Welcome

Waddesdon Church of England School is a mixed 11-18 voluntary aided secondary school, and as such is unique in Buckinghamshire. In July 2003, Waddesdon was awarded specialist school status and is now a Visual Arts College. It is also a Leading Edge school. In September 2006 the school was inspected by Ofsted and judged to be an outstanding school. A further inspection by the Diocese of Oxford in November 2006 also judged the school to be outstanding as a faith school.

As an Arts College, Waddesdon School aims to be a centre of excellence, promoting understanding and appreciation of the visual arts through a diverse programme of educational opportunities and events. Students are encouraged to develop their talents, learning to express their creativity through a range of artistic and aesthetic subjects.

We work with our partner schools by offering training, support and resources as well as the opportunity to network and exhibit works. We work with our community partners to maximise the opportunities for the wider community to access and participate in the visual arts.

The school curriculum is offered within the requirements of the National Curriculum and the agreed syllabus for Religious Education. In addition, as a voluntary aided institution, the school is mindful of the tenets of the Church of England, the recommendations of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education and the policies of the Buckinghamshire Education Authority, when implementing its curriculum plans.

During Key Stage 3 all students follow a common course of general education guided by the National Curriculum.

Citizenship and PSHE courses are taught by an experienced team of staff who have a particular interest and expertise in this area of the curriculum. Currently, a designated team has developed new programmes of study for Citizenship and PSHE which were introduced in September 2006. New systems of monitoring, assessing and reporting Citizenship have been introduced this academic year. The school received a favourable report following a three day subject inspection for Citizenship in November 2005:

"The status of Citizenship is high amongst staff and students and there is a genuine commitment to furthering its values through a strong school ethos. The outcomes are evident in the exemplary behaviour and respectful attitudes within the school community. The school conveys high expectations of achievement of all students and celebrates success with enthusiasm."

In Key Stage 4 all students study English Language and English Literature, Mathematics, Science, ICT and a half GCSE in Religious Studies. Students are required to follow up to five additional courses leading to GCSE examinations. The school offers three applied GCSE courses in Art and Design, Engineering and Information and Communication Technology. Other GCSE subjects of interest include: Photography, Business Studies and Physical Education. At the end of Year 10 some pupils are offered the opportunity to follow vocational courses combined with work-based learning arrangements. These are arranged in liaison with the school’s Connexions Officer and are closely monitored by senior staff and the lead SENCO. Group sizes vary year on year but the scheme has been particularly successful to date.

In 2002 the school introduced an Accelerated Flexible Learning Programme. KS3 is taught over two years and students start their GCSE courses in Year 9. This curriculum initiative has enabled greater flexibility to be developed within the learning programmes. Students are encouraged to take examinations at their preferred stage of development. Pupils continue to take SAT examinations in Year 9; the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science and ICT have adapted teaching programmes to accommodate preparation for these tests. The project is now in its fourth year and is supported by various curriculum initiatives including Successful Learning and the Waddesdon School Learning Culture.

Pupils are taught in sets according to ability in Mathematics, Modern Languages and Science but otherwise they are taught in mixed ability groups. All pupils are closely monitored through a system of Pupil Review Meetings and through data tracking systems. The school has a dedicated team of Learning Support Assistants led by an enthusiastic SENCO. Throughout the year staff offer a wide range of enrichment classes, revision classes and extra curricular opportunities.

Recently, the Sixth Form has been a particular focus for school development. The range of academic AS and A2 courses has been expanded, and in addition many students follow Applied A-level Health and Social Care, Business Studies, ICT, Engineering and Travel and Tourism.

Year 12 students follow a Citizenship Programme of studies which is taught by a team of five staff on Friday afternoons. Many of our Year 12 students opt to take General Studies at the end of this course and a significant number take up the challenge of A Level General Studies in Year 13. Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to Community Service. Year 12 students are able to choose from: Sport, Duke of Edinburgh, Young Enterprise, Community Service, Rotary Speaking and various charity action groups. All follow at least one option but many complete two or even three of the activities on offer. The recent Citizenship Inspection Report was particularly complimentary about the culture and ethos of the Waddesdon Sixth Form.

The Visual Arts College is now in its third year of designation. From the outset an enthusiastic team has sought to promote the work of the Visual Arts College both within the school and in the community. During the three years Waddesdon has worked closely with partner schools and with the wider community organising a wide range of events and activities. A particular focus has been placed on teaching and learning, staff training and development and the sustained expansion and use of ICT facilities and expertise.

As a Visual Arts College further courses have been developed offering new and exciting opportunities in photography, ceramics, graphics, art and design and the more traditional Arts subjects.

For further information regarding Years 7 - 11, please click on Guidance for Parents.

UCAS contains invaluable information regarding application to universities for Sixth Form students.

School Performance

Previous examination results and other performance indicating data.

Information for Parents

Advice for parents and guardians to help their children get the most out of the education on offer at Waddesdon Church of England School.

Inspection Reports

This page contains reports from inspections of the school carried out by independent bodies.

This page contains links to the school's publications containing important information about the school's organisation and policies. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for please contact the school directly using the information on the Contact page.

