The Specialist Schools Trust is the lead body for the
Government's specialist schools programme. It seeks to
give more young people access to a good secondary education
by building partnerships between schools and businesses.
The Vaughan successfully applied for specialist status
in Mathematics and ICT in 2002. Our Specialist School bid
acknowledged that we would improve results in both the
Vaughan and our partner schools, develop links with businesses
and let the community benefit from our facilities. To accomplish
this, starting from 2002 till 2006, we will receive over
half a million pounds.
Since 2001 the Vaughan’s
infrastructure has dramatically grown, with the ratio
of pupils to computers being just 3:1. This has lead
to a large number of laptops being available to both
teachers and pupils. This growth in ICT equipment has
lead to an increase in ICT use in lessons, which many
teachers have found engages the pupils more. Currently
every pupil has access to Studynet,
which is a website where teachers can post class notes,
revision papers and helpful information for pupils to refer
to in their own time.
Clich
here to go to our Studynet website
We are currently developing our virtual learning platform
(VLP), which is again a website which provides online resources
for pupils, but unlike Studynet,
VLP also enables pupils to have their own email accounts,
post messages on forums and ask questions online. Teachers
will monitor the site, providing online answers, so pupils
can continually improve.
The benefits from applying for specialist status is clearly
seen in the Mathematics department, which has had another
busy but productive year. 85% of our Third Form boys received
a level 7 or 8 in their KS3 Mathematics results (national
average in 2004 was only 23%). Credit for these excellent
results goes to the boys for working so diligently and
to their teachers, namely Mr Lakomy, Mr Kwok and Dr Hussein,
for setting the boys ambitious targets and ensuring that
they preformed to the best of their ability. Boys from
1M1, 1M2, 2M1 and 2M2 took part in the Junior Mathematical
Challenge, with 59% of them being awarded Gold, Silver
or Bronze certificates. Well done to all the boys, but
special mention must go to Oliver Greally and Edward Taroghion,
each achieving 97 out of a maximum 120 marks. We look forward
to building upon these excellent results in the forthcoming
year.
Partner Schools
The Department for Education and
Skills (DfES) has launched an innovative programme called
Excellence in Cities (EiC), which the Vaughan is a part.
In 2003 we received an additional £12,000
to share our Studynet with
two other secondary schools and four primary schools. Those
schools being; St Mary of the Angels, St Francis of Assisi,
St Joseph’s Maida Vale, St Charles, Holland Park
and Sion Manning School.
Teachers from the Vaughan spent
time collaborating with partner schools, sharing good
practice and disseminating their knowledge. Miss Hudson
worked with gifted and talented primary school children
developing mathematics, Miss Shucksmith worked on children’s
ICT skills and Mrs Pilgrim provided ICT support.
Business Links
One of the main aims of the Specialist
Trust is for schools to form links with companies. The
Vaughan has successfully managed to build up close relationships
with Rothschild and Schroders. In the past year Rothschild
has sponsored a cup for Speech Day for the “Best GCSE Mathematics
result”, as well as sending in four employees with
specialist knowledge in mathematics to mentor pupils. They
intend to continue these schemes in the future. Members
of Schroders visited the School and gave talks to the second
and third year about the basics of finance, which proved
to be particularly popular. The Brokerage Bank had an employee
give an enlightening talk to the Sixth Form about working
in the City and also ran a workshop for five pupils.
Next year the Vaughan will build upon these existing relationships
and we hope to expand into new areas. We are currently
in discussions with KPMG and Accenture, potential business
links for the future.
The London Central
Education and Business Alliance (LCEBA) organised a scheme
called e-mentoring for the fourth year. The advice offered
by business people to the pupils proved to be extremely
enjoyable and helped increase enthusiasm for the subject
among pupils. Due to its overwhelming success the scheme
will be repeated next year, as well as being expanded so
more years can benefit.
Under the Undergraduate Ambassadors’ Scheme (UAS)
the Vaughan managed to form links with King’s College
and undergraduates in their final year supervised after
school classes focusing on core subjects. We are now developing
links with other colleges, for example Imperial College.
Specialist Schools Trust
Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School has two members of staff
who are leading practitioners in the Specialist Schools
Trust; Mrs Whyte, who is London Network Leader for Mathematics
and Mr Haddaway, who is London Network Leader for Engineering.
The School is registered as a specialist in ICT, and is
noted for its expertise in wireless networking, the use
of ICT in technology and developing e-learning.
Since
becoming a Specialist School the Vaughan has become one
of only 266 schools to be awarded membership to the exclusive
70% club, which is granted to schools who have over 70%
of its pupils receive A*-C in GCSEs. The Vaughan also qualified
for the prestigious Specialist Schools Trust’s “Most
Valued Added School’s Club”. This is reserved
for schools that add a value of 10% or more to its results
between actual GCSE results and that predicted from the
school’s KS2 average point score.
Community Groups
The Vaughan is committed to opening up learning opportunities
to everyone. As a result for the past year it has been
running evening classes aimed at parents who wish to improve
or refresh their mathematics or ICT skills.
Many pupils in the Sixth Form have also helped by joining
Sixty Plus Intergenerational project, which is a scheme
aimed at helping the elderly, for example teaching the
basics of ICT, such as checking an email and using the
internet. These activities not only assist in learning
but enhance community participation.
These projects will be running
throughout the year and are extremely worth while to
get involved with for both pupils and the community.
Not only do they enhance one’s
learning, but also bring together schools with local people
in the community.
For further information on any
of the above please contact Mrs Whyte on 02076038478
or via email at mail@cvms.co.uk.
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