Godolphin School case studies (14)

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

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

Impact Statement

A Head of Community Engagement co-ordinates provision of this area and seeks to extend and develop opportunities for such links.

Link with St Martin's Primary School - St Martin's is our nearest primary school geographically, and its student body comprises a large number of pupils receiving School Premium and also a large number fo pupils for whom English is not their first language; in many cases, their parents cannot speak English, either.  From 2018, we have arranged for some of our Sixth Form students to offer Literacy support to the pupils at St Martin's.  They are given Safeguarding Guidance by the primary school as part of their induction.  They listen to the pupils read and help them progress.  More recently, in response to a request from the Acting Head, some of our students have been helping teach the pupils at St Martin's how to play.  Plans are under consideration for support in Numeracy and perhaps also in playing the kettle drums.

In November 2019, we hosted a parenting conference - Go Parent - and the speakers at the conference also gave talks for young people; we invited Salisbury Sixth Form College to support the event: they provided the venue, and we provided the speakers.  Talks for the students focussed on self-harm, healthy eating and resilience.

Art & Design teaching staff have been involved in GCSE Art & Design specification in 18 local schools in an ongoing capacity for many years. This has involved assisting with Scholars' Exhibitions and Open Days; invitations to Art & Design moderation meetings held at Godolphin every summer term; welcoming newly appointed teachers at local schools to spend a day in school to workshadow. The feedback we receive is that this support is key in assisting newly qualified as well as established teachers in the local area, and is appreciated in those schools who return regularly and request repeat events.

Careers - an annual STEM careers event with the nearby boys' grammar school, inviting local Sixth Form schools and colleges to join. Invitations are also extended to local schools when Godolphin run special events for careers. In addition, all of our local schools are invited to our biennial Gap Year event. Invitations to our events with Gap-Wise Careers Service and training in writing UCAS school references are always extended to other local schools and colleges.

Our Classics Department oversee a Classical Latin and Greek Competition with our local boys' grammar school and teach Latin to two Upper Sixth pupils from our nearby girls' grammar school.

Our impact assessment, 1 Upper Sixth pupil and 1 Lower Sixth pupil from Salisbury College will gain a Music A Level and 2 girls in the Upper Sixth Form from South Wiltshire Girls' Grammar School will achieve an A Level in Latin. This is provided within the 4.5 hours per week, per subject of teaching.

Creative workshops have been hosted by our English department to much acclaim, with pupils from local primary schools invited to a creative writing workshop, involving members of Godolphin staff who assumed the guise of various characters in the retelling of stories. The feedback received from the schools involved was that the event has stayed long in the memory of their pupils who continue to be enthusiastic and engaged in the subject long after the event.

Debating - An ongoing initiative invites local Sixth Form pupils to debate with pupils at Godolphin School.

History of Art - The department has offered lectures to local state and primary schools sharing in an evening of teacher knowledge, expertise and school facilities.

Learning Support has provided monthly, ongoing support for teacher and parents of those with a specific learning difficulty. External speakers are invited and sessions include a 30 minute sharing time between individuals. The feedback we receive is that this support has become invaluable in reassuring local families that they are not alone, as well as not the first to be dealing with these difficulties.

The prestigious Godolphin Literary Festival which takes place in October every other year, includes invitations to children of our local schools. In addition, specific author visits are arranged on an ad hoc basis and always linked with at least one other local school on each occasion.

Our Maths department arranges puzzle days for our local primary school, and Maths Challenges with nearby grammar schools.

Our Oxbridge Preparation team work closely with nearby grammar schools and the feedback has been excellent from the 'speed dating' style mock interviews with STEM teaching staff, and medic/vet mock interviews with specialist staff. Godolphin hosts interview workshops with a Cambridge Admissions tutor and practice interviews have been accepted by local schools for potential Oxbridge candidates.

An annual event for both our local grammar schools to attend a Godolphin Scholars' Lecture, hosted in previous years by Dr Alexandra Harris, Sir Sherard Cowper Coles and Professor Grayling. Additional talks have been hosted by Chris Fuller, Southampton University, on Terrorism and Nicholas Mercer on Human Rights. Scholars have also been invited to attend BBC Radio 4 Any Questions. Invitations are also extended to Heads of local schools to attend our Inspiring People talks. in 2017, we welcomed Dame Esther Rantzen to talk on the subject of Child Line and Silver Line; Alex Lewis to share his experiences as a quadruple amputee and Natasha Devon MBE to discuss mental health and positive body image.

Super Science Saturday sessions for AGT students from local primary schools, aged 8-11 years is offered each term, to approximately 25 students. Invitations have been extended to Science teachers at a London based school to focus on recruitment and retention in Science, with lesson observations and sharing of good practice.

Our pupils, along with those in local grammar schools, have benefited from the provision of the teaching of First Aid to girls undertaking Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Staff regularly share teaching and learning resources with colleagues from state schools via social media forums.

The Deputy Head, Academic sits on the local schools; panels for whole school and Sixth Form links.