Redditch is in Worcestershire and was designated as a New Town during the 1960s. The current population is around 77,000. Arrow Vale High School is situated on the eastern edge of the town and opened in 1979. It is a friendly community high school that has come a long way from its early beginnings and now caters for some 712 students aged 13 to 18.
The school is situated on a spacious and attractive site, surrounded by its own playing fields and a natural woodland area. We have shared used of the sports centre next door. Our facilities include excellent sport facilities, a professional standard theatre with dedicated projection facilities and seating 200; Learning Resource Centre, Dance Studio, Hairdressing Salon, Construction Area. The school is currently benefiting from a £1.5 million refurbishment. Improvements have included an upgrade to 13 IT suites and a new dedicated Sixth Form facility which includes a dedicated IT area. We now have the best computer to student ratio in the County.
We have a well-qualified staff body and supportive Governors and parents. Our site is well maintained and we have an improving local reputation. Our 5 A*-C results improved to 46% in 2007 and in 2008 were 42%.
Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum at all stages. Students join us in Year 9 and take all the core and foundation subjects. From September 2007 they have the ability to opt for work-related courses including, Hairdressing, Hospitality and Construction. After a major review we have introduced a totally revised Key Stage 4 curriculum for September 2007. This allows students to have more time on a smaller number of options, ensuring a higher quality experience. Courses include traditional GCSEs as well as a range of BTECs at Levels 1 and 2. In addition work-related courses with work placements, e.g. Hairdressing and Childcare are available. Over the next two years we anticipate that our 5 A*-C will rise to over 60%. In years 12 and 13, students are able to follow both traditional A-Level and BTEC courses.
We work hard to support students with Special Needs, both learning and behavioural. We are currently developing provision mapping to support students across the school.
Personal and Social Education is supported through a discreet course as well as special events for particular cohorts at crucial times. Our Aim Higher programmes support students in Years 9 and 10 to visit local universities. Year 10 have a week’s work experience and Year 11 have a ‘Prom’ after their examinations have finished. Post-16 students have a range of enrichment opportunities which include arranging events to support local and national charities through a range of fundraising activities.
The school was the first in Worcestershire to be designated as a Sports College. We are approaching our second re-designation. Specialist status gives an enhanced capacity to deliver high quality educational opportunities to our students. In particular it has allowed us to work with our partner middle and first schools to enhance sporting opportunities. It also provides opportunities for our students to work as young leaders. The Duke of Edinburgh Award is offered at all levels from Year 9 to Year 13. A number of our students now train as Expedition Leaders through the BELA award.
Arrow Vale is also the base for the Redditch Schools Sports Partnership. This partnership is working with all 40+ schools, sports clubs and communities in Redditch to increase and enhance their PE & School Sport opportunities for all young people.
ICT is central to how student-centred learning is developing at Arrow Vale. Our ICT facilities have developed hugely over the last two years. We now have 13 IT suites and over 460 computers available for student use. All classrooms have a desktop computer and a digital projector. There are 20 interactive whiteboards throughout the school allowing lessons to be delivered using the latest multimedia technology and software interactivity. When ICT suites are not timetabled, they are available for use by other departments and can be booked through the web portal. A Virtual Private Network which allows both staff and students to remotely access their network area has been developed and an excellent bank of resources is available. Staff training is a high priority with regular training sessions provided by the excellent ICT support team. The school’s management system for Attendance, Assessment and Monitoring is integrated through CMIS.
The school has radically restructured in the last year and now has three houses consisting of a variety of single year group tutor groups. Each house is led by a non-teaching Head of House, supported by a Lead Tutor. An Assistant Headteacher and Senior Pastoral Manager oversee pastoral support.
Student progress is reviewed termly against targets. Key Assessments have been introduced on a termly basis for all year groups, which facilitates tracking. There is a lively and active Student Forum with representatives from all years which meet regularly. We work closely with a range of Local Authority support services to provide the most appropriate support for our students.
Our students are the centre of what we do. They are lively and good-natured and want to be taught by caring, dedicated, hardworking teachers who will bring out the best in them. Their achievement is improvement and we are committed to ensuring this continues. Our prime mission is to improve their achievement through high quality teaching and learning. They support the school community through their roles as technicians, prefects, School Forum and School Council.
