Noadswood School A Sports College

prospectus

Fit for Learning,Fit for Life

“The provision of care, guidance and support is excellent.” OFSTED 2009

North Road | Dibden Purlieu Southampton | Hampshire SO45 4ZFTelephone: 023 8084 0025 | Fax: 023 8084 3532Email: headteacher@noadswood.hants.sch.uk

Dear Parent,

It is my privilege and pleasure to introduce you to our school. At Noadswood we aim to create a caring and civilisedethos in which our students learn about their responsibilities and how to respect themselves and others. We have clearexpectations of them and we provide them with a broad range of opportunities in order to develop and demonstrate theirgrowing maturity. Our students consistently achieve high standards in a whole range of fields and we work hard toensure that all students are successful.

Working together staff and students have identified 5 themes which we believe to be the essence of our school:

> Enjoyment of learning> Enthusiasm for life> Engagement in school> Effective citizenship> Encouragement of success

In the following pages you will be given an introduction to our school delivered through these themes. I hope that thiswill give you all of the information you require, but if there is anything else you need to know then please do not hesitateto contact us via telephone or the school website at www.noadswood.hants.sch.uk

Introducing Noadswood School A Sports College

Headteacher: Mr. A. Bernard BA(Hons) MA (Ed)

1

Enjoyment of Learning

Curriculum> KS3All our students follow a common Key Stage Threecurriculum as outlined in the National Curriculum. Inaddition we also teach Learning to Learn (L2L) a programme which explains the different ways in whichwe learn, which then helps students to understand howthey learn and which also helps to develop their emotional intelligence.

Curriculum> KS4All pupils continue to study courses in English,Mathematics, Science and ICT leading to externalexaminations. Additionally they also undertakeprogrammes in P.E., Citizenship and Ethics. As part ofour approach to personalizing learning pupils are allowedto choose to continue to study certain subjects from thebeginning of Year 9 and in some cases this may lead toearly entry examinations in Year 10. Some students may follow applied GCSE courses, NVQ

courses or other appropriate college courses. Our mostable students study AS courses and can if they choose,follow a three science option at GCSE. Our key aim is tomeet the individual needs of our students and to give themthe best chance of success with their examinations andfuture careers.

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“A new curriculum is being trialled andis good, the new arrangements offerstudents three distinct pathways,

which clearly recognise their particularacademic or vocational aptitudes. Thereare good opportunities for student’s

progress to be accelerated. ” OFSTED 2009

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Enjoym

ent of Learning

Curriculum> SettingStudents are carefully and sensitively grouped to helpthem to learn and work to the very best of their abilityand to demonstrate their capabilities. Throughout theirtime with us these groupings are reviewed to ensure thatall students are placed in the most appropriate group foreach subject they study. We have high expectations of allour students and it is our intention that all students beentered for external examinations in the subject areasthey have been studying.

Curriculum> ICTInformation Communication Technology (ICT) is anintegral part of the curriculum and students are taught awide range of applications including word processing, desktop publishing, databases and spreadsheets. In years 7and 8 ICT is taught as a separate subject. In years 9 -11 pupils follow OCR materials in a variety of modules.The school has five computer rooms as well as subnetworks in other departments and these are availableduring lunch times and after school.

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Enjoym

ent of Learning

“Good, positive relationships exist, and studentssay they enjoy their education. Consequently,all groups of students – including those who arevulnerable, those with gifts and talents, andthose with learning difficulties and/ordisabilities – make good progress.” OFSTED 2009

Enjoym

ent of Learning

5

“Noadswood provides a good education forits students. It has aspects that areoutstanding, including the students’

contribution to the community andthe school’s use of an extremely widerange of external partnerships that

benefit students.”

OFSTED 2009

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School LibraryWe are fortunate to have an excellent and well stockedschool library. The library is a bright, attractive room andis the school’s permanent gallery for pupils’ GCSE 3 dimensional artwork.Students have open access to 18 computers linked to the

internet all day and both before and after school.Students in year 7 have an induction course to familiarisethem with the library and to encourage good readinghabits. All students are offered the opportunity to work asjunior librarians.

Sports PrefectsEach year we appoint a team of enthusiastic year 10 and 11 pupils who help the PE department run the extra-curricular programme as well as helping ourPrimary Schools.During the course of the year they are offered the

opportunity to complete the Level 1 Sports Leader awardwhich is recognised by colleges and employers.

