Mission Statement

The college will be a centre of excellence in the fields of technology, science, mathematics and ICT to meet the needs and aspirations of its students and the local community.

It will provide opportunities for the development of skills, knowledge and values necessary for life in the 21st century.

As part of a lifelong commitment to education, we will continue to develop Hartsdown Technology College as a supportive, welcoming and accessible place of learning for everyone, irrespective of ability, cultural identity, gender or social circumstance.

The College is organised into faculties:

• Arts - Art, Physical Education,a Performaning Arts (Music, Dance, Drama and Media) a
• Languages - English, MFL
• Humanities and Ethos - Geography, History, Religious Education, Health and Social Care, PSHE
• Mathematics
• Science
• Technology - Textiles, Electronics, Resistant Materials, Graphics, ICT.

All students follow courses that meet the requirements of the National Curriculum. Every effort is made to ensure that students develop their interests, aptitudes and abilities to their full potential.

Age 11-14 key stage 3

All students follow courses in English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Drama, French or Spanish, History, Geography, Music, Art, Religious Education, Physical Education and Games, Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE), Citizenship and Careers.

Age 14-16 key stage 4

Students follow courses in English, Mathematics, Science, Technology, ICT, Physical Education and Games, Citizenship and Careers Education and Religious Education. In addition students can select from a range of optional subjects, allowing them to follow a programme to meet their needs and strengths.

Each student is able to study French or Spanish, a humanities subject of Geography, History or RE and an arts subject. Alternatively, the student may decide to replace one or more of these subjects with a vocational option.

This curriculum leads to a minimum of 7 GCSE or equivalent subjects being studied by each student. Most study 9 to GCSE level. A programme of conferences enables students to consider a wider range of lifeskills issues.

Age 16-19 sixth form

Students have a wide range of AVCEs, AS and A levels to choose from as well as participating in many enrichment activities and key skills. We work in partnership with local schools to increase choice and broaden participation. Intermediate GNVQs are available in a range of subjects for one year students.

Extra Curricular

We support learning in the classroom with a range of successful and popular out of hours activities. Revision Schools, Homework Club and a lively resources centre help students improve their performance; thriving clubs and teams operate in a variety of sports and we regularly compete in local and national events. In addition to music lessons, students can learn to play a selection of instruments, use our enhanced music technology facilities and join in bands and groups.

The College has an Artsmark award, is an active member of Creative Partnerships and has built a strong reputation in Performing Arts; members of dance and drama clubs contribute fully to our innovative College productions.

Technology and computer clubs, art groups and regular activities linked to our membership of Healthy Schools further extend opportunities on offer. Visits abroad, field trips, competitions, community events and social occasions such as our Leaver’s Prom and our Activity Days enrich life for our students and help them find success.

Careers Education and Guidance

Careers Education and Guidance, delivered from year 7, enables students to manage their progression in learning and work.

We help students plan for a successful and rewarding future through a broad range of opportunities, focussed on:

• Self development
• Career Exploration
• Career Management

Year 10 students benefit from a two week work placement.

The College has an up to date careers library with relevant Internet and software access which can be used throughout the day.

Citizenship

"Citizenship" encourages student participation in the life of the College and the community as well as awareness of world affairs. Themes include Human Rights, Power, Politics and the Media and The Global Village.

At Key Stage 3 these are incorporated into the Personal, Social and Health programme, but at Key Stage 4 there is discrete provision.

Hearing Impaired Unit

We house the secondary provision for hearing impaired students in East Kent as part of the Kent Sensory Impaired Service. An integral part of the College since 1958, we offer an oral/aural approach to language in purpose built premises that are acoustically treated and very well resourced.

Admission is decided by the local Provisional Advisory Team, in consultation with the Sensory Impaired Service, the Head of Unit and the College Principal. Students benefit from highly qualified teachers who organise and monitor each individual’s programme. Added support comes from specialist Careers Officers, Further Education Tutors and The Deaf Services Bureau, allowing access to a range of educational, vocational and social opportunities.

Each student has an individual programme of teaching and support within the main College, combined with one-to-one tuition in the Unit. Staff monitor audiological needs and advise parents and College staff about each student. Unit students are issued with radio hearing aids to enable full access to classroom activities and the fullest possible access to the National Curriculum. Unit staff manage revision and learning programmes for those approaching exams.

Parents/carers of a child with hearing impairment can contact the College to arrange a visit or to obtain further information.

Special Educational Needs

We have an established and inclusive approach to Special Needs that aims to meet the educational and social needs of all students, providing National Curriculum entitlement and matching provision to need wherever possible. We follow the Kent Guidelines and the SEN Code of Practice.

Working closely with feeder primary schools, we identify needs and ease transition to secondary education through informed support.

Those identified with a special need are placed on the SEN register. Students with mild difficulties will have their needs met in the classroom by differentiation or extra pastoral support.

School Action. Students may have extra support from a learning support assistant or extra help from within College.

School Action Plus. Such students have more serious difficulties and may receive classroom support, help from outside agencies or help from an individual student service.

Students with a Statutory Statement of Need are supported in their learning on an individual basis.

Individual Education Plans are drawn up for those students who have a Statement of Educational Need or who are School Action Plus.

We have a range of valued Learning Support Assistants who help students in the classroom and as individuals or small groups. Additional support strategies are continually evolving.

Parents/carers are welcome to discuss their child’s needs by contacting the Head of Year or the Special Needs Co-ordinator.

A Specialist College
Where We Make the Difference - And You Make the Grade

A progressive and modern approach to learning coupled with top class facilities ensure that our students achieve success as they graduate through Hartsdown. Student progress is monitored halftermly and grades awarded shared with parents/carers. Students regularly set targets for improvement with their form tutors in individual mentoring sessions. Annual reports and Performance Review Days allow parent/carers, tutors and students to discuss further strategies to maximise achievement. Merit marks and commendations are awarded for work, effort and attitude; these, together with individual targets and homework are recorded in the Student Planner.

We firmly believe that what students do outside of normal lessons and the normal teaching environment is a very important part of college life, As well as a range of clubs and activities supporting sport, performing Arts and social events, we run a wide range of outings and visits each year. Residential trips to Spain and France, visits to war graves, an oral history project involving war veterans, visits to exhibitons and preformances of dance and drama, Theatre in Education, College Council events and competitons all enrich the college year.
We also have cross-curricular days regularly when normal timetable and teaching group arrangements are susended and students follow a theme- Caring for Oneself, Caring for the Community, Understanding a Multi Cultural Society- thes are just a few examples oif some of the activities we undertook last year. the emphasis is always on active learning and making and doing things which will benefit individuals or the college, such as benches for under the trees as part of an environment day.

We try to provide something for everyone and have a huge range of lunch time and after College activities from drama and sport to knitting, bingo, web design and recycling materials such as paper making. We like to change activities and projects regularly.