Maths and Computing
In 2009 we were awarded a second Specialism in Maths and Computing. We intend to use this opportunity to enrich the mathematical curriculum for our own students and others in our area. We aim to increase motivaiton and raise understanding and enjoyment in this important area.
Still at the early planning stages, we hope to engage in the following and other projects:
- Supportive partnerships for / with a local secondary school and a local primary school
- puzzle and problem-solving themed sessions for days for students in KS3
- Workshops designed to extend the skills of our students who are planning to study Maths A Level
- Classes and mentoring for students needing extra learning time or support for GCSE
Humanities
St Bedes became a Humanities Specialist Status school in September 2005, one of the first schools in the country to do so. History is the lead subject, supported by Geography and Religious Studies. The Humanities subjects also include Citizenship, Leisure and Tourism, Business Studies as well as English and Drama.
Specialist Status is all about improving standards in all subjects across the curriculum, lead by initiatives and enhancements through the specialist subject areas. It develops a momentum for change by adopting a forward thinking approach to the whole curriculum and involves a distinctive ethos in its work with partners in the community and with other Schools and Colleges.
Over the period of Specialist Status St Bedes has built on its original plans and extended its work across the curriculum and the community to develop a greater understanding of people and the society in which they live and encouraging everyone to achieve their maximum potential within that society.
Activities
These have included:
• Whole school Humanities Days
2005 - Make Poverty History
2006 – Environment Day
2008 - Enterprise – Who Killed Mr Matthews?’
• Visits by theatre companies - Riding Lights, Schools History Scene.
• Humanities Competitions for KS3
• Anti Bullying Assemblies in partner primary schools.
• Visits by worship band and choir leading acts of collective worship in primary schools.
• Visit by Year 5 pupils to St Bedes for Humanities/Citizenship Days
2006 - Africa
2007 - Climate Concern
2008 - Cambridge – Past, Present and Future.
• Cross curricular visits – Food Technology and History – Rationing in World War 2
• Introduction of Leisure and Tourism GCSE.
• Introduction Citizenship Short course GCSE
• Introduction of ‘A’S Level Critical Thinking for Year 11 Gifted and Talented students in partnership with Hills Road VIth From college
• Launch of SAM Learning revision programme.
• Lead School in SSAT/DFES e-mentoring programme for East Anglia.
• Make Your Mark Challenge with Year 10
• Make Your Mark Social Challenge with Year 10 and 11
• Young Enterprise for Year 11.
• Visits to partner schools in Palestine.
• Visits to partner school in Finland
• Formation of St Bedes Environment Committee and awarding of Silver Eco-Schools Award.
• Visit by Hills Road partner secondary school from the Eastern Cape, South Africa.
• Extra curricular Greek Club for Year 9 and 10 students in conjunction with St Mary’s School.
‘Specialist Status Partners’
Business Partners – these include organisations that helped to provide part of the original fundraising for Specialist Status.
DG Marshall Airport Works
Cambridge Consultants
Cambridge Building Society
Microsoft
Environment Agency
Trinity College
Trinity Hall
Gonville and Caius College
Christ’s College
St Edmunds College
Clare College
St James Hemingford Grey
Zion Baptist Church
St John’s Church
All Saints Church Pidley
Community Partners – these include
Hills Road Sixth Form College
St Albans Roman Catholic Primary School, Cambridge
Barnabas Oley School, Great Gransden
St Anne’s Church of England Primary School, Godmanchester
St Laurence’s Roman Catholic Primary School, Cambridge
St Philip’s Church of England Primary School, Cambridge
Cambridge Community Church
Ben Zion School, Palestine