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Samuel Ward is a school at the cutting
edge of learning, using innovative
technologies and teaching methods to
inspire and excite all learners to succeed.
We value the success of every individual,
their honesty and integrity, celebrate
creativity and foster resilience and
independence.
We expect each person to respect
others and the communities in which we
live. That is why we are an outstanding
school ( Ofsted 2009) and that is why we
know that “The best way to predict your
future.... is to create it.”
That process begins for you now.
Welcome to an outstanding school with a proven track record of excellence.It is a school at the heart of many local communities andthe inspiration forthe people wholive in them.
We know that the move to secondary
school is a big step for your child and
research tells us that students thrive
best and achieve more if they feel secure
and supported in a small community of
learners. That is why years 7 and 8 have
their own purpose built accommodation,
are in small tutor groups of 14, have their
own lunchtime and a special programme
of learning.
From this secure base the full resources
of the College are at hand to broaden
and enrich the experience for your child.
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 & 8
The programme of learning which your
child will follow in years 7 and 8 has
taken four years of careful design. It will
ensure that most students are ready to
begin GCSE courses in two years. Some
lessons will be in a small group of 14
students where there will be a strong
focus on instruction in literacy, numeracy
and a modern foreign language, all
tailored to their individual needs and in
short but frequent sessions.
This will ensure that all students will
have the foundation skills they need in
place to excel at GCSE and beyond.
Other lessons will involve more students
and last a great deal longer enabling
them to develop an inquiry based
approach and make links across their
whole learning experiences.
Some lessons will make use of specialist
facilities in the College such as our
media centre, food technology and
design workshops. This enables
students to begin to integrate into the
main College.
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 & 8
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 & 8
Your child will also belong to one of
three houses which they will stay in until
they leave Samuel Ward. Their house will
engender a sense of pride, competition
and teamwork and we will discuss with
you and your child which house would
be best for them.
Your child will complete Key Stage 3 in
year 8 and move to the College in year
9 where they will have the chance to
begin their GCSE courses; providing
them with greater opportunities for high
academic outcomes.
Your child’s individuality is important to
us; that is why they will start their day in
small groups of 14 students with their
learning coach, called “Meeting Time”.
This group will be established as a
cohesive and supportive environment for
your child in which they will be able to
share and gain confidence for each day.
The learning coach will not only be
looking out for your child’s welfare but
also supporting their learning skills and
acting as advocate where needed. We
will report to you and your child four
times a year on the progress they are
making and will help them take the
necessary steps to ensure they keep
on target.
The learning coach will also provide daily
personal and guided learning time to
help them with homework and extend
their learning.
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 & 8
We believe that enrichment opportunities
are an essential part of your child’s
development. That is why each pupil will
be expected to choose fromover 60 after
school activities. Many of these are led by
qualified coaches or other leaders from
outside the school.
The Haverhill Community Sports
Association is adjacent to our site which
enhances opportunities for all pupils.
These activities do not only foster
competition and team work but also
resilience and leadership. That is why we
have an intentional focus on leadership
skills with every student having the
opportunity to gain a leadership award,
many externally validated.
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 & 8
We have developed strong links with
Cambridge University to ensure we attract
the best teachers and we are a National
Support School with our Principal being a
National Leader of Education.
Samuel Ward teachers are outstanding
and the school has gained a national and
international reputation for its innovative
approaches to excellent learning.
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 & 8
As your child moves from the
‘School’ to the ‘College’ and then
on to the sixth form ‘Academy’, they
can look forward to the future with
confidence, a confidence built on firm
values; a confidence that comes from
preparing for the future now.
THE SCHOOL YEARS 7 AND 8
Students arrive at the College in year 9,
ready to begin their GCSE study, with
firmly established academic skills and a
sense of belonging as part of a House
community. We maintain a clear and
consistent focus on the individual needs
of each student, who each have their own
learning plan.
This plan, drawn up between the learning
coach, pupil and parent, provides clear
targets for success, additional challenge
and sensitive support. Pupils remain in
small groups of 14.
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
Samuel Ward is recognised locally and
nationally for curricular innovations that
lead to oustanding outcomes.
We offer pupils a range of specialist
and individual courses way beyond the
national curriculum. By doing so, our
school offers flexibility of choice that
matches individual student needs.
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
Students are encouraged to enter for
examinations when ready. They can
complete GCSE examinations in year
10 and begin A/S courses in year 11 if
they wish. Highly academic courses
like triple Science help students
prepare for A level and online courses
and teleconferencing all contribute to
student motivation. These approaches,
a stimulating learning environment and
outstanding teaching are the reasons
why outcomes are so high.
