School 21 Secondary Prospectus

For success in the 21st century

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About the school School 21 is a new state-funded, inclusive school for 4 to 18 year olds in the heart of Stratford. It is a school for girls and boys and for children from all faiths and backgrounds. We offer high standards of behaviour and high standards of achievement with an excellent Sixth Form. Our first Year 7 students started in 2012.

A Dedicated Team To Deliver Results

TO e m o c l We tury 1st cen 2 e h t cess in For suc

Peter Hyman is the Headteacher of School 21.

He is an experienced school leader: • He has the new National Qualification for Headteachers.

• He has been part of the rigorous Future Leaders Headteacher training programme.

• He has a track record of delivering outstanding results as well as an exciting curriculum that develops the thinking and creativity of children.

• He has a track record of delivering outstanding results as well as an exciting curriculum that develops the thinking and creativity of children.

• He is the author of 1 out of 10, a book about education that draws on his 7 years’ experience working for the Prime Minister up to 2003.

School 21 is an organisation founded by Peter Hyman, Ed Fidoe (an education expert), and Oli de Botton (a Teach First qualified teacher and an Assistant Head). They are united by a core belief: education must be done differently if we are to give all children, including those who sometimes battle against the odds, the chance to succeed in the 21st century. School 21 is a teacher-led school, with a team of great leaders determined to draw on best practice from around the world to deliver results here in Stratford.

OPENED SEPTEMBER 2012

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Dear Parents and Carers, Welcome to School 21.

I am determined that the young people who join us next September will become part of something special; part of the School 21 family and part of our mission to create a great school for the 21st century.

We are a school of high standards, where a lot is expected of every child, and an equal amount is expected of every teacher.

We have spent time and effort deciding carefully what we need to teach and how we need to teach it, so that all students leave our school ready to make a success of their lives. That is why School 21 is different in important ways.

We are a small school, offering only 75 places in year 7. Every child will be known to every member of staff and every child will get the support he or she needs. A small school with excellent behaviour that makes every child feel safe and secure.

More time will be spent than in most schools on reading, writing and speaking because these skills are the foundation of all other learning.

Exam success will give all students the chance to go to top universities and have successful careers.

Students will develop character, resilience, team work and strategic thinking.

If there is one thing I believe in more than anything else it is that a school should be a place of joy, discovery, wonder and imagination.

My aim is that every child leaves our school at 18 not just with a framed certificate of exam success but with an ability to think deeply, act with kindness and integrity and take responsibility for a rich life ahead.

Peter Hyman – Headteacher

Our Aim:

To provide an exciting, challenging and high quality education that prepares young people for top universities, fulfilling careers and happy, purposeful lives.

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School 21 is a small school. There are only 75 children in each year.

That means your child will get the attention that he or she deserves.

Your son or daughter will be part of our school family.

A SMALL SCHOOL TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD • A personal learning plan for every child that will include challenging goals.

• A coaching meeting each week with a teacher to check on progress and plan the week ahead.

• A laptop to plan learning and access all school resources.

• Small teaching groups to work on projects and practise skills.

• The chance to pursue passions and skills in, for example, music, sport, drama and computing.

Every Child An Expert In The English Language School 21 offers our students the chance to become outstanding readers, writers and speakers. These are the skills that are the foundation of everything else.

Whether your child is already strong at English or needs extra help, at School 21 we will help them make outstanding progress by introducing: • Extra time in the curriculum for English Language.

• Specific lessons to teach grammar and writing skills.

• Speaking skills developed in all subjects.

• Reading and writing each day.

• The chance to learn from poets, authors, playwrights and actors.

• Rigorous yearly tests in reading, writing and speaking.

every t n wa e W leave o t d l hi c 18 as at 1 2 l o o Sch ader, a e r id v a an and a r e writ fluent aker. e sp t n e confid

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Respectful Mind Learning how to respect others, act with integrity and work with those who have different views or different cultures.

Disciplined Mind Making sure the basics like maths and English are mastered. Learning “ways of thinking� in history, science, and philosophy.

Reflective Mind Working out what you can do well and how to improve.

06 For success in the 21st century

Our curriculum will stretch every child.

We will develop five vital thinking skills: five minds for 21st century success.

Creative Mind Working on real world projects that develop skills and knowledge.

Connecting Mind Synthesising information and creating links to make sense of the world around.