Sports College StatusWe were delighted to gain designation as a Sports Collegein July 2006 and since then we have been able to increaseopportunities in PE and School Sport through theemployment of new PE teachers, one of whom worksclosely with our Primary Schools. The additional fundinghas also enabled us to improve the use of ICT in all areasof the curriculum.At Noadswood we are fortunate to have excellent sports

facilities. Our newly refurbished Sports Hall includes aclimbing wall and our purpose built gymnasium is used forhigh level competitions at both local and regional level.This latter facility gives us very strong links withWaterside Gym Club which produces gymnasts at everylevel up to national standard. In addition we are about toconstruct a fully equipped and floodlit astro turf pitch andwe are upgrading our tennis and netball facilities.

Enthusiasm for Life

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Enthusiasm

for Life

Enthusiasm

for Life

Educational VisitsOur primary focus is education in school but we believe that educational visits offer a superbopportunity to enhance a student’s learning whilst having fun. These visits include trips as anintegral part of normal subject courses - geographyfieldwork, history visits and visits to industry. Other trips arranged by staff include trips to thetheatre and concerts. There is also a wide range of residential trips to

venues in both Great Britain and abroad. There is anannual outdoor pursuits visit to Bude for year 7 andanother in year 9 to the Dordogne. The ModernLanguages department run two very successful trips inyear 8, one to Paris and one to St Goarshausen in theRhine Valley. Other recent visits have been to Italy forskiing, and to our partner school Sefoloko HighSchool in Limpopo, South Africa.

Competitions and ChallengesWe recognise that many student enjoy competingagainst their peers and are always keen to encourageparticipation in outside events. Many students takepart in sports competitions within the New ForestSchools Partnership and the County. Each year wehave huge success in the UK Maths challenge and ourstudents take part in a variety of other challenges inareas such as Science and Business Studies. Each year we have a group of students who take

part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, all ofwhom achieve success.

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Effective Citizens

CitizenshipThroughout their time at the school students follow aprogramme of Citizenship education. The content is wideand diverse and encompasses such areas as local, nationaland international politics, the law, the media, humanrights, the economy and the world as a global community.This course also covers careers, personal and socialeducation and health education.

Sex EducationThe school policy on sex education aims to ensure that sex education is provided:> As an integral part of the learning process for all students.

> To explore values and moral issues.> To consider sexuality and personal relationships.> To enable students to make informed decisions.> To foster a sense of moral responsibility.

The content of the programme:> Allows for individual differences which arise from cultural, religious or family background.

> Addresses the personal and social dimensions of sexual expression.

> Is delivered through lessons in citizenship and science.

Parents have the right to withdraw students from sexeducation lessons.

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“They are well prepared for their futurelives as a consequence of the curriculum

provision for careers advice, enterpriseactivities, citizenship, work experience,

and health education.”OFSTED 2009

Effective Citizens

PrefectsDuring year 10, pupils who have been leading andexcellent students are eligible for appointment asPrefects. We provide training in assertiveness andleadership to those appointed. The Prefect team, ledby the Head Boy and Head Girl and their Deputies,undertakes an important role in supporting theirfellow students and the staff.

Behaviour ManagementOur students have the right to learn and our teachersthe right to teach without interruption. Our Code ofConduct, which is well defined, reflects this principle.It ensures that all students are clear about their rightsand responsibilities, also the rewards and sanctionsthat will follow depending on the choices they make.The vast majority of students come to school to work

hard and to co-operate with staff. Merit awards,congratulatory postcards and prizes are some of therewards given to encourage our students to continuegiving of their best. Students who prevent others fromlearning are warned, and then, as appropriate,sanctions ranging from detentions to being withdrawnfrom lessons to working under supervision away fromtheir peers, are applied.

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“A healthy respect is shown foreach other and to adults.”

OFSTED 2009

International LinksIn addition to the many foreign visits which are arrangedfor pupils we also have long lasting relationships withschools overseas. Over the past four years we havedeveloped a very close partnership with Sefoloko Schoolin Limpopo, South Africa. Sefoloko is situated in a“village” of 45,000 inhabitants and there are regularvisits of pupils to and from the schools. This link is verypowerful and in some cases has had a life changing effecton our pupils.We also have partnership with Hi Tech High School in

San Diego, USA. HTH is a world leader in innovativecurriculum and staff from both schools have collaboratedon project based learning which we have introduced intoour Navig8 curriculum in Year 7.

