The Sawyers Hall College of Science and Technology
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The Sawyers Hall College of Science and Technology (formerly known as The Hedley Walter High School) is a secondary school located in Brentwood, Essex, UK. It is a mixed school of non denominational religion. It initially accepts students from the ages of 11 to 16, the age where they take their GCSE examinations. It then offers the best performing students places in its Sixth Form, giving students the chance to complete their A Level examinations.
1,392 pupils currently attend the school, of which 1,239 are of compulsory school age. The school logo is traditionally that of a Griffin. However, since the school has achieved specialist college status its motif has been modernised; it is now a two panelled shield with a griffin above a diagram of an atom. See the Official School Website for an example. The uniform was also changed to reflect the new school image.
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[edit] School life
Years 7 to 13
Each year is split into forms, and each form class has a form tutor. Pupils generally stay in the same form throughout their time at the school. Different year groups have different Heads of School. The Head of Lower School is responsible for years 7 & 8, the Head of Middle School is responsible for years 9 & 10, and the Head of Upper School is responsible for years 11, 12 & 13.
In the first year at the school (year seven) students are normally taught in their form classes, and it is not until the second year (year eight) that pupils are split into sets in most subjects, however in some subjects (such as drama, music and art) the pupils still remain in their form classes.
In their third year at the school (year 9) the pupils are split completely into sets, and are also required to choose the subjects they wish to continue at GCSE level, it is compulsory that pupils take English, Maths and Science. Although not GCSE subjects (unless chosen) pupils are also required to attend one lesson of PE and Religious Education a week.
In the fourth and fifth years (years 10 and 11 respectively) the pupils study towards their GCSE qualifications, which they take at the end of year 11. Pupils are also required to complete their work experience in year 10, and most students will be offered the chance to carry on into the sixth form during their final compulsory year.
During sixth form (years 12 and 13) students study towards their A Levels, or in a minority of cases GNVQs and AVCEs. Returning students will also be offered the chance to re-study the core subjects should they have failed to attain a pass grade at GCSE.
Lunchtimes are now staggered in order to help manage the playgrounds. Years 7 and 8 and the sixth form have lunch at 12:20 and Years 9, 10 and 11 at 13:20. This has had little effect on the running of lessons whilst others have lunch, and appears to be working to improve the quality of the catering service and reduce the opportunity for bullying.
[edit] School layout
The school is split into six buildings each named after someone who is related to the history of the school, plus a Sports Hall and an Astroturf pitch. An athletics track and football and rugby pitches are situated in fields across the road from the school. The original school building, circa 1936, is now known as The Jack Petchey Building.
There are separate playgrounds for the various years, with years 10 and 11 sharing the same playground. From 2006 the sixth form has its own common room and study rooms for computer use.
The main assembly hall is part of the James Redell building, although when the whole school assembles, usually at the end of each term, it is held in the Sports Hall.
[edit] Other Information
The school offers a range of extra-curricular activities, including the Duke of Edinburgh award.
The name 'Hedley Walter' was used in reference to the school's first Head of Governors.
The buildings at the school now are named 'Margaret Hutton Building' (block one), 'Hedley Walter Building' (block two), 'James Reddell Building' (block 3), 'Jack Petchey building' (block 4), 'Charles Darwin Building' (block 5) and 'Neville A Brown Centre' (block 6).
A pupil of Sawyers Hall recently died, the school raised a donation for his parents for flowers at his funeral. The school held an assembly for the student, which all students in years 11, 12 and 13 and some former students attended to pay their respects to him.
Craig Leaper and Fern Gleeson have just been elected Head Boy and Head Girl of the school respectively for the year 2006/7.
[edit] External links
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