During the last two years, Carterton Community College has had significant changes due to their own investment. While visitors will see improvements and developments being made to the site and buildings, there are other important changes which might be less visible.
“Pupils fully invest in the school” (Ofsted, 2022)
The season of Open Evenings and Open mornings are behind us, but we continue to welcome families to visit our school prior to making their applications. Families will be met by a member of our school leadership team and our transition lead, but most of their time with us will be spent touring the school with Key Stage 3 student ambassadors who will share their experiences of school with parents and their children. Our students are our greatest ambassadors, and as Ofsted reported they speak “happily about their experiences of school” (Ofsted 2022). These experiences have increased and continue to expand.
Curriculum Investment
We’ve expanded, and continue to expand the curriculum, introducing Spanish and Drama in Key Stage 3 this year. At Key Stage 4, we have introduced Computer Science, Drama and Music GCSEs and plans are already in place to expand our Key Stage 4 offer next year with additional creative and technical subjects.
Our 2022 Sixth Form is the largest it has ever been. An agile curriculum means that 50% of our Year 11 students continued into Sixth Form and we welcomed record numbers from other schools. Ofsted noted that, “the curriculum prepares students well for the future” and that “students in Sixth Form make good progress” (Ofsted, 2022): our investment in an expanded post-16 offer means our students will enjoy an even wider choice of destinations.
Investing In Students’ Futures
Imagining their future can be a challenge for young people. Quite rightly, much emphasis is placed on students’ examination achievements, but alongside these, developing students’ character is an integral part of our purpose and principles and values. We are a Duke of Edinburgh licensed provider: offering bronze, silver, and gold awards. We invest a lot of time in our careers, advice, and guidance, from Year 7 through to Year 13, which includes work experience opportunities, employer visits and strong STEM links with RAF BZN. We’ve excellent links with local businesses and further education colleges and apprenticeship providers which means our Careers Fair on 26 January 2023 will be a vibrant and horizon-widening event which will help them imagine ambitious futures and aspire to reach their potential.
