INVESTOR IN PEOPLE

THE AVON VALLEY SCHOOLand

PERFORMING ARTS COLLEGE

A Self Governing Foundation School working in partnership with

the Local Education Authority

Newbold Road Rugby

Warwickshire CV21 1EH

Telephone: 01788 542355 Fax: 01788 572050

Email: admin@avonvalleyschool.org www.avonvalleyschool.org.uk

HEADTEACHER Don O’Neill

CHARTERSTANDARDSCHOOLS

WELCOME The Avon Valley School is a self-governing, 11-16 Foundation School, which means that the Governors own the land and buildings and employ all the staff in school, whilst working closely with the Local Authority. In recent years, our admission number has increased as the popularity of the school has risen and, for students entering the school in Year 7 in September, this number is 220. Even though the school is growing, we intend to retain the qualities that have made us a natural choice for those parents who value an environment in which each person cares for and

respects the rights of other members and where they feel part of the Avon Valley community.

The ethos and culture of the school are unique. In 2004, Ofsted commented that the school was a ‘special place to be …… and that anything was possible for anyone.’ They also made comment about the ‘family’ atmosphere that existed at the school. Underpinning this ethos is

our attention to detail and our care and support for young people. This is clearly demonstrated by our insistence on high standards of behaviour, discipline and uniform, in order to create a safe and purposeful environment in which young people can thrive and reach their potential.

The school is at the forefront of educational and curriculum development and has, over the years, received many accolades:

Investor in People status in 1997; this was awarded again in 2003 and 2006

Excellence in Achievement Award by the DfES for two years’ running

Sportsmark Gold in 2001, awarded again in 2004

Artsmark Gold in 2002 – awarded again in 2007

Specialist College Status in Performing Arts in 2004

Specialist College and Academies Trust ‘Value Added Schools Club’ 2007 and 2008

Our specialism as a Performing Arts College gives the school a distinctive flavour of achievement and undoubtedly raises the self-esteem of the students. This status has enabled us to become heavily involved in the wider community and the school musical productions ie. ‘Les Miserables’ in 2005, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ in 2006, and ‘Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ in March 2007, were widely acclaimed, and we were extremely lucky to have Rugby Theatre as the venue for these shows whilst the new school was under construction. In 2008, we were delighted to be able to produce ‘My Fair Lady’ in the new school in a brand new state of the art theatre. Many students from across the age range take part in these high quality productions, which is indicative of their enthusiasm to ‘perform’.

We have an innovative approach to the curriculum and always endeavour to tailor programmes of study to meet the individual needs of the students. As a result of this and many other initiatives, examination results have continued to improve year on year in both Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.

In September 2007, we moved into a building that

matches the aspirations of the learners at Avon Valley. It includes facilities geared towards learning in the 21st Century, such as an Information Technology infrastructure which provides a virtual learning environment in each curriculum area. There is a state of the art theatre, with control room, recording studio and associated practice rooms, reflecting our specialist status.

Students work in spacious rooms, equipped to a high specification, which undoubtedly creates a climate for further academic achievement and success.

There is no better way to find out about us than by coming in and seeing the school at work and talking to me. Better still, come in and talk to our students and share in their experiences. In either case, we are always delighted to receive visitors.

Don O’NeillHeadteacher

OUR VISION At The Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College, we value each and every individual. We believe that everyone has the potential to succeed and is an untapped source of talent. It is our aim to unlock this potential through the provision of a first class education, creating life long learners.

Underpinning this aim is our desire for our students to enjoy their school days and be equipped with the skills and knowledge for life. We want our students to understand their rights and responsibilities and those of others and be compassionate and caring members of society.

OUR CORE VALUES

Doing our best

Being proud of ourselves and our school

Behaving well and being honest

Showing respect and caring for each other

Getting involved

PERFORMING ARTS COLLEGEAs a Specialist School for the Performing Arts, we are committed to developing creativity and a life long love for learning. We feel this can be achieved through giving individual students the opportunity to engage in the active processes of the Arts. All our students are encouraged to become involved in some aspect of the Arts, ranging from performing on stage, composing their

own songs, learning how to DJ or providing technical support to the performance. All students in Years 7 and 8 take part in weekly classes in Drama, Dance and Music.

