West Somerset Community College

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1 Overview
2 Facilities
3 Technological resources
4 Expressive arts
5 External links

[edit] Overview

West Somerset Community College (sometimes abbreviated to WSCC) is a fairly large comprehensive school in Minehead, Somerset, England. It provides education for children and teenagers aged 13-16 (school years 9-11) in the main school and 16-18 (school years 12-13) in the sixth form (West Somerset uses a three-tier school system). The current Headteacher of the West Somerset Community College (or 'Principal', as he is known) is Mr Nick Swann. WSCC has had Technology College status for several years, meaning the College receives additional funding. WSCC currently has the policy of enforcing all students take a Technology option at GCSE level.

The College recently gained a good Ofsted report, which stated that the College had 'a number of outstanding features', most were 'good'.

[edit] Facilities

English is sited in a new block with modern facilities. Mathematics is also sited in an adjoining new block with modern facilities. Science is sited partly in a new block and partly in the original building, although all laboratories have been modernised throughout recently with good facilities. Humanities are sited in an ageing building (constructed after the original building, although in much worse repair). The Humanities area has recently been added to with a new building and modernised, although not to the high standard as seen elsewhere. Religious Studies, Careers and Modern Foreign Languages are sited in relatively new buildings, although some RS and Languages rooms are in need of refurbishment. The Physical Education department is sited in a fairly modern public Sports Centre, with good facilities. Information Technology is mainly housed in three purpose built modern rooms (with an IT Technician office), although there are computers available throughout the school in other areas (such as Mathematics and the new, spacious Library). Design Technology areas have recently been refurbished and have good facilities. Two of the three Food Technology rooms have also recently been refurbished, but the Textiles and Art facilities need updating. The Refectory (dining hall) is housed in a similar building to that in which Humanities is sited, and is ageing badly and in desperate need of a complete refurbishment. There are still a small number of buildings housed in temporary accommodation (such as Business Studies and Child Development). The Main Hall is in good condition, with Drama and Music facilities at an acceptable (although not exceptional) standard. There is a separate Sixth Form block and separate Common Room (housed in the old Religious Studies block) for Sixth Form students, both of which could do with updating. Offices are mainly sited in the original building, and are generally in good repair.

[edit] Technological resources

Many classrooms have digital projectors and interactive whiteboards with laptops and/or PCs available for use by students. The computer system is a network of computers, each student and staff member having their own 'area' - user name and password protected. Filtered Internet access is available, although can sometimes be very slow (as can the rest of the network). Each computer uses the 'Microsoft Windows XP Professional' operating system (with Service Pack 2) with general software such as 'Microsoft Office Professional 2002 with FrontPage' and 'Microsoft Publisher 2000' installed. There are also specialised applications such as 'PTC ProDESKTOP 2000i' (a 3D design program). Each student has personal access to an email system ('Easymail') and an intranet is available, although this is very under-used and has not been updated for over a year. For a school with 'Technology College' status, the software available on the computer network and the access speeds are probably not 'up to scratch', although funding is obviously an issue.

[edit] Expressive arts

The College is famed for its good yearly musicals and plays, the most recent being A Midsummer Night's Dream (2006). Prior to that, nearly all shows had been musicals - Les Miserables (2005), Threepenny Opera (2004) and Guys and Dolls to name but a few. A Midsummer Night's Dream broke with tradition, not only in it not being a musical with a live orchestra. The set was 'in the round', and tiered seating was used for the first time. The 2005 production of Les Miserables was set on a standard stage, but with a very advanced set including several wings and back curtains. Exceptional lighting and sound techniques always enhance each performance at the West Somerset Community College.