Academic Organisation
Academically, the school is divided into subject areas, each with its own Head of Department, responsible for the
oversight and day-to-day running of that department.
Year 7
On joining the school, pupils are placed into forms, each containing a complete range of ability. Pupils pursue most of
their studies in this group. All pupils study Art, Drama, English, French, Geography, History, Information Technology (ICT),
Mathematics, Music, Skills for Life, Physical Education, Religious Education, Science, Design and Technology.
Year 8
The curriculum remains similar to that already pursued but some pupils proceed to a second language or to Modular Studies.
Year 9
The established curriculum continues. Mid-way through the year, preparations are made for the choice of subjects to be
followed in the Upper School. Careers’ guidance is built into the curriculum at this stage and parents are closely involved
in the choices made.
Years 10 and 11
All pupils take a compulsory core curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education R.E., and I.C.T.
They can choose four other subjects from a wide variety of courses on offer. Currently, these courses are: Art and Design,
Business Studies, Dance, Drama, French, P.E., Geography, German, Health and Social Care, History, Information Systems, Media
Studies, Music, Religious Studies, Spanish and Design and Technology (which involves a variety of courses including Food,
Electronics, Textiles, Graphics and Resistant Materials).
By following this structure, they will take a balanced, broad-based course of study which will not limit career choices
at a later date.
Teaching Groups
In year seven all groups are of mixed ability but, as the child progresses through the school, classes are increasingly
grouped by ability.
Homework
Every pupil is expected to do homework. The amount and nature varies according to age, ability and the type of course
pursued. It includes writing, learning, reading, research and practical work. In September, pupils are provided with their
homework timetable for the year. We know that sometimes parents find it difficult to check homework, particularly if it
involves learning, research or practical work. To help overcome the problem we provide pupils with a pupil organiser in
which they record the content and nature of each homework as well as a lot of other information. In this way we hope to
involve you and enable you to take an active interest in your son or daughter’s work. Your comments in the organiser are
welcome.
Reports
Parents are provided with a written report in each academic year. These reports give a detailed academic and personal
profile and provide a space for you to make comments. You keep the reports and a copy is retained by the school.
Parents’ Evenings
There are consultation evenings. Appointments are made so that you may talk to form tutors and subject teachers.
There is also an extra year 7 parents’ evening in November to help ensure that the pupils have settled in well.
Internal Examinations
There is regular testing throughout the school and annual examinations are usually timetabled to take place before the
issue of reports. The dates of these examinations are fixed well in advance and you are sent details.
Public Examinations
The school enters pupils at the end of year 11 for GCSE examinations. It is our policy to enter all children who have
followed an examination course and satisfied the course criteria.
We have an examination tradition of which we are proud. For many years, the percentage of our pupils achieving five or more
A* to C grades at GCSE has exceeded by a very considerable margin the national and Essex figures.
Careers’ Education
There is a careers room in the school which contains considerable information about a great variety of opportunities –
both at SEEVIC, with which we have particularly close links, and at other local colleges and sixth forms.
Year 9 pupils are counselled about option choices, and careers’ education forms part of Skills for Life in the Upper
School.
Extra Provision
Support is given to children who may be experiencing short or longer term difficulties with particular aspects of school
work. In year 7, such pupils may occasionally be withdrawn from certain lessons to be given concentrated help in small
groups during school time, first thing in the morning or at lunchtime. Thereafter, help is given by extra support teaching
during lessons. A Supportive Studies course is available in the Upper School for a small number of pupils.
Music: A team of Essex County Council peripatetic teachers provide a wide range of instrumental tuition. If you would
like to take advantage of such provision, the Head of Music will provide details.
Languages Educational links have been established with schools in France, Spain and Germany and there are
extra-curricular opportunities for pupils to study Chinese and Italian. As a Language College we aim to offer all pupils the
benefit of experience of life in another country.
Sport Activities
Association and rugby football, hockey, netball, rounders, athletics, cross country running, tennis, table tennis,
cricket, badminton, basketball, volleyball, trampolining, gymnastics and dance are examples of the many sports in which
pupils may participate, regardless of their ability. We are involved in an extensive programme of inter-school games in
which we have an excellent record. We have reached countless county and national finals in recent years – most notably in
athletics, football and cross country. School team matches take place after school and on Saturday mornings.
Our bulging trophy cabinet testifies to the enormous amount of skill and dedication shown by both pupils and teachers and
we are indeed fortunate to have P.E. staff who have given so unstintingly of their time to create an excellent sporting
tradition.
Educational Visits
A full range of excursions and visits is provided. You will be notified of the details in September.
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