Year 9 Maths Challenge

Yesterday Year 9 had the opportunity to do some enriching Maths with an external visitor, Angela Gould. They carried out a variety of games and activities, from 3 in a row (adding and multiplying), problem solving and thinking skills competitions and Maths Bingo. I think, however,  that the most memorable experience will be the paper folding activity to make pyramids, then reducing the paper size from A4 to make smaller and smaller pyramids, with some students successfully constructing pyramids from an A16 'sheet'! I am looking forward to us making the football out of pyramids, and also making the pyramid big enough to sit in!

 

Thank you to the Year 9 students for participating so well, to the Year 13 Maths Ambassadors, Courtney and Will, for helping out so admirably, and to Friends of Townsend for funding the event.

 

Mrs Berry

 

 

Ofsted Report

Exciting news at Townsend School – finally recognised as a good school!

 

Hertfordshire’s only Voluntary Aided CE Secondary School that is based in St Albans has just been graded as GOOD in every aspect by Ofsted inspectors.   

 

The report was formally published by Ofsted this week following an inspection just before Christmas. Headteacher Mr Wellbeloved said “I am still smiling as are our pupils, staff, governors and parents/carers who are equally as pleased with the report. It celebrates the excellent achievement of our pupils and comments strongly about our values and ethos, while praising the attitudes of our students and the work of all of our staff to give every child the best possible experience.” 

 

The report starts with the words ‘This is a good school’ and goes on to give grades under five headings  - Achievement of pupils GOOD, Sixth Form provision GOOD, Quality of Teaching GOOD, Behaviour and Safety of pupils – GOOD, Leadership and Management GOOD.  Overall effectiveness is summarised by the Ofsted inspectors as GOOD.        

 

Mr Wellbeloved also said “The report very strongly endorses the work of our students and staff and celebrates so much that makes Townsend a special place for a child. Inspectors said that the school is delivering a good education with good outcomes and in a wonderfully supportive and caring environment with strong and secure values and ethos.”  While praising the academic achievement of pupils, the report also emphasises on how successfully the school’s ‘Respect for All’ policy is practised.  The report states “Spiritual, moral, social and cultural aspects of students’ learning are well developed. The school prepares students well for life in modern democratic Britain, and its focus on developing respect for all is exemplary.”  Given the national focus on radicalisation Mr Wellbeloved said “In the current international climate and with the fear of radicalisation of young people high on the national agenda, we are very happy to have this aspect of school life to be considered as exemplary. That is a wonderful tribute to our school community that actively welcomes children of all faiths and of no faith.  Examination results are a high priority for us, but also what is important is the rounded development of the children in our care.”

 

Copies of the report can be obtained from the school. 

For further information please contact Mr Wellbeloved, Headteacher Townsend CE Secondary School, High Oaks, St Albans, Hertfordshire. AL3 6DR  

Tel: 01727 853047.  Email: admin@townsend.herts.sch.uk

Stars in their Eyes

On Tuesday evening, the AS and A2 Media Studies students went on a trip to see Stars in their Eyes being recorded at the studios in Elstree.  The students visited the set to help with the video segment of their coursework, to learn how media is created with a live audience and later edited in post production to achieve the desired finished product.  They also learnt how certain programmes are targeted to specific audiences and viewers.  A quote from one Media student "I really enjoyed visiting a studio setting and seeing how everything was put together, especially how reality can be extremely mediated in post production to show the extended audience at home."

Author/Genre of the Month - January

This month's author of the month is actually changed to a genre - "Classics".  This is to coincide with Year 9's Reading challenge of classic novels, from various authors.

Visit the Discovery Centre to see the display, read the interesting facts and view the suggested selection of books!

 

Vote for Sue Hampton!

Our regular visitor, author Sue Hampton, has again been nominated for the People's Book Prize for her book GORILLA DREAMS.  Visit the website http://www.suehamptonauthor.co.uk/ and at the bottom of the homepage there is a widget linking to the People's Book Prize site, where you can cast your vote!

Sixth Form trial exams

This week the sixth form students will be carrying out their trial exams for AS and A2 levels.  Good luck everyone and remember to revise as much as you can!

Welcome back!

Welcome back to school everyone!  We hope you all had a lovely Christmas and New Year and are feeling refreshed for this new exciting term!