Bishopsford Prospectus

Bishopsford Arts College A Foundation School

Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

Our Mission Statement Opportunities for life-long learning through participation and performance.

Welcome to Our School

Dear parents and students, It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Bishopsford Arts College. I am very proud of the commitment and achievements of all our students.

Each year standards have improved considerably. We have excellent resources and facilities and a rich and varied curriculum.

We want our students to become confident, articulate individuals, fully involved in the development and progress of their school. As a Specialist Arts College, with ‘Artsmark Gold’ accreditation, we foster the creative development of each child, which enhances their skills in the wider curriculum. We became a Trust School in November 2009 and working with partners like Reed’s Independent School and University of East London continues to yield fantastic opportunties for our students.

Bishopsford Sixth Form opened in September 2010 , transforming us into an 11-19 institution and giving our students the opportunity to stay with us as they prepare to progress to university. We are committed to excellent learning and teaching and encourage students to take personal responsibility, with exemplary behaviour in the school and the community.

“ A school where remarkable things can and do happen.”

Ofsted

If you are looking for a school committed to excellence, with high expectations and a caring and safe ethos, Bishopsford Arts College is the place for you. Our motto is “Challenging all to Achieve, Respect and Excel” (CARE) – as we care about the future life chances of every child in the school community. I look forward to welcoming you and your child.

Andrew Barker Principal

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Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

Fulfil Your Potential We are committed to promoting excellence in everything we do to ensure that all of our students fulfil their potential. We challenge our students to achieve their best.

Each of them is supported at every stage of their education whether they have specific learning needs or are gifted and talented.

Supported by our excellent facilities and resources, we provide a high quality, stimulating learning environment in which each student can develop and achieve.

Our wide range of extra-curricular learning opportunities not only helps develop students’ skills, but also enhances their ability to succeed in all areas of the curriculum.

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We nurture a culture that praises hard work and positive behaviour and provides opportunities for students to show initiative and take positions of responsibility. The School Council meets regularly and its views inform many of the decisions taken in school.

“ Bishopsford has come a long way since it opened. The strong leadership team has created enthusiastic staff, who are working hard.” Ofsted

“ There is a wide range of enrichment activities after school especially in sport and the performing arts.” Ofsted 3

Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

“ Bishopsford is an organised and respected school where teachers make the lessons fun.� Year 7 Student 4

Excel in the Classroom We offer a broad and balanced curriculum that challenges, extends and develops all students, whatever their ability.

In Years 7 to 9 students follow the National Curriculum but with an emphasis on literacy and numeracy. They also follow modular programmes in the creative arts, humanities and technology, a modern foreign language, ICT and physical education (P.E.) In Years 10 and 11 all students take English, science, and mathematics as well as a course in art or performing arts.

Many students will add GCSEs in history or geography and a modern foreign language, enabling them to attain the English Baccalaureate. All students choose at least two further subjects to match their own interests. All students continue to take P.E. Our excellent sports facilities include a new sports hall, a gymnasium, tennis courts and large playing fields. All subjects are taught in specialist teaching accommodation including ICT suites, science laboratories and a technology suite. All teaching areas are equipped with interactive whiteboards.

Video and digital cameras and video projectors are used to enhance teaching. Bishopsford Sixth Form offers students the opportunity to choose from a wide range of Level 3 courses and to study them in our brand new Sixth Form Centre equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. The curriculum is tailored to individual needs and abilities, with a gifted and talented programme and additional support for those experiencing difficulties.

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Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

“ Performing and Expressive Arts help motivate students to succeed and encourage them to be the best they can be.� Principal 6

Benefit from our Specialist Arts Status As a Specialist Arts College, Bishopsford provides numerous opportunities and experiences in performing and expressive arts. The arts enrich and extend our curriculum. Students are encouraged to apply their skills in other subjects. This helps raise standards of student learning and achievement across the whole curriculum.

We are fast becoming the local and regional centre of excellence for the arts, with links to other schools, arts organisations and local businesses.

All students are encouraged to take advantage of our many extracurricular activities and workshops to develop their skills. We work with professional dancers, musicians, theatres, artists and performing arts tours both here and overseas. Our students have access to the latest ICT software and technology in all the arts subjects.

Students who show particular flair are encouraged to audition for the scholarship group, which provides them with specialist music tuition leading to additional qualifications awarded by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music.

Our excellent facilities include a purpose built, industry standard multi-media performance suite, dance studio, art rooms, main hall with lighting and public address system, music room, music ICT room and drama studio.