Waddesdon Church of England School Directory 2007-2008

The Waddesdon Directory contains a wide range of information about the school which we hope parents and students will find useful. The Directory is also available to download.

Waddesdon Church of England School Prospectus 2007-2008

The School Prospectus will give you an indication of life at Waddesdon, details of the curriculums we follow, and a little of what we expect of our students. This Prospectus is also available to download.

Waddesdon Church of England School 6th Form Prospectus 2007-2008

We hope this booklet will give you some indication of life in the Waddesdon Sixth Form, details of the AS, A-Level and Applied A-Level courses we are able to offer, and a little of what we expect of our students. This Prospectus is also available to download.

Waddesdon Church of England School Healthy Eating Policy

The school restraurant is dedicated to providing a healthy and nurtitious menu.

Visual Arts College

Visit the Arts College Gallery

As an Arts College, Waddesdon School aims to be a centre of excellence, promoting understanding and appreciation of the visual arts through a diverse programme of educational opportunities and events.

Through assisted funding and sponsorship, pupils and community partners have access to specialist facilities covering many artistic disciplines. Our digital art facilities provide exciting opportunities for pupils and adults to experience working with leading digital equipment and software. Newly built studios which are light, airy and fully equipped to deliver all the main traditional art forms.

An extensive range of GCSE, AS / A level and vocational courses at KS4 and KS5 are provided, expanding the educational choices for pupils from 14-19. All students start their GCSE courses in Year 9 and follow an accelerated curriculum enabling diversity and personalized learning.

We work with our partner schools by offering training, support and resources as well as the opportunity to network and exhibit works. We work with our community partners to maximise the opportunities for the wider community to access, participate and celebrate in the visual arts.

Opportunities for pupils of all age groups to work with a range of local artists both in the environment of the Art College and out in the community are funded. Exhibitions of art work are organised on a permanent and a temporary basis. Celebration of pupil achievements is given a high priority; staff are convinced that self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are boosted through such activities. Staff believe that there is an urgent need to involve all age groups in self-expression, which can lead to a sense of pride and satisfaction.

We believe that commitment to the arts is essential if all communities in the 21st Century are to meet the considerable challenges within our society. Career opportunities in design, technology, art and graphics offer productive, satisfying futures for our young adults. We are delighted that the specialist school status enables us to offer educational provision of such quality which can transform the lives of students.

Visit the Arts College Gallery or Contact the Arts College

Leading Edge Partnership

Leading Edge Partnerships provide capacity for practitioners to work together in order to tackle some of the more intractable challenges facing the education system in the drive to raise standards. The programme offers funding distributed via a lead school for use across their partnership to work on locally determined learning challenges.

Partnerships are committed to working collaboratively to inspire, design, test and adapt professional practice to raise standards of teaching and learning where improvement is most urgently needed.

There is a particular focus on partnering with schools struggling to raise standards and partnering in order to raise pupil achievement by addressing issues of under-achievement among pupils from poorer socio-economic backgrounds and from particular minority ethnic groups.

The schools in the Aylesbury Vale Leading Edge Partnership are Waddesdon Church of England School, The Grange School and Quarrendon Upper School.

A guide for parents seeking admission for their child for September 2008

This includes information about the admission policy of the Governing Body as well as the co-ordinated admission arrangements which will affect all applications for admission for September 2008 onwards.

Open days and evenings for parents seeking admission to Year 7 in September 2008 are planned for the Autumn of 2007 as follows:

Open Day - Monday 24th September 10-12am
Open Evening - Monday 24th September 7.30pm

Open Evening - Tuesday 25th September 7.30pm

These occasions provide an opportunity to hear from the Head Teacher, see the facilities at the school and talk with staff and students. There will also be an opportunity to meet with representatives of the Governing Body to find out more about the admission procedures and specifically changes in these arrangements for admission in 2008.

Parents are very welcome to visit the school at other times by telephoning to make an appointment (01296-651382).

Introduction

We are delighted that you are considering expressing a preference for your son/daughter to attend Waddesdon School

Waddesdon School is a voluntary aided Church of England school. This means that unlike community schools, decisions about admission rest with the Governing Body who follow their published rules.

Three years ago the process of making an application for admission to the school saw some very important changes as the government’s new co-ordinated admission arrangements were introduced.

Parents should therefore read this information and the booklet provided by the Local Authority (LA) very carefully before completing their application form. This explains the need for parents seeking Waddesdon School admission to complete:

• The LA’s common application form
• A supplementary form
• A Church affiliation form signed by the minister (if applying under Church criteria)

These forms can be found in the LA booklet. If you submit a stamped and addressed postcard with your supplementary forms receipt of them will be acknowledged.

This guide has been designed by Governors to let you see the full Admissions Policy of the school and to give you some information about the application process. In the event of your application not being successful it also provides information about the appeal process and about how waiting lists are maintained and managed.

Please use these links to find out more:

THE ADMISSIONS POLICY

MAKING YOUR APPLICATION

THE APPEAL PROCESS

FURTHER INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE