Cedars Upper School Prospectus

Prospectus 2009-2010

“A good school with many outstanding features�

Ofsted November 2006

Welcome from the Headteacher Dear Parents/Carers

Welcome to Cedars Upper School.

Thank you for taking this opportunity to find out more about our school. Our aim is to provide a caring, challenging and supportive environment in which young people of all abilities will flourish and achieve excellence. We enjoy a very high reputation in the local community because of the achievement of our students.

Partnership and co-operation are fundamental in all of our work. In particular, we work closely with the five middle schools in the area to ensure a smooth academic and social transition to Cedars. We also work with other partners to provide diverse curriculum choices in Key Stage 4 and post 16. We are genuinely committed to a partnership with parents/carers and the young people themselves, as there is no doubt that this is the way that young people achieve everything of which they are capable.

The governors and the staff of the school are determined to see Cedars develop further, and become one of the highest achieving, open, forward-looking, creative, supportive and exciting comprehensive schools in the country.

One very exciting development in this area is our designation as a Specialist School in Maths and Computing that began in September 2006. We are using our specialism to considerably enhance our ICT facilities on a rolling programme, and to embrace new technologies to improve teaching and learning across the curriculum.

Our examination results for 2009, together with our 2009 admissions data, will be displayed on our website from 24 September 2009 (www.cedarsupper.beds.sch.uk), with hard copies available on request by telephoning the school office on 01525 219300.

I hope that you find the contents of this prospectus useful, and I extend to you a warm invitation to visit us at any time to see for yourself the quality and breadth of the learning experience at Cedars Upper School.

Yours sincerely.

Andrew Warren, Headteacher Cedars Upper School Mentmore Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 2AE Tel: 01525 219 300 Fax: 01525 850 864 Email: cedarsus@deal.bedfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.cedarsupper.beds.sch.uk Headteacher: Andrew Warren Deputy Headteachers: Rob Graham, Linda Johnson

The History of the School Cedars Upper School and Community College was founded as a grammar school in Leighton Buzzard in 1921 on the site now occupied by Leighton Middle School. It takes its name from the ancient cedar trees in the grounds of that school.

After a long, successful history, the school moved in 1973 to new buildings on Mentmore Road. Since then, these new buildings have been steadily enlarged so that we have excellent specialist accommodation for all subjects.

Being such a popular school does mean that there has been great pressure on rooms: in 1998, the school celebrated the opening of a new building housing a 380-seat theatre, which provides a showcase for our many musical and drama productions, a base for Food Technology, and a Mathematics suite. It also is the school’s sixth form centre (for about 400 students) with excellent study and recreation facilities, including a café. The light and airy building is an excellent addition to Cedars’ overall facilities.

The school began with only 106 students. In October 1973, when we moved to Linslade, the numbers had risen to 750. At present, there are 1,300, with over 350 in the Sixth Form. We became a specialist maths and computing school in 2006.

Cedars takes boys and girls of all abilities from Linslade, the western and southern parts of Leighton Buzzard and several outlying villages including Woburn Sands. In addition, many parents/carers in neighbouring Buckinghamshire villages choose to send their children to Cedars. Three generations of some local families have now completed their school careers at Cedars. We are committed to a continuing community involvement and to developments that sustain our traditions in a modern setting.

Statement of Purpose Proud of our traditions, our purpose is to provide high-quality education for all, suited to each individual student’s needs. We strive, through a creative partnership with parents/carers and our community, to bring about continuous improvement.

By putting students first in a safe, hard-working and well-ordered environment, we are able to focus on individual achievement.

Aims of the School • To provide a broad, balanced and personalised curriculum in line with the 1988 Education Act and subsequent legislation.

• To ensure the maximum educational achievement of all students whatever their ability.

• To promote the personal, moral, spiritual and social development of all members of our school community.

• To promote respect for oneself and for others.

• To value equally each member of the school community.

• To encourage students to explore the beliefs and values of others, whilst developing their own.

• To help students to make informed choices and decisions through a planned programme of guidance.

• To foster the enjoyment of learning as a lifelong process.

• To develop creative partnerships with others who share the responsibility of educating our students, especially parents/carers.

• To increasingly put the school at the heart of the local community.

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Caring for our Students The Pastoral System Every student belongs to one of four houses: St. Andrew’s, St David’s, St George’s and St Patrick’s.

All members of a tutor group are in the same house. We make sure that each student is known really well by at least one teacher – the form tutor, who monitors the overall progress of students and offers support and guidance at crucial stages in their school careers. In this way, close links can be built up between student and tutor, and tutor and parents/carers. We plan to change to a vertical tutor system in June 2010.

