The Cooper SchoolThe Cooper School

Specialist Science CollegeSpecialist Science College Open Evening 5 October 2006Open Evening 5 October 2006

“Where Learning Matters”“Where Learning Matters”

Background InformationBackground Information

19 years in teaching;19 years in teaching;

Taught in four secondary Taught in four secondary schools in Northants, Leicester schools in Northants, Leicester City, Buckinghamshire;City, Buckinghamshire;

Commitment to Comprehensive Commitment to Comprehensive Education;Education;

Learning Matters;Learning Matters;

Personal Philosophy.Personal Philosophy.

Attitudes to Attitudes to

learning/achievement;learning/achievement;Conduct and respect for Conduct and respect for others;others;Parental partnership;Parental partnership;Self image;Self image; Sense of community.Sense of community.

High Expectations

‘Learning Matters’

Specialist Science Specialist Science CollegeCollege

Status Status

Becoming a Science Becoming a Science College: College: What difference has it What difference has it made/made/will it make?will it make?A major part of the Government’s vision for A major part of the Government’s vision for schools of the future;schools of the future;Innovative ideas and developments not just Innovative ideas and developments not just in Science ;in Science ;Improved Facilities;Improved Facilities;Learning across the curriculum;Learning across the curriculum;Improved ICT facilities;Improved ICT facilities;Improved links with clubs and Improved links with clubs and

organisations outside of school.organisations outside of school.

STANDARDSSTANDARDSGCSE Results 2006GCSE Results 2006

TARGET TARGET AREAAREA

20042004 20052005 20062006

% 5+ A*-C% 5+ A*-C 4343 4141 47 47 (47)(47)

% 5+ A-C inc. % 5+ A-C inc. En. & Ma.En. & Ma.

N/AN/A 3333 40 40 (34)(34)

% 5+ A*-G% 5+ A*-G 8989 8989 91 91 (89)(89)

% 1+ A*-G% 1+ A*-G 9595 9393 99 99 (97)(97)

KS3 Results: Summer 2006KS3 Results: Summer 2006TARGET AREATARGET AREA 20042004 20052005 20062006

English Level 5+English Level 5+ 5757 7474 82 82 (71)(71)

English Level 6+English Level 6+ 99 2222 41 41 (30)(30)

Maths Level 5+Maths Level 5+ 7474 7878 79 79 (73)(73)

Maths Level 6+Maths Level 6+ 5252 5353 53 53 (52)(52)

Science Level 5+Science Level 5+ 7070 7777 74 74 (72)(72)

Science Level 6+Science Level 6+ 2929 3939 44 44 (28)(28)

Transition and Induction: Transition and Induction: how it helps your childhow it helps your child

Year 6/7Year 6/7

Gill Merritt, Assistant Gill Merritt, Assistant HeadteacherHeadteacher

Transition: experiences andTransition: experiences and information information

Open Evening: Autumn term (Y5/6)Open Evening: Autumn term (Y5/6)Parental Preferences to LEA (Nov Parental Preferences to LEA (Nov Y6)Y6)Primaries: prepare data (spring Y6)Primaries: prepare data (spring Y6)Cooper: receives data (summer Y6)Cooper: receives data (summer Y6)Cooper ‘interview’ (summer Y6)Cooper ‘interview’ (summer Y6)Head of Year/ welfare manager visits Head of Year/ welfare manager visits (summer Y6)(summer Y6)Cooper Transfer Day (18th July Y6)Cooper Transfer Day (18th July Y6)

The Taster Day: how it The Taster Day: how it helpshelps

Meet Headteacher, Assistant Head Meet Headteacher, Assistant Head and Head of Year 7and Head of Year 7

Introduced to Form Tutors; meet Introduced to Form Tutors; meet tutor group (working partners!)tutor group (working partners!)

Lessons in Core Subjects (English, Lessons in Core Subjects (English, Maths and Science)Maths and Science)

PE activity; CanteenPE activity; Canteen

Support of ‘Befrienders’Support of ‘Befrienders’

Induction: a new academic Induction: a new academic careercareer

September: Induction day with Year September: Induction day with Year 10 only10 only

Tutor Groups/ Form TeachersTutor Groups/ Form Teachers

Befrienders/ Student Welfare ManagerBefrienders/ Student Welfare Manager

Timetables/ PlannersTimetables/ Planners

Year 7 ‘settling in’ evening: based on Year 7 ‘settling in’ evening: based on learning objectiveslearning objectives

Pastoral organisationPastoral organisation

Tutor groupsTutor groups

7.17.1

7.2 7.2

7.37.3

7.4 7.4

7.5 7.5

7.6 7.6

7.77.7

Head of Year 7Head of Year 7

Student Welfare Student Welfare ManagerManager

Mrs Sharon Mrs Sharon WilliamsWilliams

OPTIONS THAT ARE OPTIONS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO YEAR 7’sAVAILABLE TO YEAR 7’s

BEFRIENDERS: how they BEFRIENDERS: how they support YR7support YR7

In Year 7 2/3 Befrienders are assigned to each form. In Year 7 2/3 Befrienders are assigned to each form.

