As you read this brochure, you will start to get an idea of what the school is like and what opportunities it offers to your youngster. Of course you cannot get a full picture just by reading a booklet, you need to visit the school, looking around for yourself and joining in its activities. This will be the start of a continual process of partnership and communication between the school and you as we work together for the benefit of your youngster.
Starting at secondary school is an important step. It is a big change for all youngsters, but there is a lot for them to look forward to. You can be certain that in choosing to come to Frederick Gent you will make a choice you can be confident in. When students leave here as young adults they will not only have achieved high academic success, but also have developed a maturity you will be proud of.
This year has been another hectic one for the school, with a further recognition of our strengths and the move into the new school buildings.
- In September 2004 we became a Specialist School in Mathematics and Computing. This will raise standards in this school and also benefit the whole community. The extra money that the government gave us for this was spent on state-of-the-art computer equipment in all areas of the school to provide first class facilities.
- In 2005, Frederick Gent was awarded Artsmark Gold, an award, given by the Arts Council, which recognises the highest level of achievement in visual arts, music, dance and drama. We can now build on our strengths to work more closely as a team, link with the community and be part of local and national organisations. We can enter competitions that will enhance and enrich the opportunities provided to all our pupils. We hope to continue to receive the fantastic support for our excellent exhibitions, concerts and performances over the next few years.
- Our work with the Chesterfield Excellence Cluster, as the higher attaining school, is continuing with some exciting partnership work. This links with our role as a Leading Edge School. This is a government scheme to raise standards in education by selecting a small number of schools to help to develop and share good practice.
- The Derbyshire Extended School Pilot Project, which involves the school working with other services such as Health and Social Services, again to the benefit of the local community, is also being recognised as making a real difference and is seen as a model of good practice nationally.students make good progress
Our latest OFSTED inspection found a school where:
- There is very good teaching from dedicated teachers
- Good relationships exist between staff and students
- There is very high quality guidance and support to help students
- Students with special educational needs are supported and helped to make good progress
- There are very good opportunities for students` personal development.
This means that you will find Frederick Gent to be not only an innovative, high-achieving school but also, a well-ordered, caring and secure environment in which all youngsters can learn with confidence. We believe that learning should be an enjoyable, but challenging, experience with rich and varied opportunities for everyone. We aim for excellence, having high expectations of both work and behaviour. We will make demands of youngsters so that each of them can develop the talents they possess fully.
When your child arrives at Frederick Gent, you will find a good, innovative school where, at last, the buildings and facilities match the excellence of the teaching.
If you wish to look around the school or discuss anything in this brochure, please ring the school and make an appointment. Your support will be vital in making sure that your youngster achieves genuine success. Together we will work to continue building a school with high academic achievement, high standards of work and behaviour and where all people matter and are respected.