the progress of all of our students. The development of Information Technology to support teaching, learning and administration – expanding the use of IT for both students and staff as well as enhancing and using staff expertise.
Provision of professional development opportunities – regular training opportunities run by staff and our partners in the South Lakes Federation of Schools and Colleges to assist colleagues in key areas in order to develop skills, which are then reflected in the wider opportunities for our students.
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Students make a strong contribution to local, regional and international communities. There is a strong sense of community spirit within school [OfSTED, March 2011]
Opportunity in the Community and Extra Curricular Activities The Lakes School is the community school for the central part of the South Lakes area. We aim to serve our community by providing the best possible experience for its young people but we also believe in developing links with the wider community. We have been recognised for this by the Department for Education and have received a full ‘Extended School’ award. Our school facilities are used by a wide range of people and organisations. We offer a weekly adult education programme and work with other partners to offer an increasing range of high quality sporting and other opportunities. Through this, we aim to lift the aspirations, expectations and achievements of the whole community, and to put The Lakes School at the heart of it.
Sporting and outdoor opportunities We believe that sport has the power and positive influence on students to motivate them to learn and to help them raise their level of achievement. This, in turn, raises whole school standards. We believe that
sporting achievement and academic standards go hand in hand and, we aim for both of these goals. We believe that high quality PE, school sport and outdoor education can help self-confidence, self-discipline and concentration to be improved. We work very hard to ensure this happens for all of our students. We offer opportunities for all to participate and excel in a wide range of games and activities, both as part of the curriculum and outside of normal school hours.
Sports Teams and Clubs Athletics
Hockey
Badminton
Netball
Basketball
Roller Hockey
Cricket
Rounders
Cross Country
Rugby
Dance
Swimming
Fitness
Tennis
Football
Trampolining
Gymnastics
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Outdoor education is a strong feature of The Lakes School and all students experience this from their Year 7 onwards. The Outdoor and Adventurous Activities Programme within Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) includes abseiling, canoeing, climbing, kayaking and problem solving, as well as other activities. At Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) we have range of accredited courses in outdoor adventure, including BTEC Outdoor Education and other, National Governing Body, awards. The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a very popular programme with over 100 students involved and we offer the full range of bronze, silver and gold awards. Additionally, we offer a very wide range of outdoor pursuit activities after school; these are open to all students and include: Adventure Courses
Fell Running
Camping
Sailing
Canoeing
Skiing
Climbing
Mountain Biking
Other Enrichment Activities There is a rich variety of opportunity for students outside of the formal curriculum of The Lakes School. Students are actively encouraged to get involved in the many activities available to them, and the school offers a number of clubs in addition to sport on a regular basis. After school activities include art, debating, drama, information and communication technology, music, science and technology, as well as revision classes in many National Curriculum subjects. We also offer a wide range of educational visits and recent trips include Dove Cottage, the International Slavery Museum in Liverpool, university visits, overseas experiences and a variety of theatre visits. These activities allow our students to develop skills and interests that can be pursued in adult life.
The Lakes School Environment We are fortunate to have a stunning location within the centre of the Lake District. The school itself is well resourced and is set in extensive playing fields with a modern floodlit artificial turf pitch and an all weather multiuse games area.
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Facilities The school has a public hall and stage, a large sports hall with a spinning room, a gymnasium and access to the swimming pool situated on our campus. All lessons are taught in specialist classrooms which include six laboratories and six ICT rooms. There is also a purpose built sports room and performance laboratory. There are numerous computers in classrooms and work areas throughout the school. We have a large and professionally staffed library. Work in the arts is supported by a performing arts studio, drama room and a music suite with individual rehearsal and practice facilities. These allow many students to make use of the peripatetic music teaching on offer, which ranges from traditional instruments to electric guitar and drums.
The School Governors Our governing body takes an active interest in all aspects of the school and takes its work very seriously. Contact between parents and the governors is always welcome and may be made through the Clerk to the Governors or direct to the Chair of Governors.
The School Council The school council is an important part of school life, giving the students a voice in the running of the school. They express their views and share in developing our work. The School and The Friends of The Lakes School provide the School Council with a budget for students to spend on agreed projects. It also provides representation on South Lakeland District Council’s Schools Council Forum and has been used for many years in the appointment process for all new staff at the school.
The Friends of The Lakes School Our ‘Friends of The Lakes School’ can include as members anyone linked to the school. All parents are automatically members. The enthusiastic committee organises regular social and fund raising events and members support the school in many large and small ways. Parents of new students are encouraged to take an active role in the Friends of The Lakes School. Their new ideas, support and assistance are always welcomed. Contact can be made through their Secretary or Chair.
Troutbeck Bridge Windermere Cumbria LA23 1HW T 015394 40810 F 015394 40811 E admin@lakes.cumbria.sch.uk w www.thelakesschool.net Visiting the School Any students who are considering coming to The Lakes School, or their parents, are welcome to see us at work – just telephone beforehand for an appointment to be shown round.
For more information Copies of policies and other documents can be obtained from the school office by request. You can also visit the school website.
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