Their job is to get to know your son/daughter and talk Their job is to get to know your son/daughter and talk to them if they have any problems.to them if they have any problems.

Befrienders can be found wearing a yellow smiley face Befrienders can be found wearing a yellow smiley face badge.badge.

There is a Little Room above the Library where your There is a Little Room above the Library where your son/daughter can discuss problems/issues with privacy son/daughter can discuss problems/issues with privacy and total confidentiality.and total confidentiality.

The Little Room is open to them every lunchtime and is The Little Room is open to them every lunchtime and is also there if your child just wants to talk to someone.also there if your child just wants to talk to someone.

Befrienders also organise events such as Discos to get Befrienders also organise events such as Discos to get to know your child better.to know your child better.

SCHOOL COUNSELLOR: SCHOOL COUNSELLOR: listening to your childlistening to your child

The School Counsellor is Molly The School Counsellor is Molly Warburton.Warburton.

She is available to listen and talk privately She is available to listen and talk privately with your child about any problems that with your child about any problems that may be causing them anxiety or stress.may be causing them anxiety or stress.

Appointments can be made at Reception Appointments can be made at Reception and you can also contact Molly if you want and you can also contact Molly if you want your child to see her.your child to see her.

LIBRARY: your child and LIBRARY: your child and independent learningindependent learning

The library is open at 8am-8:30am, break The library is open at 8am-8:30am, break time, lunch time and after school until time, lunch time and after school until 4:30pm for your child’s use.4:30pm for your child’s use.It can be used for reading, research, It can be used for reading, research, playing board/card games and can also be playing board/card games and can also be used for your child to talk quietly with used for your child to talk quietly with friends.friends.There are also computers in the library to There are also computers in the library to aid research and for homework purposes.aid research and for homework purposes.

STUDY CENTRE: STUDY CENTRE: supporting your childsupporting your child

The study centre is open Monday, The study centre is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Tuesday, Thursday and Friday Lunchtimes.Lunchtimes.

There are learning support staff to help There are learning support staff to help your son/daughter with any homework your son/daughter with any homework problems they may have.problems they may have.

SCHOOL TRIPS, SPORT CLUBS SCHOOL TRIPS, SPORT CLUBS AND DRAMA PRODUCTIONSAND DRAMA PRODUCTIONS

During their time at Cooper your child will During their time at Cooper your child will have many opportunities to go abroad. have many opportunities to go abroad. This year the trips that were available to This year the trips that were available to Lower School were to Holland, Disneyland Lower School were to Holland, Disneyland Paris and Normandy. Paris and Normandy. If your child goes abroad they go sight-If your child goes abroad they go sight-seeing and to a theme park if there is one seeing and to a theme park if there is one within the trip. They also have chances to within the trip. They also have chances to go shopping and swimming.go shopping and swimming.There is also an opportunity for your child There is also an opportunity for your child to go skiing in places such as Austria.to go skiing in places such as Austria.

SCHOOL TRIPS, SPORT CLUBS AND SCHOOL TRIPS, SPORT CLUBS AND DRAMA PRODUCTIONS: the fun stuff!DRAMA PRODUCTIONS: the fun stuff!

Your son/daughter can also join sports clubs at Your son/daughter can also join sports clubs at lunchtimes such as a trampoline club or lunchtimes such as a trampoline club or gymnastics.gymnastics.There are also school teams that they can be There are also school teams that they can be involved in. We have teams in Rugby, Football, involved in. We have teams in Rugby, Football, Tennis, Athletics, Golf and Cross-Country.Tennis, Athletics, Golf and Cross-Country.Your child could also get involved in the success Your child could also get involved in the success of the Cooper School Drama department. Past of the Cooper School Drama department. Past and Present productions include: “Turning a Blind and Present productions include: “Turning a Blind Eye” by Lower School, “The Crucible” and Eye” by Lower School, “The Crucible” and “Romeo and Juliet” by the Upper School. There “Romeo and Juliet” by the Upper School. There was also a performance of “Bugsy Malone” that was also a performance of “Bugsy Malone” that was produced by the whole school.was produced by the whole school.

