TRAINING SCHOOL
We became a Training School in April 2008. This option was available to us after attaining the status of a High Performing Specialist School (HPSS). This specialism offers benefits to all staff and students as well as the local community. Our focus is to improve Student Voice and Student Leadership opportunities.
Our Objectives as a Training School
- Encouraging and developing further professional research focusing on Learning and Teaching, which will impact on attainment and achievement
- Strengthening further our partnerships with ITT (Initial Teacher Training) providers and other schools
- Providing further courses for the local community in our specialist area (Business & Enterprise)
- Providing a centre of excellence for training and sharing good practice widely
Impact of Training School Status since 2008
- Staff and Y12 students have been on Study Tours to Australia since 2009, and have come back with new ideas and approaches which have been integrated into our academy. Consequently, the Senior Student Leadership Team was broadened to include Captains of the Environment, Sport, Anti-Bullying, Enterprise and Creativity. A Leadership Award was introduced last year and all years can participate. The tours take place in February each year.
- We now have a Creativity Day for all students held in the Summer Term. Ongoing, is the development of the School Radio, led by Enterprise Captain and run by students.
- The Y12 Student Observers Scheme is in its fourth year, and NQTs, GTP students and any other member of staff can request an observation by a fully trained student who will give feedback on a lesson from a student’s perspective. A team of Student Observers gave a presentation to a regional meeting of all Training Schools in the East Midlands and we have given training to other schools who have been keen to set up a similar scheme.
- A unique course has been set up for Y12 students who may be thinking about a career in teaching. The Pre-Teaching course is accredited by University College, Lincoln. The course gives a real insight into the teaching profession, as well as offering opportunities to develop important skills such as effective communication and how to deliver a good presentation/lesson. It is taken as an option to run alongside their other AS level choices and is in its third year.