In Year 9, all students study towards the GCSE in the Performing Arts. In KS4 a range of courses are currently on offer from GCSE Dance, Drama, Music and BTEC Performing Arts. New courses are always being researched to bring variety and new learning experiences to our students.

To support our work in the Performing Arts, we also offer a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities including various dance clubs, drama clubs, a variety of Music clubs ranging from guitar ensembles to the choir

“Melisma”. Every student has the opportunity to study a musical instrument in weekly lessons and over 10% of the students choose to study one or more of the 12 instruments currently on offer.

We regularly host professional arts companies and we give our students the opportunity to collaborate with specialist artists on a range of projects. A large part of our work in the Arts involves collaborating with the local community, other schools (both primary and secondary) and performing in local events.

ORGANISATION OF LEARNINGAt The Avon Valley School, we provide all our students with a broad and balanced curriculum which suits each individual’s learning needs. To facilitate this, we have taken full advantage of the recent changes to the Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Curriculum as this allows us the flexibility to develop a learning experience which is focused on our local context and allows our students to fulfil

their potential. We are working hard to ensure that students experience a curriculum that is relevant, provides the support and challenge that they need and meets their interests while realising their aspirations.

KEY STAGE 3Work with our incoming Year 7 students starts prior to them joining us

in September. In June of Year 6, our Year 7 Learning Manager spends a fortnight visiting primary feeder schools to ensure that we are fully informed about students before their arrival. The incoming students enjoy the opportunities offered on the Year 6/Year 7 Induction Day which takes place in July and helps to prepare them for the transition between primary and secondary school. On Induction Day, students are allocated to mixed ability tutor groups with the group’s tutor having responsibility for the guidance and welfare of students within the group. Whenever possible, the tutor will stay with the group throughout Key Stage 3.

In KS3, teaching takes place either in class groups or, in some subject areas, within groups arranged on ability in that subject. Student progress is reviewed regularly and students are moved between groups when appropriate.

Throughout KS3, students take part in ‘Learning to Learn’ lessons. These, alongside our Skills Days, ensure that students learn the skills needed to develop independence in their learning habits. Skills Days take place regularly during the year and allow students the opportunity to work outside the usual subject curriculum, developing skills as reflective learners, team workers and self-managers.

KEY STAGE 4Avon Valley School has developed an innovative KS4 curriculum which we feel allows our students to make the most of their time in Years 10 and 11. We have a large variety of courses on offer in the Options choices, ensuring that students are able to make choices which meet their interests

and fit in with their future direction. All students in KS4 have the option of a Vocational Day as part of their curriculum; an option which is taken up by approximately 50% of our students.

The school ensures that all students have the opportunity to take appropriate qualifications which will allow them to progress into further education or the work place. Students have the option of sitting courses at GCSE, BTEC, Diploma Level 1/2

and Entry Level. They are also given the opportunity to sit online Adult Literacy and Numeracy qualifications as these show ability to apply knowledge in practical situations.

WORKING WITH STUDENTS

CARE AND GUIDANCEWe aim to develop every student to his or her full potential. We aim to provide a safe, happy and challenging environment in which students can work and grow to become confident and responsible members of society.

The form tutor is the key person in a student’s experience at the school. The tutor provides an invaluable first point of contact in home school liaison. The tutor is supported in their work by the Learning manager and Assistant Headteacher.

CHILD PROTECTIONThe school regards the safety of all students its primary concern. All staff have a duty of care for the students but there is a designated child protection “Officer” who is trained to deal with the wide range of issues that can occur in school. The “Officer” acts as a liaison with parents and other agencies responsible for keeping children safe.

EXPECTATIONSWe have high expectations of all our students irrespective of their different skills and aptitudes. It is for this reason that we provide a supportive and caring environment to help nurture your son or daughter.

Students are supported in the planning of their studies both in school and at home. Each student has a personal planner to help organise their classwork and homework. The planner also provides the opportunity for effective home-school communication as teacher and parents are encouraged to write comments about the student’s progress and this is checked regularly by the form tutor.

The Learning Manager works closely with their team of tutors to ensure that students’ personal, academic and social development are maximised.

The school has a strong focus on engaging students to become independent and active learners. This ethos demands a positive role from staff, pupils and parents. Well planned and varied teaching requires students to develop self discipline in their lessons.

The school values and rewards good behaviour and students have a highly experienced guidance team to support students who have behavioural issues.

