Strategy Update 2022

IntroductionThis publication serves as the first annual review of the School’s Strategy 2021-2026 document. Strategy Update 2022 is structured to reflect on the six strands identified as the component parts of finding the best in every pupil, assessing progress made in support of this intent.

The Update is not contrived to present a glossed or rose-tinted expression of the year, rather as a self-reflective review that provides a fair and balanced account of measures undertaken and further steps to come, whether by dint of necessity or natural evolution. This is delivered in the document through three measures: Implemented, In Progress, and Next Steps.

Since the first publication of Strategy 2021-2026, the School has established a positioning statement that encapsulates our values and ambitions. This states that: Cokethorpe School provides exceptional breadth with an individual focus, ensuring we find the best in every pupil in a liberal educational setting. In short, Exceptional Breadth | Individual Focus. The following pages demonstrate this, and look to confirm how the School's strategic objectives are being fostered, in line with the School's Development Plan.

Implemented

Providing a Nurturing Environment

The completion of the Pavilion has helped to transform the daily experience of pupils as they prepare for games and activities. This smart, modern facility demonstrates a care for our pupils and their needs as we seek to enhance their everyday surroundings.

With enquiries in the Reception Class being higher than ever, we were conscious that the environment did not allow as much space as we would like to provide the rich and varied curriculum using both indoor and outdoor spaces. Over the course of summer 2022 we completed a new dedicated space for our Reception and Year 1 classes, providing ready access to our wonderful parkland.

In Progress Next

The Tutor Partnering Programme sees Sixth Form students mentoring pupils lower down the School. It was introduced in September 2021 as a way to help re-establish relationships across year groups diminished by the pandemic because of the need to keep year groups apart. The initial iteration saw two Sixth Formers allocated to each tutor group in the First to Fourth Form. This has since been improved by extending the allocation all the way to the Reception Class in the Prep School.

A feeling of community is of paramount importance to a child's sense of belonging. In the Summer Term of 2022 we introduced a questionnaire for Senior School pupils with a series of questions that ensured our perception was reality. We are making use of the data provided by those questions as part of our strategic development considerations.

The step up from Fifth Form to Sixth Form can feel substantial, both in terms of the academic rigour and a pupil's responsibility for their own studies, and the wider social structures and leadership opportunities this stage of their education provides and demands. To aid in this transition, we will be opening a Fifth Form Common Room, to be added within this academic year.

Implemented

Promoting Academic Excellence

The roll-out of personal Surface devices in the Senior School has been a resounding success. Pupils are increasingly confident in the use of their devices, and are becoming more confident in using the functionality. In recognition of the School's use of digital learning in the classroom, we were awarded Microsoft Showcase School status in September 2022.

The Prep School is delivering a creative curriculum based around ambitious and exciting texts and meaningful real life experiences. Recent examples of this include a Year 6 river cruise to introduce the concept of journeys, whilst Years 3 and 4 visited 'The Island' at Hardwick Park, supporting the school-wide theme of 'Outward Bound'.

In Progress

A review of the School’s homework policy has been commissioned, with Heads of Department working to engage pupil voice, staff feedback and up-to-date research on best practice to develop a policy that will enhance the utility of homework.

Next Steps

The refinement of a rewards and sanctions process that is understood by all and used across the School to promote behaviours that are productive and positive.

Further roll-out of the School devices programme will provide additional benefits to pupils in Years 5 and 6.

2022 Results

GCSE

99% of candidates achieved grade 9-4

80% of candidates achieved grade 9-6

53% of candidates achieved grade 9-7

A Level

97% of candidates achieved A*-C grades

85% of candidates achieved A*-B grades

52% of candidates achieved A*/A

Delivering Opportunity to Every Pupil

Implemented In Progress

Following the re-working of the Prep School Activities programme, we have been able to effectively increase the range of activities on offer in the Prep School, with a good take up among the new activities offered.

Among the Senior School AOB programme options, the efficacy of and enthusiasm for the Eco Club, which is a pupil-driven club, has been particularly pleasing.

