Shaftesbury School Prospectus

Shaftesbury SchoolAspiration Action Achievement

01 Shaftesbury School

Head’s WelcomeShaftesbury School is an amazing place to learn and develop as a young person; it is a fantastic place to be a teacher and the school is a vibrant part of our local community. As part of a 2-19 age provision across the locality we are the cornerstone of a thriving Multi-Academy Trust. In Shaftesbury School we have the highest expectations of each individual, student and staff, aiming for them to be the best they could be.

At the heart of our school are the values of our Christian heritage together with 3 core ideas:-Aspiration:– We set goals and targets to drive our everyday experience, and have dreams to follow in the long term.Action:– We work to reach our goals and make our dreams become reality. It may be hard, but it will be worth it.Achievement:– We gain qualifications and skills and value everything we do that takes us one step closer to our dream.

We encourage all students to take an active role in school life through our House system. On entry to the school students are assigned to one of four houses, each named after a famous Olympian – Thompson, Redgrave, Owens and Sanderson. Older students act as mentors for younger students, encouraging and guiding them.

Our boarding residence at Barton Hill House provides accommodation for over 100 boarders. Many of these students travel to us from all over the world, enriching our learning environment through their diverse cultures, faiths and traditions.

We invest in significant capital projects to enhance the student provision including state of the art music suites and a new sixth form study block as recent examples. This investment, together with the hard work and dedication of our teaching and support staff, enables Shaftesbury School to provide the best possible environment for your child’s well-being and success.

Many parents and other members of our community often pass on positive comments about what we do as a school, or praise for our students using our “myview” e-mail address. If you would like to pass on your thoughts on what we do well or areas we might improve then please feel free to let us know. [email protected]

We look forward to hearing from you.

Mark BlackmanHeadteacher

02www.shaftesburyschool.co.uk

“Success rates are high” Ofsted, 2013

Pastoral Care & GuidancePastoral care is a key feature and strength of Shaftesbury School. The house system allows for vertical tutoring at Key Stage 3 with students supported by House Progress Leaders. Key Stage 4 and 5 students are supported by Year Progress Leaders with students able to meet with full-time pastoral support staff at any time. All school staff support students both emotionally and academically and we believe that the best outcomes are achieved when students feel supported, happy and secure. This extends to the careers and further education guidance, known as IIAG (Individual, Impartial, Advice & Guidance), which will help students make the right choices for their future.

Sessions are offered throughout the year to support the emotional well-being of our students and regular sessions with a counsellor or the school nurse can be arranged.

AcademicAt Shaftesbury School the curriculum is designed to provide a broad education and to give students the opportunity to achieve their potential. At Key Stage 3 and 4 students will study the National Curriculum plus a choice of additional subjects for GCSEs including languages, humanities, technology and the arts.

We promote the highest expectations of our students and teaching and learning across the school is at the core of everything we do. The high standard of teaching throughout the school is tailored to students’ needs and we are proud that our students enjoy their time at school working with such passionate staff. Our students are taught using a range of techniques but all are taught to develop independent thinking skills to enable them to continue learning outside of the classroom.

The school has calm and relaxed environment with students engaged in their learning. Lessons are differentiated to the needs of the students and there is a rigorous and relentless drive to maintain high standards. Please visit the website for more details on our curriculum.

“The curriculum is broad and varied”

Ofsted, 2013

“Teachers are knowledgeable and enthusiastic”

Ofsted, 2013




“This is a good school” Ofsted, 2013

School FacilitiesThe school campus, along with the historic Grammar school building, all have bright, modern classrooms equipped with the latest technology. There are enviable sports facilities with an Astroturf pitch, Multi-Use Games Area and tennis courts in addition to extensive pitches, sports fields, sports hall and climbing wall. There is also a TechnoGym used by students in class and during extra-curricular activities.

A newly equipped, state-of-the-art music suite, along with a range of rehearsal studios, provides an enviable and exciting facility for teaching and peripatetic music tuition. All drama lessons and performances take place in a converted chapel which is a wonderful and unique theatre.

Students studying hospitality and catering use a fully operational commercial kitchen to provide meals for staff, students and guests in our bistro and the modern, spacious library (Learning Resource Centre) is the perfect location for additional research and study.

Extra-curricularAt Shaftesbury School we believe that education is not just textbooks and exams and we provide a vast range of extra-curricular activities, clubs and events designed to supplement the work that takes place in classrooms. All of our activities are an important and exciting feature of school life and contribute enormously to our students’ academic and social development.

Inter-house competitions are held each year in a variety of sports and our school sports teams compete across the South West. Our handball team in 2015 won the South West Regional Championship and our basketball teams have long been recognised as some of the best in the area; our climbing wall and tennis courts are also both used by local clubs that many of our students join.

