We have been a specialist school for Mathematics and Computing since September 2003. This section of the school website introduces you to what it means to be a specialist school and gives you an insight into some of the activities that we are involved in as part of this initiative. We are pleased to announce that from April 2009 we are also a specialist school for Languages.
What are specialist schools?
Specialist schools are an important part of the Government's plans to raise standards in secondary education and the target of 2000 specialist schools was met 18 months early in February 2005. The Specialist Schools Programme (SSP) helps schools, in partnership with private sector sponsors and supported by additional Government funding, to establish distinctive identities through their chosen specialist subjects and achieve their targets to raise standards. Specialist schools have a special focus on their specialist subjects but must also meet the National Curriculum requirements and deliver a broad and balanced education to all pupils. Any maintained secondary school in England can apply for specialist status in one of the ten specialist subjects. These are arts, business & enterprise, engineering, humanities, languages, mathematics & computing, music, science, sports and technology.
What are the aims of the specialist school programme?
To raise attainment for all students both in the specialist subjects and across the whole curriculum; to strengthen and develop the quality of teaching and learning strategies in the specialist subjects and use them to help raise standards throughout the school; to extend opportunities for enrichment activity through the specialist subjects.