AN INSIGHT INTO OUR AN INSIGHT INTO OUR FEELINGS ABOUT FEELINGS ABOUT LEAVING COOPERLEAVING COOPER

THE COOPER SCHOOL THE COOPER SCHOOL CURRICULUMCURRICULUM

A broad and balanced curriculum:-A broad and balanced curriculum:- … …........................recognising the talents, gifts and needs of recognising the talents, gifts and needs of individual studentsindividual students

Year 7 students appreciate:-Year 7 students appreciate:- Variety ……………….. Specialist staff Variety ……………….. Specialist staff ……………….. Depth……………….. Depth ……… ……….and settings.and settings

““The quality of the curriculum is good with good The quality of the curriculum is good with good opportunities for enrichment. The curriculum is well opportunities for enrichment. The curriculum is well organised and managed and is organised and managed and is reviewed regularlyreviewed regularly …… an appropriate broad curriculum is offered …… an appropriate broad curriculum is offered throughout the school”. * throughout the school”. * Ofsted December 2003Ofsted December 2003

LESSONS IN YEAR 7LESSONS IN YEAR 7TWO WEEK TIMETABLETWO WEEK TIMETABLE

ONE HOUR LESSONS – 4/5 IN ONE HOUR LESSONS – 4/5 IN MORNINGSMORNINGS

ArtArt 22DramaDrama 22 44EnglishEnglish 66 1010GeographyGeography 33 1313

HistoryHistory 33 1616ICTICT 22 1818MathematicsMathematics 66 2424Modern Foreign LanguagesModern Foreign Languages 55 2929MusicMusic 22 3131Physical EducationPhysical Education 44 3535PSHCEPSHCE 11 3636Religious EducationReligious Education 22 3838ScienceScience 66 4444TechnologyTechnology 44 4848

HomeworkHomework

Teaching and LearningTeaching and Learning Fully staffed with specialist subject Fully staffed with specialist subject teachers “teachers “Teachers know their subjects Teachers know their subjects well. They have been carefully selected and well. They have been carefully selected and are well qualified and able to teach around are well qualified and able to teach around the immediate topic adding realism and the immediate topic adding realism and awareness”.*awareness”.*Variety of Teaching and Learning Variety of Teaching and Learning MethodsMethods““Teachers try hard to make lessons as varied Teachers try hard to make lessons as varied and interesting as possible. Students enjoy and interesting as possible. Students enjoy their efforts and productivity is high”.*their efforts and productivity is high”.*Visitors impressed by “on task” studentsVisitors impressed by “on task” students““Students respond well to the care, Students respond well to the care, dedication and commitment to high dedication and commitment to high achievement of their teachers”.achievement of their teachers”.

* * Ofsted December 2003Ofsted December 2003

Meeting the Needs of all Meeting the Needs of all studentsstudents

Grouping Policy Grouping Policy

Acceleration and InterventionAcceleration and Intervention

Extra Curricular Enrichment Extra Curricular Enrichment

Special Needs: Learning Support and Special Needs: Learning Support and

Gifted and TalentedGifted and Talented

The Learning EnvironmentThe Learning Environment

Attractive setting and classroomsAttractive setting and classrooms““The provision of the performance The provision of the performance hall, the new music accommodation hall, the new music accommodation and the refurbished science and the refurbished science laboratories have made a significant laboratories have made a significant impact on the ethos of the school” impact on the ethos of the school” Ofsted Ofsted December 2003December 2003

Science College Status +Science College Status +– 3 more laboratories 3 more laboratories – ICT provisionICT provision– Improvements to school groundsImprovements to school grounds

Continuing Curriculum Review Continuing Curriculum Review

and Improvementand Improvement

More Flexibility and Individual Pathways More Flexibility and Individual Pathways

The end of the KS 3\4 divideThe end of the KS 3\4 divide

Separate Sciences and ……..Separate Sciences and ……..

Other New Courses – GCSEs and Other New Courses – GCSEs and Vocational CoursesVocational Courses

Wider Choice …............Wider Choice …............reflecting the reflecting the talents, gifts and needs of individual talents, gifts and needs of individual studentsstudents

The Cooper SchoolThe Cooper School Specialist Science Specialist Science CollegeCollege

The Aim!The Aim!

To give every student the To give every student the opportunity and skills toopportunity and skills to

Achieve Achieve

andand

Be Successful!Be Successful!