The school was purpose-built as an 8 to 12 middle school in 1971 with three forms of entry. At the time of the reorganisation of schools in this area in 1982 the age range became 9 to 13 and the building was extended to accommodate five classes in each of the four year groups.
A further extension was completed in September 2000 following a successful central government 'New Deal' bid. It houses three science laboratories, an art room, a music suite and two general classrooms. As a result there have also been modifications to rooms within the main building providing updated facilities for textiles and food technology.
During the autumn term 2000 a new library/IT resource centre was built. In 2002/03 a new year five classroom and an additional ICT room were added. These were funded through a combination of central government and local authority grants, the school's delegated budget and fundraising by staff, governors, parents/carers and friends of the school.
The hall is used for PE, assembly and other activities involving large numbers of pupils. We also have specialist facilities for construction and ICT.
Outside we have five play areas, a field for hockey, football, rugby, athletics and rounders and a large hard-surfaced area for tennis, netball and other team games. There is an artificial cricket wicket and jumping pits. The whole site is pleasantly located alongside heathland which is used for cross-country running and environmental work.
Broadstone Middle School is equipped with a toilet for the disabled and suitable lifts to allow pupils, staff and visitors with physical disabilities access to all parts of the school building. There is a designated disabled parking area to allow pupils to be transported to and from school safely.
Outside we have five play areas, a field for hockey, football, rugby, athletics and rounders and a large recently refurbished hard-surface area for tennis, netball, basketball, hockey and other team games. There is an artifical cricket wicket and jumping pits. The whole site is pleasantly located alongside heathland which is used for cross-country running and environmental work. A plan of the main features of the school can be found in Section 18.
For all activities during the normal school day, children are grouped only with others of the same age. This means that there are four distinct year groups and all pupils move on to the next year group in September. It is our policy to regroup the forms each year to increase opportunities for pupils to develop a range of personal skills.
Each year group is divided into five mixed ability registration classes with a form teacher responsible for the general pastoral care of their class. There are two key stage leaders, one for years 5 and 6 (lower school) and one for years 7 and 8 (upper school), who co-ordinate the overall pastoral work of the year groups. Curriculum leaders are responsible for each of the subject areas.
The anticipated teaching groupings for September 2007 are as follows :
5th Year (5 classes) Age 9+ Mixed ability teaching for all activities, except mathematics where pupils will be taught in 6 ability groups. Design/technology and art are taught in smaller groups.
6th Year (5 classes) Age 10+
Mixed ability teaching for all activities, except mathematics, where pupils will be taught in 6 ability groups. Design/technology and art are taught in smaller groups.
7th Year (5 classes) Age 11+ and 8th Year (5 classes) Age 12+ Pupils will be taught in their mixed ability forms (or half classes in some cases) for part of the curriculum. They will, however, be regrouped for mathematics, English, French and science, in most cases on the basis of their ability in those subjects. Design/technology, art and drama/music are taught in half classes.
The governors are responsible for the overall school curriculum which must incorporate the National Curriculum, as required by the Education Reform Act 1988.
The National Curriculum specifies four core subjects (English, ICT, mathematics and science), foundation subjects (technology, history, geography, music, art, physical education, a modern language and citizenship from age 11) and religious education.
The governors must also take note of the Borough of Poole's curriculum policy document.
We attempt to offer a curriculum which reflects the current needs of our pupils and which is broad, relevant, balanced and differentiated to varying levels of ability and interest. In addition, we seek to achieve continuity and progression both within this school and with the adjoining tiers of education. To this end, we are actively involved in liaison with our neighbouring schools and in this way we hope to ensure that the educational process is a smooth continuum. During the normal school week 24 hours are spent on teaching.
Further details of the curriculum offered can be found on our website. |