Newlands Girls' School
English Department
We are extremely pleased with the ongoing developments undertaken by the English Department at Newlands Girls' School since joining The Prince’s Teaching Institute Programme. We have been able to widen provision for the subject in a number of ways. Firstly, departmental staff contributed to inset in a way that has been inspiring, to share positive practice and subject knowledge across the department. Pupils have also been involved in creative training with their teachers, which was powerful in demonstrating a democratic approach to learning. Pupils found that the role reversal took some getting used to. However, it helped them to develop their critical skills and they felt that they had contributed something which the teachers would use in their wider English teaching.
We have enhanced the breadth and depth of the subject in various ways that provide enrichment for pupils away from the classroom. This has included visits from a performance poet, participation in the ‘Carnegie Shadowing Scheme’ and the ‘Magistrates' Mock Trial Competition.’ Newland’s Film club and Creative Writing club continue to be popular. Additionally, we held a subject specific assembly for Media Studies, which was an awards ceremony called NAFTAS as a parody of the well known BAFTAS.
Lastly, pupils have been able to see the cross curricular links between subjects which can otherwise seem rigidly compartmentalised on a day to day basis. The English department worked with Art, Music, Drama and Dance to run a day during activity week, based on multi-culture and ethnicity. In addition, our project with Creative Partnerships utilizes a cross curricular approach, in combining creative writing with visual photography. The project aims to help turn passive pupils into collaborative learners that are actively creating, participating in and evaluating their own learning. So far, the project has been extremely well received by both staff and pupils alike, as the outcomes and benefits of the project have been so varied and unique. Most importantly, pupils feel that the project has had a direct bearing on the quality of their work and teachers shared an enhanced appreciation for innovative classroom practice. The link that the project has with India also provides a highly appropriate global citizenship focus for young women in both countries, extending their opportunities and involvement within the wider community. This has helped to deepen cultural understanding, increase confidence and develop creative skills. We have been invited to feature prominently at the ‘International Student Conference 2010’ as a way of sharing good practice. Student voice is heavily instrumental to the project, empowering students to take control of their learning.
History Department
2008-2009 has been a particularly successful one for Newlands History students. Year 12 AS History students completed the “Young Historians Project” run by the History Department. This is an annual individualised learning project run post AS examinations in the Summer Term. History students choose a historical issue linked to the chosen A2 Study Units of Queen Elizabeth 1 and Russia 1865-1964. The project includes a visit to the National Archives at Kew, where students are able to work on original documents related to their chosen topic. Students can complete their project in any form and present it to the rest of the class. The result this year was again a number of high quality projects and presentations. Prize-winners included minibooks on “What caused the Russian Revolutions in 1917?”, “Who was Rasputin and why was he murdered?” and “What was the Spanish Armada?” in cartoon form.
The Department’s enrichment programme was particularly successful, providing History students with a wide variety of visits to historical sites at home and abroad. Highlights included the Year 9 Visit to the World War One Battlefields, the Year 11 Visit to Berlin and the Year 12 and 13 Visit to Japan. These visits continue to be well supported by students and enable the Department to maintain a high profile.
Particularly successful has been the individual research project “Contact with the Past” completed by all Year 9 History students during Term 3 (Spring Term). Students research and assess the impact of World War One on Maidenhead. Students complete a structured assignment sheet, which involves using a school database which has details of all Maidenhead personnel killed on active service during World War One, prepared by a local historian. Students are encouraged to do their own individual research on five local soldiers. This involves using the Wargrave Commission, which is based in Maidenhead, website, visiting their local World War Memorial and doing their own historical research as much as possible. The standard of work is astounding and Prizes are awarded to the best completed projects. These provide a showcase and an inspiration to other students. Students that go on the History visit to the World War One Battlefields are encouraged to keep a journal and photographic record of their experiences, including finding the grave of their “Contacts from the Past” or their name on the Menin Gate, Tyne Cot Cemetery or on the Thiepval Memorial. A never to be forgotten experience! Again, prizes are awarded for the best projects and students are encouraged to show originality as well as historical expertise. 2009 realised some outstanding projects completed and this project helps all History students in Year 9 make a connection and sense of a past era that can appear very remote.
Newlands Girls' School is a larger than average girls' community comprehensive school, located in Maidenhead, Berkshire. It has approximately 1,100 pupils between the ages of 11-18. The school has been a Specialist Technology College since 2002 and is a designated Training School.
Blog Link :
http://aartihome-newlands.blogspot.com/