The work of the form tutors is co-ordinated by the Learning & Achievement Co-ordinator who has overall responsibility for the students in the year. We hope parents/carers will contact the form tutor or the L&AC if they are at all concerned about any aspect of their child’s life at school. The parents/carers of students in each year group are invited to an annual consultation session and receive termly reports on their child’s progress.

We have an additional meeting in Year 9 to introduce options, and in Year 11 for an introduction to the sixth form.

For more details about links between home and the school please consult page 10.

Student Responsibilities We believe that our students have responsibilities both to themselves and to all other people who work in the school. We want them to get on well with others and to recognise that they must work co-operatively. We have a Code of Conduct, which emphasises respect and consideration for others: for fellow students, for all members of staff and for parents/carers. We aim to treat students as responsible young adults in the expectation that they will respond in the same way. We expect them to be reliable, for example in completing homework or in turning up as promised for team practices. We also expect them to be honest in their dealings with other people.

Student Participation All students have the opportunity to participate in extra-curricular activities and the wider life of the school.

Students can raise issues at the year councils and the School Council. Some students will be involved in the students-as-learning-partners or students-as-researchers projects; others are trained to contribute to staff recruitment by interviewing candidates or are involved in the anti-bullying group. Sixth-formers are expected to participate fully in the school, eg as Year 9 tutor group helpers, peer supporters in the Ear4U2 scheme, or by assisting in classrooms.

Behaviour Policy The school has a clear policy that is designed to promote and encourage respect and good behaviour.

All staff and students are made aware of the standards of behaviour required to enable us to have an orderly and happy working environment.

Rewards Staff use a range of strategies to encourage and support positive work and behaviour, including verbal or written comments, praise slips, year or department commendations, attendance certificates, an annual award or praise in assemblies.

Sanctions Breaches of school discipline are dealt with in a variety of ways through a Behaviour Consequences Ladder.

Our essential aim is to make any punishment relate closely to the offence committed, and to the individual concerned, whilst ensuring that it makes a constructive contribution to the community. If work has not been done properly, or where a student behaves in an or irresponsible manner, disciplinary sanctions will be used to encourage a greater sense of responsibility. The Behaviour Consequences Ladder includes: detentions at break, lunchtime, or after school (with 24 hours notice), being placed on report to the tutor or L&AC, or for more serious offences to a member of the Leadership Team. With major problems of discipline or schoolwork, we discuss the matter with parents/carers as soon as possible. For serious or repeated offences, the Headteacher may consider an internal exclusion, a fixed-term exclusion, or a permanent exclusion.

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Caring for our Students Action against Bullying All forms of bullying are unacceptable. As the students of this school are valued equally, we expect students to respect each other and to work together. All staff have a responsibility to respond to incidents of bullying.

All reported incidents of bullying will be followed up. We expect students to help stop bullying by reporting any incidents and by supporting any students who are bullied. Students can feel reassured that they will always be involved in any decisions that are made. Cedars’ sixth form students have been trained to set up a listening and support service for younger students called Ear4U2. We also have an Anti-bullying group of students and staff, who organise various activities during the year, including an Anti-bullying week.

Student Support Centre We run a student support centre where trained staff can offer additional support to students who are not taking advantage of the learning opportunities available in their normal lessons, students who are seriously at risk of exclusion for behaviour reasons, or those who need re-integration into school routine after an extended absence through ill health. Counselling support is also available.

Learning Support This concentrates on a range of specific learning needs, and is delivered by a very experienced team of Teaching Assistants, who work in the classroom. An area for small group and individual work is also available. Our pastoral support team works closely with parents/carers and other professionals, including the Connexions Service and Education Welfare Service.

The School Health Service The School Nurse is responsible for a planned health programme that involves a range of preventative medicine.

This programme proceeds at all stages only with the agreement of parents/carers, and the involvement, when necessary, of family doctors or the school doctor.

The Education Welfare Officer We have an Education Welfare Officer on site and she can be contacted via the school. Her job is to act as an additional link between parents/carers and school, should this become necessary, for example in cases of very difficult family circumstances. She also deals with attendance, welfare issues, school meals and part-time employment of school children.

Health Education Health Education, including aspects of drug and sex education, forms part of the Science and Personal, Social and Religious Education courses. Such matters as contraception, sexually-transmitted diseases, AIDS, abortion and homosexuality are dealt with both sensitively and appropriately. The students are, at all times, encouraged to pay due regard to moral considerations and the value of family life. Parents/carers have a right to withdraw their children from lessons dealing with sex education and may do so by writing to the Headteacher.

Healthy School We are a health promoting school through our PSR provision and curriculum links in other departments, through our healthy eating and physical activity programmes, and through the support for emotional health and well being of students and staff.

