A Message from the Head Teacher... Balby Carr is a school that cares about children. It is a vibrant school, bristling with enthusiastic students and excellent caring staff. Balby Carr Specialist Sports and Science College provides a supportive, well ordered learning environment, well qualified, dedicated and inspirational staff, 21st century technology to help support children and improve their learning, five star facilities and high quality learning opportunities for all children. We are committed to pursuing “Success for All” through the specialist provision not only in PE but in all our subjects. We value everyone equally; we celebrate our diversity and work tirelessly to allow children to flourish whatever their ability or talent. We firmly believe that education is a partnership with everyone working towards the same goal; we help every student to be ‘In SHAPE’ - Students Happy Academically, Physically and Emotionally. Students at Balby Carr enjoyed numerous successes once again last year and our outstanding students will continue to make Balby Carr the destination of choice in Doncaster. I am proud to have been able to say, year after year, that at Balby our good does not stand still. All the results we achieve are through our team effort and the product of hard work, self-belief, high expectations, wrap around care and personalised support.
Together we are stronger. Our students deserve the best and we will continue to endeavour to make the impossible, possible. We continue to have the confidence and courage to take a lead and steer our continued path to improvement and to do what is right for our students. We want our children to Dream, Believe and Achieve through the enjoyment of learning, the thrill of discovery and the excitement provided by new opportunities. We are more than a school; we are a family and understand the need for family values. We promise that we will work tirelessly to ensure your child has the opportunities to be the ‘best they can be’ and my promise is that if it is not good enough for my children then it is not good enough for the children of Balby, Hexthorpe and beyond. Are you ready for one of the most exciting and rewarding journeys of your life? We are building upon the successes of the past and looking very confidently to the future and we welcome you all to become a part of our family and enjoy the exciting and successful educational journey your children will undertake whilst they are at Balby Carr. It is a real privilege to be the Head Teacher at Balby Carr and I know that students, as a result of their excellent attitude to learning, will continue to make me proud. Continue to ‘Enjoy the Learning Adventure’ but foremost always be proud of who you are, because you are ‘Made in Balby’. Enjoy the ‘Learning Adventure’ and make Balby Carr the ‘Right Choice’. Mr. M Craig (With inspiration taken from discussion and dialogue with my proud students and staff)
Teaching and Learning At Balby Carr we are committed to raising attainment for all our students through Teaching and Learning and the celebration of student achievement. The College is forward looking, popular and friendly with highly skilled and dedicated staff. We intend to remain at the forefront of educational developments whilst maintaining traditional values, high expectations and standards. We work with all students to encourage high standards in all aspects of their lives, whilst recognising that they are all individuals and that their best is good enough. We continue to offer a wide range of opportunities both in the classroom and beyond, which will enable our students to work towards high academic achievement and to be positive participants in our community. We recognise that students will achieve and attain more in a well ordered and respectful environment and we promote a climate for learning that accentuates the positive and eliminates the negative.
What Does Balby Carr Stand For?
- We value education because it has the power to change and improve people’s lives. - We expect learning and teaching to inspire people to aspire to achieve. - We value success for all. - We have high expectations. - We focus on all learners and learning. - We aim to improve by being creative and innovative. - We will value each other and everyone’s contribution.
The Curriculum at Key Stage 3 Teaching staff at Balby Carr remain at the forefront of developments in education. Their high levels of professional skill and knowledge enable all our students to achieve their aims. We have a reputation for being innovative and for providing stimulating and challenging opportunities for students to learn. Our continued focus on high quality teaching and learning ensures we meet the needs of all students by taking into account their personal learning styles.
Years 7-8 Students study Maths, English, Science, Technology, PE, Art, Drama, Music, ICT, Languages, History, Geography and RS. Some students in Year 7 will follow a Curiosity, Wonder and Inquisitiveness Curriculum Programme (CWIq) developed in partnership with renowned Professor of Education, Mick Waters. This programme will give targeted students a ‘power start’ to improve literacy and numeracy skills and successfully access the core subjects that will be studied alongside this project.
Year 9 Our Year 9 curriculum allows students to personalise their studies and start their GCSE work early in Maths, English, Science, History, Geography, Visual and Performing Arts. Students can also choose to personalise their pathways by selecting French or Spanish.
The Curriculum at Key Stage 4 Years 10 and 11 All students follow a core curriculum that includes English, Mathematics, Science and PE and can continue with the subjects they selected in Year 9. In addition, they can choose other courses to suit their individual aspirations and abilities. We enjoy continued success in a wide variety of GCSE Subjects such as Technology, History, Geography, Sociology, Drama, Art, Languages, PE, Music and the Triple Sciences. We have a well deserved excellent reputation in the delivery of Vocational Courses and offer a wide variety including Art, ICT, Business Studies, Business Language, Drama, Music Technology, Performing Arts, Dance, Construction and Hair-dressing.
Beyond the Curriculum At Balby Carr, we are committed to providing a variety of opportunities for students to learn and develop a wide range of skills outside the classroom. Our Website, Personalised Learning Environment and Newsletters provides regular updates for parents of the activities on offer. There is an extensive and varied programme of activities, through which students can develop confidence, problem solving and team-working skills. These activities give them the opportunity to excel in new and challenging areas and to cultivate interests that may stay with them for life. As an extended school we offer many afterschool clubs and sports activities. Our newly refurbished 1966 suite allows children to remain on site from 2.40pm until 4.30pm under adult supervision in a state of the art learning resource suite. There is access to computers; learning supervisors; Wii and gaming activities and a film club. A late bus runs every Monday to Thursday at 4.30pm. In the creative arts, students are regularly involved in the many musical groups, rock bands, vocal groups and take part in musical and dramatic productions such as Bugsy Malone, Alice in Wonderland, We Will Rock You and Hairspray. Students with an interest in Technology can get involved in design drawing, metalwork, fashion design and cooking for life. We organise a wide variety of offsite visits for all year groups such as ski trips, sports tours, exciting trips to the Pantomime, The Deep, Xscape, The Space Centre, Universities, The London Science Museum, London West End shows, Disneyland Paris and many other places of interest that are too numerous to mention.
Students have the opportunity to be involved in a wide variety of leadership opportunities such as the Student Executive Council, Sports and Reading Leaders, and take part in a whole host of special interest clubs in all areas of the College. Opportunities include a wide range of sporting disciplines, from traditional sports such as football, netball and golf to rowing, BMX racing, boxing, cheerleading and horse riding, which highlights our continued commitment to the health and well being of all students in our care. In the performing arts students are involved in many school productions and events. Our students dazzled audiences as they performed the showstopping West End musical Hairspray last year. We are already looking forward to our ninth show, Beauty and the Beast.
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Mitchell Tickhill St Marys Balby Carr is good, it is easy to find your way around and I have made lots of new friends. Teachers help you in lessons and give you lots of encouragement. After school activities are great, especially table tennis and football.
Care and Guidance At Balby Carr the safeguarding of our students is of paramount importance. Parents send their children to school each day with the expectation that school provides a secure environment in which their children can flourish and be confident. The Care and Guidance Team work with our students and parents to ensure they are safe and happy in school. Any alerts are discussed with parents and support is put in place. We have a thorough health and safety policy, which is monitored each term by the relevant committee of the school governors. Positive behaviour is essential in any community and at Balby Carr we have high expectations for this. The school conducts a very effective Anti-Bullying/Racism Programme, the ethos of which is zero tolerance. Balby Carr is proud of the interventions used to ensure students come to zero harm academically, physically and emotionally. Further information regarding procedures can be found on the EPortal.
Additional Support For students who require additional support to meet their learning needs, help is provided by a dedicated team of Learning Support Practitioners. This support is provided within the classroom environment. We have specialist staff to help support students with additional learning needs. We offer excellent support for all students who require literacy and numeracy support and a number of students will access the innovative ‘Read to Succeed’ programme that promotes enjoyment and success through reading. The College has students, staff and parents who are fully trained as Reading Leaders. This scheme is successful in encouraging good reading habits and boosting confidence. Accessibility at Balby Carr We are committed to making reasonable adjustments for disabled students so that they are not at a substantial disadvantage. We are always happy to meet with parents and carers to discuss individual students’ needs.
