R e s p e c t • R e s p o n s i b i l i t y • R e s i l i e n c e The Astley Cooper School
The Astley Cooper School Most pupils enjoy school and get on well with each other. They know they are expected to work hard. The positive relationships they form with school staff, including in the sixth form, are a strong feature of the day-to-day life in the school. Ofsted November 2021 Welcome I am proud to welcome you to The Astley Cooper School, an 11-18 school on the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead. Our vision is to ensure that when students leave, they have become successful, well rounded and confident individuals prepared to succeed in the modern world. This is an exciting time in the history of the school. We have successfully moved into our new, state-of-the-art building where students will be able to experience fun, interactive and engaging learning activities. This new learning environment will enhance the learning for all students and help them to continue to feel happy, safe and valued as an integral part of our school community as they are encouraged and supported to achieve their academic potential. We are a good school, one that is inclusive and ambitious for all our students. I firmly believe the partnership between parents and school is crucial in ensuring students are hardworking and committed to being exceptional members of the school and local community. Our staff are dedicated and passionate about providing the best opportunities for all students. Our core values of Respect, Responsibility and Resilience underpin our curriculum and run through everything we do here at The Astley Cooper School. I would welcome you to come and visit us to see the school in action and we look forward to welcoming you into The Astley Cooper family. Sam Orsborne Headteacher
When I first joined I was very nervous to talk to people but then I made some friends and it was really nice to get to know people as they are friendly here. I like that my teachers pushme to domy best, the teachers help you and explain the work until you understand it. Year 9 Student
Opportunities At The Astley Cooper School we believe that all students should be treated equally and given access to a wealth of opportunities available to them. We ensure that all students have opportunities to: • Develop lively, imaginative and enquiring minds and the ability to question and debate rationally • Apply themselves to extended tasks and take responsibility for their own learning • Acquire understanding, knowledge and skills relevant to adult life and employment in a rapidly changing world • Use language and numbers effectively My experience at Astley Cooper Sixth Formhas been an unforgettable one. With the support of experienced teachers, it has allowedme to achieve things that I never thought possible. The space in the new build has given us more independence, to focus on our work and future aspirations. Sixth Form Student The Astley Cooper School
• Develop personal moral values, respect for other cultures, religions and ways of life • Appreciate human achievements and aspirations • Develop physical and artistic skills • Develop a concern for the environment and an understanding of the world in which they live and the interdependence of individuals, groups and nations • Take their place in modern Britain in an informed, positive and active way
Leaders have ensured that there is a strong focus on pupils’ mental health and wellbeing. Individual differences are celebrated. This ethos is promoted across the school and in the curriculum. Ofsted November 2021 The Astley Cooper School Years 7, 8 and 9 Our curriculum is created using our core values based on: Respect • We value difference • Treating everyone within our school community and beyond with respect • Being thoughtful and kind • Caring for our school environment Responsibility • We own our outcomes • Doing our best • Fulfilling our potential • Positively impacting others Resilience • We go again • Keep going when things are difficult • Learning from adversity • Seeing opportunities when facing challenges In our Key Stage 3 programme, we offer a broad and balanced curriculum which consists of the core subjects (English, Mathematics and Science) and the foundation subjects: Art, Computer Science, Design Technology, Geography, History, a Modern Foreign Language, Music, Physical Education, Religious Education and PAL (Preparation for Adult Life), Drama, Dance and Food Studies.
Years 10 and 11 FromYear 10, as students embark upon courses leading to GCSE, BTEC and other qualifications, we provide an opportunity to choose study programmes. New courses are introduced in Year 10 which enable students to concentrate on areas of the curriculum where they may have a particular interest or strength. There is a core element to studies at Key Stage 4. The subjects include English, Mathematics, Science, Computer Science, Geography, History, Core PE, PAL (Preparation for Adult Life) and RE. Our range of options include: • Art • Business • Dance • Drama • Film Studies • Music • Production Arts • Design & Technology • Spanish
Personal Development We believe that the opportunity to experience new activities outside the curriculum enriches the quality of education at The Astley Cooper. Extra-curricular activities build character, realise potential, promote a sense of community and culture, and present new challenges for students of all abilities and ages. The school has a strong reputation for its work in the arts. Our dance company, ACDC, regularly participates in local and national competitions. The Art department produces an annual exhibition and students have a number of opportunities to work with professional artists in a wide range of disciplines. Leaders have continued to raise aspirations for Astley Cooper pupils and for students in the sixth form. Ofsted November 2021 The Astley Cooper School
The Astley Cooper School offers The Duke of Edinburgh Award to students in Years 9, 10 and 12. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a non-competitive opportunity for our students to set challenges for themselves and contribute to wider society through the four sections of the programme: Skills, Volunteering, Physical and Expedition. There are three stages to the programme. When completed successfully, students are awarded a Bronze Award. They can continue with the programme to achieve a Silver Award and a Gold award. Through participation in the programme, students will build traits such as confidence, self-esteem and resilience. They will develop essential skills such as teamwork, communication and problem solving, which will benefit students not only in their education, but in their life beyond school. The expedition, an adventurous journey where they hike and camp in the wilderness as a team, is an experience they will never forget. Throughout the year we provide a number of extra-curricular opportunities. The PE department runs a successful sports day as well as a range of teams, which are entered into District and County competitions. We run an annual residential PE trip where students take part in a variety of outdoor and adventurous activities. The PE department is committed to supporting various local and national charities.
The Sixth Form We are very proud of our Sixth Form and the individualised approach that we offer to our students. Sixth Form education provides a transition between compulsory education and higher education, training or employment. Students are encouraged to achieve academic success while also developing as individuals and preparing for their future choice of employment. We pride ourselves on our individual support of students so that they can make the best possible use of their time in the Sixth Form, and use this as a springboard to even greater success in the future. We are able to offer an exciting and diverse curriculum to deliver combinations tailored to individual needs. All our courses have specific entry requirements which can be found in the application pack on our school website. Sixth Form study is both challenging and rewarding. Students are supported in taking more responsibility for their learning and are expected to undertake individual study outside of lessons. It is essential that students are committed to their learning to achieve greatly, so they are able to move on to higher education or into a career. They are encouraged to make full use of the school’s excellent ICT facilities, including a dedicated Sixth Form study area. We believe life in the Sixth Form is more than just gaining qualifications, it’s about personal development and leadership opportunities. Pupils and students in the sixth formare taught how to keep safe in different situations. They understand the importance of protecting both their physical and mental health. In taking on leadership roles, such as acting as ambassadors andmentors, they make a valuable contribution to the wider school community. Opportunities for after-school and lunchtime clubs are on offer again this year. Ofsted 2021 The Astley Cooper School
My child has just started in Year 7, but I can already see the dedication, hard work and support that goes into creating a wonderful and positive partnership between the school, students and families. Year 7 Parent
The Astley Cooper School St Agnells Lane Hemel Hempstead HP2 7HL telephone: 01442 394 141 email: admin@astleycooper.herts.sch.uk follow us on Twitter: @Astley_Cooper www.astleycooper.herts.sch.uk
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