We have achieved National Healthy School status.

Collective Worship We are currently working towards a practice of Collective Worship in line with the 1988 Education Act which states: “Whilst the majority of acts of worship should reflect the broad traditions of Christian belief, it is not necessary that every act of worship should be of this character”. Parents/carers have the right to withdraw their children from Collective Worship and may do so by writing to the Headteacher.

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Curriculum – Statement of Entitlement Students are entitled to a broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated curriculum, which encourages them to strive for the highest possible standards.

The curriculum should: • provide opportunities for students to develop their talents and abilities to the full; • foster personal growth and be responsive to individual needs; • develop students’ social awareness; • help students to develop moral and spiritual awareness; • help to prepare students to cope with the demands and challenges of an independent life after school; • foster an enjoyment of learning and an appreciation that education is a lifelong learning process; • operate within the over-arching concept of equal opportunities.

Year 9 The curriculum programme in Year 9, with minor exceptions, is common to all students. Grouping of students is arranged in several ways to ensure the most effective way of delivering the curriculum. English, Geography, History, Opening Minds, Business Studies and PSR are taught in tutor groups that cover the full ability range. Performing Arts, Design Technology, Art, Food Technology and ICT are taught in smaller, mixed-ability groups. Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages are grouped by ability. Science classes are taught in mixed-ability groups from more than one tutor group until they are setted at Christmas. PE classes are mixed-ability, but single gender.

Year 9 students have 25 periods per week. Students receive 5 hours teaching per day.

The current pattern per fortnight is:

Art & Design

2hrs

Food Studies

1½hrs

Business Studies

2hrs*

French

3hrs

Design & Technology

1½hrs

Geography

2hrs*

English

6hrs

German or Spanish

Drama

2hrs*

History

2hrs*

ICT

2hrs

Personal, Social & Religious Education

2hrs*

Opening Minds

5hrs

Physical Education

4hrs

Mathematics

6hrs

Science

5hrs

Music

2hrs*

4hrs

* Year 9 curriculum uses a carousel arrangement for teaching History, Geography, PSR, Drama, Business Studies and Music to mixed ability tutor groups, allowing each group to experience a subject for 10 hours spread over 4 weeks. A similar arrangement operates for Technology and Food Studies, but with smaller mixed ability groups.

PSR is a co-ordinated common knowledge, skills and attributes course, incorporating learning skills. In May, all Year 9 students take responsibility for their own learning during Independent Learning Week.

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Years 10 and 11 Through Key Stage 4, students follow teaching programmes totalling 50 hours:

Core

30 hours per fortnight English and English Literature Mathematics Science

Options

Personal, Social and Religious Education Core Physical Education

20 hours per fortnight 5 hours per fortnight

Art and Design Business and Communication Systems Business Studies

Carpentry and Joinery

Child Development Drama

Food Technology Food (Additional Studies) French Geography German

Graphic Products

Health and Social Care History – Schools Council History – World ICT

Industrial Production (single award)

Leisure and Tourism Music

Physical Education

Physical Education (Additional Studies)

Resistant Materials Spanish

Systems and Control Textiles

10 hours per fortnight Engineering (double award) Hair and Beauty ASDAN – Certificate of Personal Achievement

Small Animals

Setting takes place in English, Maths, Science and (where possible) Modern Foreign Languages.

Learning Skills During their school careers, a significant proportion of students need additional support to develop their potential to the full. This additional support may be given to gifted and talented students, those with particular literacy or numeracy difficulties or whose patterns of behaviour are not conducive to learning. Whatever the reason, we endeavour to provide appropriate, additional support which might utilise in-class support, small group work, individual help or access to an integrated learning system.

During Year 9, students study learning skills, focusing on literacy, numeracy, ICT and independent learning skills. All Year 9 students undertake ‘VAK’ exercises to identify their learning styles and to help them focus on the ways they learn – Visual, Auditory or Kinaesthetic. All students also undertake extended learning assignments as part of Independent Learning Week. A degree of flexibility is provided through the options structure, for example to study two modern foreign languages or two expressive/creative subjects. A minimum core of English, PSR, Mathematics, PE, Science and ICT is always in place.

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A small minority of students, whom our standard curriculum no longer motivates, may follow a programme with an extended work-related element out of school in Year 11. Many students will follow a variety of practical courses leading to widely recognised qualifications, drawing on our links with Dunstable College and Vandyke Upper School, using the facilities and expertise available through the Learning Warehouse Leighton-Linslade.

Years 12 and 13 Approximately 70% of students in Year 11 choose to continue their studies as members of Cedars Sixth Form.