For a number of years we have been
in the top 10% of schools nationally for
GCSE outcomes and in the top 10 of
sixth form’s in Suffolk.
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
The core of the Samuel Ward curriculum
is focused on the English Baccalaureate,
English, Maths, Science, a Modern
Foreign Language and History or
Geography. Standards in these subjects
are outstanding with each of them being
supported by at least one Advanced
Skill Teacher.
Samuel Ward now has more AST’s than
any other school in Suffolk and we have
three nationally trained assessors.
This helps ensure teaching standards are
high and outcomes are outstanding.
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
Standards in Art, Drama, Media and
Music are so high that we have
achieved the prestigious Artsmark
Gold award for a fourth time in 2012.
Pupils’ work is breathtaking in quality:
from Drama productions and musical
performance to painting, sculpture and
mixed media work.
Year 11 students spent two weeks in India exploring our two cultures and to help set up cross curriculuar projects
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
College students experience a range of
learning opportunities both inside and
outside the classroom. Trips, extra-
curricular activities, exchange visits and
summer term projects are all offered.
These contribute to the broad range of
achievements with which our students
leave school.
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
Opportunities to learn never end.
We have weekend classes, a highly
regarded summer school and our
learning platform provides lesson details
and support 24 hours a day.
Our students connect with the wider
world through annual exchange trips
with Germany and France and we have
strong links with schools in India and
China and offer Mandarin as one of our
language opportunities. We have been
awarded International School Status.
THE COLLEGE YEARS 9,10 &11
Students are encouraged to take on
leadership roles within the School
and College. The Student Leadership
Award is available to all students and is
externally accredited. Students take part
in the Duke of Edinburgh Award,
the Junior Community Sports Leader
Award, can become trained peer
mentors and access Young Enterprise
leadership opportunities. Some of
our sixth form students become paid
instructors helping younger pupils with
their learning.
THE ACADEMY YEARS 12 &13
For learning to flourish, for students to
achieve good examination outcomes
and to be successful and confident
adults, learning must be rigorous and
challenging. We have a proven track
record in outstanding Post 16 success
and strong links to Higher Education
providers which ensure success.
Students can begin Advanced level
courses in year 11 and join the Academy
for 2 or 3 years. Students retain strong
links with their College houses and
help support the younger pupils and
students. They also have their own
purpose built block to provide a special
and separate identity.
THE ACADEMY YEARS 12 &13
Over 25 AS and A level courses are on
offer and a wide range of vocational
opportunities. Most students study 4
A/S courses in their first year and
continue with 3 or 4 A Levels in year
13. More specialist subjects like Law
and Accountancy are available using
teleconferencing.
Details of all courses are available in the
Academy Prospectus which is available
online at www.samuelward.co.uk
THE ACADEMY YEARS 12 &13
THE ACADEMY YEARS 12 &13
Each student is assigned a learning
coach who helps plan an individual
programme of study and is responsible
for the support and welfare of the
students during their time here.
A strong partnership with parents
and tutors helps students set realistic
goals and achieve their best. But we
also recognise the importance of
developing independent thinking and
self-confidence in our students, so that
they leave as reflective, resilient and
confident young adults.
THE ACADEMY YEARS 12 &13
A wide range of visits, trips and activities
ensure that all students develop the
wider skills universities are seeking.
An extensive programme of university
visits and preperation has been praised
as one of the key reasons so many
students gain university entry.
Over 60% of our students expect to
attend University and we have forged
strong links at Governing Body level with
some key universities.
FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
As your child’s time at Samuel Ward
comes to a close and they prepare to
face the challenges of university, work
or the wider national or international
community, they can look forward to the
future with confidence.
And just as we support your child develop
into an adult so has our school grown to
support their needs.
A new sports complex with 3G Astroturf,
indoor cricket and tennis capability will
support a new generation of sports
stars, state of the art IT will help grow
future mathematicians and scientists and
planned enhancements to performing
arts area will encourage creative and
artistic ambition. A new food hall and
cafeteria seating 170 people, enhanced
conference facilities and a new special
school will ensure that we meet the needs
of all those in the local community even
outside school hours.
This has happened because we have
realised our ambition that...the best way to
predict the future is to create it. And we do
this anew every day.
Chalkstone Way, Haverhilll, Suffolk CB9 0LDTelephone : 01440 761511 Facsimile : 01440 761899
email : [email protected]
This brochure was produced in-house at Samuel Ward Academy ©2012Printed by Red Side Up Limited on Recycled paper.
SAMUEL WARD
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
