Teaching and Learning
Learning is our Core Purpose
Learning is our Core Purpose here at Denbigh and adults and students alike are encouraged to see themselves as lifelong learners. All our teachers work to a clear Teaching for Learning policy that stresses the importance of exciting, challenging and relevant lessons in order to provide a wide range of learning experiences.
We recognise the importance of excellent teaching and the need to provide facilities that support all students to become good learners and maximise what they can achieve. Our comprehensive programme of staff development helps teachers gest the best out of students and maximises what they can achieve. This work has received recognition through the award of the Investors in People quality mark.
Our school improvement plan recognises the importance of providing first rate facilities where learning can take place across all subjects, including special accommodation for sport, drama and music. We have refurbished science laboratories with state of the art equipment as well as superb technology and food studies rooms. The school library incorporates a fully computerised learning resource centre.
Assessment for Learning
For several years now the school has refined its assessment practices to ensure that teachers make themselves aware of the progress, strengths and needs of each student in their care. Everyday marking of classwork and homework has been refocused to provide students with clear and precise advice on how they can improve their work. Training sessions for teachers have also focused on sharing mark schemes with students so they are enabled to assess their own work and that of their peers.
For several years now the school has refined its assessment practices to ensure that teachers make themselves aware of the progress, strengths and needs of each student in their care. Everyday marking of classwork and homework has been refocused to provide students with clear and precise advice on how they can improve their work. Training sessions for teachers have also focused on sharing mark schemes with students so they are enabled to assess their own work and that of their colleagues.
How Learning is Organised
In Years 7, 8 and 9, students are taught in their mixed ability tutor groups for most subjects. They are organised into sets for English, mathematics and science so that they can be taught in a way best suited to their individual needs. We use information from junior schools, national test results and our own assessments to make sure students are placed in the right sets.
In Years 10 and 11, students remain in their tutor groups for registration but are taught in different groups for all other subjects, depending on their particular learning needs and their choice of subjects for Key Stage 4.
Homework
Homework is set regularly and in all subjects, with the amount of dedicated time increasing as students get older. We monitor the amount and type of homework being set to maintain high standards. We also insist on students recording their homework in their personal planners and ask parents to check these everyday. We encourage parents to support their child by providing a quiet space and time for homework, taking an interest in the set tasks and providing praise and encouragement.
Special Educational Needs
The school has implemented the code of practice for special educational needs. This includes maintaining a database of students in the following categories:
- statemented students
- school action plus - students who receive some support from outside agencies
- school action - students who receive provision within school, which is in addition to the normal in-class differentiation
Students with special needs are discussed with all agencies represented at the termly school consultation meeting .
Gifted and Talented Students
The word "talented" is commonly used to describe students in "performance" subjects such as physical education, art, drama and music. The term "gifted" is used to describe exceptionally able students in other important subjects such as mathematicss, science and history.
Gifts and talents are identified by teacher nomination, school records of test results or other achievements; or information supplied by parents or the child themselves.
A learning mentor works with an assistant headteacher to ensure that a cohort of gifted and talented students is identified. These very able students are given suitably challenging work and opportunities to develop their skills through special projects. This complements the role of the classroom teacher, who has responsibility for ensuring that all students are provided with tasks that extend their existing knowledge and skills.
Innovation in Teaching and Learning
Our recent success has lead to through a number of prestigious awards and quality marks including:
- The TES Secondary School of the Year 2009
- The School Achievement Award
- The Inclusion Quality Mark
- The International School Award
- The Healthy School Award
