The Magna Carta School
Prospectus
Technology College
Headteacher’s Welcome One of the most important decisions you will ever make is where to send your child to school. At The Magna Carta School we know that children thrive in a safe, supportive environment where they are challenged to do their best. “The headteacher’s vision of success for each student is shared by the whole school” Ofsted 2010 With an emphasis on learning, the school takes pride in its many achievements and understands that good behaviour and respect for self and others underpins a positive learning environment. The most recent Ofsted inspection emphasised this and we are delighted that the inspection report acknowledges the excellent work of the staff and students at The Magna Carta School, stating that ‘This is a good school with many outstanding features’. Our school offers a wide ranging curriculum that will appeal to all learners, encouraging students to have high aspirations for themselves and think independently. We expect students and adults in the school community to achieve their personal best and, in doing so, support our school motto: ‘Learning with Respect’. I extend a warm invitation to you to visit our school and witness for yourselves the students excelling themselves in a wide variety of ways. Tim Smith Headteacher
Our Shared Vision and Values
• Our school is a safe, caring and happy place where we are encouraged to do our best and where each day offers new challenges that stretch us to our full potential. We enjoy the opportunity to take responsibility and feel a sense of achievement for our successes, which are recognised and valued. • We are part of a school that believes in equal opportunities for all and where mutual respect and understanding are fostered. • We are encouraged to develop as responsible citizens. Individuals’ talents are nurtured and celebrated. Our different contributions to school and community are valued. As a result, our confidence grows, allowing each of us to develop positive self-images. • We are encouraged to participate in a wide variety of stimulating learning experiences through which we can improve our knowledge, understanding and skills. Our school promotes spiritual, moral and cultural understanding.
Our vision for The Magna Carta School is ‘Learning with Respect’. We are proud to be members of a school that promotes all forms of excellence. We want everyone to take pride in our achievements and the contributions that we make to our school and community. In order to support this vision, staff, students, parents and governors devised the following aims and they hold true for all members of our school community:
• We work co-operatively with others to challenge ourselves and set realistic goals. This enhances our learning and allows us to develop our strengths and qualities to the full.
• We are committed to life-long learning. We recognise the importance of this in a fast-changing and competitive world. We want to make a positive contribution to the community in which we live. • We look forward to taking our experiences from school onto the next phase of our lives, knowing we are well prepared and eager to face new challenges.
Technology College Status As a Technology College, with Design Technology, Mathematics and Science as our specialist subjects, we aim to enrich the learning experience of our students and raise attainment in all areas of the curriculum. Achieving Technology College status has not only enabled us to improve performance in the Specialist subjects but has also enhanced resources for the whole school curriculum. Additionally Technology College status has led to improved links with the community around us including primary and secondary schools, Higher Education establishments, various local organisations and companies. “There are rigorous procedures for monitoring and evaluating the academic At the initial stage of progress, personal development and well-being of every student. Care, guidance achieving and support are outstanding, enabling students to meet and exceed their targets, Technology College including targets in specialist subjects.” status we built a new Ofsted 2010 Technology block and took the opportunity to improve ICT facilities around the school, providing a platform that supports students’ personalised learning. We continually seek to improve and update ICT facilities: interactive whiteboards in 95% of classrooms and use of lcd screens around school to improve communication are key features of our learning environment. In addition, students in Technology have access to industrial standard equipment including Laser and Vinyl cutters and CNC routers, enabling them to use industrial processes to produce quality artefacts that display their design talents effectively.
Extra Curricular and Enrichment Activities At the Magna Carta School we recognise the significant impact that learning beyond the classroom has on students’ social and academic development. To support this we offer a fantastic and diverse extra curricular and enrichment programme for all of our students. Activities on offer include: • Duke of Edinburgh’s Award • Drama club • Whole school theatre productions • Music, including Jazz and singing clubs • Reading • GCSE sessions
• Sport – including football, rugby, hockey, netball and Thai boxing, sailing and wakeboarding.