The curriculum at this level is more specialised and more intense, allowing students the opportunity to develop their preferred interests and skills. The majority of students study three subjects at AS and A level, while a smaller number study four or five AS subjects in Year 12, dropping to three A levels in Year 13.

In addition to their academic studies, members of the sixth form experience an enrichment programme comprising General Studies and a whole range of extra-curricular activities. Great emphasis is also placed on independent learning skills which play a major part in preparing students for higher education and employment.

Subjects offered in Years 12 and 13 Applied ICT Art and Design Biology Business Studies Applied Business (AGCE) Business Studies (BTEC) level 2 Chemistry Computing Design Technology Economics Electronics English Language English Literature Film Studies Financial Studies French

Further Mathematics Geography German History Mathematics Music Music Technology Physical Education Physics Psychology Religious Studies Spanish Textiles Drama & Theatre Studies Leisure Studies Information Technology

Homework We believe in homework: it reinforces the work done in class and is one of the best ways in which students can learn to study by themselves. We expect homework to be done properly. A homework timetable will reach you at the beginning of each new school year, which sets out the homework to be expected each evening.

Student Handbook All students in Years 9–11 are issued with a student handbook for each term. The handbook consists of several sections including: timetable and homework timetable; information specific to that particular term, for example options, study skills and work experience; target-setting etc; details of extra-curricular activities; and a day-by-day diary. One of its main uses is the recording of homework, and if used properly, the handbook can be an invaluable way of helping students develop the planning and organisational skills necessary for realising their full potential.

Parents/carers are asked to join us in supporting their child’s development by checking and signing the handbook diary on a weekly basis. There is also a space for parents/carers to comment.

Examinations and Assessment During September of Year 9, students take Cognitive Ability Tests (CATs). These provide an indication of students’ strengths, weaknesses and potential in terms of future performance. Results are shared with parents/carers.

Year 9 students undertake teacher assessments in a range of studies. Year 10 students will be formally assessed at various stages in their courses and will be entered for core Science GCSE.

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Mock examinations take place in January of Year 11, and these are followed by the actual GCSE and other examinations which mainly take place during May and June. Year 12 students sit external AS examinations in May/June. A2 examinations are scheduled mainly in June in Year 13. Apart from these examination sessions, departments carry out regular assessment and target-setting with students within all year groups. The school operates an examination discrimination policy to ensure that no discrimination takes place against disabled applicants or candidates, and that every effort is made to enable all candidates to reach their potential.

Progress Reports A range of written reports is sent to you throughout the time your child is at the school. You will receive a Progress Report each term. When appropriate, this will include information on attitude to learning, current levels or grades, predictions of levels or grades in examinations, and targets set by teachers and students to help them make progress to maximise their achievement. Information on attendance is also included.

Students focus on target-setting, learning and organisational skills through Individual Learning Plans in Years 9, 10 and 11. These also contain details of extra-curricular activities, along with a personal statement written by the student and their action plan for the future. All student progress is monitored continuously by staff throughout their years at Cedars. Parents/carers are welcome to arrange an interview to discuss their child’s progress with any member of staff.

Library and Resources Centre The Library provides the school community with a resources and information service that supports teaching and learning, and enables students to achieve their goals, specifically by – • • • • •

providing resources to support all areas of the curriculum providing a quiet study area promoting and supporting the development of information literacy and independent learning skills providing access to a wide range of printed and online information resources promoting reading for enjoyment

The Library contains: • approximately 16,300 books (fiction and non-fiction) • non-book materials, such as DVDs, videos, audio-cassettes, information files and revision guides • daily newspapers and magazines • seating for 84 students • 24 PCs, connected to the school network – to be used for internet access, word processing, scanning and printing • photocopier for student use (5p for A4, 10p for A3) The Library is staffed by two qualified, chartered Librarians and one Library Assistant, who all work closely with departments to provide resources and guidance for coursework, individual research and assignments. Regular induction sessions are held for staff and students, as well as a range of information skills sessions for Years 9 to 13.

The Library is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 4.30pm on Friday. It also opens for some days in the school holidays, with opening hours advertised in advance of the holiday.

Information and Communications Technologies ICT is a core subject for all Year 9 students. The programme of study is a modular course, with each unit of work lasting roughly one half-term covering a broad range of ICT skills and capabilities. The course encompasses web quests and independent learning, spread sheet modelling, website design, programming and control, and digital video editing. Students will have the opportunity to qualify for ICT Functional Skills in ICT at level 1 or level 2.

ICT facilities are available in every department in the school and used to support teaching and learning in all subjects. Most classrooms have digital projectors and some also have electronic interactive whiteboards.

