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WEST MIDLANDS SUCCESS STORIES 2005: Hard Work Brings Great Success ; BARTLEY GREEN SCHOOL

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 December 2005, 03:02 CST

BARTLEY Green School - a Specialist Technology and Sports College - has been named as one of Ofsted's most successful schools in the country in 2005, much to the delight of staff and pupils.

It was described as "a very good school with some excellent features," prompting Edgbaston MP Gisela Stuart to remark: "This is wonderful news for the local community and a tribute to the hard work of the staff and pupils.

"The school can be very proud of this achievement."

The school was rated in the top five per cent in England for value added for 16-year-olds. With 72 per cent passes at A*-C it is now a consist-ently high performing school, achieving superb results for pupils of all abilities Additionally, Bartley Green received praise for teaching pupils how to study, working closely with parents - an aspect which Ofsted described as having outstanding features - providing interesting and up to date lessons for pupils, employing a very good staff and providing a wealth of activities and enrichment experiences outside the classroom with no significant weaknesses.

The school believes strongly in good behaviour and good manners, recognised by Ofsted as "promoting very positive relationships within the school. Pupils' enthusiasm for their work and mature attitudes promote very good learning and achievement".

Being recognised by the Government as a High Performing Specialist School (HPSS) meant Bartley Greenwas invited to take on a second specialism of sport as well as technology. This brings additional funds and opportunities for pupils, such as a new multi- sports area available for their use in and out of lessons, including football and basketball.

There are newly-refurbished tennis and netball courts and many more opportunities for sporting activitiesfrom table tennis to Judo. A hi-tech wireless computer network has been installed throughout the school, with pupils able to work at home on computers and upload it to their school ICT Years 9 and 10 have e-learning days and pupils complete a day's lessons via the school website, at home, at a friend's house, in a library or inschool. Feedback from pupils is a bit like Charles Dickens' "Oliver" - asking for more!

Other opportunities for pupils to get involved in activities include A production of Oliver and musical concerts throughout the year, orchestra and rock bands.

n A "Pop Idol" library initiative - youngsters in Birmingham vote off books each week until an eventual winner is found.

n Fantasy football league. n Outdoor education experiences. n Sports teams in boys and girls football, netball, cricket, basketball, badminton, orienteering, rowing, athletics, dance.

A special extension programme for very able pupils is a regular feature of school life, too. One pupil was recently chosen to visit NASA, including the Kennedy Space Centre and Johnson Space Centre in Texas. The "In the Know" school newspaper with pupils as journalists, researchers, editors and production staff, working on- line to produce a paper in a day.

This offers plenty of opportunity to develop creative and time management skills!

Junior sports leaders from our GCSE or Btec sports courses, organise, run and coach primary age pupils on the school's regular primary tournament days.

Developing independence, responsibility and having fun at the same time are hallmarks of Bartley Green School's approach to education. Ask the pupils

Source: Evening Mail; Birmingham (UK)

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