Mission statement
To be an excellent comprehensive school with a strong emphasis in the area of media arts and to be a community which works together to ensure all students are inspired, and empowered, to achieve their full potential. Recent achievements:
- the school is placed in the top 10% of schools in the country for contextual added value (OFSTED 2005)
- the school achieved A* grade for its exam performance against similar schools in 2004/05
- we have been cited by Ofsted as one of the most improved secondary schools in the country
- the school received DfES achievement awards for two out of the past four years
- the school is a member of the specialist schools most improved club 2004 and 2005
- the school has been re-designated as a Media Arts and Science college from April 2006
- Investors in People status was gained 2002 and re-designated in 2005
- Investors in Careers status 2005
- three teachers in the school were nominated for London Teacher of the Year in 2006 with one reaching the regional final
- we have achieved the Arts Mark Gold standard in 2003.
At Stoke Newington School:
- we ensure that our students focus on achievement andattain their full potential
- there is a strong emphasis on homework
- our school Code of Conduct ensures that students are well behaved, creating a calm and supportive learning environment
- we have well-qualified experienced staff who have high expectations of every single student
- the school pays particular attention to the needs of female students
- we have effective policies for combating bullying, racism and sexism
- our school productions and performances are widely regarded as excellent
- we encourage all students to become involved in extra-curricular activities
- we have a fully purpose-built theatre to promote the performing arts, new Media Art facilities, science laboratories, technology department and playground space
- our Arts provision has been recognised by a Gold Arts Mark Award, and we have been awarded Investors in Careers status
- we are a Creative Partnerships school and have developed a national reputation for the creative learning experiences we provide.
Sixth Form
Our Sixth Form opens in September 2006, there will be 100 places available for admission in September 2007 in the event of more applications than places available, pupils will be offered places in accordance with the following oversubscription criteria.
- Students on roll at Stoke Newington School who meet the course requirements.
- Other students who meet the course requirements
Tie-breaker
The oversubscription criteria for community schools will be applied. Parental Involvement
We expect all parents to play an active part in the life of the school. It is only by listening and responding to your views that we will reach the standards of excellence we seek at Stoke Newington School. There is an active Parent Teachers’ Association and a number of year-based parents’ support groups. Parents are always welcome to visit the school by appointment. There are regular parents’ evenings, and individual interviews inform parents of their child’s progress, achievement and success. A progress report for every student is sent home five times a year. The school is always willing to discuss any aspect of a course with parents. A regular newsletter (Spotlight) helps to keep parents abreast of developments and the wide variety of activities on offer. High Quality Teaching and Learning
We pride ourselves on the high quality of teaching in the school. We are determined to maintain and further improve on this. Teaching high-quality, interesting lessons and raising the achievement of all students are key objectives in the school’s improvement plan and were recognised by Ofsted (2004) as an undoubted strength in our provision. The School Environment
The school grounds are extensive and pleasantly laid out and provide for a variety of sporting and recreational pursuits. We aim to provide a welcoming and wellresourced environment that will help to promote learning in all areas. The school has excellent facilities. There are well equipped and refurbished science laboratories, three gymnasiums, spacious music and media areas incorporating the latest ICT equipment, several art rooms and an excellent theatre. We have on site an all-weather playing surface and refurbished changing rooms. Our theatre has been refurbished and is an excellent facility for youth theatre and music. Student Support, Including Specific Support for Girls
We have clear and consistent strategies for managing behaviour and dealing with bullying. We have a trained Anti-Bullying Team which provides peer support to other students. This team works as part of Changemakers and we are a Beacon Changemakers School where students run their own projects. Our aim is to encourage students to take increasing responsibility for their own learning and recognise that learning is a valuable life-long experience. The school pays particular attention to the entitlement of its female students. There is a room set aside specifically for girls’ recreational use every lunchtime and to discuss any problems. Furthermore, Stoke Newington School girls perform consistently well in public examinations outperforming many all-girls’ schools. Organisation and Learning
At the start of the new year there is an induction programme for new students, designed to make them feel welcome and to help them settle in quickly. Students are regrouped after each year to create a positive learning culture in each teaching group. The work of the tutors is coordinated by a year curriculum co-ordinator. In the first three years, all students follow a balanced curriculum. Year 10 and 11 students, with their parents, have a choice of examination courses. Students whose first language is not English receive extra support and the opportunity to study their first language for examination qualifications. Help is available for students with learning difficulties. Personal, social and health education includes units on sexuality and morality, the aims and principles of school and community life, and careers. The six major religions are investigated in religious education lessons. Flexible grouping allows for balanced classes, negotiated topics and single-sex work. Teacher assessment and monitoring help inform students when they set themselves individual targets each term. The school participates in several mentoring projects and has links with higher education. Many of our students take part in visits and courses at a variety of universities. All students have two weeks’ work experience, giving a practical insight into the world of work. We have a number of Learning Mentors who work with students to improve their learning. Homework
Our minimum requirement for homework in Year 7 is seven hours a week and this increases as students go through school. There is space in the homework diary for comments from teachers and parents so all those concerned with the student’s progress can easily contact each other. We also run after-school homework provision every night of the week. Public Examinations
Our policy is to enter all students for GCSE and to allow particularly able students to sit some of their examinations early in Years 8, 9 and 10. The school’s examination results have improved significantly over the past six years and we have ambitious targets for further improvement. Uniform
The school has a uniform. Sweatshirts, sweaters and polo shirts are available for purchase from school.