We offer students the chance to experience a variety of other cultures both at home and abroad including a ski trip, Spanish exchange and visits to WWI battlefields in France and Belgium. Visits to exhibitions, museums and theatres give students across the school the chance to broaden their horizons. Many of our students participate in music lessons and choir and there are several opportunities each year to showcase talent.

There is support for those looking to progress to higher education with debate and Model UN, together with a visit to Oxford each year for those in the Leadership Academy programme. Maths challenge and ‘make your mark with a tenner’ are just some of the activities which students can take part in to challenge themselves mentally.


Sixth FormThe Sixth Form at Shaftesbury School is an excellent place to continue with your education post-16. The most important decision at this stage of your education is to choose the right pathway and you will be supported through that process every step of the way. We want to ensure that your pathway and courses will take you to where you want to go and your programme of study will reflect this. Whilst many of our students choose full A-Levels with the expectation that they will go on to further study we also offer a range of BTEC courses for those looking for a more vocational pathway.

Students are required to embrace a new learning and teaching style and you will find life as a member of the Sixth Form very different from the rest of the school. We are preparing students for higher education and employment so developing independence and a sense of personal responsibility is key. There are many leadership opportunities within the school and a Head Boy and Head Girl are elected each year to represent the school. In addition to roles on the Senior Student Team, students can take advantage of work placements and internships and working at the Centre of Excellent for Industrial Liaison (CEIL) that we have at the school.

The results students achieve each year are excellent and many matriculate to their first choice universities, including Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities. Students also leave our school to enrol in apprenticeships and employment locally, nationally and internationally.

Sixth Form students can take advantage of a new study centre, equipped with computers and desks for individual and group work, with the Sixth Form Café a place to relax between classes and enjoy lunch. The excellent pastoral care in the school continues in the Sixth Form and there are several sessions delivered each year that focus on health and wellbeing. The Sixth Form students are monitored by tutors who work to ensure the best academic and social outcomes and help with university, apprenticeship and job applications.

A Sixth Form prospectus is available on the school website and can also be obtained by contacting the school.


“Students are making rapid progress”

Ofsted, 2013



Boarding at Shaftesbury SchoolShaftesbury School is a member of the State Boarding School Association and offers boarding education to boys and girls aged 11-18. Boarders join the school at various stages of their education to study GCSEs or A-Levels and live in the comfortable, modern and vibrant Barton Hill House. Our priority is that your son or daughter enjoys their boarding experience whilst making the progress they and you expect. Although small in number, boarders are a fundamental part of the school and are fully integrated in to school life.

Boarders join the school for many reasons but all are happy and excited by the opportunities on offer. They are often amongst the highest performing students in the school and the outcomes for boarders was rated “outstanding” by Ofsted (2014).

The boarding programme is overseen by the Head of Boarding, who works with other boarding staff to make Barton Hill House a friendly and welcoming home, which is informal and relaxed yet focused on achieving academic success. The majority of the staff who work in boarding are full-time boarding staff although there are plenty of school staff who have additional boarding house duties. This provides a nice balance between school and ‘home’ and there is always someone boarders can talk to. Each boarder is assigned a mentor with whom they meet formally once per term but boarders can talk to any member of staff at any time. Boarders are all registered with the local doctor and students are well looked after when unwell and off school.

Meals are served in a relaxed style in our dining room at the boarding house and are prepared daily by our catering team. Boarders have all their meals in the boarding house, apart from their lunch during the day which they have in the school dining hall. Fruit, juice and water are provided throughout the day and students can use the small kitchen to make hot drinks and snacks. Barton Hill House is a short walk from the centre of Shaftesbury and students are free to sign-out and visit the town.


“Parents have a high level of confidence in the school”

Ofsted, 2013



Accommodation and Activities Boarders live in rooms up to a maximum of four students, with some single rooms available for Sixth Formers. Most of the rooms are en-suite and they all have a personal space with a desk and storage that the boarders can personalise; putting up posters of your favourite sports team or pop star is a great idea.

Boarding students enjoy a range of activities, both in boarding and the school. Wi-Fi Internet is available throughout the boarding house and there is plenty of space to play games, relax and socialise. We encourage students to participate in as many activities as possible but also recognise that having some quiet time is important. Activities and events range from gym, cinema, shopping, theatre, theme parks, adventure days and sport. Trips to local historical and cultural sites are popular and Stonehenge is only 30 minutes away.

The school and boarding programme has consistent and clear behaviour and anti-bullying policies in order to provide the right environment for our boarders. All expectations are consistent with any family home and the values of honesty, tolerance and responsibility are championed.

We assist with arranging travel for the Exeats and holidays and charter buses to the railways station and, where possible, airports. Although the Exeats are closed, we encourage parents, family and friends to visit boarders throughout the year and they are more than welcome to spend the evening or weekend with them.