Many departments are served with computer suites within their own areas. Our school library has extensive ICT facilities and also accommodates our in-house ICT support team. There are numerous learning resources available through our computer network, as well as from the internet. Students can access many of these resources from home through our virtual learning environment or by directly logging into the school network.

A parent/carer and student portal is being developed which will allow students and parents/carers to access assessment and other information from home.

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Work-related Learning We have three members of staff with specific responsibilities for work-related learning. In addition, the form tutors, the PSR team and L&ACs play a most important part in the continuing process of careers education guidance and advice. We also have the full resources of the Connexions Service.

Careers Education & Guidance Throughout the three years up to sixteen, our careers staff and, whenever possible a Connexions Adviser, will be present at consultation sessions. We also offer, with the Learning Warehouse Leighton-Linslade tutors and Queensbury School, a range of vocational courses in Years 10-13. We have a clear commitment to enable all students to access vocational study options, alongside those traditionally offered. From 2010, we will also be offering students access to 7 diploma lines delivered across the South Bedfordshire Consortium.

The Careers Programme from 13 to 19 We guide Year 9 students through self-assessment and action planning, towards a realistic choice of courses for Years 10 and 11. Parents/carers and students are involved in full consultations with staff. In Years 10 and 11, careers education aims to help students to know themselves, to understand the place of work in the community, and appreciate the range of educational and training pathways open to them at the end of Year 11.

In the sixth form, we run a programme of careers education that covers further and higher education, apprenticeships and opportunities in a wide range of professions. Students visit universities and other institutions, attend a higher education conference and other events. We offer the facility for a mock interview to all Year 13 students during an evening in November. Those students who do not wish to apply for universities can attend lunchtime workshops which support them in making their applications for employment.

Education and Business Partnership Cedars is continuing to foster its links with local employers who are co-operating with the school both in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities. Major local companies help a number of departments to develop course units and contribute to such activities as work experience, work-shadowing and mock interviews.

They have also sponsored enterprise activities.

Work Experience The Year 11 work experience scheme gives all students the opportunity to work for two weeks with a variety of employers and organisations. Some Year 11 students are selected for a programme of extended work experience or personalised learning programmes. They continue with their core subjects and retain those options that relate to their future career choice. Integrated into the school week are blocks of work experience and time within small groups, with extensive support to ensure continuing progress in their school subjects.

Advice and Information We have a well-equipped Connexions Library within the main school library, where extensive research may be done by all students under the guidance of careers staff and Connexions advisers.

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Links between Home and School We are keen to work as closely as possible with you during your child’s time at Cedars.

There are five main ways in which we seek to maintain these links: 1. The Home School Partnership agreement issued at the start of Year 9.

2. Through personal contact with members of the teaching staff, form tutors and Learning & Achievement Co-ordinators.

3. By written communication – especially reports and the half-termly newsletter.

4. Through the activities of the Cedars School Association.

5. By the Cedars Upper School website: www.cedarsupper.beds.sch.uk

The Newsletter Our regular newsletter is sent out each half term to all parents/carers and is our main means of communication on paper. Its regular contents include a letter from the Headteacher, details of diary dates, year information, invitations to school events, the programme of activities of the Cedars School Association (CSA), information on new curriculum developments, praise and rewards, and the results of sporting fixtures. It is also available on the school website.

Availability of Documents A variety of documents is produced by the school and sent to parents/carers at appropriate times. In addition, we hold an increasing number of government regulations, circulars and orders. These can be consulted at school, where copies are available, during normal school hours. There is also a procedure for formal complaints, details of which are available from the Headteacher. It is hoped that such procedures will rarely be necessary, and that parents/carers will always feel able to contact the school whenever they have cause for concern.

Cedars School Association All parents and carers are automatically members of the Cedars School Association, as are all staff and ex-students. The Association aims to support the work of the school in the widest possible manner. It organises educational evenings, and a variety of events to give parents/carers and staff a chance to meet socially. This year’s programme includes a Christmas Show, a Quiz Evening, and a wine-tasting event. Another feature of the Association’s programme is fund-raising for educational equipment. We hope very much that you will join us and help with these important and enjoyable activities.

Cedars Website – www.cedarsupper.beds.sch.uk The functionality of the website is currently being improved to make the site both more user-friendly and improve communication with parents/carers.

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Money Matters Charges for School Activities The full details of the Central Bedfordshire policy can be consulted in school, but, in general, no charge is made for materials, books, examinations or activities that take place during school hours. However, parents/carers will be invited to pay for materials if they wish to own a finished product, or to contribute towards the costs of visits, trips, camps and exchanges.

