Personal message from the Chair of Governors

Thank you for visiting the School’s Website. As you surf around you will be able to see that there are many differing aspects to school life and many new forms of media available for students to use in their quest to improve their knowledge. These new opportunities for learning really do help our students and your children achieve their full potential during their time at Mortimer Wilson.

The Governing Body enjoys an excellent working relationship with the School as together, we strive to make Mortimer Wilson as safe and secure as possible for all students and create an environment where the pursuit of excellence in standards and results becomes the norm.

However, it’s true that a close relationship between home, students and School can also have a huge influence on the achievements of individuals and we urge parents and guardians to ensure students maintain high standards in appearance, behaviour and attendance, traits that will combine to improve the chances of considerable progress in life.

Please enjoy using and exploring these new Learning Environments with your children, I’m sure it will further help us develop a sound Home-School partnership.

Chris Slater
Chair of Governors

When a student begins their studies at Mortimer Wilson School they experience up to 7 different lessons each day. We ensure that all students have equal access to success through the curriculum

In Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8 and 9) we provide a broad foundation from which students can make their GCSE and Vocational GCSE choices at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11). Our range of Vocational GCSE courses has grown and now includes Business Studies, Leisure and Tourism, Health and Social Care and Engineering.

In Years 10 and 11 students must study English, Mathematics, Science, ICT, Religious Education, Personal and Social Education and PE. Students then have the choice of a further 5 option subjects. Usually, some students if they select our Fast Track (History entered for GCSE Year 10, Geography entered for GCSE Year 11) option will accumulate 11 GCSE's.

In addition to the fast track opportunities in Year 10 and 11 in history and Geography, students are also encouraged to sit GCSE early in French and German. The school is delivering BTEC Sport and Exercise and Performing Engineering Operations as specialised provision within Key Stage 4.

We are proud that in Key Stage 3 we have a well-established initiative to encourage what the government now terms “Thinking Skills”. Our course is called ALPs (Accelerated learning Programme). This course is delivered in the school’s Library and Resources Centre.

All Students follow discrete courses for Information Communication Technology (ICT), Religious Education (RE), which includes a multi-cultural dimension, and Physical Education (PE). In Years 10 and 11 the ICT course leads to a recognised qualification.

There is more to Mortimer Wilson School than that which takes place in the classrooms. A number of groups, clubs and teams operate outside school hours. These are part of the extensive range of extra curricular activities.

We have a strong tradition of school shows and musical productions. Music tuition is available. In sports and athletics there are many teams or events to join throughout the year. There is a unique variety of field study visits, annual visits abroad, as well as a range of lunchtime activities, some supported by adult volunteers.

Mortimer Wilson School has a large site, the office staff are a friendly team and have no difficulty in meeting the levels of admission. The Governing Body follows the admission guidelines provided by the Derbyshire County Council.

Mortimer Wilson School has a friendly and vibrant Sixth Form Centre which provides challenging courses of study for students of all abilities. We provide a wide choice of subjects to meet a range of interests and career aspirations. At Advanced Level we are delighted that many of our students progress to University.

For students who are hoping to improve upon GCSE results we have a successful Level 2 programme, including DiDA ICT, GCSE Law and Sixth Form resit groups for GCSE English and Maths. Our curriculum is continuously evolving to meet the ever changing needs of modern students.

In September 2006 we launched we launched the new 4 unit AS/A Level in Law and students have enjoyed good modular exam results in what is proving to be a popular course. We also added to our level 2 provision with the introduction of the CACHE full time level 2 course in Child Care. Building on our level 2 vocational curriculum we now are extending further opportunities.

From 2007 students have been doing Engineering and Motor Vehicle studies, as a part of their overall timetable. In addition, students based at our Child Care Centre can now progress to Level 3 during a second year of study. We are also pleased to announce that from September 2007 students have chosen to study for a BTEC First in Media.

We aim to provide the care, security and continuity of a Sixth Form environment with the added bonus of the flexibility and vocational focus of Further Education provision.

At Mortimer Wilson, the Sixth Form isn’t just about working hard to get a good job in the future. Being one of our Sixth Formers is a great time in your education to develop life experiences and have fun. Students do a range of additional activities and pursuits; for example, outdoor adventure at Lea Green, a study day at a top fitness and leisure centre in Derby, stimulating visits which might include local universities or the law courts and Christmas shopping in London.

A Sixth Form Prospectus is published in September with full details of the range of courses on offer.

Please contact Mr J R Samuels, Director of Post-16 Studies for further information.

E-mail: j.samuels@mortimerwilson.derbyshire.sch.uk

Direct line: 01773 520765