Gifted and Able Provision For the many students who are involved in our gifted and able programme we have exciting activities which will inspire and engage them. All subject teachers are aware of students who take part in gifted and able activities and they work closely with G&A students to ensure that they are engaged and stretched to enable them to achieve the high level of success and meet the aspirational targets that are set with them. We encourage all students to enjoy the success that they might expect of themselves and that the Balby Carr team expects of them. There are a vast number of opportunities to raise student aspirations. These include visits to a number of high profile Universities and Colleges such as Leeds, Loughborough, Hull, Sheffield, Huddersfield and Brookes University Oxford. Opportunities to visit Noel Village Foundry and Engineering Works are open to our students, as well as a visit to Auschwitz. Our Physics department works closely with the Ogden Trust to promote the involvement in and enjoyment of science. Maths students are involved in national competitions each year. Our highly qualified and dedicated staff provide all our gifted and able students with engaging and challenging opportunities to enable them to achieve.
Information, Advice and Guidance The careers education guidance programme is delivered throughout the curriculum with the Head of Careers, who is responsible for engaging with representatives from the business sector to work alongside students in the College. Through excellent relationships with such organisations we are able to extend opportunities for our students by giving them a valuable insight into the world of work. All Year 10 students have the opportunity to take part in a highly successful Work Experience scheme. A wide range of activities are undertaken within the College. The skills required by students to help bridge the gap between education and the world of work are practised regularly within the career modules of study which make full use of our well-resourced careers library for independent research. Our work-related learning programme is extensive and includes modules of work on labour market information, career transition skills, enterprise and challenge events with business and industry. Other modules include financial literacy as well as external visits to University open days, taster sessions at college and fact finding visits to local firms.
Progression to Post 16 Balby Carr’s oversubscribed Sixth Form and Academy of Sport provides a lively and stimulating environment for Post-16 studies. Courses are available for students of all abilities and interests, and our students have an excellent record of obtaining places in Higher Education and employment. We publish a separate Sixth Form Prospectus to help students make the important choices about their future direction and to select the right courses. We continue to invest in the facilities for our Sixth Form students because we want students to be a part of a vibrant and caring community with access to the best teaching and high-tech facilities to support their learning. All Sixth Form students have a funique base for learning in our Sixth Form Centre (SFC) which provides state of the art IT facilities, as well as a cafe/relaxation area. Training and qualifications are more important today than they have ever been and at Balby Carr we provide students with the skills, knowledge and confidence to face the next important stage of their lives, whether it is to find a job, train for a career or prepare for University.
Balby Academy of Sport We run a very successful and over subscribed Post-16 Sports Academy at Balby Carr. Balby Academy of Sport offers academic and sporting courses for Post 16 students. Our students study towards a level 3 qualification, which enables them to either go onto higher education or enter the world of work. The PE Department provides expert support to enable students to achieve both academic and sporting excellence. Academy of Sport students follow a personalised timetable which allows the students to enjoy a unique blend of personal training, high calibre fixtures, coaching qualifications as well as outstanding academic results. Balby Academy of Sport 2013 Academies include Boys Football, Girls Football, Boxing, Golf, Sports Medicine, BMX, Rugby League and Coaching and Teaching.
I have made lots of friends. My teachers are kind and helpful, school dinners are good with lots of choice. My brother and sister can’t wait to come to Balby Carr.
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Ellie Woodfield Primary
Balby Academy of Sport Each Academy offers a tailored programme to suit all abilities with the overarching mission to allow students to achieve social, academic and sporting success. Balby Academy of Sport is one of the most innovative and fastest growing academies that offers an outstanding opportunity for Sixth Form students to realise their sporting talent whilst receiving a world class education. A 100% pass rate coupled with 19 students studying on sports scholarships at Universities in the USA and Canada are just a few of the outstanding outcomes for students progressing from the Academy.
GCSE Examination Results 2013 77% of Year 11 students achieved 5 GCSEs above grade C and 44% achieved 5 GCSEs above grade C including English and Maths in 2013. Our A2 students achieved a 100% pass rate for the sixth year running.
% of students achieving
2009 2010 2011 2012
2013
5 A*-C GCSE
72
73
89
84
77
5 A*-C inc. Eng & Maths
26
38
46
48
44
Outcomes for our students at the end of Year 11 continue to increase over time and are considerably higher than national floor standards; our students consistently achieve their best possible grades; in 2013, 99.4% of our Year 11 students achieved at least one qualification and 98.1% of our Year 11 students achieved at least 5 GCSE passes.
Post 16 Class of 2013 Destinations
100% pass rate at A Level 6 years running
Name
Destination
Course
Armitage, Jake Asomaning, Ruth Bamford, Rebecca Brown, Michael Brown, Rachel Chappell, Adam Clarke, Matthew Cooper, Andrew Cork, Charlotte Craven, Chloe Daniels, Casey Davis, Katie Dawson, Adam Dean, Joe Dear, Adam Dent, Jade Down, Hannah Emmonds, Nicole Finch, Charlotte Goddard, Olivia Hallam, Lewis Hassan, Alza Ivanov, Mark Johnson, Alicia Jones, Jack
Northumbria University Aston University Teeside University Leeds Met University Doncaster University Loughborough University Employment Hull University Leeds Met University Sheffield Hallam University University of West of England London Southbank University Sheffield Hallam University Golf Professional Leeds Met University Lincoln University Sheffield Hallam University Employment Royal Holloway University Scholarship - Arkansas, USA Leeds Met University Brunel University University of Huddersfield Sheffield Hallam University BUWE University
Sports Coaching International Politics and Language Crime and Investigation Sports Coaching Early Childhood Studies Computer Science BT Business Management and IT Sport and Exercise Education Studies with Psychology Mathematics Psychology Web Systems Golf Professional Business Information Technology International Tourist Management Physical Education Carer Criminology Scholarship Physical Education Law Business Management Sports Development Science Foundation
Post 16 Class of 2013 Destinations Name
Destination
Course
Ketteringham, Abi Kisa, Birsen Knapp, Alice Lourenco, Alexander Main, Kelly Makuch, Chelsea McMillan, Luke Moscardini, Alex Mumtaz, Ramina Musson, Keith Naweed, Frahnaz
York St John University Lincoln University Derby University London Southbank University NOTRE University Sheffield Hallam University Employment Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield Hallam University Apprenticeship Leeds Met University
English Language Architecture Forensic Science Law with Sociology Sociology Criminology Engineering Sports Business Psychology Track Engineering Biomedical
Oliver, Jodie Parish, Sadie Parkin, Ryann Quinn, Danielle Richardson, Victoria Sayles, Zac Singh, Beant Singh, Gurdas Skidmore, Moninic Smith, Bethany Spinks, Jordan Stovin, Lucy Whitworth, Rebecca Winning, Olivia
Sheffield Hallam University European Humanities Uni Leeds Met University Dance Academy Leeds Met University Sheffield Hallam University Apprenticeship Sheffield Hallam University Professional BMX Racing Bishop Grosseteste University Teeside University York St John University Leeds Met University Scholarship - Tulane Uni, USA
Law with Sociology Secondary Religious Education Games Design Dance Human Geography Engineering Noel Village Administration Accounting Professional BMX Racing Primary Education Computer Games Art Young People & Families Sociology Golf Scholarship
The School Day The College operates a two week timetable, using alternating yellow and blue weeks. Each week consists of 25 one hour-long lessons. On Monday - Thursday, the College opens with Registration, or ‘Mii’ time at 8.30am, and finishes at the end of Period 5 at 2.40pm. Friday starts at 8.30 with Period 1 (No Mii time) and finishes at the end of Period 5 at 2.25pm. Period Starts
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Mii
8.30
8.30
8.30
8.30
No Mii
1
9.10
8.45
8.45
8.45
8.30
2
10.05
9.45
9.45
9.45
9.30
Break
11.00
10.45
10.45
10.45
10.30
3
11.15
11.00
11.00
11.00
10.45
4
12.10
12.00
12.00
12.00
11.45
Lunch
13.05
13.00
13.00
13.00
12.45
5
13.45
13.40
13.40
13.40
13.25
Home
14.40
14.40
14.40
14.40
14.25
2.40pm onwards - A wide variety of Extra Curricular Activities, Enrichment Programmes & Home Learning Clubs.
Working Together at Balby Carr We could not do what we do and achieve the success we enjoy without working in a supportive way with our students, their parents, teachers, governors, our local primary schools and the community we work in. Parents play a vital role in supporting our work. We work with our parents to ensure they are fully involved in the education of their child. We strive to keep parents informed of everything we are doing in school and encourage them to support us in ensuring their child is happy and successful throughout their time with us. Our students have a voice. We firmly believe that they should have their say in all aspects of school life. Our Student Council has elected members from all year groups and meet regularly with staff to air their views and share their opinions on developments in school. They play a vital role in our teacher recruitment process and thoroughly enjoy their role as interviewers.
