Aldwickbury School case studies (16)

Impact of partnership work done in 2023 (ISC annual Census 2024)

• 5 state schools involved
• 201-500 state school pupils involved
• 100 staff hours given

Impact Statement

Academic
The School recognises that it should ensure that access to its expertise and facilities are made available in order to enhance the educational provision in the local community. The School runs various initiatives that involve several local primary schools, with all of the costs for these events being borne by the School. Some such events are detailed below.
• The School organised a series of Mathematics Master Classes in conjunction with the Royal Institution. Visiting speakers, who are experts in their field, were invited to give lectures designed for gifted and talented mathematicians. Local primary schools were invited to send children to take part in the lectures and their teachers were invited so that they can enhance their own knowledge to use within their own teaching.
• Mathematics Challenges for different year groups are hosted by Aldwickbury, run by an outside provider. Primary schools from Harpenden and the local area are invited to bring teams. These provide a wonderful competitive framework for children to take on a variety of mathematical challenges.
• The School organised a Maths Challenge held at Bernards Heath School, St. Albans, for 90 Year 6 pupils. The Challenge was run by the Head of Mathematics and he was assisted by 23 Year 8 boys as part of their Leavers’ programme.
• Creative writing courses are run for gifted and talented young writers. The School invited a children’s author to run workshops to which local primary schools are invited to bring a group of children and staff. As well as creating opportunities for children to interact from differing schools, their teachers gain ideas and inspiration to develop their own practice.
• Five members of staff are Governors at local schools. The School supports their requirement for leave of absence to allow them to fulfil their roles as Governors.
• The School has worked with other independent schools in the area to discuss their own public benefit strategies and to share ideas as to how to improve their academic offering.
Partnership with The Shared Learning Trust
Over the past year, the School has built a partnership with The Vale and Linden Academies based in Dunstable and Luton respectively. The two primary schools are part of The Shared Learning Trust (TSLT), a multi- academy trust. Over the course of the year, the School has collaborated with TSLT in a number of areas to share best practice. Specifically, the School has undertaken the following activities:
• A member of TSLT’s Senior Leadership team has attended both the School’s SMT and Academic Committee meetings.
• Members of Early Years teams have exchanged visits to view their respective facilities and curriculum.
• NQTs from TSLT and the School have met to share ideas.
• TSLT has provided the School with CPD opportunities for their staff.
• The School has provided TSLT with advice as to their Marketing and Communications strategy, with a view to help them retain and boost pupil numbers.
• The School’s Head of Learning Support is now Governor for SEND at The Vale Academy.
• TSLT and the School have worked together to discuss specific strategies for children with special educational needs.
• The School has offered administrative support to TSLT, specifically with regard to Teachers’ Pensions administration.
• TSLT and the School have discussed the issues surrounding the recruitment of academic staff.
• Aldwickbury has provided support to both the Linden and Vale’s recent OFSTED inspections.
Aldwickbury has offered tailored academic support to TSLT in a number of areas:
• The Head of Latin taught an ‘Introduction to Latin’ class at both schools.
• A group of children from The Linden and The Vale attended a Macbeth workshop run by the Young Shakespeare Company. The same children then attended the school’s annual play, The Tempest.
• Both schools now attend Mathematics Masterclasses and Challenges.
• Children’s author, Fred Sedgwick, hosted a special Poetry workshop for 30 children.
• Children from The Vale School attended a special hockey training camp run by Darren Cheesman, Great Britain International.
Aldwickbury has made Academic support available to children considered ‘Gifted and Talented’ as well as those that are recognised as being from ‘Pupil Premium’ backgrounds.
In 2018/19, Aldwickbury plans to extend the current academic programme to include Science, French, History, Art, Music and more Sport. The School will be supporting TSLT’s Social, Moral, Spiritual and Cultural (enrichment) programme in a number of different ways.

Facilities
• Aldwickbury makes its pool available free of charge for three local primary schools to provide weekly swimming lessons to their pupils.