The School

St. Mark's is a co-educational Church of England Voluntary Aided Secondary School.

We occupy modern buildings on a fine site in north east Bath, convenient for Larkhall, Fairfield Park, Lansdown, Batheaston, Bathford, Bathampton and the villages to the north of Bath.

We are relatively small school which we use to our students' advantage. We have time to care about individuals. Through good pastoral care we create a friendly, relaxed learning environment.

The Headteacher knows all the students by name and is in touch with their progress, ensuring they receive individual and personal attention. We believe that happy students learn well.

We aim for academic success as well as providing good pastoral care. We take a wide range of students and we do not select on the basis of likely academic results and an enhanced league table position.

We measure our academic results by value added. Official statistics show that we do well compared to the national average. We continually monitor our performance and we strive to improve the academic results for all students of all abilities.

We base our education on Christian values, though we welcome families irrespective of their religious commitment, if any. We encourage students to achieve their full potential in a learning community encompassing self discipline, mutual respect, compassion, justice and good humour.

Departments

Curriculum

A broad, balanced and challenging curriculum

All students follow a broad and balanced curriculum when they join the school in Year 7 and this continues throughout Key Stage 3. Most students study two foreign languages, French as a principal language and German from Year 8.

Students choose from a wide range of Options for Key Stage 4. The curriculum blend is modified each year to meet the needs of the year group. Vocational courses and work related learning has been introduced to fit alongside the traditional subjects in order to increase awareness of the relationship between learning and future career prospects.

There is a core programme of Personal, Social and Health Education which reflects a progression throughout a student's school career. This addresses a wide range of issues: health, relationships spiritual, cultural and moral development alongside citizenship and financial awareness.

Prospectus

» Our School

» Business & Enterprise

» Ethos & Values

» Christian Foundation

» Curriculum

» Gifted & Talented

» Special Education Needs

» Post 16 Education

» Care & Organisation

» Attitudes & Values

» Support

» Parents Comments

• Provide an exciting, creative climate for learning with a business focus pervading a broad curriculum
• Raise aspirations, expectations and standards of achievement in the focus subjects, for all students to support whole school improvement
• Encourage creative, innovative and enterprising activities across the curriculum
• Develop a strong, mutually supportive partnership with the wider learning community including business and industry, sharing resources and expertise.
• Develop innovative practice in the delivery of business related subjects which can be disseminated through the school, partner schools and the wider community.
• Enhance opportunities for lifelong learning through increased participation post for post 16 employment with further training or higher education