EXCELLENCE FOR ALL
“ Staff and students are united in a desire to learn and make progress.� Ofsted 2014
Welcome to
MONK’S WALK SCHOOL
Monk’s Walk School has a culture of high aspiration, high expectations and success. Our aim is to provide a safe, disciplined and caring learning environment in which our students can thrive. In leading Monk’s Walk I have three key aims: • Be ambitious for the achievement of academic excellence for every student • Ensure that students enjoy their education. We provide a wide range of opportunities both inside and outside the classroom for students to broaden their horizons and develop their joy of life – a vital part of our educational ethos • Keep students safe and happy at school so they can learn effectively. Our students benefit from outstanding practice in the care, guidance and support we provide for them.
At Monk’s Walk we believe that strong partnerships with parents are essential to a student’s success. By sharing the same educational goals and working together we are able to form the solid foundation needed to ensure the highest level of achievement for your son or daughter. Our school aim is simple: Excellence for All.
Kate Smith Headteacher
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Inspiring
AMBITION
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At Monk’s Walk School we pride ourselves on the high standard of education we offer.
We are an inclusive school, catering for individual needs, talents and different learning styles. We believe in a personalised approach to learning that balances academic challenge, support for each individual and an innovative curriculum.
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Our child is bright. What will you do to stretch them to achieve their full potential? Our most able students are identified, stretched and challenged. We carefully monitor their progress. Expectations are high.
“ ... The most able students achieve well at GCSE with high proportions gaining A* or A grades in a numbeR of subjects.” Ofsted 2014
Our child finds some subjects difficult. How will you ensure that they get the help that is needed? It is our belief and expectation that all students have talents that must be realised. Some students require extra help and support and we see it as our duty to provide this. Our Student Support Centre is equipped to meet individual needs. Some students require support in the classroom to guide them. Others benefit from closer adult support in smaller teaching groups.
“ ... The deployment of teaching assistants is good... as a result students who receive this support make rapid progress.” Ofsted 2014
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AMBITION
Inspiring
“ ... Almost all teaching is outstanding or good. Teachers have high expectations and students are clear that they are in school to learn.� Ofsted 2014
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Enjoyment Creativity &
CHALLENGE Creativity and challenge are key elements in our teaching, providing students with opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and talents and, most importantly, to enjoy their schooling.
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“ The school’s curriculum is broad and balanced, with appropriate time devoted to core academic subjects and opportunities to study creative and practical subjects.” Ofsted 2014
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“ Many students participate in the large number of sporting and cultural activities which take place outside lesson time.� Ofsted 2014
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Our child loves sport. What’s on offer? All of our students study PE within curriculum time. In addition, there is a huge programme of extra-curricular sport on offer and the opportunity to participate in competitive sport, as well as for fun or recreation. We aim to challenge our students through their participation in sport. Our students and teams are successful at local, county and national level. The school has been awarded The Sportsmark Award several times. Students are able to study PE at GCSE and A level.
We have encouraged our child to do music. Will this be supported at Monk’s Walk School? Our music department has gained national recognition for excellence and innovation in the teaching of music through the Musical Futures programme. There is a vast programme of musical events and all students have the opportunity to study instruments with peripatetic teachers. Students can join the orchestra, jazz band, choir, brass ensemble and rock groups. We have large numbers of students studying music to GCSE and we also teach music to A level.
What other opportunities are there? We aim for our students to gain a range of experiences to help them develop as individuals. The range of educational visits, field trips and residential opportunities is immense. Drama is very popular and successful at Monk’s Walk, with a variety of productions each year, as well as theatre trips and workshops that enrich the curriculum. Drama is taught to GCSE and A Level. Students have the opportunity to take part in World Challenge, Duke of Edinburgh Award, as well as in a broad range of other trips – too many to mention!
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Care &
SUPPORT We are proud of the relationships within our school and the pastoral care of our students.
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“ The overwhelming majority of parents are very happy with the way their children are taught and cared for by the school.� Ofsted 2014
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How will my child be supported? Students are supported by strong year teams which enable them to have a voice and ensure all students know who to turn to for support, academic social or personal. We see transition from primary school to secondary as vitally important. Before transfer we liaise closely with primary schools to ensure that students are placed appropriately for their individual development. We know that students do not learn if they are stressed, so ensuring there is smooth transition and effective anti-bullying procedures is very important to us.
“Students enjoy coming to school and appreciate the work that teachers do for them.” Ofsted 2014
Is Monk’s Walk a strict school? Monk’s Walk expects all students to work hard and behave well. In many ways, Monk’s Walk is a traditional school, with high expectations based on mutual respect. We expect parents to support us in upholding these high standards. The result is we have very good behaviour and outstanding attendance. All students wear our uniform with pride.
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T: 01707 322846 F: 01707 375080 admin@monkswalk.herts.sch.uk www.monkswalk.herts.sch.uk
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Knightsfield Welwyn Garden City Hertfordshire AL8 7NL