Wellsway School
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 |
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| Wellsway School | |
| Established | 1971 |
| Type | Comprehensive school |
| Headteacher | Mrs A Arlidge |
| Location | Chandag Road Keynsham Bristol England |
| Students | 1354[1] |
| Ages | 11 to 18 |
| Website | http://www.wellsway.bathnes.sch.uk |
The Wellsway School is an 11-18, mixed comprehensive school maintained by Bath and North East Somerset Local Education Authority situated on the eastern side of Keynsham.
Contents |
[edit] History
Wellsway School was established in 1971, by amalgamating Keynsham Grammar School and Wellsway County Secondary School both of which opened on a shared site in the mid 1950s.
[edit] Headteachers at Wellsway School
| Year | |
|---|---|
| 1971-1974, | Mr Stanley Jarvis |
| 1974-1989 | Mr John Narey |
| 1989-1990 | Mrs Helen Dance (acting) |
| 1990-1994 | Mr Martin Whittle |
| 1994-1995 | Mr John Smith and Mrs Patricia Baker (joint acting) |
| 1995-2005 | Mr Paul Kent |
| 2005 - | Mrs Andrea Arlidge |
[edit] House System
The house system has been maintained since the opening of both the Keynsham Grammar School and Wellsway County Secondary School in 1956.
The house system was first implemented in 1956. The pupils of Wellsway were divided into three Houses, each with their own House Master, Staff and Captains. The three houses were: Bridges House, Chandos House and Rodney House.
The house system as it is today, was created when Wellsway School opened in 1971. The four houses are named after local villages; Burnett, Compton, Newton and Stanton.
[edit] The School
The school has gone through many changes since it's opening in 1956, however, many of these are new builds, or extensions, with the original buildings still standing and fully functional.
Key structural changes through the years have been:
| Date | |
|---|---|
| 1956 | The Keynsham Grammar school was built, and officially opened on October 4th 1957. (Later to be Lansdown Building). |
| 1957 | The start of the south east extension began (later to be Mendip Building) |
| 1959 | Wellsway County Secondary School was opened |
| 1971 | Both buildings now under one name 'Wellsway School'. |
| 1990s | New Art block was built, situated at the front of the building, next to the Drama Studio (used to be an Art Room), and built up to the perimeter fence, next to the secondary entrance (also the Chandag School entrance).
Removal of the Swimming pool, which was situated on the edge of Lansdown Courts, next to the Kitchens. Construction of the Sixth Form Extension Block - an extension further out towards the Mendip Playing Courts, extending off the original building. |
| 2000 | The Lansdown Hall stage, was ripped out, and turned into Room 30, a full time Music Room. |
| 2001 | New Science Lab - now Room 2a. This build looks out onto the playing fields, adjoining to Room 2, replacing the old greenhouse, which was built on the side of it. |
| 2003 | The hut, previously used as Room 30, was demolished to make way for a Car park behind the new building. |
| 2003-04 | Construction of the Modern Languages Building changed the face of Wellsway School. Built near the position where the Swimming Pool once stodd, as you enter the main entrance, it is situated on the left side, replacing the fence of Conifer trees that separated the entrance with a car park.
2004 also saw the Technology Extension, extending the Technology building outwards. |
| 2004 | Demolition of Temporary Huts - Rooms 55 & 56. Later constructed to a peaceful oasis in memory of Laura Allen who died in January 2004. The quad is now known as the Laura Allen Garden.
Further demolition of temporary huts, with Room 4a, originally a Science Lab, then a Special Needs Classroom knocked down. |
| 2005 | Construction of the Artificial turf pitch, built on top of the Cricket Square, situated on the upper tier of the playing fields. |
| 2007 | Construction of new Youth and Community Centre - built on the south end of the school. |
Minor Structural Changes
| Date | |
|---|---|
| 2007 | The replacement of Mendip building's roof began during August 2007. The work will be carried out in phases, only a portion the roof will be done this summer - the remainder will be completed at a later date. This is the first time that the roof has been replaced since the building's construction in the mid-1950'.
The construction of the Artificial Pitch in 2005 caused the loss of the senior cricket square, leaving only the junior square on the lower terrace. Following a successful bid to the MCC Foundation for funding to create a new cricket square on the lower terrace, work began in August 2007. The Resources Centre was relocated to make way for the new Student Support Centre. The Resources Centre was relocated to where the Careers Centre (and previously a Staffroom) had been located. The Careers Centre was also relocated - to one end of the Library which was renamed the Learning Resource Centre. Structural changes saw 2 windows knocked through the existing wall. |
[edit] About Wellsway School
[edit] The School
Wellsway School is a mixed comprehensive school in the town of Keynsham, Bristol. Most students that attend the school live in Keynsham and Saltford or the nearby villages.[2] As of 2007, approximately 1350 students attend the school, ranging in age of 11-18, with 64% achieving 5 or more A-C grades at GCSE.[3] Around 280 of those students attend Wellsway Sixth Form Centre. There are also around 85 members of teaching staff, supported by approximately 25 support staff.
[edit] The Campus
Wellsway School is situated on the eastern side of Keynsham in a spacious campus with open and green fields. The campus contains 3 main areas; Lansdown Building, Mendip Building & The Playing Fields.
[edit] School Uniform
Wellsway is proud to be a school which require students to wear uniform, promoting a distinguishing and neat appearance inside and outside Wellsway.
During the 2005/06 academic year, parents, staff and students were consulted when reviewing the current uniform. The result from much feedback was a uniform that brought about a new look for Wellsway pupils.
The main changes were the introduction of Green blazers, worn by all pupils, changing the previous policy in which only boys wore blazers.
[edit] The School Day
The school day has changed due to the fact that the students didn't have the required amount of teaching time. All lessons are now 50 minutes long. On a Friday, schools ends at 2.45pm instead of 3.30pm.
[edit] Curriculum Teams and Subjects
In 2005/2006, the Staff Structure was reviewed at Wellsway, consequently resulting in the departmental structure being revised. From September 2006, the previous structure was replaced by Curriculum teams, which in some cases, comprises more than one Subject Team.
In 2008, the structure was as follows:
| Curriculum Teams | Subject Teams |
|---|---|
| Maths | Maths, Further Maths |
| English | English (Language and Literature) |
| Science | Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
| ICT and Enterprise | Business Studies, ICT |
| Physical Education | PE, Dance |
| Design | Art, Core Technology & Food Technology |
| Humanities | History and Geography |
| Languages | French, German, Italian, Spanish |
| Performing Arts | Drama and Music |
| Social Studies | Philosophy, Psychology and Sociology |
[edit] Sports & Science Centre of Excellence
Wellsway's bid for specialist school status was accepted in September 2007. Meaning that Wellsway School now specialises as a Sports and Science College. This means the School has joined the national network of specialist schools, resulting in every school in Bath and North East Somerset now having a specialism[4]. A joint bid is unusual as there are only six schools in the country with a combined Sports and Science specialism[4].
This bid will provide additional funding of £129 per student per year to spend on teaching and learning, in school and in the community, £100k to build a dance studio and fitness suite to resemble the theme of the successful bid, which is: Healthy Mind, Healthy Body and Healthy Environment.
Wellsway's over-arching aim will be to engender in young people an appreciation of the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle alongside a respect for the environment so that they enjoy, achieve and develop as responsible citizens. The additional funding will be used to benefit all curriculum areas and the school will invest in technologies and resources that will give young people improved learning experiences.
[edit] Playing for Success
Wellsway School are part of the Playing for Success scheme run by the Department of Education and Skills. Wellsway School take part in the initiative that takes place at the Bath Rec. This support centre is a ‘classroom within a club’ which offers after school study support to pupils in Year 8-9. The idea is to create a ‘wow factor’ that encourages the pupils who are struggling a bit at school to get motivated and get learning
The first scheme was run by Centre manager Pete Brealey, who worked closely with the School Leader and Bath Rugby Study Support Tutors from the Sixth Form. The school continues to take part within the scheme, finding the scheme to increase motivation and confidence in those pupils that take part.
[edit] Fairtrade Status
On March 29th, 2007 the school was the first school in the district to be awarded Fair Trade status. Councillor Ian Dewey, chairman of Bath and North East Somerset Council and Rachel Ward, chair person of the Keynsham Fair Trade group came to the school to celebrate the award. Wellsway actively supports and promotes Fair Trade as part of daily routine and has been doing so since 2002. Fair Trade coffee, tea and sugar are used in the staff room and other products sold in the school canteen, in Shades, the Sixth Form cafe, and in a weekly tuck shop run by students. Fair Trade issues are integrated in the curriculum and taught in subjects such as Business Studies, Citizenship, Geography, Philosophy and Belief.