• Language clubs
• Maths help club
• Chess
• First Aid
• Homework
Throughout the year there are a number of day and evening trips to theatres, as well as field trips and residential trips both in the UK and overseas. Additionally there is an annual enrichment week where students can choose from a range of activities on offer both on and off-site. “The curriculum provides good breadth and balance. Innovative improvements ensure that it is tailored to the needs of individuals and groups of students and promotes good outcomes. This is further enhanced by the outstanding range of extracurricular activities and visits on offer.” Ofsted 2010
Pastoral Organisation Our school provides a strong and pro-active pastoral support system. The House structure ensures each student feels a sense of pride and ownership across the school community, as well as promoting a sense of belonging and safety in which each student develops their self confidence. Each of the four Houses promotes a clear identity and is represented by different colours: Abbey (Green), Bridge (Yellow), Magna (Red) and Thames (Blue). Students are actively encouraged to involve themselves in a wide and extensive range of House activities. Each House has one assembly per week, conducted by their Head of House, that contain a wide range of themes aimed at inspiring and educating students. The assemblies always aim to recognise positive achievements by students throughout the school and regular prize draws take place to promote good attendance and behaviour. Our assemblies do not, as standard, contain an element of collective worship; required delivery of religious studies is met on a weekly basis through RS lessons.
“Students feel safe... they have a good understanding of the need for healthy lifestyles. In making an outstanding contribution to the school and wider community, students eagerly accept responsibility as house captains, peer mentors to younger students, librarians and members of the school council. Through these activities, the students develop good leadership and social skills.� Ofsted 2010
Tutor Groups Upon admission to our school each student is placed into a tutor group within the House system. Year 7 students also have a Head of Year to ensure that the transition from primary to secondary school is a smooth and positive experience. Students meet with their tutor on a daily basis during registration and the tutor is a key contact for students during their time at school. The tutor should be the first point of contact for parents. Each tutor group elects tutor and sports representatives; there is also the opportunity to become peer supporters, assisting younger students in the school. In year 11 students have the opportunity to become prefects and House Captains.
Special Educational Needs Nationally, approximately 20% of students require additional support at some stage in their schooling. The Learning Support Department monitors the progress and supports the learning of students on the SEN Register. Our aim is to enable every child to fulfil their potential by supporting them at any stage from the transition into secondary school until the move on to further education or work. “Excellent attention is given to care, guidance and support. The quality of information, advice and guidance for students, Students’ needs vary and may include particularly in relation to the transition from primary school and one or more of the following areas: into GCSE courses, is exemplary. A parent wrote, ‘The pastoral support and degree of care for the individual is wonderful.’” • Learning eg Specific Learning Ofsted 2010 Difficulties (dyslexia), Moderate Learning Difficulties • Communication eg Speech and Language Communication Needs, Autistic Spectrum Disorder • Behaviour eg Behavioural, Emotional or Social Difficulties, including ADHD • Physical Disability eg Hearing or Visual Impairment, medical conditions
“Students make rapid progress in lessons that engage them in applying independent skills at their own level and pace... they enjoy lessons that challenge them to think” Ofsted 2010 Most support takes place in the classroom, enabling students to access the full curriculum. In addition, the Learning Support Department offers withdrawal lessons for literacy and language work and 1:1 or group mentoring to support students’ emotional, social and behavioural needs. The department also maintains close links with local primary schools, colleges and other outside agencies to ensure that students and their families receive a comprehensive package of support to enable students to experience success.
Daily Organisation The School Day The school operates a two-week timetable with a total of 30 x 50 minute periods a week, organised into 6 periods a day. Below is a breakdown of the day: 0845 0905 0955 1045 1100 1150 1240 1330 1425 1515
Tutor Registration/Assembly Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Break Lesson 3 Lesson 4 Lunch Lesson 5 Lesson 6 End of the school day
Uniform A smart uniform imparts a sense of belonging and helps to maintain a common standard within the school. As such, full school uniform as set out in school policy must be worn by all students. Full uniform requirements are available in the Induction booklet and on the school website. The school reserves the right to request that parents collect their child if their school uniform is inappropriate.
Admissions
Attendance
The Magna Carta School is pleased to support the admissions policy as operated by Surrey Education Authority. First priority is given to looked after children, second priority is given to children with exceptional arrangements, third priority is given to brothers and sisters of existing students, fourth priority is given to children for whom the school is the nearest to their home and fifth priority is given to any other applicant.
Students are expected to attend school every day unless ill. In exceptional circumstances absence from school may be authorised in accordance with the school’s attendance policy.
Full details of our admission arrangements can be seen on our school website, or alternatively you can contact the School Office.