A charge will be made for board and lodging on residential visits. Parents/carers will have to pay the cost of examination entry if their child fails to meet the criteria. We shall also send a bill for deliberate breakage, damage or for lost school resources. Families in receipt of certain income support or family credits will not have to pay board and lodging charges for essential visits, nor for courses at Blue Peris. Please contact the school for more information. In addition, the school will assist families in cases of hardship: we do not wish any child to miss out because of a shortage of funds. Please contact your child’s tutor or Learning & Achievement Co-ordinator in confidence.

School Meals A wide range of food is available through our café-style outlets. All of the food provided meets with our Healthy Schools status. Students eligible for free school meals are able to access the full range of eating options.

Opening hours:

• Breakfast • Morning Break • Lunch

08.30 - 09.00 am 11.05 - 11.20 am 12.45 - 13.35 pm

School Uniform We believe in a school uniform and have tried to make it simple, sensible and economic.

Students in Years 9, 10, and 11 all wear school uniform and parents/carers are asked to ensure that their children conform to the school’s requirements.

The sixth form do not wear uniform. However, they are expected to be neat and tidy, and suitably dressed for their work.

Full details are in the information booklet issued to new parents/carers in July.

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Extra-Curricular Activities Outdoor and Adventurous Activities Cedars has a very strong tradition of outdoor pursuits. On site, we have a very popular indoor climbing wall, and a large number of permanent orienteering courses. We make regular use of Blue Peris, the County’s outdoor pursuits centre in Snowdonia. Students also sign up for ventures with the British Schools’ Exploration Society, Operation Raleigh and World Challenge. A number of senior students have been on expeditions, trekking and doing community work in South Africa, Peru, Zimbabwe, Botswana, and Borneo.

Duke of Edinburgh Award The school has a large number of students involved in the Award. The annual enrolment at bronze level is normally about a hundred students; many continue to the silver and gold levels. Other students are involved in a variety of community-based projects. Students in Year 9 will be able to enrol in the autumn term of Year 10.

Study Visits and Fieldwork Educational visits and expeditions are another feature of the school’s work. Day visits provide study material and motivation in many subjects. Visits have included places as far afield as Telford and Gloucester, as well as to many museums, art galleries and other institutions in London. A level biologists have the opportunity to visit the Pembrokeshire coastline. Students may take part in day visits or residential trips.

Travel Abroad During the course of the school year there are many opportunities for students to travel abroad. There are regular study visits to Spain, Germany and France, organised by the Modern Foreign Languages department. In addition, each year a number of school visits are organised abroad on a recreational basis, eg the annual ski trip. Every year the school is able to provide financial assistance for some students who would otherwise be unable to accompany some trips and visits.

Clubs and Societies Many staff give freely of their time and expertise to run lunchtime and after-school clubs, catering for many interests, eg computing, keep-fit, drama tech (for budding stage managers and theatre technicians), rock-climbing, rugby, hockey, football, netball, gymnastics, rounders, badminton.

The school sports partnership has done much to add depth and breadth to our sporting programme. Over the last academic year, we have brought in outside coaches to teach dodge ball, pilates, archery, cricket, aerobics, table tennis, athletics, basket ball, boys’ hockey, skateboarding, and ultimate frisbee.

Sporting Cedars is justly proud of its strong reputation for sport in the region. Staff provide a variety of lunchtime, evening and weekend activities which cater for a wide range of competitive and recreational activities. Our teams enjoy success in local leagues, county and, on occasions, national competitions. The high standard of our students’ achievements is reflected in the considerable number of county players we provide for rugby, football, hockey, athletics, cross-country, netball, tennis, swimming and golf.

Our gymnastic team continues to maintain its good name in the Eastern Region competitions and regularly provides teams for displays in the area.

This year, we have some particularly talented athletes, with 22 students competing at the County Athletics Final, and a number competing at the English Schools Swimming Championships, County Rugby Final, and National Golf Schools Championships; one student represented Beds at the English Schools County Championships.

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Aesthetic Drama: We offer various performance opportunities during the academic year, both on and off the curriculum.

The annual school musical is an enjoyable, school community event which involves students in all aspects: performing on stage, in the band, and making a contribution ‘behind the scenes’ as part of the backstage crew.

This year, we have had a very successful staff/student production of Jim Cartwright’s play “Two”, following on from previous joint staff and student productions: Pinter’s “The Hothouse” and Sue Townsend’s “Bazaar and Rummage”. Our last musical, “Copacabana”, was staged in July 2008.

We have plans for a new venture – taking part in the national “Shakespeare for Schools” festival in October 2009.

The Raven Theatre is a great space in which to share our work; we also use our drama studio, which is equipped with sound and lighting facilities, to house our performance events.