As a State Boarding School the cost of education is free. The boarding fees charged are set by the Academy Board and go towards the cost accommodation, food and activities.

To make an application for a boarding place, or for more information, please contact boarding admissions:Email: [email protected]: +44 1747 852469Web: www.shaftesburyschool.co.uk/boarding

“Students behave well and feel very safe in a secure environment”

Ofsted, 2013


‘We cannot praise the staff of Shaftesbury School enough for the support they have given throughout our son’s secondary education. Our special thanks to his teachers for fantastic commitment and supporting him in his GCSEs’

Parents of a year 11 student

Success StoriesStudents succeed at Shaftesbury School regardless of their background or ability. Whether going on to university, apprenticeships or employment, Shaftesbury School students leave with the skills needed to succeed and we are proud of the achievements of each and every one of our students.

Testimonials“After studying in Sixth Form at Shaftesbury School, I now study Theatre Studies at Roehampton University. The advice I received regarding my choices was very helpful and not only did Shaftesbury School help me achieve academically, it also gave me the opportunities to gain skills and experience needed for the real world of work. This has allowed me to gain positions that would not have been open to me if not for these opportunities.”

S Durdle (2006-2013)

“I left Shaftesbury School with an A* in design and technology and then completed a full, 5 year apprenticeship after I was offered a full time job as a carpenter. I have since been voted by City and Guilds as the best apprentice in the South West/Wales and recently attended a presentation in Bristol to receive a medal of excellence. Thanks to the staff for their support and to Shaftesbury School for helping me on the road to a successful career.”

J. Perree (2004-2009)

“I am currently preparing for my second year at The Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London, where I am training to become a professional actor and gain my BA (Hons) degree in Acting. My time at Shaftesbury School was instrumental to get me where I am today. The teachers didn't just teach their subjects, they went above and beyond when it came to supporting me and teaching me just how to survive in the world beyond the classroom. I have extraordinarily fond memories of my time at school and fondly remember a friendly, warm and nurturing environment where we had fun, but were also pushed and encouraged to strive to be our best. Shaftesbury School set me up to be a determined, driven and successful individual but still allowed me to have the space to enjoy my time there immensely and to form lifelong friendships.”

A Meyrick (2006-2013)

“I have just graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in Childhood Studies and I am going to be working in a primary school helping children who experience learning difficulties. My time at Shaftesbury School was unforgettable and incredible. In terms of my experience, I made friends with people from other countries which

boosted my confidence and increased my language skills. Regarding the staff members in boarding, I had the best house parents and they definitely helped me through everything. Staff members who worked in the kitchen were just as friendly and nice and it felt like being at home all the time in the boarding house.”

C Li (2010-2012)

“I attended Shaftesbury School for 7 years and the support from the teachers helped me gain a wide range of knowledge in all areas. Shaftesbury School gave me an insight into what career pathway I wanted to go down which was supported by all the teachers, especially the PE staff. I now attend the University of Chichester studying Sports Coaching Science.”

O Russell (2006-2013)

“Shaftesbury School is a wonderful place to be. It was during my time at school that I found out what I wanted to do in the future which is study maths at University of Cambridge. The school’s environment and teachers definitely had a positive influence on me and many of the teachers are truly incredible. It is definitely not like they are just doing a job; they really do care a lot about their students. The school with the boarding house provided me a rare and precious opportunity to get to know people from different parts of the world and I got to know lots of nice people, many of which I will keep in contact with for life. As a boarder, the boarding house has very nice facilities and its Sixth Form block with its single rooms is without doubt the perfect place to study for exams.”

K Ming Lam (2010-2015)

“At Shaftesbury School, I was fortunate to have a number of inspiring teachers who cultivated my interests, particularly in the sciences and languages. Going to university hadn't really been on my radar, but numerous teachers encouraged me to apply and I left to study Physics at the University of Exeter. Following four fun years there, including a research visit to Brazil and writing my thesis, I embarked on a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics at Oxford University. There I spent another four years, working on a number of interesting topics with scientists spread around Europe and the USA. Following a visit to the USA to collaborate, I accepted my current research position at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Long Island, New York. This is a government research facility, funded by the US Department of Energy with major focuses including energy and material sciences. Without encouragement from teachers at Shaftesbury School and the work ethic instilled in me whilst there, my path no doubt would have been very different.”

N Robinson (2001-2006)

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Shaftesbury SchoolAspiration Action Achievement

Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8ERTel: 01747 854498

E-mail: [email protected]

Shaftesbury Academy Trust is a charitable private company, limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales, company number: 09040388

Registered office address: Shaftesbury School, Salisbury Road, Shaftesbury, Dorset, SP7 8ER

Shaftesbury School Prospectus

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