During the Fair Trade fortnight in March 2006 the school hosted a visit from Janixce Florian Centero from Nicaragua, who is involved in the organisation of cooperatives of coffee farmers who deal with Fair Trade.
[edit] Wellsway Sixth Form College
Wellsway Sixth Form has grown significantly during the past few years, with many students going on to university. Over 60% of Year 11 stay on for the 6th Form[5]. In 2006, the Sixth Form had 280 students aged between 16 and 19,[6] having the choice to study from a range of 25 subjects at AS/A2 level[7]. In 2006, 45% of students gained A-B grades, and 67.9% of students gained A-C grades[8]. The students also get the chance to take part in a range of extracurricular opportunities, such as Teacher Support sessions, Team building exercises, Tutorials and Theatre trips for example.
[edit] Higher Education
95 of the 143 students leaving in 2006, went on to a Higher Education course at either a University or College. A further 18 went onto apprenticeship schemes in the area. The course leavers will be undertaking include:
[edit] Sport
Students represent the district, county or region in various sports. Wellsway has received good reports from Sports Mark Gold 3 times[9]. Sporting success has been achieved in many sports including Cricket, Football, Rugby union, Athletics, Netball and especially Hockey. A new artificial turf pitch was constructed in 2005.[10]
Recent achievements in Hockey include:
| 2007 |
|---|
| U12 B&NES Tournament Champions, U14 B&NES Tournament Champions. |
| 2006 |
| U15 District Joint League Champions, U18 Mixed District Tournament Champions, U16 District Tournament Champions, U15 Tournament Group Winners, U16 District Tournament Group Winners, U15 District Champions, U13 District Champions, U14 District Champions, U14 District Tournament Group Winners. |
Since the opening of the Artificial pitch, Wellsway has played XI Mixed Hockey against local schools and in the 2006-2007 season, won the U18 Mixed District Tournament. Players from the school have gone on to play at club level in the area and around the country.
In netball, the U14 team reached the National Championships in Bournemouth and teams for other age groups have been district and regional champions.
Wellsway have also shown commitment to those who want to pursue a career in Sport. Wellsway funded a couple of Sixth Form student's on a RFU Referee's foundation course in 2005. The pair passed with flying colours, and returned the favour to the school by refereeing Year 7-9 games in-lesson and in extra curricular matches. One of these successful student's was Jon Dudbridge, who left Wellsway in 2006, and recently captained the Old Mixed Hockey Team in the 2007 Mixed Hockey Reunion match, now officiates in British Universities Sport Association (BUCS) Rugby Union matches, as he studies a Sports Degree at the University of Gloucestershire.
[edit] Other extracurricular activities
[edit] Music
In May 2006 students composed music for a concert at Wellsway involving over 60 local musicians. In September 2006 over 200 students sang together for World Peace Day. Wellsway hosted the regional heat for a national schools rock idol competition and musicians fro the school performed live on BBC Radio Bristol. A fundraising concert for the Royal United Hospital brought together the musicians and Radio Wellsway with a live broadcast and video link involving the whole school.
This was recognised by the Chair of BANES council as the music department received an Education Award for its achievements presented at a civic reception at the Pump Rooms in Bath (where the music was provided by Wellsway Students). Every student has the opportunity to study music and nearly 200 opt to learn an instrument in school. Be it Rock, Rachmaninov, Ragga or Reggae.
[edit] Dance
‘A’ level dance is now offered in the sixth form and has become an important part of Wellsway’s extracurricular activities. Wellsway pupils presented their own Evening of Dance which included junior, senior and sixth form students. This event involved year 6 pupils from Chandag Junior School, giving them a chance to take part in a dance workshop.
[edit] Drama
A Level Theatre Studies students regularly take part in evening performances which are either an extension of ideas explored in class or formal practical exams. In November 2005 Year 13 students performed their devised pieces as part of the Endgames Festival at the Egg Theatre, which is a part of the Theatre Royal, Bath whose education department are working with the school. The school has been approached to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2007, a project that will involve Years 12, 13 and ex-Wellsway students.
[edit] Green Team
The Green Team is the name of the school's environmental group. The group meets regularly for sessions looking after the environment both in and outside school. There are also talks held on some Friday night's at St Dunstan's Hall which are open to the public.
