Meridian School prospectus 2015

SUCCESSFULPERSONALISEDPASSIONATESUPPORTIVECOMMUNITY SPIRITEDCOMPETITIVECELEBRATORY MERIDIAN SCHOOL PROSPECTUS

ABOUT OUR SCHOOL About Meridian School Meridian has a privileged position within Royston. We are the only school in the town for students aged 13 – 18 and because of that clear responsibility to the town, we ensure that students receive an excellent education. Together with Roysia and Greneway Middle Schools, Meridian is part of The Royston Schools Academy Trust, which was formed in November 2011. All three of our schools are graded ‘Good’ by Ofsted and the aim of the federation is to offer an outstanding education to every child who attends one of our schools. To achieve this, every student will be well taught by well trained and well supported teachers in schools with good resourcing and excellent opportunities. The Academy Trust aims to lead our three schools to even greater success. We aim to increase the educational opportunities for all in our schools, to ensure that students leave well equipped for their future economic well-being and to play a responsible role in society. The Academy is pledged to make each of its schools more successful by fusing their individual strengths, whilst at the same time preserving their well-regarded identities. “ Students behave in a polite and mature manner. They have good attitudes to learning and want to succeed.” Ofsted 2015

WELCOME Mission Statement SUCCESSFUL Maximising Achievement : Maximising Opportunity PERSONALISED “ The school works well with its partner middle PASSIONATE schools to ensure that students experience a SUPPORTIVE smooth and successful transition into the school.” COMMUNITY SPIRITED Ofsted 2015 COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORY Welcome to Meridian School On behalf of the Governing Body, staff and students of Meridian, I want to share with you what makes our school so special. For almost 50 years, the school has served the needs of students in Royston and it is no coincidence that the school vision ‘Maximising Achievement : Maximising Opportunity’ complements the Royston motto of ‘From Good to Better’. Meridian – like Royston – is an aspirational community. A school can only achieve well if the staff and students are committed to success, ably supported by an ambitious governing body. The considerable academic progress of recent years is down to all students and all staff being challenged to do their best. This challenge is built upon the seven school pillars of a Meridian education – which is to be: Successful Personalised Passionate Supportive Community Spirited Competitive Celebratory and we keep these in mind in everything we do. I am enormously proud of Meridian and the important role it plays in forming the next generation of decent, responsible citizens. Welcome to our prospectus. Dr Michael Firth Headteacher

SUCCESSFUL All groups of students made good and, in some subjects, outstanding progress from their starting points and the most able students attain higher standards than similar students nationally. Ofsted 2015

SUCCESSFUL PERSONALISED PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORYSuccessfulA significant feature of Meridian in the last few years has beenits rapidly improving performance in exam results, achieved bythe relentless pursuit of improving the quality of teaching andlearning.Significant investment in sport has resulted in a muchexpanded curriculum and a comprehensive extra-curricularPE programme. Every student joining the school is involved insports leadership.Performing Arts continues to hold an enviable regionalreputation with outstanding quality, depth and breadth ofperformance along with incredibly high participation rates.Students are given opportunities to be successful in a widerange of activities for such a small but ambitious school – thevery popular Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is a goodexample of this.

PERSONALISED “ New tracking systems have been introduced to check on the progress of every student. The information is used to identify any students not meeting their targets and provide them with additional support.” Ofsted 2015

“ The curriculum is well-planned and SUCCESSFUL offers students a good balance of academic and work-related courses.” PERSONALISED Ofsted 2015 PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORY Personalised We believe it is extremely important to provide each individual student with a curriculum which is appropriate for them. It is vital that every student is challenged sufficiently and set clear, achievable targets. We ensure that we are as flexible as possible, providing: At KS4  a purely GCSE based course or  a predominantly GCSE based course, alongside more vocational options At Post 16  an appropriate combination of AS, A Level or more practical courses All students receive one to one mentoring. This ensures that progress is monitored, targets for improvement are set and intervention and support is in place when necessary. All students’ behaviour, whether positive or negative, is recorded within our points-based, online system. This enables quick personal rewards and also feeds into the school’s house competition. As well as dealing with incidents of misbehaviour, it is paramount that we recognise all students who consistently behave well and work hard.