Involvement with the CommunityOur student Ethos Group aims to work for the schoolcommunity. As part of our involvement with thecommunity we produce a Talking Newspaper for thevisually impaired, are committed to the Cussins DayCentre, we take part in the Waterside Arts festival and weraise funds for local charities. Each year we raise fundsfor Children in Need and our students can always be reliedupon to find ways of helping international disaster pleasas well as collecting shoe boxes full of Christmas gifts forchildren in poorer countries.

Healthy SchoolsWe are delighted to have been recognised as meeting thecriteria to be designated as a healthy school but also veryproud to have recently been awarded the EnhancedStatus. The main aims of the standard are to improve thephysical, emotional, social health and well being of ourstudents by involving them in decisions on food, exercise,friendships, healthy lifestyle and concerns with bullying.

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Effective Citizens

Engagement in School

Tutor GroupsYour child will join a tutor group of approximately 25 pupils and they will normally stay with the sametutor for the 5 years in school. The tutor group is madeup from students in every Year group and gives a veryinclusive and secure base for the pupils. Tutors areresponsible for monitoring the progress and welfare ofthe pupils in their group. Each tutor group is part ofone of the 4 Houses in the school and a variety of inter-House competitions and events are organisedthroughout the year. Each House has two HouseLeaders, one of whom monitors the progress andlearning of the pupils and another who deals withguidance and welfare issues.

ClubsThere is such a wide range of clubs meeting throughoutthe year that there is certainly something for everyone. The PE department offers a variety of lunchtime andafter school clubs including football, rugby, basketball,badminton, netball, hockey, dance, gymnastics, cross-country, athletics, rounders and tennis.In addition to sports based clubs we have science

club, internet club, homework club, Christian Union,computer club, drama club, the fun food club and chess club.The programme of clubs is reviewed regularly and we

are always looking to extend and introduce new ideas.

Student Ethos GroupWe subscribe totally to the idea of “Every Child Matters”and in response to this we support the Student EthosGroup. Students are elected by their peers to the EthosGroup which is led by Senior Prefects and meets on aregular basis. It gives students a voice to make usefulcontributions to the development of the school community.A wide range of issues have been raised, including the

introduction of alternative eating arrangements, the needfor more pupil counselling, concerns with movementaround the school, teaching and learning styles, how todeal with bullying, improving and monitoring the toiletsand re-designing pupil planners.In Spring 2009 the Ethos Group investigated a new

motto for the school and after consulting with all pupils andstaff initiated the motto “Fit for Learning, Fit for Life”. The Ethos Group has involved the pupils in

communicating ideas for change and decision making that has benefited all pupils at Noadswood. The intentionis to continue to develop the Pupil Voice and create Pupil Focus Groups which will meet to discuss school and community issues of interest to their particular YearGroup. Students have started by initiating links with theCussins Day Centre adopting this care centre for theelderly as our school charity.

Keeping-in-TouchThe school web site is a valuable source of communicationand contains up to date information on all aspects ofschool life. We publish a successful newsletter which isproduced every term and sent to all parents, staff,governors, business partners and colleagues from otherschools. The newsletter is one way of sharing information,publicising future events and reporting on events whichhave already taken place.

Progress ReportsWe believe that it is very important to have a runningdialogue between school and home, so parents receiveprogress reviews throughout the year. Teaching staffreport termly on your child’s behaviour, effort, homework and progress in each subject. There is also areport an attendance.You will have the opportunity to meet your child’s

subject teachers in either the Autumn or the Spring termto discuss academic progress.Each student has three individual mentoring sessions per

year. Targets are set and monitored and the student hasthe opportunity to discuss concerns and strengths. In July,an Annual Review Day allows each student an extendedinterview with his or her tutor to discuss progress duringthe year and to agree targets for the next academic year.Parents are invited to join their child for that interview.

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Engagem

ent in School

“Students make an excellentcontribution to the community.” OFSTED 2009

Encouraging Success

Teachers, Support Staff and GovernorsWe are very fortunate in having a full complement ofdedicated, caring and hard working staff who, with theGovernors and Parent Teacher Association work as a team to ensure that all students have every opportunity to succeed.

Leading studentsIt has been thought that students who work hard andbehave well can be made to feel uncomfortable by theirless conscientious peers. Our Leading and ExcellentStudent scheme encourages them not to feeluncomfortable about it, but to realise that they are among a very large group of like-minded students and tofeel proud of their achievement. Leading and Excellentstudents are identified through termly Progress Reportsand enjoy privileges that are not available to other students.