Our Curriculum As a school we are firmly committed to equality of educational opportunity and promoting achievement for all our students. Our curriculum for each year is rich and diverse, providing our students with the opportunity to achieve high academic standards and to fulfil their potential. In each subject we aim to give our students the skills they need to extend their knowledge. We believe that students who are actively involved in their own learning are more likely to develop an attitude which views education as a life-long process. “Partnership work is outstanding in providing continuity and progression Teaching approaches in the students’ education through strong links with local primary schools, designed to foster this colleges of further education and university.” attitude are many and Ofsted 2010 varied and all students are encouraged to use the opportunities at our school to achieve their very best.
Key Stage 3 (Years 7 and 8) The curriculum in years 7 and 8 is designed to give all students the opportunity to experience a broad range of subjects. Students are placed into ability sets for Maths, English, Science, Modern Languages and Humanities. They remain in mixed ability groups for Creative Arts, Technology and Physical Education. Students’ progress is closely monitored and set positions are reviewed termly. Humanities – In year 7, students have 5 Humanities lessons a week. In these lessons students follow a competency-based curriculum. The Humanities curriculum combines subject areas and delivers key concepts and skills through cross-curricular project-based schemes of work. It allows students to identify how and why they learn and focuses on developing the six key personal learning and thinking skills: Creative Thinkers, Effective Participators, Independent Enquirers, Reflective Learners, Self Managers and Team Workers.
Key Stage 4 (Years 9, 10 and 11) All students at Key Stage 4 follow a ‘core’ curriculum consisting of Maths, English, Science, Design Technology, Physical Education, Religious Education and Citizenship. Students complete their GCSE programme by choosing an additional 3 subjects from a wide range of GCSE and Btec courses. Students can also choose to study from a range of apprenticeships, diplomas and vocational courses. The courses take place in school, at a work-based provider or at a local college and include Car Mechanics, Engineering, Construction, Building Services Engineering, Hairdressing, Public Services, Banking & Finance, Hair & Beauty, ICT and Creative & Media.
Our Successes
Resources We have invested heavily in 21st Century technology throughout the school: the focus on improving resources is embedded in our School Development Plan and we are constantly looking to improve and update all our facilities. Our current resources include: • 9 Specialist ICT suites
• Tennis Courts
• Video Conferencing equipment
• Fitness Suite with state of the art equipment
• All classrooms have ICT audio/visual display facilities
• Theatre Complex
• 95% classrooms have interactive whiteboards
• Extensive Playing Field
• A Specialist Technology Block
• Digital signage information system • State of the art Laser and Vinyl Cutters
• Excellent Ofsted inspection in January 2010: “This is a good school with many outstanding features” • Best exam results ever (2010), with results in core subjects such as English, Maths, Science and Technology well above the national average • Very low teaching staff turnover (2010) - 2.7% • Awarded Arts Mark Gold status in 2010 in recognition of our commitment to and achievement in the full range of Arts subjects (Drama, Performing Arts, Music, Art, Dance and Media) • First school in Surrey to be designated an ‘Apple Regional Training Centre’ equipped with the latest Apple computers • Identified by Department for Education as a centre of good practice for student tracking and support (2009) • Identified by Department for Education as a centre of good practice for teaching and achievement in Science (2010) • Investors in People award • Very succesful Primary liaison and transition projects • Widespread use of School Theatre by school and community groups • We currently hold a record- breaking 35 District and County sports titles • Sports Mark recognising ‘Excellence in Sport’ • Eco-Schools Award for our re-cycling programme • Healthy Schools Award recognising our emphasis on positive life-style choices • One of the first schools in Surrey to achieve ‘Financial Standards in Schools’ award (FMSIS) • New Multi-Gym for student, staff and community use • National Teaching Award for ‘Outstanding Lifetime Achievement’ presented to Ian Wilson
Further Information Further information about our school, including all policy documents and exam results information is available on our school website at www.magnacarta.surrey.sch.uk If you are unable to find the information you require or would like to discuss something further with the school please contact the School Office.
Notes
The Magna Carta School Thorpe Road Staines Middlesex TW18 3HJ
Tel: 01784 454320 Fax: 01784 441214 Email: head@magnacarta.surrey.sch.uk Web: www.magnacarta.surrey.sch.uk