PASSIONATE

SUCCESSFUL PERSONALISED PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORYPassionateWe are passionate about our school and our focus is clear: toensure that our students have the best possible opportunity tosucceed. This passion is communicated in our teaching and inour commitment to student progress.It is this passion for learning – for wanting to ensure that weprovide our students with access to the very best – that meanswe continually seek ways to improve teaching and learning.Through leading by example, being passionate and positive, wecreate a culture of mutual respect in which every student thrivesand has the opportunity to maximise their potential. “ Especially notable is the outstanding culture of aspiration throughout most sixth form classes.” Ofsted 2015

SUPPORTIVE

“ Students are polite and well mannered. They show respect SUCCESSFUL towards each other and towards adults. As a visitor I was made to feel welcome.” PERSONALISED Parent visitor PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORY Supportive We work in a culture of support, whilst allowing students to develop responsibility and independence. The vertical tutor group system ensures that students benefit from the support of form tutors, but also from older students and their Senior Tutor. Classroom teachers and Heads of Department will support each student in any way they can. We encourage a close working partnership with parents and carers, to help ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of all that we do. There is support and provision for students when they experience difficult times. We always make sure they know where they can go for help and support. We give students the power to lead We are excited about giving students the opportunity to take a leadership role in their House, as a Sports Leader or Subject Leader or as a Senior Prefect. The Head Boy and Head Girl meet regularly with the Head and serve on the Governing Body. “ The school’s work to keep students safe and secure is good. Students and their parents agree.” Ofsted 2015

COMMUNITY SPIRITED

“ I have enjoyed the ‘family’ feel SUCCESSFUL within the House and Tutor Group.” PERSONALISED Year 10 student PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORY Community Spirited We give to and learn from the community; locally, nationally and globally. At Meridian, students develop their awareness of the needs of others. Students select the charities that the school supports. In recent years, we have raised money for: Comic Relief, Children in Need, RNLI, Teenage Cancer Trust, Sport Relief and Cancer Research, amongst others. We encourage voluntary work in the local community in the 6th Form and through the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme which can be followed in any year group. All children in neighbouring first schools and those in our partner middle schools have the opportunity to work with students at Meridian. They develop new skills, and gain confidence in areas such as Mathematics, ICT, PE, Drama and Music through collaborative activities. “ My children benefited from a wide range of enrichment activities, such as participation in the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.” Year 10 parent

COMPETITIVE

SUCCESSFUL PERSONALISED PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORYCompetitiveMeridian students thrive on competition, both within the schooland further afield.Sport is hugely important to us, teaching valuable life skills suchas team work and how to deal with success and failure.We compete in other areas too – for example Business, Maths,the Sciences and Technology. Taking part in competitions suchas the Biology Olympiad, the Chemistry Analysts’ Competition,Fantasy Stockmarket and Dragons’ Den stretches andstimulates students.

CELEBRATORY “ Everyone is encouraged to do the best they can, not just in lessons – the school productions too, for example!” Year 11 student

“ Students have very positive attitudes, SUCCESSFUL behave well and aspire to achieve.” PERSONALISED Ofsted 2015 PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORY Celebratory At Meridian, we are proud to celebrate the achievements of our students. We believe it is vital and in keeping with the school ethos to celebrate success. A significant date in our calendar is Presentation Evening, at which GCSE, A Level and other certificates are presented to students, along with prizes for academic performance and outstanding effort and achievement within our community. On top of this, we always aim to recognise success throughout the school year, for example through letters, Head’s Commendations, assemblies, public performances and displays, the school magazine, Twitter and the local press.

A SNAPSHOT OF OUR YEAR

SUCCESSFULPERSONALISEDPASSIONATESUPPORTIVECOMMUNITY SPIRITEDCOMPETITIVECELEBRATORYMERIDIANWHERE LEARNINGIS THE FOCUS

MERIDIAN SCHOOL PROSPECTUSThe Meridian School Garden Walk Royston Hertfordshire SG8 7JH t: 01763 242236 f: 01763 245749 e: [email protected] www.meridian.herts.sch.uk SUCCESSFUL PERSONALISED PASSIONATE SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY SPIRITED COMPETITIVE CELEBRATORY