THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY The College is divided into Year Groups Years 7 and 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13. The Sixth Form enjoy a well equipped Common Room, Study Room and ICT facilities in a designated Sixth Form building. We provide a 21st Century learning environment with independent learning facilities and an innovative CAD/CAM centre in Technology. Completed projects also include the Jack Petchey Community Learning Centre, named after one of the College’s major sponsors. This provides an ICT rich environment for community partners, parents and students during the day and in the evenings. Science laboratories and Food Technology classrooms have been refurbished and upgraded and significant investment will continue to expand ICT facilities across the campus. Further development of our ICT resources include the installation of interactive whiteboards and data projectors, using latest educational interactive software in core subject areas. Our Mathematics and English Departments are now equipped to use a state-of-the-art learning software. We fully intend to establish ourselves as an ‘anytime/anywhere’ learning community through continued investment in site development, ICT and further improvement for the learning environment. THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT The College’s teaching accommodation is arranged in seven buildings, many of which are of recent construction or newly refurbished. In recent years £4,000,000 has been invested in our new building and refurbishment programme, including a new Arts building, two additional ICT suites, Science laboratories, and a new wing for Technology and Business Studies. The Specialist College Capital Project has transformed Technology teaching areas and interactive learning facilities notably in Science, ICT and Mathematics. Rooms are grouped largely by subject. The expanse of classroom space and learning areas contributes to the positive learning atmosphere in the College. We anticipate that the new technologies will make our teaching spaces more open and flexible environments, creating a campus for learning with ‘any time, anywhere’ access as the norm for learners. Through the use of these technologies our learners will not be constrained only to work on the campus, having access to the College’s learning resources via remote access at home, in a library or other internet access point.

Students now have greater choice and flexibility and thus more opportunities for success. Students have the option of taking applied GCSE’s as well as starting GCSE’s early. Modern Languages include French, German, Spanish, Russian and Italian. Students are offered link college courses in such as Electrical Installation, Construction, Health and Beauty, Motor Vehicle Engineering and Agricultural Science. A new ICT course, DIDA, is taught alongside CIDA at 14+ and 16+. Together with separate science courses in Physics, Chemistry and Biology, the new double award in Science for the 21st Century, accelerated courses in ICT, NVQ Catering, the addition of GCSE Statistics for talented Maths candidates and Media Studies at GCSE, increase opportunities for success and support higher levels of attainment for all students. What makes our Maths, Science and Technology Curriculums different? Technology · Key Stage 3 carousel of projects in year 7 and 8. Students choose 1 material area to concentrate in for years 9 to 11. · In the future the most able students will complete AS modules in product design in year 11 rather than the Design Technology GCSE. Science · Year 7 and 8 all study the Key Stage 3 programme of study. In year 9 they finish Key Stage 3 and prepare for the SATS. However the most able students also start studying for separate GCSE’s in Biology, Physics and Chemistry which they continue in year 10 and 11. · Students in year 10 and 11 not studying GCSE’s in separate sciences will study the Science for the 21st Century course This is worth two GCSEs. Maths · The most able students at Key Stage 4 study the conventional Maths GCSE and also a second GCSE in statistics. The Community Partner Schools Science · Deliver INSET on the use of ICT in Science teaching and on teaching and assessment strategies. · Support the teaching of Scientific Enquiry in partner schools. · Develop extension activities for the most able Scientists. Partner Schools Technology · Devise and Implement a Certificate in Core Skills in Technology to use in all our partner primary schools in Key Stages 1 and 2. Use this as a tool to raise the quality of teaching and learning in Technology in our partner schools. Co-Curricular · There will be a programme of visits and guest speakers to enrich the Science and Technology Curriculum. · A program of entry into National Competitions in Maths, Science and Technology. · Links between the College and Higher Education are good and growing. · Surgeries support sessions and revision classes to support Key Stage 4 and 5. Religious Education is taught in accordance with the guidelines of The Essex Agreed Syllabus. Religious Education is taught as a separate subject in Years 7 to 11. In Years 7 to 8 students study the beliefs, practices and customs of discrete religions. About half of curriculum time is devoted to different aspects of Christianity. Students also learn about Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism. From Year 9 all students study a series of social and ethical issues, which is accredited through the short course Philosophy and Ethics GCSE. Students can also opt to follow a full GCSE in Philosophy and Ethics. In Year 12 and 13 students have the opportunity to explore their beliefs and values through General Studies. The department also offers Philosophy and Ethics as AS and A level courses. The Essex Agreed Syllabus has been drawn up after full consultation with representatives of all the major religions, including Humanism. Parents of students who, nevertheless, have sincerely held religious or philosophical objections to the R.E. syllabus should contact the Headteacher, to discuss these. Arrangements can be made to withdraw students from R.E. lessons. SEX EDUCATION The Governing Body has agreed that sex education should be part of the overall College curriculum and carried out, not only in Science as part of the study of the human body, but also within the Personal, Social and Health Education Programme which takes place during Enrichment days and Tutorial time. The teaching of sex education is not planned in isolation, but rather is regarded as an integrated part of the Enrichment Programme which deals with personal relationships, family life and the moral and social aspects of responsibility and decision making. All material used in the programme is reviewed regularly and is available to both Governors and Parents.

