Good News

Department of Education Recognition

I was delighted to receive a letter from the Rt Hon David Laws MP reconising the school' work with disadvantaged children and the impact that this has had on their progress and outcomes.

They Don’t Teach It Like They Used To

The Maths Department held their second “they don’t teach it like they used to” session for the parents of year 7 students.  In this session the parents were introduced to algebra in the way that the year 7s were introduced to the topic.  The aim of the session was to dispel the fear that algebra can sometimes bring and also give a better understanding of some of the strategies that the students may use to tackle different algebraic questions.  During the session they looked at forming expressions, interpreting algebraic expressions and solving equations using the flow chart.  

Year 8 Drugs Awareness 

This week students in Year 8 have had the opportunity to participate in the drugs awareness session called Wasted.  Its aim was to educate and challenge the perceptions of young people with regard to the use of banned substances.  Students were fully engaged in the play and follow up sessions which explored the reasons for the play's outcome and the issues around choice and responsibility.

Partnership and Challenge

Developing a Learning Partnership

The Heads and Deputies of the four schools in our Learning Partnership, which was announced at the beginning of February, met for the first time this week, to start work on the activities that will benefit all of our schools.

As well as working with governors to develop the partnership agreement and strategic direction of the group, we are planning to share good practice across the schools through our first Teachmeet at the beginning of the summer term.  Winston has also offered to share some work we have been doing with regard to developing teaching teams in the classroom between the teacher and Learning Support Assistants.

 

The Heads and Deputies of Collingwood College, Bishop David Brown School, Magna Carta School and The Winston Churchill School

The Science Magic Show

Year 8 students enjoyed a morning of aimed at challenging their thinking skills and their perceptions.  They were asked to find solutions to problems by thinking around the issues, where not is all that it seems to be.

Enterprise Days

Year 10 students faced the enterprise challenge both in Maths and in Science.  The Year 10  Maths experience, enabled students to form a company making a catapult which required funding to move into full production.  Students produced a prototype and convinced the 'bank' to back their design.  Below are some of the students in action.

Communications Assembly

Mr Chandler and Mr Stockman presented an interesting assembly around the use of the mobile phone and influence on the way we communicate with our friends and family.  The main message was to try putting the device down and talk to each other face to face.  The art of conversation is vitally important to us all and students were challenged to think about the way they use electronic communication in their daily lives.

                                    

Food Challenge

Year 9 students rose to the challenge of producing some outstanding desserts, which had to demonstrate high levels of skill, as well as being presented with flair.  As you can see from the photograph students excelled when faced with the task.

 

                                   

The Ofsted Report

Our Ofsted Report is Published

At last our report has been published on the Ofsted website.  Please enjoy reading our report by clicking on the link below:

http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk/inspection-reports/find-inspection-report/provider/ELS/125314

Some of the comments made are listed below and reflect the excellent work that the school does every day:

·         Students’ behaviour both in and out of classrooms is good. Relationships are respectful and students’ attitudes to learning are positive.

 

·         The curriculum is a strength of the school. The variety of interesting courses and the rich programme of other activities ensure students are well prepared for life in modern Britain.

·         The consistently high expectations of the Headteacher and Senior Leaders have been the key to the school’s sustained improvements. Together, they have created  a school community where students’ learning and behaviour can flourish.

·         Students display positive attitudes to learning. They listen attentively and respond appropriately to questions and requests. They take pride in their appearance and in their school uniform. The school campus is free from litter and graffiti.

·         Good relationships, between students and between students and staff, ensure that learning flows with little interruption. Students behave well in classrooms and around the school site. They show consideration to one another and are courteous to visitors.

·         Those students who are from different cultural backgrounds play and work together in harmony with their classmates.

 

·         Middle leaders are increasingly involved in the monitoring of teaching and they make a strong contribution to speeding up students’ progress.

·         Governors are passionate about the school and proud of its recent achievements. They are effective and totally committed to supporting it to become outstanding.

 

Ofsted at Winston!

Publication of Our Ofsted Report!

I am very pleased to be able to announce the outcome of our latest Ofsted Inspection, having achieved an overall effectiveness grading of ‘Good’ set against a much more rigorous process than experienced in previous years.  

The report will be available on the Ofsted website from the middle of the coming week.

 

The report reflects the excellent work taking place in all the areas of the school and recognises the developments in the key area of Teaching and Learning. There are a significant number of very pleasing comments, which reinforce our direction of travel and energise the leadership of the school to take the necessary steps to outstanding, whilst sustaining the improvements already in place.

As you can see the inspection team recognised the quality and enthusiasm of our students and were impressed with their behaviour, maturity and progress. 

The inspection could have created a high pressure situation within the school but everyone carried on throughout the two days, completing their work in the normal way and are to be congratulated on contributing to a great outcome.

This report combined with the government data stating that we have a value added score of 1017 and the announcement that we will be working with three other secondary schools in the near future, is excellent news for parents, students and staff.  As mentioned in a previous letter information regarding our performance is available to the public via the DfE performance tables which were released in January 2015.

Thank you to all the parents who completed the survey, results of which can be seen online by searching for ‘Ofsted Parentview’ and for your continued support.

A Great Week at Winston

Year 10 Enterprise Days

Students in Year 10 participated in a range of activities over two days, aimed at encouraging them to think beyond an examination syllabus and looking at the skills required in the workplace.  The first two photogrphs shows the students ready to participate in a forensic science experience.  Having been taught some skills they then had to examine and analyse a crime scene.  During the second day they had to work in teams to design an item, manufacture a prototype and then pursuade the staff running the banks to invest, enabling the students to manufacture and sell their final product.

The Importance of Reading

The theme of this week's assemblies has been on the importance of reading and the added value of reading a variety of material to broaden knowledge and widen vocabulary.  Ms Nettleton discussed with students the place of different types of media and that extending beyond an unregulated internet into novels and other types of text was essential to continue to develop reading skills and enjoyment.  Students were able to see the outcome of a survey that had been conducted on their reading habits.

St John's Primary School

The students of St John's Primary School enjoyed coming into Winston to learn how to play badminton.  These are a sample of the thank you letters that they wrote to Mr Tovey, who organised the event.  I have been very impressed with the quality of the writing and the well constructed content.  We are delighted to host such events, as the students from both St John's and Winston gain so much from the experience.

 Sport for all at Winston

On Tuesday afternoon at Winston the field, astroturf and hard courts were full of students enjoying team sports.  Rugby, football and netball featured for both girls and boys from Winston and then on the astroturf a local primary school tournament was being held.  There was a great atmosphere, determination to do well and excellent team spirit.  Some of our students were involved with the primary event, helping them to develop their leadership skills.