School 21 Leadership Award Students at School 21 will take part in a unique leadership programme delivered in partnership with leaders from different industries and walks of life. Each year students will work towards the special bronze, silver or gold Leadership Award. They will learn some of the key qualities that will help them succeed in the future:

Resilience

How to stick at a problem, take risks, make mistakes and bounce back.

Team work

How to work well in a team and collaborate with others.

Problem solving & initiative

How to think on your feet to solve problems and create solutions.

Community leadership How to help others and contribute towards the local community.

LEARNING TO LEAD

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AT school 21 we will teach in exciting and varied ways so that students learn how to think. Here are 10 important examples.

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One-to-one coaching

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Mastery lessons

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CUTTING EDGE SCIENCE

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Expert lectures

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Harkness tables

to set goals and check progress.

Time will be devoted each day to making sure students practise the specific skills they need to improve: e.g. grammar and punctuation.

technology, engineering and maths to prepare students for high-tech jobs.

from subject specialists to develop deeper thinking and knowledge.

12 students debating and leading enquiries round an oval table, like a university seminar.

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Individual study

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project-based learning

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Sport

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MUSIC & ART

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Students will learn how to work carefully on their own – pursuing their own passions and completing their weekly goals to a high standard.

to combine knowledge, thinking, creativity and team work.

Taking advantage of the Olympic legacy facilities, we will give every student the chance to take part in high-quality sport.

All children will learn an instrument and will be able to join a music group, as well as developing their art and design skills.

DRAMA

to develop confidence and speaking skills.

09 This is an example of the school design we are planning.

Admissions

Behaviour

We are a non-selective, state-funded school serving children of all abilities. We have a fair admissions policy in line with other Newham schools. Places will be allocated to those who live nearest the school as well as of course providing for those with a Statement of educational need and those who are in the care of a Local Authority. As the school grows we will make sure priority is given to siblings.

We will expect the highest standards of conduct from all our students. Poor behaviour will be dealt with firmly and swiftly so that learning in the classroom is protected and the school community always remains calm, safe and happy.

Sixth form We have plans to open a high quality Sixth Form by 2014. It will have great links with universities and employers and give all students the best chance of getting into top universities.

Uniform We expect all our students to wear School 21’s professionally designed uniforms with pride.

Inclusion We will provide personal support, including extra lessons where necessary, for children with Special Educational Needs or those who are new to learning English.

There will be extra classes to make sure the brightest are challenged to the full and are never bored or coasting at school.

Attendance 100% attendance is the best way of ensuring success at school. We will insist on students coming to school every day and will put in place robust procedures for dealing with those who do not.

10 A Partnership With Parents Our commitment • All our students should have the chance to go to top universities.

• Teaching will be excellent and challenge students to do their best.

• We will ensure the highest standards of behaviour, conduct and safety.

• All students will take rigorous reading, writing and speaking tests each year.

• All students will develop leadership skills and strong values.

Parents’ commitment • To support my child’s learning.

• To make sure my child reads every night.

• To make sure my child comes to school in smart uniform, on time every day with the right equipment.

• To support the School 21 community so that it is a safe and secure place to learn.

Healthy students

Facilities We will have state of the art ICT facilities and a variety of exciting learning spaces in our premises in the heart of Stratford.

For success in the 21st century

OPENED SEPTEMBER 2012 www.school21.org

Thank you to Kalpesh Lathigra and Manuel Vasquez for photography.

All students will be expected to take regular exercise and we will provide a range of sports.

The food we provide will be healthy and nutritious.

“I’ve chosen School 21 for my daughter because it’s a small school with teachers who can support my child and help her do well in life.”

Shakina

Stratford resident, and mother of 11 year old Hummera

“I was a head in Newham for many years and I know that headteacher Peter Hyman and the School 21 team are offering the kind of high quality education that will deliver for the local community.”

Sir Michael Wilshaw

For more information, to get in touch or to apply to School 21 please visit

www.school21.org or call us on 020 8262 2121

Lord Adonis

Former schools’ Minister

For success in the 21st century

Outstanding London headteacher and former head of St Bonaventure’s School in Newham

“I’ve worked with Peter Hyman for many years and he has a strong vision and the leadership skills needed to run a great school.

School 21 is going to be a school of high aspirations bringing together some of the best ideas from round the world.”

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