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| The Astley Cooper School | |
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| Motto | Prepared for Learning, Prepared for Life |
| Established | 1967, 1984 |
| Type | Comprehensive |
| Religious affiliation | Non-denominational |
| Headteacher | Mrs Anne Smithers |
| Deputy Headteacher | Mr Stuart Plunket |
| Chair of Governing Body | Sara House |
| Specialism | Arts College |
| Location | St Agnells Lane Hemel Hempstead Hertfordshire HP2 7HL England |
| LEA | Hertfordshire |
| Ofsted number | 117552 |
| Students | 781 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11 to 18 |
| School colours | Burgundy, White and Sky Blue |
| Precursor | Grove Hill School |
| Precursor | Highfield School |
| Website | Official website |
| Coordinates: | |
The Astley Cooper School is an 11-18 comprehensive school on the edge of Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire. It was established in 1984 following a merger of two local schools, Grove Hill School and Highfield School. It occupies the former Grove Hill site on St Agnells Lane. The former Highfield site, on Fletcher Way, was redeveloped for housing.1 The school primarily serves the Grovehill, Woodhall Farm and Highfield neighbourhoods of Hemel Hempstead.
The school is named after Sir Astley Cooper, an English surgeon and anatomist. The school celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2007.2
The school works in consortium with two neighbouring schools, Adeyfield and Longdean, to enhance post-16 provision. Staff development and well-being is also coordinated at consortium level. The consortium is known as the East Dacorum Partnership.3
The current headteacher is Anne Smithers. Stuart Plunket is the current deputy-head.
The school motto and mission statement is "Prepared for Learning, Prepared for Life".
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Achievements and recognition
The school was awarded specialist school status for the arts4 and has been awarded Artsmark Gold by Arts Council England. The school is a member of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.
The school has also been awarded the Sportsmark by Sport England as a reward for delivery of the national PE, School Sports and Club Links Strategy. The school has implemented the Football Association's Charter Standard for Schools for football development.5
The school has been recognised by Investors in People.
Site and facilities
The school occupies an extensive site in the Grovehill area of Hemel Hempstead.6 The school has well-maintained and equipped teaching rooms including laboratories, ICT suites, workshops, a food technology kitchen and a well-stocked and resourced library. Most teaching rooms are equipped with an interactive whiteboard which has greatly benefited teaching and learning.
The award of Arts College status and its associated funding has allowed the school to greatly improve facilities to enhance students' learning. These new facilities include a high-specification iMac suite and newly equipped art studios, a high-quality dance studio and a new drama studio. The sound capabilities of the main auditorium have been improved allowing it to be used for concerts and shows. The school has also developed art workshops with emerging artist Jane Hodgson centered around the theme of arts and ecology.7
The school also boasts a digital recording studio, photography suite, Zen garden, organic vegetable allotment and a post-16 independent learning area. The school has ample playing fields and sport facilities consist of a well-proportioned gymnasium, basketball courts, a fitness suite and a swimming pool. All of these facilities are available for use as teaching spaces and for student and community use. The school participates in the Dacorum Sports Partnership, an umbrella organisation for sports organisations in Dacorum.
Curriculum
The school is an 11-18 comprehensive secondary school welcoming learners of all abilities and many talents. The school follows the National Curriculum programme of study for core and foundation subjects. Students are encouraged to develop as learners and are prepared for GCSE, GNVQ and BTEC qualifications. Participation in a wider consortium allows students to have access to a wide range of post-16 learning opportunities such as AS Level and A Level courses, GNVQ courses and vocational courses.
The school prides itself on its caring approach to education where student wellbeing is supported by a well-structured pastoral support system and a dedicated additional learning needs team.
The school's extra-curricular opportunities allow most of the students to be able to participate in art, music, drama, dance and creative writing clubs alongside many sporting activities.
The school offers arts courses to parents and to the wider community. Present courses include life drawing, digital imaging and photography and air brush for beginners.8 The life drawing course is led by the contemporary figurative artist Susan James Dean.9
Uniform
The school introduced a new school uniform in September 2008, it consists of a black blazer with the school logo, a white shirt worn with a burgundy and light blue necktie and black trousers. Black shoes must be warn with the uniform, trainers are not permitted. Students in years 8-11 may continue to wear the previous uniform, which includes a burgundy school sweatshirt and white polo shirt. Optional uniform items are also available including a burgundy rain coat, sports polo shirt, specific sports strips and tracksuits. Uniform items are only available directly from the school.
Visiting Authors Initiative
The school has a well established Visiting Authors Initiative where best selling authors are invited to speak at the school. These sessions are followed by a public book signing (in partnership with Waterstone's) and special workshops for English gifted and talented students. The aims of the sessions are to encourage young people, both at the school and in the wider community, to read more and to become engaged in creative writing. Students and members of the public are given opportunities to question the authors and to receive critiques of their works. Authors who have taken part in the Visiting Authors Initiative include:10
- Frederick Forsyth
- Jodi Picoult
- Sophie Hannah
- Joanne Harris
- Mark Billingham
- Michael Dobbs
- Aidan Chambers
- Elizabeth Buchan
- Peter James
The visit by Joanne Harris was featured as an article in the Times Educational Supplement.11
Wind turbines
The school was the first in Hertfordshire to install energy saving wind turbines.12 They will generate around 13,500 kWh of electricity every year and cut the buildings’ carbon emissions by nearly six tonnes each year. Over the 25 year life of the turbines, they will displace 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
The school has also invested in a web-based monitoring system that will show students how much energy the turbines are generating, along with data on the amount of carbon dioxide being offset.13
External links
References
- ^ Hemelhempstead Today: News, Sport, Jobs, Property, Cars, Entertainments & More
- ^ 'Social reform, an educational experiment' 40 years on school is celebrating success - Hemelhempstead Today
- ^ Adeyfield School - Sixth Form
- ^ http://www.standards.dfes.gov.uk/specialistschools/excel/ArtsJuly2006.xls?version=1
- ^ http://www.thefa.com/NR/rdonlyres/3E34AD40-CA46-4BA8-BF7C-B2E40D1B2E7A/80412/AllSchool0703.xls
- ^ Google Maps
- ^ workshops
- ^ http://www.astleycooper.herts.sch.uk/_files/events/adult_leaflet_jan_08.pdf
- ^ Susan james dean - contemporary figurative artist
- ^ Astley Cooper School
- ^ TES - Teaching jobs, resources & ideas from the Times Educational Supplement
- ^ SEA - Wind - Installations - 6kw at Astley Cooper School
- ^ Energy Dashboard
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 6 September 2008, at 12:06.
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