However, the high expectations we place on learning means the school has a responsibility to make sure students reach their full potential and a clear but supportive discipline structure is in place to safeguard this aim.

RESPONSIBILITYAt Avon Valley we value the opinions of everybody. There are many opportunities to ‘Get a voice and ‘Get Involved’. Every student is represented by their Year Council that meets regularly to discuss matters that are important to them. Representatives from the Year Councils feed into the main Student Leadership Group. Through regular meetings between the Student Leadership Group, the Headteacher and other stakeholders in the school, proposals for developments and improvements to the learning environment are put forward and discussed.

Avon Valley also has a vibrant Eco-Council that works hard to constantly improve the environment of the school. The Eco-Council has led the whole school initiative to recycle and ultimately reduce the amount of waste that we produce. The group meets regularly and has recently gained recognition of their work by achieving the national Eco-Schools Bronze Award.

As part of our constant strides to improve the quality of teaching and learning at Avon Valley, the school also has a Teaching and Learning Council. This group of students focuses their work on improving their learning experience by working with members of staff through lesson observations, the planning of schemes of work to develop a rich and diverse learning experience.

All of the student voice groups at Avon Valley are led and chaired by students of the school.

INCLUSIONWe recognise that every student is unique and has a right to a high standard of education which is matched to their learning need. As an inclusive school, all individuals are valued and encouraged to their best.

GIFTED AND TALENTEDWe take the development of individual gifts and talents very seriously at Avon Valley. An up to date register is kept, ensuring that all staff are aware of the abilities of this group of students and make provision for extended opportunities.

Issue # 3Issue # 3Issue # 3

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Note:Note:Note: P.A.D.P.A.D.P.A.D.Performing Arts Department Newslette

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Drama Department

In September, Mr Walden set up a Teaching and Learning Council.

The aim of this group was for students and staff to work together to

look at teaching and learning and to garner the opinions of students on

what teaching methods they best respond to.

All members of the Drama department were keen to get involved and

have been attending these meetings. One of the first issues that arose

was the dreaded subject of homework. Both staff and students

discussed why homework was set and then, more importantly, how

homework could be used to develop independent learning that

engaged and challenged.

It was at this point, to quote a well known Belgian Detective, that my

little grey cells set to work! Years 7 and 8 are aware of what I came up

with, an extended homework task to last a half term which asked them

to research William Shakespeare. I chose Shakespeare because this

half term all students in Years 7 and 8 have been studying various

plays by the bard, including ‘The Tempest’, ‘Macbeth’ and ‘Richard III’.

I have been thrilled to hear students

discussing this homework task in corridors.

Their discussions have ranged from what they

have already done, what they are going to do

and how they are going to present their work.

Developing resilient and resourceful learners

are two of the key aims of the learning2learn

programme and, hopefully, project based

homework tasks like this will help all of our

learners on their journey through school.

Mr. Bennett

Curriculum Coordinator Drama

Avon Valley School and Performing Arts College

Brand New and exciting Magazine!

WORKING WITH PARENTS

SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDSThe Inclusion team, in partnership with parents and other professionals, assess and regularly review the special education needs of students, providing individual education plans for all our students on the Inclusion Register. We support students mainly within the mainstream classroom, although we have an Achievement Centre for some of our less able students which provides them with more individual, highly supported literacy and numeracy.

We also recognise that some students have emotional and social difficulties which make it difficult for them to fully engage in learning. For those individuals we employ a number of external agencies to work with them on a one-to-one basis.

COMMUNICATION At Avon Valley School, we believe that the partnership between home and school is a key part of a rewarding and happy educational experience. We proactively seek to include parents in the life of our community and communicate with parents in a variety of ways:

Regular newsletters from the Headteacher News items on our website Through students’ planners Telephone calls and e-mails Parent Governors on our Governing Body Students reports termly and annually. Standard letters to parents Individual letters to parents pertaining to particular issues Individual meetings with parents pre – arranged or at Parents’ Evening Informally at social events run through the Parents’ Association or ‘workshops’ to explore

educational issues of common interest to parents and staff

Parents can contact the school by telephone, letter or e-mail. Meetings with staff can be arranged on request at mutually convenient times. At Avon Valley we are always happy to talk to concerned parents regarding any issue which may effect directly or indirectly a student’s education or personal happiness.

