Caerleon Comprehensive School

Caerleon Comprehensive School ( _cy. Ysgol Gyfun Caerllion) (coord|51.6101|N|2.9618|W|scale:2000) is a state-run school situated in Caerleon on the outskirts of Newport, Wales. The school boasts an excellent reputation in the region, not only for the academic results of its pupils, but also for music and sport.

Identity

There are approximately 1600-1700 pupils on roll at the school at any one time, including a sizable sixth form of around 300 pupils. All pupils are required to wear the school uniform comprising black trousers or skirt, a black jumper, a sky blue shirt and a maroon tie with blue stripes. Sixth formers are distinguished by their white shirts and wholly maroon ties displaying the school crest of a Roman eagle above the emblem of a fortress, (a reference to Caerleon being the site of the "Isca Augusta" Roman fortress) underscored by the school's motto, 'Perseverance'. In the months after Easter, students are permitted to change their shirt and tie for school polo shirts at the headteacher's discretion. They are blue for years 7-11 and white for years 12 and 13. As of the end of the first part of the 2007 Autumn Term (October 2007), there are exactly 1,610 pupils enrolled, divided equally between both sexes, with 805 boys enrolled, and 805 girls enrolled. At the point of last count, the school is 185 pupils over capacity.

Facilities

They include several modern computer suites, a floodlit astro-turf pitch, recently resurfaced tennis courts, large playing fields, a modern design and technology block - which was opened in 1999 by Sir Terry Matthews OBE, a library, a canteen, numerous specialist classrooms (including science laboratories, music rooms, etc), a sizable main hall, a nature reserve (not part of the school), and a separate sixth form building which houses classrooms for exclusively sixth form use, along with offices and a student common room which contains a coffee shop.

Physical education

The PE department has the use of two gymnasia, the emergency use of the hall, three football pitches, two rugby pitches and one interchangeable pitch. There is also an all-weather floodlit astroturf, four tennis courts, two netball courts, a fitness suite and PE theory classrooms. In summer months the grounds of Caerleon Rugby Club adjoining the school are occasionally used.

The school's alumni include professional rugby union players Nick Walne and Ceri Jones.

Performing arts

The two remaining drama department demountable classrooms will be demolished in summer 2008 as work on a new performing arts building for the music and drama departments commences. This is set to be completed by September 2008 and the former music classrooms will be converted into chemistry laboratories.

Information technology

The IT department is well equipped with five classrooms, four of which are in the new Isca Block. The remaining room has been retained in the Design and Technology block (the J block). The Charles Williams Suite (also in the J block) is purely used for CAD/CAM and is well-equipped with various machinery.

chool environment

The school looks to foster a friendly environment, and beyond merely academic provision, offers students the chance to participate in numerous extra-curricular activities. The school has a number of successful teams in several different sports, including football, hockey, rugby, and netball. It also offers those with musical talents the chance to participate in the school choir or orchestras. Moreover, the school participates in other schemes such as Young Enterprise and the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, allowing pupils the opportunity at least to leave the school, be it at 16 or above, with more than just academic qualifications.

The school's mission statement is:

'To maximize the potential of all in a happy, caring and disciplined environment'

The school also has a hugely successful ski trip which usually runs in January, and also February half-term annually, which many of the staff and often hundreds of students go on. Many of the trips are to Austria but recently a few have been going to France.A ski trip is also available to 6th form students, which takes place in Canada.

The school's catchment area is vast, and covers both Caerleon junior schools, Ponthir Primary, Langstone Primary, Usk Juniors and various other areas.

The school, being near the River Usk has plans in place to deal with mass flooding, heavy snowfall, fire and extremely hot conditions. The school's fire alarm system is top of the range and was installed in 2003. It has been commended by both Newport City Council and South Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

Curriculum

There are numerous subjects available for study at both GCSE and A Level.

*English
** English literature
*Mathematics
** Statistics
**Economics
**Further Mathematics
*Science
** Biology
** Physics
** Chemistry
*Modern foreign languages
**French
**German
**Spanish
*Humanities
**History
**Geography
**Sociology
**Psychology
**Child development
**Traffic education
*Art
* Performing arts
** Music
** Drama
*Physical education
*Personal and Social Education
**Sexual education
**Careers education
*Design technology
**Graphic products
**Resistant materials
**Catering
*ICT
*Religious education
*Business studies
**Business and communication systems

Secondary School performance tables [http://www.dfes.gov.uk/performancetables/] reveal Caerleon Comprehensive's success record, with an average of 95% of pupils who took their GCSEs between 1998-2000 achieving five or more A* to G grades, and 72% achieving five or more grades at A* to C. [ [http://education.wales.gov.uk/2000/newport/caerleon_comprehensive_school_results.htm National Assembly for Wales] ]

Rachel Rice

Rachel Rice was a student English Language teacher at the school until she was put into the period of hiding, before entering the "Big Brother" House on 5 June 2008, emerging the winner of the ninth series. She was only a few weeks away from completing her placement.

References

External links

* [http://www.caerleoncomprehensiveschool.co.uk/ Caerleon Comprehensive School website]