Caldicot School

Caldicot School

Caldicot School's Crest
Native name Ysgol Cil-y-Coed
Motto Committed to Achievement
Established 1959
Type Comprehensive
Headteacher Mrs. S Gwyer-Roberts
Location Mill Lane
Caldicot
Monmouthshire
NP26 5XA
Wales
Local authority Monmouthshire County Council
Students 1238
Gender Coeducational
Ages 11–18
Website www.caldicotschool.com

Caldicot School (Welsh: Ysgol Cil-y-coed) is a coeducational and non-selective secondary school in Caldicot, Monmouthshire, South Wales, with around 1,300 students. Mrs. S Gwyer-Roberts has been headmistress since September 2002.[1] In 2013, the school was rated 'Good' [2] by Estyn.

History

Caldicot School (formally Caldicot Community College) welcomed its first intake of pupils on the 1st of September 1958. The College opened with 19 teachers and room to accommodate 400 pupils. The College was officially opened in September 1959 by Prince Philip.

On the 3rd of September 1969 the school became comprehensive and changed its name to Caldicot Comprehensive School.

Curriculum

Key Stage 3

In KS3 all students follow the National Curriculum.[3] The KS3 programme of study includes: English, Mathematics, Science, Welsh, Art, Drama, Geography, History, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Modern Foreign Languages (French and Spanish), Music, Physical Education, Personal & Social Education (PSE), Religious Education and Design & Technology.[4]

Key Stage 4

In KS4 pupils must follow the core National Curriculum of English, Mathematics, Science (with the option of separate sciences leading to 3 GCSEs), Welsh Second Language (full course), Religious Education (short course with the option to study the full, course as an option), Physical Education, PSE and the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification. In addition pupils must choose three option subjects. A variety of options are available which include some vocation courses.[5]

Key Stage 5

In KS5 pupils chose between studying two, three or four subjects to study to 'A' Level in addition to the Advance Welsh Baccalaureate qualification.

School performance

2013 Estyn inspection

The school's most recent Estyn inspection[2] took place in 2013 and placed it as 'Good' in every category.[6] The report said that 'in Welsh second language, standards and teaching are very good'.[2] This was a succession from the school's 2007 inspection which also placed it as 'Good'.[7]

Welsh Government Banding

In 2014, 2015 and 2016, the school was placed in the 'Yellow Band'[8] of the Welsh Government's education. In 2014 and 2015, the school's improvement capacity was graded a Grade B but in 2016, it was graded a Grade A.[9]

GCSE Results

In 2016 69.7%[10][11] of pupils achieved the Level 2 threshold, which is the volume of qualifications equivalent to the volume of 5 GCSEs at Grade A*-C including one in English and one in Mathematics.

A Level Results

In 2016 100% of pupils achieved the Level 3 threshold which is the number of qualifications equivalent to the volume of 2 A levels grades A-E.[9]

Extracurricular activities

The school offers a variety of extracurricular activities ranging from a Welsh club to a judo club. The Estyn 2013 inspection report stated that 'pupils participate in a wide-variety of extra curricular activities within school and in the local community, such as the Caldicot food bank and raising money for Ty Hafan'.[2]

Every year, the Welsh department students celebrates St. David's Day by holding an Eisteddfod for Year 7 pupils; 'A' Level Welsh pupils help to arrange the Eisteddfod.

New build

New build during construction, 02/02/17

The school is currently being rebuilt and is scheduled to open in September 2017.[12] It will house all subject departments in one single building. It is being built as a result of the Welsh Government's 21st Century Schools & Education Capital Programme. The new build will have capacity for 1,500 pupils. It was scheduled to cost £31million[13] which then rose to £34.9 million but in October 2016, the total cost was said to have risen to £40.175 million.[14]

Current building and facilities

The buildings of Caldicot Comprehensive School are named after local places. There are three main buildings: Castle, Grayhill and Deepweir.

On the east side of the school is Deepweir building. It is named after an area in Caldicot. It is 3 floors tall, and houses the sixth form pupils, as well as Maths lessons and Welsh Baccalaureate classes.

On the west side of the school, is the oldest building named Grayhill. It is named after Gray Hill, Monmouthshire. This is the original Caldicot Community College building, opened in 1958. It is 3 floors tall, and is where the Year 7, 8 & 9 pupils register. The History, ICT, Geography, Drama and Welsh language Departments are all based here.

In between the two, is Castle building. It is named after Caldicot Castle. This is where Years 10 and 11 pupils register. Inside, are the English Department, Religious Studies, Media Studies, and Foreign Languages Departments. It is the tallest building, with 4 floors and is all the tallest building in the whole of Caldicot itself. Joined onto Castle building is the Science block (New and Old).

In early 2016[15] the Technology Department's building, the 'Tech Block' along with the Learning Centre was knocked down to make-way for the new build. Until the new build's completion, the Technology Department and Learning Centre are being housed in temporary buildings. Before this, the Technology Department and the Learning Centre had their own buildings to teach in. The music department also has their own building to teach in.

There is a field by the school (which is owned by the school), which the school's Physical Education department often use. They also use Caldicot Leisure Centre, for swimming lessons. There are three gymnasiums on site for P.E use, these are Grayhill Gym, Castle Gym and the sports hall located in the Leisure Centre. The sports take place in the three different gyms and the academic clubs take place in the subject department.

All of the current buildings will be demolished by 2018, as a new 3 floor building is being built that will replace the current buildings.

Uniform

In September 2015, a new uniform with a new school logo was introduced for pupils in Years 7 to 11. KS3 & KS4 pupils are expected to a wear full school uniform which consists of a black blazer, with an embroidered school badge, a white shirt, school tie and black formal trousers.[16] The girls are also allowed to wear a black knee length skirt.

In September 2015, a business-style dress code was introduced for the Sixth Form.

Head Teachers

Mr. W.A Silk 1958-1975

Mr. C.A. Vanloo 1975-1980

Mr. J. Norwood 1981-2002 [17]

Mrs. S. Gwyer-Roberts 2002–present [18]

Notable former staff members

Notable former pupils

References

  1. ↑ "Welcome Caldicot School". www.caldicotschool.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Caldicot School's 2013 Estyn Report" (PDF).
  3. ↑ "Curriculum | Caldicot School". www.caldicotschool.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  4. ↑ "Eteach - Caldicot School About us (19346)". Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  5. ↑ "Year 9 Options | Caldicot School". www.caldicotschool.com. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  6. ↑ "Caldicot School joy at good report". South Wales Argus – via http://www.southwalesargus.co.uk.
  7. ↑ "Caldicot School's 2007 Estyn Report" (PDF). www.estyn.gov.wales.
  8. ↑ "BBC News Article of schools in the 'Yellow Band' in 2013" – via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. 1 2 "Caldicot School". mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  10. ↑ "My Local School". http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/. External link in |website= (help)
  11. ↑ "GCSE success on results day". Chepstow Beacon. Retrieved 2017-03-04.
  12. ↑ "Caldicot School New Build Update MCC". Monmouthshire. Retrieved 2017-02-06.
  13. ↑ "BBC News article - Monmouthshire to get two new secondary schools by 2016". 17 January 2014.
  14. ↑ "Caldicot School new build cost update".
  15. ↑ "December 2015 Newsletter with information about the New Build". December 2015.
  16. ↑ "Caldicot School's Uniform List".
  17. ↑ "Caldicot news December 2001".
  18. ↑ "Caldicot news September 2002".

Coordinates: 51°35′22″N 2°45′04″W / 51.58951°N 2.75114°W / 51.58951; -2.75114

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