| Established | 1939 |
|---|---|
| Headteacher | Ms Claire Robins BA MEd PGCE NPQH NLE |
| Founder | Sir John Bennett Lawes |
| Specialisms | Media and Science |
| Location | Manland Way Harpenden Hertfordshire AL5 4QP England |
| Local authority | Hertfordshire |
| DfE URN | 117511 |
| Ofsted | Reports |
| Students | 1195 |
| Gender | Coeducational |
| Ages | 11–18 |
| Houses | Austen, Britten, Hepworth, King, Lawes, Newton, Ryder |
| Website | http://www.sjl.herts.sch.uk |
Sir John Lawes School (a.k.a. SJL) is a secondary school located in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom (UK). It is a state-run school for both males and females between the ages of 11 and 18. The school has close links to two other local secondary schools—Roundwood Park School and St. George's School—as well as the neighbouring Manland Primary School and is active in the community and abroad.
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The Media and Creative Facilities recognised by their media status comprise television and media studios including virtual studios and location filming and recording equipment.
The Sir John Lawes ACE identifies the target values of the school;
- Achievement in academic, artistic, sporting, cultural and other forms with a focus on teaching and learning.
- Care for students, staff and others beyond the school community.
- Excellent standards, manners, honesty, personal integrity and uniform
The school encourages international relations through links with partner schools in Zambia, America, France and Germany.
The school has an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and Global Dimension Action Plan in which there are clearly defined actions and responsibilities and a section of the School Development Plan is also dedicated to sustainability. Ofsted has rated their ESD work as ‘Outstanding’.
Sir John Lawes School is classed as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and holds 3 specialisms; Media & Arts,[1] Science and Training school status . Over 90% of students make the expected national curriculum level or higher in English, maths and science by the end of Key Stage 3, with all students achieving 5 or more GCSE passes or equivalent and over 80% of students achieve 5 or more GCSE passes at grades A*-C.
The senior football team won the St Albans District Cup in 2007, 2010 and 2011, and the County Cup in 2008.
Their Science Organic Vegetable Garden has won Second Prize in Harpenden in Bloom.[2]
In 2008, a team of students participating in the Engineering Education Scheme were selected by a panel of judges to represent The Eastern Region in the February 2009 National level of the BA CREST Awards, with their work on the Eurofighter Typhoon in partnership with SELEX Galileo.[2] On the 6th March 2009, the team was presented with an award for being Highly Commended at the Big Bang 2009.[3]
Thanks to the effort of, and largely at the expense of, John Bennett Lawes, work began to start education of Harpenden's youth in 1847. This culminated in a school being maintained and enlarged with Sir Lawes' funds and on ground adjoining to his until 1920, when land was obtained by Harpenden County Council from the Manland Common. This is now the site for the Sir John Lawes and Manland Primary schools. Originally, SJL was called Manland Secondary School, but was renamed in recognition of the efforts of their namesake.
In 1939, the main buildings for both schools were completed, just in time for the Second World War, when the then 'Manland School' had to accommodate evacuees of London from Hugh Myddleton School[4]