Working Together at Balby Carr We work very closely with our neighbours and local community. We work with community groups, participate in local projects and offer the use of our facilities for events and activities. We work with the Headteachers and their teams in our local primary schools to prepare students in Year 5 and Year 6 for the journey into secondary school. Our transition work is renowned for its success. We really work hard to get students involved and become part of the school through its programme of regular visits and preparation activities. Throughout all of this, our dedicated team of school governors work hard within the school to ensure that we maintain standards and support our students to be the best they can be and to leave at the end of their secondary school experience as responsible, caring and successful young adults.
Celebrating Achievement Good exam results, fantastic activities, dedicated, caring and highly effective teachers, wrap around care from our staff teams, and a 5 star learning environment, along with very supportive parents provide our students with a fantastic platform to develop their success. We focus on rewarding achievement and encourage students to be the best they can be in everything they do. Our students and staff are the best advert for our College. The school has continued to improve the percentage of students achieving 5 A*-C by 51% in the last eight years. The percentage of students achieving 5 A*-C including English and Mathematics has improved by 23% in five years. Our A2 Sixth Form students are outstanding with 100% of our students passing at A Level and 100% of our students who wished to attend University securing a place to continue with their studies. Our continued success is as a result of the hard work of all our students, staff, parents and Governors and the proud community we serve. We know your children will be happy, well cared for and successful at Balby Carr because we are a school that cares about children, where children enjoy their learning and where all children can succeed.
Important Dates 2013-2014 Autumn Wednesday 2nd October - Year 5 and 6 Open Evening Half Term - w/c Monday 28th October Thursday 7th November - Year 11 Class of 2013 Presentation Evening Tuesday 12th November - Year 7 Oliver Concert Thursday 21st November - 121 Day Training Day - Friday 22nd November Thursday 19th December - Year 13 Class of 2013 Presentation Evening Christmas Holidays - School closes Friday 20th December, re-opens Monday 6th January
Spring Thursday 30th January - Pathways Evening Half Term - w/c Monday 24th February Thursday 13th March - 121 Day Training Day - Friday 14th March Easter Holidays - School closes Friday 11th April, re-opens Monday 28th April
Summer May Day - Monday 5th May Monday 12th May - Monday 16th June - Examination Period Half Term - w/c Monday 26th May Thursday 26th June - Year 11 Graduation Training Day - Friday 27th June Friday 11th July - 121 Day Summer Holidays - School closes Friday 18th July
Keeping You Informed Communication between school and home is vital in supporting our students. Our continued success is based upon the strong partnership between home, students and the College.
Year Team Managers
All students have a Year Team Manager who is the first point of contact for any enquiries.
Learning Community Managers Each student are in a Learning Community, and have a Learning Community Manager (LCM). The LCMs are responsible for academic progress and wider school participation.
Sims in Touch
This is our text messaging system which we use to send messages and reminders to parents. To help us communicate with you please ensure your mobile numbers are kept up-to-date.
Correspondence
We regularly inform parents of events or to seek your permission for things such as school trips. Standard letters are placed on the Parent Portal, however confidential letters will be sent by post.
Keeping You Informed Website
The school website address is www.balbycarr.org.uk. The website is a useful means of accessing additional information. A range of information is regularly updated including the school calendar and current school news items.
You can send enquiries to the school by using the email address office@balbycarr.org.uk
The EPortal
The EPortal is accessible for all students (and their parents/carers) when they join Balby Carr. A ‘log in’ and password will be allocated which allows students to download learning resources, access notice boards, quickly ‘log on’ to links to educational websites, check timetables and school calendars, as well as hosting a variety of other information. A parent ‘log in’ will allow you to track your child’s progress, notify us of any absences, book appointments and update details. Other features of the EPortal include a careers section, revision centre, exam centre, video channels and a host of other information.
Keeping You Informed Compliments, Comments & Complaints
We welcome feedback from parents and carers. We want to know what we are doing well but equally we need to know if we are getting things wrong, so that with your support we can ensure we are doing the best we can for your children.
The Student Planner
Designed by Scott Gunn © Balby Carr Community Sports and Science College 2013
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Connor Edlington Victoria Primary I like Balby Carr. Most of my friends went to other secondary schools but I am glad I came here. The teachers are good and they help you with their work. The dinners are really nice and I am going to be on the football and rugby teams.
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All our students are issued with a School Planner. This is an essential tool which students use to track progress and record Home Learning. Timetable information, school events and praise and reward systems can also be found in the Planner. It is our expectation that parents will support us by checking their childs Planner regularly.