Learning SupportSupport is provided for pupils with special educationalneeds, including learning, sensory, physical and sometimesbehavioural or emotional.There is close liaison with primary schools so that

information and advice for teachers and support for pupilsis available as soon as pupils arrive. Soon after settlinginto school students are assessed and programmesdeveloped to meet identified needs. Support is organisedwithin the school and most often takes the form of aLearning Support Assistant in the classroom. Pupils withlearning difficulties are usually taught in smaller groups.Occasionally, staff work with students on a one to one orvery small group basis.We are proud that in recent years all our students with

special needs have achieved well at GCSE.

“Teaching is good, and thestudents achieve well.

Relationships in lessons are positive.” OFSTED 2009

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“The governing body supports the school well.”

OFSTED 2009

Pupil SupportIn order to fully support pupils we operate a Pupil SupportCentre staffed by the House Leaders for Guidance. Thesenon-teaching members of staff are available all day. Theirrole is to support pupils who have, or develop, emotional orbehavioural difficulties. Along with our Parent SupportAdvisor they offer a range of courses which help andencourage pupils to deal with their feelings and emotions inappropriate ways. Sessions may include angermanagement, stress, self esteem and personal organization.We have excellent links with the community and

multi-agency professionals to enable needs to be metproactively.

Special Educational NeedsNoadswood School is one of the four schools inHampshire equipped to support the learning of PhysicallyDisabled children. Students have come to Noadswoodfrom as far afield as Romsey, Totton and Lymington.The school has facilities to undertake on-site

physiotherapy and occupational therapy. We have an Accessibility plan which is reviewed regularly.Our key objective is to reduce and eliminate barriers to

access to the curriculum and to full participation in theschool community. Most of the school is wheelchairaccessible having the use of a lift in the Main block.Disabled students at Noadswood are fully included in allaspects of school life:

> The curriculum with adaptations for PE and DT.> School visits with additional support.> Extra-curricular clubs.

Vocational EducationWe aim to ensure we meet the needs of all our studentsand the introduction of a number of vocational courses isan important part. We offer applied science and appliedHealth and Social Care GCSEs and the BTec FirstQualification in Sport. We are also able to offer a smallnumber of students the opportunity to take part in a rangeof vocational courses in areas as diverse as hairdressing,construction and engineering. Students achieve anationally recognised qualification when they havesuccessfully completed the course.

“The headteacher has worked effectively and successfully toestablish among managers and staff a shared vision, basedaround improving the outcomes for students.” OFSTED 2009

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Encouraging Success

Careers and Work Related LearningNoadswood works closely with the Careers Service ingiving information, advice and guidance about futurecareer choices and pathways. Careers advisers visit theschool regularly and students can request an interview orvisit the lunch-time and after school “drop in” sessions.By arrangement, parents are welcome to attend interviewsand drop in sessions when career or education pathwaysare being considered by their son or daughter.The Kudos careers database is networked throughout

the school and all students can access it on thewww.planit.co.uk website.

Work experienceDuring the summer term of Year 10 all studentsundertake a two week work experience placement. Thisvaluable opportunity provides important experiences and insights into the world of work. Student workexperience is also linked to the Trident gold award whichincludes a personal challenge and community service.The school has very good industry and community

links which are used to both strengthen and demonstratethe relevance of the school curriculum within the world of work.

L2L Skills for LifeLearning to Learn lessons are currently part of the KS3curriculum. In these lessons students have the opportunityto learn how to become successful learners. Essentially,the course provides students with study skills and a basicunderstanding of emotional intelligence. The course coversBrain Gyms, why they are useful in lessons and someexamples, how to mind map and why it is useful, how andwhen to use mnemonics and other memory developingtechniques. Students will also learn about their ownpreferred learning styles and so understand what activitiesactually help them learn. In addition, they learn aboutproblem solving using “Thinking Hats” and gain a basicunderstanding of stress management.In addition to Learning to Learn lessons, there is an

ongoing emphasis on all staff adopting and using methodstaught in these lessons across the whole curriculum.

Encouraging Success

“There is an extremely impressive range of partners in thecommunity, who are well used to benefit learners.” OFSTED 2009

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Noadswood School A Sports College

North Road | Dibden Purlieu Southampton | Hampshire SO45 4ZFTelephone: 023 8084 0025 | Fax: 023 8084 3532Email: headteacher@noadswood.hants.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mr. A. Bernard BA(Hons) MA (Ed)