At Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form we aim for Excellence for All. Our students are entitled to an excellent education regardless of ability or background. Students will leave us achieving excellence, equipped as life-long learners, prepared to contribute positively to the wider community and able to lead a successful and fulfilling life being the best that they can be.
Context
Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form is a larger than average oversubscribed comprehensive school with approximately 1900 on roll, including around 450 in the Sixth Form. It serves a large catchment area to the east of Norwich serving a mixed suburban and rural community with varied levels of affluence.
Strengths
The curriculum is broad and is made up of a rich mixture of academic, technical and vocational courses. The school’s commitment and excellence in vocational education was recognised when the school was chosen as the only school in the Eastern Region to be a pilot school for the new T-Level qualifications.
Teachers are subject specialists and use their expert subject knowledge to implement the curriculum exceptionally well throughout the students’ learning journey in our school.
Teachers are well supported in their continued professional development The ‘Teaching School’ has helped them to develop their subject expertise and their understanding of how best to teach students and how to help students learn.
The rates of those staying in education or entering employment was 98% (2019) which is above the local and National average. DfE figures show that 95% of our students stayed in education or employment for at least 2 terms after 16 to 18 (Level 3) study, which is also above average.
We are a top performing open and inclusive Sixth Form. At A level the ALPs score for 2018-19 was 3, placing the school in the top quartile nationally for performance. This performance has been the case for a number of years. Applied General and Technical qualifications have an above average progress score.
We offer a wide range (over 50) of extracurricular activities across the year including a variety of sports, and clubs to meet the interests of all of our students. There are a wide range of trips and visits by guest speakers that enhance the curriculum offer and the learning experience of our learners.
Challenges
The intake ability of the school is broadly in line with national averages, most pupils are from white British backgrounds, we serve a mostly mono-cultural school population in a diverse country and an increasingly diverse city.
A below-average proportion of students are Pupil Premium, the proportion of the SEND students supported by school action is below average and the support for those with an EHCP is well below average. At Key Stage 4 progress shows a rising 3-year trend although PP, FSM, Boys and SEND have negative progress scores.
Higher prior attaining students are successful at Key Stage 4 but do not achieve excellence and gain the highest of grades. Middle and low prior attaining students make better progress
The context of the school is also a challenge in that the extreme variations of affluence, difference in catchment and aspirations have resulted in a below average progress of key groups and a difficulty in planning for support for all of our groups.
Curriculum Intent
OUR Curriculum
Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form has a broad and balanced curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical developments of students and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life.
This is achieved through a coherent and relevant Academic Curriculum that is clearly planned and sequenced with consistently high standards of teaching. Our Academic Curriculum is designed to counterbalance some of the barriers created by social disadvantage and allow all students to achieve excellence. In addition, our curriculum expands the horizon of our students to see beyond Norfolk and be ready to be members of a diverse global community. At Thorpe St Andrew School and Sixth Form we have also developed our Pastoral Curriculum. This is designed to support personal development, wellbeing and the growth of our students character. We believe that excellence is the result of the consistent application of three behavioural traits: Aspiration, Respect and Engagement. Our Pastoral Curriculum is delivered through Form Time and is the basis of all interactions in the school.
Together our Academic and Pastoral Curriculum will build strong independent learners who are well prepared for the challenges of a highly competitive, rapidly changing global society.
The Pastoral Curriculum
Through our Pastoral curriculum we will ensure that ALL students:
Respect themselves, each other and all members of their community.
Engage in independent learning and aspire to excel in all that they do.
Contribute to the wider school community by taking an active role in the Year group schools and have student leadership opportunities.
Experience a variety of enrichment opportunities as part of our co curriculum offer to enable students to develop their talents beyond the classroom.
Value learning and the acquisition of knowledge.
Strive to be the very best they can be as individuals and make a commitment to be excellent in all that they do now and in the future.
The Academic Curriculum
Through our Academic curriculum we will ensure that ALL students:
Acquire knowledge and expertise by prioritising subject depth and valuing deep knowledge.
Provide a breadth of opportunity at Key stage 5 for all learners that is inclusive and enables them to achieve excellence developing a passion for their careers and further study.
Are given the opportunity to complete EBacc subjects at GCSE to enable a strong foundation of academic subjects to facilitate progression.
Experience a broad and engaging Key Stage 3, students will study a range of subjects including the arts.
Develop their vocabulary and use subject specific terminology correctly.
Learn about the changing world around them, its’ origins, history and cultures while developing an understanding of environmental issues and an understanding of how to take appropriate action.
Read widely and develop a love of reading so that they have access to the best that has been said and thought using ambitious texts and literature.
Understand sources of information and knowledge, developing a critical appraisal of sources and research.
Study context of learning and develop an appreciation of the value each subject has in modern life.
Value scholarship and knowledge and develop independent learning skills.
Will have an empathy for difference and an appreciation for diversity, equality and tolerance.
Have an understanding of what it means to be a citizen of Britain. Understand the values that underpin our diverse society and have the knowledge and understanding of the contribution different cultures and histories have made to Britain’s global context.
Understand their health and the actions that can ensure a healthy mind and body.
