What Specialist Status means for Teign School . Specialist Status Working in Partnership
In 2004 Teign was successful in achieving Science Specialist Status. Mathematics and ICT played a key role in that achievement. Science had a proven track record of success with consistent performance at all Key Stages, as exemplified by comparison with National and Local examination data. Mathematics is now poised to work with Science as Lead Departments in making change happen at Teign. Integral to that is the continuing development of ICT across all areas of the school.
After a highly successful Launch Day early in 2005, many exciting developments have ‘taken shape'.
Our Community Links continue to grow. Working with the eight feeder Primary Schools is hugely rewarding.
Key Stage 3 Co-ordinators in Science and Mathematics visit schools on a weekly basis teaching and delivering units which bridge the transition from Key Stage2.
Pupils from Years 5 and 6 visit Teign for practical Science and ICT sessions. Both the Mathematics and Modern Foreign Language Departments provide skills based extension sessions.
A dedicated ICT Community Technician works closely with the schools providing technical support, equipment and his filming/editing expertise!
It is planned to provide support to all our feeder schools in French speaking skills in the near future.
Links are developing with Teignmouth Community College at Key Stages 4 and 5.
As new courses are introduced from September 2006 both schools will develop materials and undertake staff training together. Joint fieldwork at A Level is ongoing. Sharing of expertise is invaluable.
Video Conferencing with local and out of County schools is an exciting venture currently involving the Mathematics and Modern Foreign Languages Departments.
Further link ups are planned in Science as networking through the Specialist Schools' Trust expands. The Science Department is a Lead School through this network for Environmental Science.
As part of the new of the new courses being developed in Science, four companies have agreed to work with Teign in setting up and developing the new Applied Science A Level from September 2005. Students will be placed with them when required for research purposes during the course. The companies are WBB Minerals, Astra Zeneca, SWW Ltd., Starcross Environmental Laboratories.
WBB Minerals and Teign are working in partnership to record and monitor changes in Biodiversity in the Bovey Basin as part of the quarry operator's restoration work in the local area. This project was set up after a full day with the Company and received extensive press coverage. It will benefit all concerned for the long term good of the environment and the local community.
The conversion of over 200 Bat Boxes to Dormouse boxes by the Technology Department for WBB Minerals for placement in the Bovey Basin helped four Year 10 students raise funds for their World Challenge!
A new building project has upgraded teaching and preparation areas in Science, created an additional Laboratory, as numbers taking Science A Levels have doubled Post 16, and developed a new ICT suite for the whole school.
Refurbishment and upgrading will be ongoing in the Science and Mathematics teaching areas over the next few years.
ICT developments similarly are ongoing with the provision of fixed digital projectors and speakers in Science laboratories and more interactive whiteboards in Mathematics initially. New Schemes of Work incorporating more ICT and Assessment for and of Learning techniques are increasing evident across all Curriculum Areas.
A new Teign School website has been constructed providing a more informative service to the school and the wider community. Intranet usage will improve internal communication in the school as staff now have their own laptop computers. As Curriculum and Administration networks merge Data Management will develop further and make possible electronic registration.
There is much to be proud of at Teign. The Specialist Status is supporting the school in exploring new directions and widening our Community role, but the ultimate aim is to build on an already sound academic base and achievement record, improving the teaching and learning experience for all in years to come.
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