Boys – black trousers, a standard white shirt with collar or school polo shirt, a school V-necked sweater or school
sweatshirt and black shoes.
Girls – black trousers or black knee-length skirt, a standard white shirt with collar or school polo shirt, a school V-necked sweater or school sweatshirt and black shoes.
The following items are strictly forbidden: training shoes apart from PE lessons, hooded tops, branded clothing (eg Nike, Adidas, Vans, etc.) and hats. The PE kit must be worn in PE lessons. The school’s PE T-shirt or school’s PE sweatshirt, black shorts or black tracksuit bottoms and training shoes. We are currently consulting on extending the uniform to years 10 and 11. Assemblies
Whole school assemblies happen every Friday morning. Regular year assemblies are held weekly and are conducted by the Headteacher, senior staff, year co-ordinators, students and guests. All assemblies are non-denominational and reflect the multicultural nature of the school. Pastoral Care and Behaviour
Tutor and Year Co-ordinators are the main source of day-to-day pastoral care and supervision. The school reviews the teaching groups each year and may make changes to tutor groups or practical groups. The Headteacher and his team are also closely involved with this aspect of school life, supporting students and staff. The school is proud of providing clear rewards and firm sanctions to promote a learning culture. Senior staff are available throughout the day to deal with any problems which may occur. The new Year 7s will have their own year room and playground for lunch and break times. Gifted and Talented
Our curriculum at KS3 and KS4 is geared towards providing for the gifted and talented and this was one of the strengths recognised in the Ofsted inspection report in April 2004. Extra Curricular Activities
One of the school’s priorities is to broaden its students’ experience by organising trips in the UK and abroad. School concerts, productions and sporting activities are important features of the school year. Local and residential fieldwork, theatre visits, skiing trips and other educational trips are encouraged and take place in every year group to consolidate knowledge gained in the classroom and further extend our students’ experience. The school has a variety of music ensembles which regularly perform for outside events and are increasingly in great demand. The Hackney Youth Orchestra meets at the school as does the Hackney Steel Band. We have an extensive programme of activities for students in the evenings and provide revision courses during half-term holidays for other students. An exchange visit takes place each year to Spain or France. Sports
We now have a developing PE department and we are keen to have wide participation in sports. Physical Education activities on offer are: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Dance, Football, Gymnastics, healthrelated fitness, Hockey, Rounders, Rugby, Table Tennis, Tennis, Trampoline, Weights and Fives. Year 10 and 11 also have Tae Kwon Do, Climbing, Weight Training and Swimming. Our students compete at a very high level and participation rates are growing. Oversubscription criteria for community secondary schools
Children who have a school named in their Statement of Special Educational Needs are required to be admitted to the school and will be counted against the admission number. We will make every effort to offer your child a place at the school you prefer but if the school is oversubscribed we will be unable to meet every preference. If this happens, places will be allocated in accordance with the following criteria:
1 Children looked after by a local authority.
2 Children whose acute medical or social need justifies a place at that particular school*.
3 Children with brothers and sisters** at the school at the time of the proposed admission (not including Year 11).
4 Applicants living nearest to the main entrance of the school as measured in a straight line on a map or using a GIS mapping system. Distance as measured in 4 above will also be used in any tie-breaker decisions for priorities 1 and 3 above.
Open days and evenings
The school will be open at the following times for visits by parents:
Monday 17 September 2007 5.00pm – 7.30pm
Thursday 20 September 2007 5.00pm – 7.30pm
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0208 820 7000