Our specialism enables us to give students the skills they need to progress further into employment or higher education in arts according to their individual abilities and ambitions.

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Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

Pursue Your Interests Bishopsford offers an exciting and varied programme of over one hundred extra-curricular opportunities. Our rich programme includes both recreational and academic activities, which extend more able students or provide extra support for exams and homework.

Students can develop their interests in a variety of sports (cross-country running, football, rugby, basketball and athletics), dance, drama, music, ICT, art as well as study ecology, model making, chess and journalism.

Sport is popular at Bishopsford. We field teams in a range of borough and national competitions and leagues. Every year some of our students act as ball boys/girls at Wimbledon.

We organise frequent visits to theatres, galleries, universities and museums as well as residential trips, both home and abroad.

We recognise the importance of being a good neighbour and work hard at developing positive links with local businesses, charities and residents.

Throughout the year we celebrate our students’ talents in a number of dance, drama and music performances.

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Rely on our Support Every student at Bishopsford is valued as an individual and celebrated for the unique qualities they bring to our school.

Students are supported at every stage of their education whether they have specific learning needs or are gifted and talented.

“ The teachers here are always happy to help, whether it is with classwork, homework or even problems we have outside of school.�

Year 7 Student

We are committed to ensuring seamless transition for young people joining us from primary school. All parents are offered an interview with a senior member of staff to discuss any issues or concerns.

When they start at Bishopsford, each student is placed in a tutor group. As far as possible they will remain in this same group throughout their time in the school. Their tutor sees them every day and over the years a relationship develops which enables them to offer personal care and guidance. Each tutor team is managed by an experienced pastoral leader, who is normally the first point of contact for any concerns from home.

We are keen to involve parents in school life as much as possible, so that there can be continuity of support between home and school.

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Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

Continue Your Education Many of our young people choose to remain part of the Bishopsford family for their post-16 education. As a new sixth form, we offer students the opportunity to study in a modern, purpose built space equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technology.

We have worked with several of our partner schools and colleges to ensure the success of our sixth form from the start and that our students are offered the most diverse curriculum possible.

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Bishopsford Sixth Form is a place where all students aim for excellence in whatever qualifications they choose to pursue.

Our students are provided with the best possible opportunities, teaching and facilities to achieve success. Students are supported as they make the transition to post-16 education and we aim to prepare every student for their next step, whether it be university, further training or the workplace.

Academic studies are supported by opportunities to gain life skills and study skills that will be essential for higher education. Sixth form students will continue to be challenged to become good citizens who will go on to make a valuable contribution to society.

The sixth form gives our students the opportunity to continue to study and achieve in the inclusive and caring environment they have come to value.

Trust in Your Future Bishopsford Educational Trust was formed in 2009 to support the school in maximising the opportunities offered to the students at Bishopsford Arts College. The theme of our trust is “Seamless Transition” and we are committed to helping young people make the learning journey from primary school, through secondary and post-16 education onwards to university and the workplace.

Working with partners such as University of East London, Liberty Primary School, Reed’s Independent School, South Thames College and Barnardo’s Children’s Charity, our developing links with other educational establishments and the local community brings direct benefits to our students as we ensure smooth progression across key stages and are able to offer an enhanced curriculum post-16.

“ The school has supported us through some important choices and has helped me understand the difference between school and working life.” Year 10 Student 11

Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

A Word From the Governors Dear parents and students, The Governing Body works with the principal, senior leadership team, staff and trustees to provide a nurturing, challenging and supportive environment for all students. This ensures effective learning and helps our students develop into mature, responsible individuals, able to contribute to the wider community.

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We work in partnership with parents, encouraging them to play an active part in the life of their child at our school. This supports our ethos of inclusion and greatly enhances achievement.

We have high expectations of all our students. At the same time we make sure we steadily improve, so that each student can fulfil their potential.

The opening of our Sixth Form ensures continuity for our students, allowing them to remain at Bishopsford to complete their studies before progressing to higher education and the workplace.

Sandra Peddy Chair of Governors

“ The school is extending its strategies to meet the diverse range of students’ needs.” Ofsted

Challenging all to achieve respect & excel

Andrew Barker BA(Hons), PGCE, NPQH, MA Principal Lilleshall Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 6DU T. 020 8687 1157 F. 020 8687 1158 Email: Bishopsford.school@merton.gov.uk

www.bishopsford.org