Music: There is an extensive programme of musical activities to get involved in; anyone and everyone who has a passion for music is welcome. Cedars Sinfoniettas, Orchestra and Choir each rehearse once a week and give regular concerts, in a range of locations. In addition to this, we also offer space for band practice, and students are encouraged to create groups according to their own interest. We have a tradition at this school of producing superb musicians from every genre, from classical to pop, with students regularly pursuing further and higher education at music colleges across the UK. We have a rapidly expanding Music department, with Music Technology being a key feature of this growth.

Art: There is a strong tradition of the visual arts, represented by a team of specialist teachers. Students studying art are actively encouraged to extend their studies in and outside school hours and to take advantage of the range of facilities which includes a darkroom, fully-equipped ceramic studio and 4 general art studios.

Students’ work is reflected by the facilities, and students often express themselves in a range of media that not only includes painting and drawing, but also clay, photography and print-making. Regular field and exhibition visits are arranged, and a significant number of students go on to study art at local colleges and universities.

A level students annually present an exhibition of their work which is open to parents and general public, at which a presentation is made by the department to the most outstanding student in each year group.

Technology: Design and Technology is a popular and successful department at Cedars and we complement our teaching with a range of extra curricular activities aimed at developing, improving and challenging our students. We offer a Lunchtime Academy to our GCSE students to catch up on coursework and get oneto-one support. Each year, we enter teams from Years 9, 10 and 12 in the Rotary Club Design & Technology Tournament, and our A2 Product Design students participate in the “Brit Insurance Designer of the Year, Student Competition”.

Helping Others Whilst consideration of the needs of others forms an important part of our educational programme, we also try each year to encourage our students to give active help to those in need.

Help Week During Help Week in December last year, students raised £8,000. Among the charities nominated by students this year were: Samaritans, Leighton/Linslade Homeless Service, Macmillan Cancer Support, and WaterAid. We were also in a position to be able to donate monies to other local charities.

Each Thursday evening, members of the sixth form help to run a Mencap club for people with learning difficulties.

The club serves the Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard area.

In May 2009, twenty-four students received the Diana, Princess of Wales Group Award in recognition of their contribution to the Ear4U2 peer mentoring scheme. The majority of these also received awards for volunteering.

Through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, our students are encouraged to complete some form of community service. Many local organisations have benefited from the enthusiastic support of our students.

Old Cedarians’ Scholarships Each year, the Old Cedarians award several scholarships to students proceeding to higher and further education.

This may be for the purchase of books and equipment, or to assist in the financing of a trip abroad in connection with the student’s chosen course of study.

13

Admission Arrangements The local authority will apply the following criteria (in the rank order shown) to decide the order in which places will be allocated when there are more requests from parents/carers than the number of places available: 1. All ‘looked after’ children 2. Pupils living in the catchment area 3. ‘Very exceptional’ medical grounds 4. Siblings 5. Students who will have completed Years 5 and 6 (KS2) and Years 7 and 8 (KS3) in middle schools

in the Learning Community i.e. Brooklands, Fulbrook, Gilbert Inglefield, Leighton and Linslade.

6. Students who will have completed Years 7 and 8 (KS3) in middle schools in the Learning Community

i.e. Brooklands, Fulbrook, Gilbert Inglefield, Leighton and Linslade 7. Any other children.

Decisions about entry for students are made by the County Council Admissions Officer, Mr Keith Lakin, who informs parents/carers during the spring term. Neither the Headteacher nor the governing body is involved in making these decisions.

On Wednesday 7 July 2010, new students will pay a visit to the school to meet their form tutors, and other students in their form group and to experience lessons. Parents/carers will be invited in the evening to meet with senior staff and form tutors to discuss matters relating to the first year in the upper school.

Prospective parents/carers are most welcome to visit Cedars during the school day. However, whilst the Headteacher and staff are happy to see parents/carers at any time, an upper school is a very busy place, so please make an appointment in advance.

We believe our Academy is unique. No other school in the UK or possibly the world has anything similar.

Our aim is to bring together in one place, a whole range of sporting courses, so that people from anywhere in the country can gain nationally recognised qualifications.

This year’s academy boasts over 50 sports and more than 100 courses. Alongside the traditional and more obvious games, we offer such diversity as angling, snowboarding, windsurfing, and even salsa.

Places at the academy are open to everyone and not just Cedars students. Applicants need only meet the sport-specific criteria for their chosen course.

As a school, we now possess a small army of qualified coaches – many of whom are gaining experience in lessons, others developing skills in the local community, whilst a smaller but ever-growing number are making a full-time living in the world of sport.

Cedars Coaching Academy is a “rapid success story”. Not yet three years old, we are already on the radar of almost every governing body of sport in the country.

