WELCOME

About the School Crest

The four Houses of the school are named after the four main holders of the Manor of Stratton:

The Bishops of LINCOLN

The Earls of PEMBROKE

The Knights of COTTON

The Squires of BARNETT

The School Crest symbolises both this rich, historical past and the traditional standards of industry and achievement within a modern environment.

 

The bee to symbolise industry 

The saltire from the arms of the Barnetts 

Three hanks of cotton as are on the arms of the Cotton family  

Sir John Cotton was the grandson of Sir Robert Cotton, who collected the famous Cotton Library.

Sir John presented this to the nation.

When Sir John died in the mid-eighteenth century the Manor of Stratton was bought by the Barnett family.

The Barnetts and Cotton crests are illustrated in the Victoria County History, which is in the school library.

Recent News

   The School Day and Term Dates

 Calendar

Curriculum

We believe that our curriculum structure should:   

•           have the potential to motivate all students 

•           enable students to progress along a variety of pathways 

•           prepare students for future life 

•           reflect the community and prepare students for active citizenship 

•           allow all students to achieve and make real progress in all aspects of

education 

•           allow equality of opportunity

•           be broad, balanced, relevant and differentiated 

Based on these principles, our curriculum planning should enable all students to 

•           achieve the highest academic standards of which they are  capable 

•           develop their character, self-esteem and self-reliance 

•           achieve and exceed the requirements of the National Curriculum to

enrich their educational experience 

•           appreciate the increasing number of lifetime opportunities and

pathways in education and work 

•           develop an appreciation that school is just the first step in a life-long

process of education 

•           enjoy and achieve in work and leisure pursuits; 

And provide opportunities for: 

•           cultural, spiritual and moral development, encouraging respect for

other people's values and beliefs 

•           the development of skills in information technology, communication,

numeracy and decision making 

•           the development of intellectual, social, creative and physical abilities 

•           the development of mutually beneficial partnerships with parents,

industry and commerce and the local community 

•           community involvement, encouraging respect for its values and

the environment

 

Year 9

All students study English, Maths, Science, Agriculture, French/German, History, Geography, Drama, Technology, Games, Art, PSD/Careers, IT, and RE. 

Years 10 and 11

All students study English, Maths, Science, History or Geography, Technology, Games, PSD/Careers, RE, IT plus three option subjects from a list that includes Modern Languages, Art, PE, Business Studies, History, Geography, double Science, Agriculture, Music, Child Development, IT, Travel and Tourism, Study Support, Drama, Dance, Media and Music. 

Many students in Years 9 and 10 are able to follow a GNVQ course in ICT which will lead to the equivalent of two of four GCSE passes at Grades A-C.  This qualification is work related and will enable students to study the course at home and in school outside of lesson times. 

This model offers 7¹/₂ to 9¹/₂ GCSEs, a broad and balanced core, flexibility of option choices and the possibility of a major vocational element.

 A variety of teaching styles is employed, some subjects are setted others are taught in mixed ability groups.  

In the Sixth Form a variety of courses are on offer; but all are, as far as possible, linked to what has been learnt from 14 to 16 so that education from 13 - 18 becomes an integrated whole. 

One year courses include an Intermediate GNVQ course in Business Studies. 

Two year courses include a wide range of  vocational, AVCE, AS level and A2 courses. 

Both one year and two year courses include Key Skills thus adding an extra dimension to 6th Form studies. The social needs of students and education of a more general nature such as thinking about, learning and discussing how our society works and what demands are made of a responsible citizen, are delivered in several ways at Stratton, all of which are closely interconnected.

Features

At Stratton, our curriculum is necessarily constructed around the requirements of the National Curriculum.  Nevertheless there is scope for us to respond to the aspirations of our students, their parents and the community we serve. 

Our curriculum is constantly developing, but the changes are carefully considered and directed towards the needs of our students as they search for their place in the community.  We have recently made significant changes to the Key Stage 4 curriculum, some as a response to Government pronouncements, some to raise achievement and others to enable greater student choice. 

Our students have only one chance for a good education, so we have to get it right first time!  At a time when educational budgets are being cut, we have had to be creative in order to fund the purchase of our extensive new IT facilities.  Whatever the financial position of the school, the governors will always prioritise expenditure which will give our students every advantage when it comes to achieving success and finding employment.      

How The Facilities At Stratton Affect Our Curriculum  

All upper schools in Bedfordshire are well provided with the facilities to deliver the National Curriculum and sixth form education. 

We at Stratton are extremely fortunate in being able to design our curriculum around a unique mix of very high quality provision. 

The Sports hall complex is large and contains a fully equipped fitness suite.  New floodlit tennis courts and multi-use sports area have recently been added. 

The Media studio has full vision and sound editing for use with our video cameras. 

The school 10 acre farm (the only fully working school farm in the county) provides our students with real first-hand experience of animals, horticulture and hand machinery. 

Our computer provision is new, to industry standard and expanding. We now have six fully equipped computer rooms with a further conversion in the pipeline. We are constantly upgrading and fully intend to continue to meet or better the government target of 1 computer for every 7 students.  This is an area in which we are expanding rapidly, both in terms of the hardware made available to our students and in the integration of IT usage in all subject areas.  To assist this expansion, we have equipped our computer suites with a range of colour printers, laser printers and scanners. 

The Technology suite is exceptionally well equipped due to winning a large government grant which allowed complete modernisation to a very high standard.  This has been further enhanced by new ICT facilities. 

Six of our Science laboratories have been completely refurbished to the very highest standards of fixtures and fittings and the Art Department facilities have been upgraded with new digital imaging technology.

DEPARTMENTS

• To be a successful learning organisation with a commitment to the continuous development of all our students, staff and resources
• To foster positive relationships within the school and the community, to encourage self-esteem, dignity and respect for others
• To provide a curriculum, facilities and resources which enable every individual to develop to her/his full potential and become a valuable member of society
• To exploit the unique nature of Stratton School to achieve personal excellence for all
• To provide a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment in which everyone can work in harmony and with purpose

• Respect, tolerance, openness, honesty and trust must pervade our relationships with one another
• As professionals we are constantly seeking to improve our service to our students and the community. The whole community is involved in and can have a say in our search for continuous improvement
• We value all of our students and believe that they have the potential to succeed
• A good teacher has high expectations of his/her students. A good manager has high expectations of his/her colleagues
• Our actions, as well as our words, will show our commitment to raise the self-esteem of everyone who works here
• We believe that our hard work will make a difference to the lives of those we seek to educate.