8

Textiles Technology Yr 11 Get A HeadOur Year 11 GCSE Textiles group received a visit from Mary Davies, a local milliner (Hat Maker.) This was to assist with revision for their exam on Monday 9th June 2008. The visit was very successful with all students benefiting from her exper t ise and taking the

opportunity to try on some of her designs.

Having A Clearout? We will always gratefully receive any old or spare fabric, wool, threads buttons , zips.

We would like to say a very big thank you to Mrs Mary Davies for her time and patience with our Yr 11 students.

1

TheAvon Valley School

& Performing Arts College

Newsletter Number 87 May 2008

YEAR 10 PGL EXPERIENCE

ASSESSMENTStudents are regularly assessed using a variety of methods. A database of assessment information is maintained for each student. The data is used to track student progress carefully and help us to communicate regularly and effectively with students and parents about performance. Interim progress checks are issued each term and full reports annually.

Full reports give parents a clear picture of their son/daughter’s achievements. They will include targets for improvement that students will have participated in forming. Interim reports give parents,

students and teachers a snapshot of a student’s attainment and attitude to work.

Our reporting system encourages parental involvement and support. The views of parents on our reports are sought at each reporting session and at the annual Parents’ Evening.

PTAThe Parent/Teacher Association has been busy in recent years raising funds to enhance the opportunities for students at the school. A new minibus has been purchased for September 2008.

Parents are always welcome to join us; you do not need to be on a committee, you could just support a social event held during the year. All parents are welcome to the PTA AGM in September, details available on our website.

WORKING WITH OTHERSTHE SCHOOL IN THE COMMUNITYThe school has a long and happy record of service to the community. Students have for some time been actively involved with local care facilities and have supported many charitable works

locally, nationally and internationally. We believe that involvement in the community and in the needs of others is a vital part of the education of all our students.

The new school buildings have provided us with the opportunity to extend our facilities to the community. Various sporting, dance and theatrical groups share our resources and the County Music Service for the east of Warwickshire is based at Avon Valley.

We believe this is a positive statement to all our students of the school’s commitment to learning as a whole life experience.

INDUSTRIAL PARTNERSHIPSThe school has forged strong links with local industry and employers. We work closely with Warwickshire Education Business Partnership on a series of focus days across all year groups, aimed at introducing students to the skills required for the world of work. We see this as an important part of the education of our students.

A Work Experience Scheme is operated for all Year 10 students as part of the Personal, Health and Social Education programme in the upper school. Work Experience is seen as an integral part of the curriculum, with students visiting companies to gain first hand practical experience.

EXTENDED SERVICES

The Avon Valley School has a long tradition of working with local schools. Since September 2007 we have worked collaboratively with other schools within the Rugby North cluster to support the work of the “Extended Schools Coordinator”, promoting the Government agenda of making schools at the heart of the local community. The extended schools agenda has four main aims;

1. A varied range of activities including study support, sport and music clubs, combined with childcare in primary schools

2. Parenting and family support

3. Swift and easy access to targeted and specialist services

4. Community access to facilities including adult and family learning, ICT and sports grounds.

The schools in the Rugby North cluster are Newbold Riverside Primary School, Brownsover Community School, Boughton Leigh Infant School, Boughton Leigh Junior School, Clifton-on-Dunsmore C of E Primary School, Long Lawford Primary School, Northlands Primary School, St Andrew’s Benn C of E (Vol. Aided) Primary School.

SCHOOL IS FUNWe hope that, amidst all the hard work that is an essential part of school life, all students will find some activities and interest which will be fulfilling and creative. Apart from the opportunities afforded by our Performing Arts specialism, extra curricular sport is a very strong part of the school and students are actively encouraged to participate in a range of activities.

Regular expeditions are organised abroad; a geography field trip to Sicily, football in Holland and skiing in France are just a flavour of the activities offered in 2008/2009. Nearer to home, outdoor adventure is seen as a very important part of a student’s experience,

so regular trips to outdoor education centres and the hills are organised through the PE department and via The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

During every lunch hour there are many clubs and activities in which students can take part. They are fully staffed and supervised and include sports, recreational and interest groups.

The Library, staffed by a fully qualified Librarian, is open every lunchtime and there are areas where students may work quietly if they wish.

A student bulletin is produced weekly which lists all extra curricular activities available to students

and they are actively encouraged to

‘get involved’.