Newent Community School

Newent Community School

Motto	Fidem Praesto
Established	1965
Type	Foundation School
Headteacher	Jane Steele
Specialism	Visual Arts and Science Specialist College
Location	Watery Lane Newent Gloucestershire GL18 1QF  England
Local authority	Gloucestershire
DfE URN	115762
Ofsted	Reports
Students	1300
Gender	Coeducational
Ages	11–18
Houses	Collingwood      Mountbatten      Nelson
Website	www.newent.gloucs.sch.uk/

Newent Community School was Gloucestershire’s first purpose built ‘comprehensive’. More than 40 years on and it is now a thriving Foundation School of 1300 students, serving the town and the rural community. The school provided both Secondary and Tertiary education for ages 11 upwards. The school offers GCSEs as well as A Levels. In 2001 the school was granted Arts College Specialist Status. In 2007 the school was also granted Science College Specialist Status as a second specialism. In addition, the school has been awarded Sportsmark Silver, Artsmark Gold and Healthy School.

Summary

The school is staffed by friendly, committed and well-qualified teachers and supported by a network of dedicated administrative, financial, technical and scientific professionals.^{[citation needed]} The school’s students are well motivated and the quality of teaching and learning is high. Each individual tutor group is part of the overall House system which is made up of – Collingwood, Mountbatten and Nelson. Many competitive events are run for the students within the House system including: Football; Netball; Basketball; Swimming; Sports Day; Quiz and the House Festival. The campus consists of 35 acres (140,000 m²) which includes extensive sporting and leisure facilities, including: a floodlit all weather pitch; sports hall; squash courts; gymnasium; fitness suite and recently re-furbished indoor heated swimming pool - all of which are for use by the school and wider community. As Community School a wide range of Adult Education classes, which are held both in the school and in the dedicated community rooms are offered.

Mark Harper MP was governor between 2000 - 2005.^[1]

History

Newent Community School was first founded c. 1435, by the minor nobleman Sir Edward de Newent. De Newent endowed the school with the intention of educating the sons of the Gloucestershire baronetcy, including the Marquis Otis Ferry (attended c.1492-98), whose name can still be found engraved on the school lectern.

Academics

The school has a strong tradition of academic success with an A* - C GCSE pass rate well in excess of the national picture (20% A* - C in 2007).^{[citation needed]} As the only 11 – 18 education establishment in the Forest of Dean area the school has its own Sixth Form of about 4 students who are following a range of Advanced and Vocational courses. Not only does the school boast its academic success, but also has an enviable reputation for high quality extra curricular achievements in sport, music, drama and visual art^{[citation needed]}. The school’s orchestras have a well-deserved reputation and drama productions are highly acclaimed. Newent Community School was built on an old cricket field. The School enjoys sport and is a truly great school.^{[citation needed]} On the other hand the school is very good at art.

Eco-Lab

The school required a new laboratory to meet curriculum requirements and inspired by exchange visits with a school in Kenya the pupils requested that it be developed as an eco lab. The building was opened in October 2007 by naturalist Chris Packham^[2] and incorporates a comprehensive range of sustainable qualities; designed for low energy use with a high performance thermal envelope locally sourced and using renewable, low maintenance materials; good levels of north daylighting linked to automatically controlled artificial lighting and underfloor heating. Energy consumption results are published in the school news network.^[3]

Kenya Student Exchange

Newent Community School, along with two other Gloucestershire schools (Dene Magna School and Lakers School) has been involved with student exchange with St George’s Secondary School near Kisumu in Kenya for eight years.^[4] The school maintains a strong partnership with St George's Secondary School and provides financial and educational support through the use of fundraising.

Students have visited St George's in Kenya three times, in 2004, 2006 and additionally 2009. Another student exchange is being planned in 2011. ^[5]

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ [2]
3. ^ [3]
4. ^ http://www.newent.gloucs.sch.uk/news/downloads/kenya_exchange.pdf
5. ^ http://www.newent.gloucs.sch.uk/news/downloads/kenya_exchange.pdf

External links

• Newent School Homepage

Coordinates: 51°55′38″N 2°24′42″W / 51.9272°N 2.4116°W / 51.9272; -2.4116