Maths and Computing Specialist School

We have been a specialist school for Mathematics and Computing since September 2005. This section of the school website introduces you to what it means to be a specialist school and gives you an insight into some of the activities that we are involve in as part of this initiative.

What are specialist schools?

Specialist schools are an important part of the Government's plans to raise standards in secondary education and the target of 2000 specialist schools was met 18 months early in February 2005.

The Specialist Schools Programme (SSP) helps schools, in partnership with private sector sponsors and supported by additional Government funding, to establish distinctive identities through their chosen specialist subjects and achieve their targets to raise standards.

Specialist schools have a special focus on their specialist subjects but must also meet the National Curriculum requirements and deliver a broad and balanced education to all pupils.

Any maintained secondary school in England can apply for specialist status in one of the ten specialist subjects. These are arts, business & enterprise, engineering, humanities, languages, mathematics & computing, music, science, sports and technology.

What are the aims of the specialist school programme?

To raise attainment for all students both in the specialist subjects and across the whole curriculum;

To strengthen and develop the quality of teaching and learning strategies in the specialist subjects and use them to help raise standards throughout the school;

To extend opportunities for enrichment activity through the specialist subjects.

We will;

develop links with sponsors, business, employers, further and higher education institutions and other organisations related to maths and computing;

develop within the school, characteristics which signal its specialist ethos and identity and which are reflected in the school’s mission and objectives – including through encouragement of increased take-up and interest in the specialist subjects;

strengthen collaboration with partner schools to provide or facilitate high quality learning opportunities and outcomes in the specialist subjects – by sharing specialist facilities and resources, enhancing further the quality of teaching and developing and disseminating good practice;

and provide or facilitate high quality learning opportunities and outcomes in specialist subjects for the school’s wider local community, including local businesses and employers.

What are we doing in school that is different now that we have specialist status?

In the maths department there are more lunchtime sessions to help the pupils produce work of the highest standard. Most Year 10 Mathematics students are taking a Statistics GCSE course alongside their usual GCSE in Mathematics; another mathematics group has additional staffing to help them complete their data project. All pupils have either taken or will be taking the appropriate level of the UKMT Mathematics Challenge which presents mathematical tasks in an interesting and challenging format which helps improve pupils’ problem-solving ability.

The ICT department is working hard to offer Y11 pupils GCSE iMedia course which is delivered in lessons which are held after school. Other pupils have access to a range of sessions to help them with their examination coursework. The department is also running a wide range of extra-curricular activities. Currently these include a programming club, an artificial intelligence club and an on-line computer club for girls. The department is also developing links with companies to encourage the girls to widen their knowledge of the uses of computers in the world of work. One particular example of this is the visit by Year 7 pupils to Land Rover. The girls were able to see the cars being made and take part in “Control Activities”.

What are we doing for local primary schools?

  We currently have four partner primary schools none of which are too far away. They are

• King David
• Moseley Church of England Primary School
• St Edward’s Catholic Primary School
• Stirchley Community School

Staff from the mathematics department have developed a five week project with Y6 pupils at King David and Moseley C of E School encouraging them to develop further Thinking Skills in Mathematics. This has recently been extended to Year 5 pupils.

Staff from both specialist subjects will be working with the Reception and Y1 pupils at King Edwards’. A topic based package to develop Y4’s mathematical ability has been introduced at Stirchley Primary School.

A range of ICT training days will be organised for staff from these schools.

What are we doing for local secondary schools?

The maths department has worked with Year 9 pupils from Yardley’s school. The pupils have worked on various topics including angles, algebra, proportion, percentages and graphs. This project successfully boosted Yardley’s SATs result last year and we hope this trend continues.

 What are we doing in the wider community?

We enabled King’s Heath Community Centre to extend its provision for the local population by holding basic ICT skills sessions for their clientele on our premises.

The Allens Croft Urban Regeneration Project is another local initiative which supports families within their community. We have been able to provide home computers and ICT support for families living nearby.

What will we do next?

We will continue to do new things in maths, computing, across the school and in other neighbouring schools. We expect that we will be able to create a wider range of resources for use in lessons, and make them available on-line to pupils to access wherever they have a computer attached to the internet.

How can you help as a parent?

We would like to build up a database of employers who would be willing to help us in our activities. These could range from a Business Enterprise day, to Careers Fairs, informal visits to speak to pupils and providing Work Experience Placements. In particular we are looking for companies whose focus is on using Maths and ICT, but any contacts would be useful. If you, the company you work for, or any friends/relatives you know might be able to help us, please could you contact me at the school.

We would also be interested in hearing from anyone who may be able to support in the delivery of aspects of the community work. Can you teach basic ICT skills to adults or provide ICT technical support? Do you have time on your hands and a skill that might be useful in the community?

If you have any queries about the specialist school status or any ideas to help us further, then please feel free to contact the school and ask to speak to the Assistant Head with responsibility for the Specialist School.

Also in this section:
Years 7-9 I Years 10-11 I Sixth Form I School Policies I Term Dates I Admin Office I Community Links I School Governors I Maths And Computing Specialist School I Bus Routes