Enjoy & Achieve

Specialist Schools Programme

As a Specialist Technology and Languages College, Ashby School provides students with outstanding opportunities and facilities in both of these subject areas.

Since becoming a Specialist Technology College (TC) in 1998, Ashby School has been working hard to improve students' learning experiences in the specialist subject areas of Design and Technology, Maths and Science.

Students have access to excellent facilities and opportunities in Design and Technology subjects.

Its TC status was renewed in 2006 as a joint application with Ashby's two feeder high schools, Ivanhoe and Ibstock Community Colleges.

In the same year, Ashby School became a Specialist Languages College. Since then, it has increased the range of languages on offer, developed its existing courses and expanded language work within the local community.

In 2008, Ashby School was chosen as the venue for the regional Specialist Languages Colleges' conference. It was selected to host the event in recognition of students' excellent examination results in Modern Foreign Languages, including Japanese, an extra curricular qualification.

Schools applying for specialist status must put together a detailed four-year development plan for raising standards and muster £50,000 in sponsorship.

Successful schools receive a one-off capital grant of £100,000 along with an annual grant. One-third of the grant must be used for work with the community and other schools.

Schools are scrutinised by the DCSF and Ofsted to make sure that they meet the requirement to improve student achievement and provide support for other schools and the community. Schools must reapply for specialist status every three years, aiming for a more demanding set of targets each time.

‘As well as achieving the highest standards in their chosen specialism, the Government wants them to become a resource for other schools and their local communities, equipping young people with the skills they need to progress into employment, further training or higher education according to their individual abilities, aptitudes and ambitions.’ (DfEE)

At Ashby School, the following targets have been set.

Technology College aims:

• Achieve progressively higher academic standards in Design and Technology, Science and Mathematics;
• Increase curriculum provision and take–up by students in these subjects in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13;
• Develop links with other schools;
• Provide enrichment programmes for Ashby School and other local students;
• Work closely with industry, local colleges and universities;
• Provide training for staff in other schools and colleges.

Languages College aims:

• Achieve progressively higher academic standards in Modern Foreign Languages (MFL);
• Increase the number of students studying two or more languages in Years 10 and 11;
• Increase curriculum provision by providing new courses in subjects such as Russian, Japanese and Mandarin;
• Increase enrichment opportunities and international links;
• Work with local primary schools to help them with the introduction of Modern Foreign Languages in 2010.

International Schools Award

Ashby School also holds the coveted International Schools Award for 2008 – 11.

The school successfully retained its International Schools status by impressing judges at the British Council with the wide range of international-themed events taking place both inside and outside the classroom.

Head of Languages Helen Hughes (right) and teacher Nick Fitzpatrick are welcomed to Ashby's partner school in Japan.

In 2007/08, these included an Italian-themed day in the school restaurant; African drumming in GCSE Music; and a focus on poetry of different cultures in GCSE English. The school also takes part in numerous educational trips overseas and has welcomed foreign visitors from several countries.

Helen Hughes, Head of Modern Foreign Languages at Ashby School, said: “We are very excited that we will continue to be an International School for the next three years. This award recognises the wealth of international work taking place across Ashby School.

“The criteria this time was much tougher so it is a real credit to the school that we have gained full International School Award status."

 

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