The Sandon School

We value our close relationship with parents and welcome the involvement of families in their children's education. The key to a successful future is the strength of this partnership and the Home-School Agreement is a formalisation of that partnership.

We seek to develop this partnership between home and school by sending all parents detailed information concerning our expectations regarding behaviour. We give regular feedback about individual achievements and progress, also keeping parents informed about any concerns regarding their child's behaviour and consulting them about the best way to move forward.

Homework is an essential part of life at The Sandon School. It gives parents an opportunity to see what their child is doing in school, helps students acquire learning skills needed for self-organisation, encourages independant study and helps foster a sense of responsibility. All students are equipped with an organiser which we view as an important means of communication between home and school. It is an aspect of our work where the support of parents is vital in encouraging good habits of study.

Our involvement with the community is extensive. In particular, we have close links with our primary feeder schools. Liaison teachers work with our partner schools to ensure a smooth transition for students. An Induction Day is held in July when students spend the whole day at The Sandon School in their new tutor group. and this is complemented by an evening for parents of new students to meet teachers and discuss any concerns they have. We have also developed links across a range of curriculum areas with local primary schools in order to share expertise and give opportunities for exciting cross-phase and cross-curricular projects.
Careers Education and Guidance is central to our provision. The Careers Programme at the school is based on nationally agreed entitlements and access to the resources of the local Careers Advisory Service and Essex Careers and Business Partnership. We seek to prepare students for the important decisions which have to be made in planning for employment or further higher education and adult life.We wish to enable students to make realistic assessments, based on detailed knowledge and inquiry of the careers which may be available to them. Following a pastoral programme which develops self-awareness in Years7 and 8, the Careers Programme starts in earnest in Year 9 and individual counselling is provided at all stages of important decision making.

All Year 10 students participate in a work experience programme and students are encouraged to undertake community service work. These experiences give students the opportunity to learn more about the world of work as they begin to make important decisions about their future

The Sandon School provides a high quality learning environment which is both stimulating and secure with specialist accommodation for Art, Science and Technology. We also have a modern Information Technology Suite and Conference Centre. There is a well equipped Gymnasium and Sports Hall, a Library Resource Centre and a Drama Studio adjacent to the Music rooms. Subject areas are suited and there is a Sixth Form Area with Study and Common Room facilities.

We are proud to deliver a high standard of education for all our students.We endeavour to provide a happy and busy environment in which our students are given many and varied opportunities to undertake and enjoy new experiences. We want to encourage them to be responsible and caring of others. The Sandon School recognises the innate enthusiasm and abilities of young people and it is our responsibility to harness that enthusiasm and those abilities so that every student can achieve of their best and fulfil their potential. It is to this end that our clear and consistent discipline procedures aim to encourage students to take responsibility for their own behaviour to improve their level of achievement within school. We expect a high standard of student behaviour at all times and believe that every member of The Sandon School has a responsibility to care for and maintain the reputation for excellence within the school.

Curriculum
In pursuit of excellence The Sandon School has established a learning community which prepares students for the opportunities and experiences of adult life in the 21st Century. Our curriculum is varied and challenging, relevant and rewarding.

A team of committed and talented staff work together with parents and students to provide a stimulating environment that benefits and motivates the individual. Our aim, across the age ability range, is to provide a flexible, accessible and inspiring curriculum which will open avenues for the future - to university, college or the world of work.This aim is delivered by the statutory curriculum and by the range of cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities. By implementing a variety of effective teaching methods and efficient curriculum management and review, it is our hope to create an ethos of high achievement, personal challenge and mutual respect.

In the first three years, from the age of 11 to 14, all students follow the same programme of study: Art, Drama, English, Geography, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Modern Foreign Languages (all students take French in Year 7 and German in Year 8, studying both languages until the end of Year 9), Music, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science and Technology. In accordance with the National Curriculum, students at Key Stage 4 (Years 10 and 11, age 14-16) study subjects leading to GCSE qualifications in Double Science, English (Language and Literature), Mathematics. They choose further options from a wide range of subjects. Students also follow a course in Physical Education, core Religious Education and Information Technology and take part in activities and events which develop their personal and social education.

Many of our Year 11 students stay on after the age of 16 to take AS, A-Level and GNVQ courses in Years 12 and 13.

There is a shared determination amongst staff for all students to attain the highest standards of academic achievement and we expect our students to have similar aspirations. We are proud of our high level of performance in public examinations. However, our curriculum goes well beyond the requirements of the National Curriculum in terms of the experience we provide for all our students. Teaching programmes are planned to create variety and interest in order to stretch all students whatever their talents and abilities. It is important that they learn to be independant, to think for themselves and have the necessary ambition and skills to aim high and make the most of their time at The Sandon School.

We aim to develop qualities of self-reliance and confidence in our students, but equally an understanding, care and tolerance of others.

Every student is looked after as an individual. The first point of contact for students and parents on day-to-day issues is the Form Tutor. This teacher will be a key figure, liaising with subject teachers and offering daily continuity to students.

The Form Tutor works within our Student Services Team and is supported by Heads of Year and Directors of Key Stages. In this way we are able to monitor successfully each student's progress within and between subjects. This team, working with Curriculum Team Leaders and Subject Teachers, offers encouragement and helps solve problems. They maintain the vital links with parents and with other agencies which offer support to our students. Our Learning Support Co-ordinator and team of Learning Support Assistants further enhance this work by assisting in the planning and delivering of appropriate work for all students and, in particular, our most able and those with special learning needs.

We have high expectations in terms of behaviour, school dress and standard of work. Good achievement and sustained effort are encouraged and rewarded by a system of merits and commendations. We have a clear Code of Behaviour which has been developed to encourage a sense of the rights and responsibilities of each individual and applies to students and staff alike. We expect everyone who joins us to abide by The Sandon School Code of Behaviour. Good discipline is reinforced by a clear sanctions policy.

Progress from subject to subject and in the wider aspects of school life are reported to parents through a system of progress reviews and annual reports. These give very detailed information about achievement and offer suggestions about improvement. They aim to encourage students to be constructively self-critical and to appreciate their own potential. Each student leaves The Sandon School with the National Record of Achievement, reflecting not only their academic progress but also personal qualities and successes.