In recognition of our contribution to coaching, we have received prestigious awards from:Football Association (FA) - ‘Community Partner Award’ Rugby Football Union (RFU) - Coach Education Centre’ Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) - Designated Coaching Centre’ Please visit our excellent website www.cedarscoachingacademy.com

There really is something for everyone!

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Staff you may wish to contact Headteacher

Mr A Warren

Deputy Headteachers

Dr R Graham Mrs L Johnson

Director of Specialism

Mrs S Quick

Business Manager

Mrs C Golding

Learning & Achievement Co-ordinator Year 9 Behaviour Support Assistant Year 9

Mrs C Goring Farrow Miss T Franks

Learning & Achievement Co-ordinator Year 10 Behaviour Support Assistant Year 10

Mrs C Betts Mrs D Townson

Learning & Achievement Co-ordinator Year 11 Behaviour Support Assistant Year 11

Miss H Rowe Mrs L Rogers

Head of Sixth Form Deputy Head of Sixth Form

Mr A Cross Ms B Bestic

PA to Headteacher

Mrs K Lingham

Mrs E Grant Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Children, Families & Learning Central Bedfordshire Council

Priory House,

Monks Walk, Chicksands, Shefford

Bedfordshire SG17 5TQ

Tel: 0300 300 8000 Education Welfare Officer

Connexions Adviser

Ms D Murdoch Tel: 01525 750608 Ms S Holditch Tel: c/o Cedars 01525 219300

We are always very willing to see parents/carers at the school, or to answer queries on the telephone.

However, whilst it may be possible to make personal contact with a particular member of staff by visiting the school during normal hours, we prefer you to make an appointment in advance by means of a letter or a telephone call. This helps to avoid the risk of an unduly hurried conversation in the course of a very busy, daily routine.

Please contact the school office if you have any queries and one of our administrators will be pleased to assist you.

Hiring Facilities Cedars has various rooms and large areas for hire, ideal for meetings, parties, teaching groups etc.

If you require any further information, please contact the Facilities Manager: Mrs Shirley North Tel: 01525 219310 This prospectus is designed as a comprehensive guide to prospective and existing parents/carers of Cedars students. It is not a marketing document. Every effort has been made to give up to date information.

However, some sections will be amended from time to time. We will strive to inform all parents/carers through our half-termly newsletters, student handbooks and other documents.

Cedars Upper School Mentmore Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 2AE Tel: 01525 219 300 Fax: 01525 850 864 Email: cedarsus@deal.bedfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.cedarsupper.beds.sch.uk Headteacher: Andrew Warren Deputy Headteachers: Rob Graham, Linda Johnson

15

INDEX A

M

14 Admission Arrangements Aesthetic 13 2 Aims of the School

Art 13

Money Matters

11

Music

13

B Behaviour Policy Bullying

3 4

C Careers Education & Guidance Caring for our Students

Cedars School Association

Charges for School Activities Clubs and Societies Coaching Academy Collective Worship

Connexions

Contacts

Curriculum - Statement of Entitlement Curriculum Information

9 4 10 11 12 14 4 9 15 5 5

D Documents (availability) Drama Duke of Edinburgh Award

10 13 12

N Newsletter

10

O Old Cedarians’ Scholarships Option Choices

6

Outdoor and Adventurous Activities P

3

Progress Reports

8

R Rewards

3

S Sanctions

3

School Meals

12

Staff to contact

15

Statement of Purpose

2

Student Handbook

7

Student Participation

3

Student Responsibilities

9

Study Visits and Fieldwork

Education Welfare Officer

4

T

Examinations and Assessment

7 12

F 12

3

4 4 4 13 13 15 2 10 7 3

I ICT (Information and Communications Technologies) 8 L Learning Skills Learning Support Library and Resources Centre Links between Home and School

6 4 8 10

4 12

Technology 13 Travel Abroad

12

Trips and Visits

12

U Uniform, School

H Health Education Healthy School Health Service Help Week Helping Others Hiring Facilities History of School Home-School Links Homework House System

11

Sporting (extra-curricular)

Education & Business Partnership

Extra-curricular Activities

12

Pastoral System

Student Support Centre

E

Fieldwork

13

11

W Website

10

Work Experience

9

Work-related Learning

9

Y Year 10 and 11 Programme Year 9 Programme

Year 9 Learning Skills Year 12 and 13 Programme

6 5

6

7

Cedars Upper School Mentmore Road Leighton Buzzard Bedfordshire LU7 2AE Tel: 01525 219 300 Fax: 01525 850 864 Email: cedarsus@deal.bedfordshire.gov.uk Website: www.cedarsupper.beds.sch.uk