Curriculum Committee
December 2006
Members of the Governors' Curriculum Group met recently with Heads of Faculty and representatives of the Senior Leadership Team to analyse the 2006 examination results, the Faculty self-evaluation process and the Faculty Development Plan.
These meetings are invaluable to help the Governors monitor the work of the Faculties. There is no doubt that the Faculties benefit greatly from the input of the Governors.
At the group's November meeting, the main item of discussion was the continuing national developments in the 14 – 19 curriculum. The implications for Ashby School were discussed in light of the introduction of the new diploma lines in 2008.
This is an exciting time for schools in the North West Leicestershire area with a myriad of possibilities opening up for Ashby students but, as ever in education, there are many uncertainties about funding and how local agreements between schools and colleges will work.
Local agreements will be at the heart of this new curriculum. Ashby School is part of the North West Leicestershire Area Partnership Planning Group. Ashby has strengthened links with its feeder high schools and Stephenson College through regular meetings.
Local co-operation has never been better, providing a continuity for students from Key stage 3 and 4 and onward into their Post-16 studies. This can only benefit students' chances of lifelong learning and success.
John Exton, Chair of the Curriculum group
Paddy O'Brien, Director Key Stage 4
Donna Lodge, Director Post-16 Studies
December 2005
These are exciting times for the Curriculum Governors. The committee is waiting in suspense for the latest announcements from the Government on the shape of schools in the future. It would be great if funding for school students in Leicestershire was increased to be on a level with the rest of the country, rather than being so much lower.
New courses
This year, the school is running an A level in Health and Social Care, as well as new versions of previous A level courses in Applied Business, Applied Science, Applied ICT, Leisure Studies and Engineering. There are also new courses for some pre-16 students in English and Business Studies.
Next year, there will be a pre-16 replacement courses in Science, Applied ICT, Health and Social Care, and Leisure.
Buildings
A school relies heavily on the quality of its buildings. Following the loss of two old mobile classrooms to wind damage last summer, the school is in need of new classroom space.
A new arts block is already being built on the Nottingham Road site and should be in use by January. Unfortunately, the new buildings needed in B block have been held up by planning delays. It is hoped that they will be ready by September 2006.
Exam results
The Curriculum Governors wish to extend their congratulations to students and staff for the brilliant GCSE and A level results, and to parents and carers for their support.
John Exton, Chair of Governors' Curriculum Committee
Avril Pratt, Director of Curriculum