There is a range of enrichment activities offered at the College both on and off site. Every area of the College offers a number of activities, examples which have been offered include: Aerobics Art Athletics Badminton Basketball Bible Study Group Book Club Choir Clarinet Group College Production Cricket Cross Country Dance Drama Clubs Duke of Edinburgh Awards Enrichment Essay Clinic Food Technology Club Foreign Exchanges Football Club FYI Games Club GCSE Support Club Girls’ Football Girls’ Computer Club Guitar Club Gymnastics Club Hockey Club Homework Club Information Technology Workshops Japanese Club Junior Choir Junior Sports Leader Languages Club Maths Club (Homework or Revision) Netball Club Orchestra Paired Reading Public Speaking Reading Club Rounders Club Rugby Club Russian Club Science Club Singing Group Science Masterclasses Ski Trip Soccer Stamp Club Successmaker Technology Club Tennis Textiles Club (Years 10 and 11) Theatre Trips Trampolining University Visits Volleyball Young Enterprise DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD, ASDAN AWARD, JUNIOR AND COMMUNITY SPORTS LEADER AWARD AND CREST AWARD are all available as part of the curriculum and enrichment provision

Our College Uniform policy relies on the support of parents. The ‘contract’ between the College and the parents, makes it clear that parents are obliged to provide the required College uniform. All items, with the exception of shoes, overcoats and bags MUST BE purchased from the College Shop. All students are required to wear the regulation PE kit for PE and Sports which must be purchased from the College Shop. BOYS ¨ College dark navy blue suit ¨ College tie ¨ Blue and white striped shirt (long or short sleeved) ¨ Navy blue V neck sweater with logo (optional) ¨ Navy blue/black plain socks GIRLS ¨ College dark navy blue suit (tailored jacket with pleated kilt) worn at the knee with neutral tights or navy blue ankle socks ¨ Blue and white striped blouse (long or shirt sleeved) ¨ Navy blue V neck sweater with logo (optional) ¨ These items must be purchased from the College Shop. If parents buy trousers or shirts elsewhere, the College reserves the right to send children home if the item purchased elsewhere does not match our regulation uniform especially in colours. Boys’ and Girls’ Shoes Shoes must be plain black and leather and must not come beyond the bottom of the ankle. Boots of any kind are not allowed. Only flat heels are allowed. Heels over 2cm at the highest point are not allowed. No platforms, sandals, trainers, fashion, 'Kickers' or patent leather shoes are allowed. Shoes must conform to one of the designs shown in the College Uniform Brochure. P.E. Kit All students are required to wear the regulation P.E. kit for P.E. and Sports. All P.E. clothing must be purchased from the College Shop. The College has a ‘corporate’ track suit which can be purchased as an optional item of uniform. Bags Students will need a large plain navy blue or black bag in which to carry their College books and materials. NO logos are allowed. Socks: 'Slouch' socks and over the knee socks are not allowed. Hair: A student’s haircut is a very important part of their presentation. The College will not accept students having extreme haircuts, e.g. patterns shaved into the hair, shaved hair less than a grade 2 etc. Colour change can be made as long as it is natural, i.e. all over and within normal colour boundaries. Subtle highlights are acceptable. Students possessing extreme haircuts will not be permitted into lessons. Hair bands must be blue or black. Make-up: Discreet make-up is allowed from Year 10 only. Jewellery: Students are allowed to wear one stud in each ear lobe, a watch and one small signet ring. Earrings, necklaces, bracelets etc. are not allowed. No other jewellery is permitted especially nose studs. There should be no visible piercing or tattoos. This list is for illustrative purposes only and in the end the College will decide what is acceptable uniform, not the students or parents. A full colour brochure is available showing pictures and giving details of correct College uniform. Students not in full College uniform may not be allowed into lessons and may be sent home to change if their apperance is considered to be inappropriate.