[edit] Radio Wellsway
Radio Wellsway started in February 2006 as a student-run station, from the students, for the students. Running Monday to Friday during lunchtimes, it is host to a variety of different shows by a variety of different student DJ's. Due to the eclectic mixture of students' music taste this results in an eclectic mixture of music, from "underground and undiscovered" to pure cheese the station has something for all its listeners. During late 2006- mid 2007, breakfast shows, that began before school, featured on the station. Daily contributions from student news and sports journalists also add to the radio's content, providing an informative , if not always lengthy, view on the days current events. Both news and sports teams are run and managed by student editors. Students can listen to the radio at various listening points located around the school, including in the lunch hall and the sixth form common room.
[edit] Debating
Wellsway debating society has been established for several years but has recently undergone a renaissance under the combined leadership of two highly experienced debating coaches. The school hosts both junior and senior debates weekly, and participates in local area inter-school debates. The school has also won acclaim at Model United Nation conferences across the country, and has received several awards for both individual and team successes, most notably a 'Highly Commended Delegation' award at Model United Nations Cheadle Hulme in 2007.
[edit] Reunions
Old students of Wellsway will always remember Wellsway in some way. Wellsway School have held many reunions, giving the opportunity for ex-pupils to meet up with old friends and staff, from 2 to 50 years ago.
Wellsway have also started Sporting Reunion matches where old teams play the current teams. These successful events, organised by Head of PE Mrs L Riddoch, and Hockey Coach Mr R May, are great opportunities to meet up with old team mates, teachers and coaches.
The following reunions have taken place at Wellsway from 2006:
[edit] - 18th/19th July 2006: 50th Anniverary Alumni Visits
As part of Wellsway's 50th Anniversary celebrations, past pupils and staff were invited to visit the school. The visit consisted of a tour of the school, bringing back old memories of their classrooms, and visiting the newly built classrooms, which were very different from the ones they used to be taught in. Over the two days, over 100 alumni visited the school, including many members of staff.
[edit] - 3rd April 2007: Old Girls Hockey Match
Tuesday 3rd April 2007 saw the gathering between the then current 1st XI squad and a team of old girls team gathered from all corners of the globe. The fixture was played at 4pm on Wellsway's new artificial turf pitch and marked the last fixture for that 1st XI squad. The occasion turned out to be quite emotional for players young and not quite so young. Old PE staff members were invited to watch from the side lines, whilst catching up with old department colleagues. Afterwards, all players headed off to one of Keynsham's local hostelries for a celebratory drink, and a catch up with fellow players and staff members.
[edit] - 18th December 2007; Old Mixed Hockey Match
Following the success of the old girls match earlier in the year, an Old Mixed Match was organised by the 1st Team Hockey coach Mr R May. The match played on Tuesday 18th December at 4pm, which saw the gathering between the then current mixed team and a team of both old girls and boys, gathered from all over the country.
The mixed team consisted of players mainy from the mixed team that played so well together during the 2005/2006 season. However, the team couldn't put together such a performance, and lost 5-2 to a good current Wellsway side.
Awardwards, the players from the mixed team, and their old coach Mr R May, went out for a meal to catch up with old friends, mostly who are now at University all over the country.
[edit] For the Future
Plans for the future are always on-going at the school, the latest developments include:
Construction of a new Cricket square will begin the autumn of 2007, and it should be ready for use from the end of next summer and in full use by 2009. This new construction came about due to the old square being replaced by the new artificial pitch. The school has also been fortunate enough to receive a grant of £8,500 from the MCC for the square.[11]
Now being a Specialist School in Sport and Science, Wellsway will be investing in a new dance studio and fitness suite, which will be available for use by the local community.
[edit] References
- ^ Wellsway School profile. department for children, schools and families. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ Wellsway School Inspection 2003 (PDF). OFSTED. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ Wellsway School achievement tables. Department for children schools and families. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ a b Specialist School Status (html). thisisbath.co.uk. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
- ^ Wellsway School - Sixth Form. Wellsway School. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ Wellsway School - Post 16. Department for children, schools and families. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ Wellsway School - Sixth Form Prospectus. Wellsway School. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
- ^ Wellsway School - Examination Results. Wellsway School: public examination results analysis. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
- ^ Wellsway School - Sportsmark Gold presentations (2000). Wellsway School. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
- ^ Opening of Artificial turf pitch (2005). Wellsway School. Retrieved on 2007-07-25.
- ^ Wellsway School Archive: MCC Grant new Cricket Square. Wellsway School. Retrieved on 2007-07-24.