The School has a thriving programme for kayaking and canoeing. The strong uptake following the reintroduction of our marathon kayaking programme after Covid is encouraging and we will look to continue this trend.

Extended the impact of our outreach and community engagement with the launch of Cokethorpe Camps in July 2022

100+ pupils are undertaking Duke of Edinburgh Awards this year

Next Steps

In order to continue providing the best opportunities and facilities for our pupils, we have recently undertaken to rebuild and extend our boathouse on the River Thames. This will now include a riverside classroom supporting our outdoor education provision. We are also in advanced consultations regarding the upgrade of our climbing tower.

Over 160

Co-Curricular Activities

Creating a Community for Life 70% 2,500

Old Cokethorpeans are members of the Cokethorpe Society

Members of the Cokethorpe Society left the School since 2000

In March, Society Drinks, at the House of Commons, saw the largest attendance of any Society event, spanning over eight decades of Old Cokethorpeans. Other successful events this year have included the summer Cricket Match, Shooting Competition, and Reunion Dinner.

In October 2021, the School formed the first Development Office to support fundraising and alumni relations. The annual fund has been refreshed as the Cokethorpe Fund to encourage regular recurring direct debit gifts and we will be proactive in engaging prospective donors capable of major gifts to the School.

The Society Facebook group remains the main platform for informal networking and has grown to over 800 members. Former pupils can now link to Cokethorpe’s LinkedIn profile, and this will allow for professional networking opportunities.

Next Steps

Members of the Society’s Facebook group

Our incoming Director of Development will use this foundation to generate a fund to support bursaries, ensuring more children have the opportunity to benefit from a Cokethorpe education. We will also continue to seek those major gifts that will enable us to further invest in enhancing the fabric of the School.

Preparing Pupils for the Future as Global Citizens

Implemented In Progress

Pupils' engagement with the recent humanitarian crisis in Ukraine has been impressive. Fundraising initiatives have been organised across the School. Many initiatives were also pupil-led and wonderful examples of individuals taking it upon themselves to act and show support. These included a sponsored walk, cake sale, charity concert, and clothing donations, among many other initiatives. These activities have raised in excess of £15,000 since Lent Term 2021.

Cokethorpe has a strong tradition of involvement with the Model United Nations programme and sends teams to compete at conferences (both local and national). The initiative was temporarily adapted to an online format during Covid, which impacted students’ enthusiasm and involvement; we have re-established this provision in its original, pre-pandemic, state, with a successful entry to the Oxford Model United Nations in November 2022.

Crossing Borders week gave pupils the opportunity to face the unknown and to try new challenges. Involvement across the School was high; pupils were challenged to step up and experience opportunities outside of their comfort zone, viewing challenges as opportunities not obstacles.

Steps

An ongoing initiative to establish international interschool communication as part of Round Square Schools has piqued much pupil interest; we intend to establish IT ‘penpal’ links so that pupils can take their own initiatives in establishing global links and connections with other schools. This will also enable departmental exchanges to occur including the delivery of remote exchange lessons.

Extending the Impact of our Outreach and Engagement

Aston & Cote Day Care Centre

Musical students have visited Aston & Cote Day Care Centre to entertain the members and shown their empathy for others through engaging with and caring for them.

Corinthian Partnership

Sixth Form students have demonstrated their excellent leadership skills by running weekly sporting activities such as football, rugby, netball and archery at Aston & Cote CE Primary School and Ducklington CE Primary School. Pupils at the Corinthian Partnership Schools, including Combe CE Primary School have benefited from a Fire and Ice workshop to educate and enthuse them about Science during National Science week.

Next Steps

Colet Learning

This is a peer-to-peer mentoring initiative to offer free help sessions to pupils at GCSE level by our Sixth Form students. It is aimed at offering 1:1 support and to help with COVID catch up, since many schools did not have remote learning in place. A number of our Sixth Form have undergone training in how to mentor pupils with a goal to start mentoring during this academic year.