P rospectus
Transcription
P rospectus
O a k w o o d P r o s p S c h o o l e c t 2 0 1 0 / 2 0 1 1 Oakwood School u s CEO INTRODUCTION Welcome to Oakwood Set in the heart of central Scotland with excellent transport links to all parts, Oakwood is a co-educational school, providing education for pupils from age 7 to 18. 2 Established in 1996, and having been in the present location since 2004, it provides education for pupils from the Brethren community from a number of diverse locations throughout Central Scotland. We have the advantage of the whole-hearted support of parents and the wider community who participate in many of the school’s activities. This in turn translates into greater commitment on the part of the pupils who not only achieve above average results in formal examinations but also, in taking responsibility for their own learning, become equipped for dealing with the challenges they face in the wider world after leaving school. We hope you find this prospectus stimulating, and are pleased to extend an invitation to you to visit and find out more about our school. John Steven CEO History and Governance Oakwood School Oakwood Education Trust was established in 1996 in response to the aspiration of the Brethren community in Scotland to provide their children with quality teaching in a safe and stimulating learning environment. The Trust has overall responsibility for the operation and governance of Oakwood School, leading the continuing development of the school’s vision and responding to the needs of a growing school roll of pupils and staff. The Board of Trustees meet monthly and representatives of the Board meet with senior management each week. At Oakwood, the Trust is affiliated to Focus Learning Trust, a UK based charitable organisation. This organisation offers guidance by giving professional direction and support in our education programme, connecting 30 Secondary and 32 Primary schools across the UK. Focus Learning Trust is the UK arm of OneSchool, the international support network for education in all our schools. The Falkirk Campus opened in August 2004 and currently provides full-time education from Years 3 to 13 for 128 pupils. There are 25 teaching staff. Miss Morag MacDougall Deputy Head Teacher (Primary) Mr Dugald MacGilp Deputy Head Teacher (Secondary) 3 4 Junior School The Junior School opened in August 2006, initially with 18 Year 5/6 pupils and 2 teachers. The roll has now grown to 56 pupils with 8 members of staff – a sign of the confidence parents have in us providing a quality education for their children. Oakwood Education Trust has ensured that the purpose-built facilities provide an excellent environment for pupils and staff. All classrooms have interactive whiteboards, are extremely well-equipped and have a range of excellent resources. The Junior School follows the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence which gives sound preparation for entry to the Senior School at Year 7. We provide a broad and varied curriculum which is supplemented with many enrichment activities. Our dedicated staff work closely as a team and plan collaboratively, giving opportunity to share ideas and maintain continuity and progression. Staff regularly attend a variety of CPD courses ensuring their awareness and knowledge of local and national developments remains fresh and innovative. 5 6 Although inspected by HMIe, as part of Focus Learning Trust we are subject to inspection by their Quality Assurance team. In a recent inspection the Junior School performed very well with most lessons judged as having outstanding features. Other areas of strength highlighted were enterprise, key skills in literacy, numeracy, speaking and listening, use of displays, planning, and relationships between staff and pupils. High standards of discipline and behaviour are expected and maintained. Our pupils are keen to learn and contribute and enjoy taking on positions of responsibility, such as in the Junior School Pupil Council and ECO committee. An example of the success of their role is the development of our garden and outdoor learning area. “The whole primary school is bright, colourful and child friendly. The displays are designed and completed by the pupils with a little guidance from the teachers. Pupils’ artistic skills are developed successfully and they are excited when they see the completed wall display of their combined efforts.” 7 8 Senior School Curriculum The school’s provision for our pupils’ spiritual, moral and social development impacts productively on attitudes and behaviour. This provides a sound basis for academic and personal achievement, and was commended as a “significant strength of the school” in our recent Focus Quality Assurance Inspection. 9 Pupils in year 7 to 11 follow a common curriculum which is a rich amalgam of the best in English and Scottish educational heritage, guidance and initiatives. This allows for provision of timetabled Citizenship Education with strong links to the PSHE, Science and Humanities syllabi. Key stage 4 pupils study for ten GCSEs, with an excellent record of attainment. Typically our pass rate is 100%, with 80% at grade A* to C. On average, 90% of the year 11 cohort gain five or more passes at grades A* to C including English, Mathematics and Science, well above the national average for a non-selective in-take. All pupils are taught in mixed ability classes. As is normal practice, the subject teachers, following tailored ‘Individual Education Programmes’, provide the first line of support for pupils with Additional Support Needs. Bespoke, in-depth support is available with one-to-one teaching. Since inception, the school has striven successfully to enrich and broaden the post-16 provision. The choice available from A-levels, BTEC/NQF vocational qualifications and ASDAN ‘Certificates of Personal Effectiveness’ allows all pupils the opportunity to realise their potential, while gaining certification to tertiary education matriculation standard. Extra-curricular Activities The curriculum is enriched by giving every pupil in the Junior and Senior Schools the opportunity to discover and explore new experiences, interests and talents through a variety of activities, day trips and events. This provision reflects the entitlement in Scotland to learning that develops essential skills for life, skills for work, and an active and healthy lifestyle. Pupils achieve success in different areas of activity such as musical instrument tuition. Participation in musical and dramatic performances involves all ages in productions for the end of term shows. This also reflects the strong commitment from pupils, staff and parents alike. 10 On Open Days, pupils contribute to the immediate community, taking a high level of responsibility. This develops home school links by extending the warm hospitability of the school to our visitors. Pupils also contribute effectively to the wider community in which we live by planning and running charity events, successfully raising funds for organisations such as the RNLI and the Haiti Appeal. Both Junior and Senior School pupils are involved in working towards the achievement of Eco Schools status. They are developing their skills in independent work and in working effectively as part of a team, for the benefit of the whole school. The school trips programme takes advantage of our central location to broaden our pupils’ knowledge of their place in Scotland. We visit several sites, including significant institutions such as the Scottish Parliament, which encourages pupils’ ability to apply their own learning in new situations. 11 Oakwood School Bog Road Laurieston Falkirk FK2 9PB Telephone: 01324 630733 Proprietor:Oakwood Education Trust Fax: 01324 619759 Email: [email protected] Registered Charity:SC024571 CEO:Mr John Steven Head Teacher: Oakwood School Vacancy