Chew Valley School
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chew Valley School | |
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| Established | 1958 |
| Type | Secondary school |
| Headteacher | Mark Mallet |
| Location | Chew Lane Chew Stoke Somerset England |
| Students | 1150 |
| Ages | 11 to 18 |
| Website | http://www.chewvalleyschool.co.uk |
| Coordinates: | |
Chew Valley School is situated within the Chew Valley in Bath and North East Somerset in South West England. It is 8 miles (13 km) south of Bristol between the villages of Chew Magna and Chew Stoke, on a 30-acre (12 ha) site in open countryside overlooking the Chew Valley Lake.
It is the only secondary school in the area, providing further education to the many local primary schools and some pupils who live outside the catchment area in South Bristol. The school has approximately 1150 pupils, including 200 in the Sixth Form. It is frequently oversubscribed.
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[edit] History
The school was proposed in May 1955 in a public notice issued by Somerset County Council Education Committee, to eventually comply with the 1944 Education Act which had required secondary education for all, which had previously been provided by "all age primaries" in the area. The new school, which was originally called Chew Magna Secondary School, opened on 13 January 1958, although the official opening by Sir James Turner then president of the National Farmers Union was on 23 May.[1]
In 2008 the school will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary.
[edit] Academic achievement
Overall examination results are relatively good. (75% 5 A*-C at GCSE in 2005) and the vast majority of sixth form students go on to university or other further education.
In the most recent Ofsted report, the school received a positive review.[2]
[edit] Performing arts
The school has long had a proud tradition in the performing arts and became a Specialist school in the Performing Arts in 2003. Productions are put on each term, there is an annual dance festival, concerts and cabarets.
There were concerns raised, as reported in the local media, such as the Chew Valley Gazette, that the conversion to a specialist school was done for financial reasons above the benefit of pupils. More time is needed until such concerns can be confirmed or denied.
250 pupils are currently registered for peripatetic music lessons in the school.
[edit] Sport
After numerous years of poor sports facilities a lottery grant enabled the school to build a new gymnasium and an all-weather pitch for both school and community use. This grant followed a similar grant for Chew Valley Rugby Club. Improved sporting facilities have led to improved sporting achievement.
Many pupils represent their county as well as their school in a variety of sports.
The school won the Bristol Schools' Rugby union Cup in 2005 and in 2006 won the U18 football Somerset Cup and the West of England Schools Sailing Association Trophy.The school also won the 2005 National Cheerleading championship.
[edit] Quotes
Current headteacher Mark Mallet describes the school as "a thriving comprehensive school serving the villages and communities of the Chew Valley – an area of outstanding natural beauty between Bristol and Bath."
[edit] Alumni
[edit] References
- ^ Hucker, Ernest (1997). Chew Stoke Recalled in Old Photographs. Ernest Hucker.
- ^ Inspection Report Chew Valley School (PDF). Ofsted (3 February 2005). Retrieved on 2006-12-28.
