Study Support
(Including Extra Curricular Activities and the Independent Study Centre)
The school has been awarded Advanced Quality in Study Support status valid until 2012 through the national Quality in Study Support Programme showing that the school is at the leading edge of study support in the whole country. We have an extensive and impressive range of ‘out of hours activities' here at St. Benedict's. The study support programme is a key strategy for school improvement; raises pupil motivation, self-esteem and achievement; promotes collaboration between St. Benedict's and other local primary and secondary schools and other organisations such as public libraries, youth services, the arts, sport and our extensive business links; and involves our young people as decision makers, peer educators and evaluators of their own learning.
In June 2009 we were also awarded a national Leading Aspect Award based around our study support provision, again accrediting the School with this status until 2012.
Study support is any club or activity that pupils choose to take part in at St. Benedict's out of class time - such as at break, lunch time or after school where they actually learn something (i.e. there is a learning outcome). These activities are open to all who wish to participate (although activities can be restricted to specific year groups).
These activities include all of the activities, clubs, study groups and sporting activities (not selective sport teams) that pupils take part in. Study support therefore encompasses our extra curricular activities.
By taking part in these study support activities pupils can improve their grades when they come to examinations. On average, national statistics show that pupils gain one GCSE A* - C more than pupils with equal ability whom do not participate (Source: DCSF / QISS)
We have a vision of what we want study support to achieve:
" Success through learning "
St. Benedict's seeks to enable students to become more effective learners who can achieve success. We aim to provide a wide range of ‘out of hours' learning opportunities which:
- meet the needs and wishes of all our student
- takes place in a relaxed, purposeful learning environment
- are available to anyone in our community regardless of gender, age or ability
As part of study support, pupils have use of the Independent Study Centre (ISC) before school from 7.45am to 8.30am, during lunch and after school. The lunch hour is split into 2 sessions. The first from 12.35 until 1.05pm. The 2nd session from 1.05pm until 1.35pm. Pupils line up outside the ISC and are let in on a first come - first served basis. Pupils must have with them their ISC card. NO CARD = NO ENTRY! When a pupil hands in their ISC card it is logged and then returned via their tutor the next morning. Tutors therefore must ensure that they return these cards to their tutor group or they will not be allowed entry into the ISC.
Those who lose cards have to go to the ISC staff at break to obtain a new card. This may take a few days and pupils will not be allowed entry until a new card is processed.
No food and drink is allowed in the ISC. The ISC is for EDUCATIONAL USE ONLY! The playing of non-educational games, emails, chat rooms / forums and any form of downloading will lead to a ban and further action deemed appropriate by the head teacher. Pupils must not ‘lend' their ISC cards to friends as both parties will be banned for a period of time. The same applies for pupil user numbers and passwords. Pupils are not allowed to come to the study centre simply to use the toilets! Pupils are not allowed to use the photocopier.
Sixth formers benefit from a different system. They do not have ISC cards. They simply sign in and out on entry / leaving. They have open access during the whole school day and do not need to queue. All other rules are the same.
The opening times for 2010 are:
Term Time:
Morning Session
Monday to Friday 7.45am - 8.30am
Lunch Time
Monday to Friday 12.35pm - 1.35pm
After School
Monday to Thursday 3.15pm - 7.30pm
February Half Term:
Monday to Friday - 10.30am - 3.30pm
May Half Term:
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday - 10.30am - 3.30pm
Pupils can stay on after school or come back later out of school uniform. This is ideal for those with part time jobs or have other clubs / activities to go to. After school, a charge of 1p is made per print-out. During the normal school day no charge is made and pupils must complete the print log next to the printer stating which department and how many sheets have been printed.
Pupils are encouraged to complete suggestion forms which are available from the ISC if they have any suggestions / ideas on how the study support activities can be improved or if they want other activities to be introduced. All suggestions are read and a comment about the idea displayed next to the suggestion box. There is also a study support notice board which gives more information on current activities and news on study support. This is also in the ISC. We also have a Study Support Student Committee that looks at improving the study support programme and the ISC. They meet twice a term and is open to all who want to take part.
Pupil Code of Conduct for the Independent Study Centre
- All users must read, agree by and sign an internet agreement form
- No food and drink is to be brought into the ISC. Any items bought from the refreshment area need to be consumed in that area
- Users must have their ISC card to gain entry to the ISC
- Users must keep their user numbers and passwords secret
- Users must only use their own user number and password
- The equipment in the ISC must be used appropriately at all times.
- Anyone caught damaging equipment will be dealt with severely by the head and banned from the ISC
- Friends from other schools are not allowed in the ISC or the school grounds. If they arrive with you they will be asked to leave
- Toilets are only for the use of legitimate ISC users
- ISC cards must only be used by the named pupils
- The ISC is meant for educational use only.
- The visiting of chat rooms, the use of non-educational emails, the downloading of music / programs and the
- Playing of games is not allowed.
What activities are offered?
This is a list of just some of the study support activities that were on offer during the last school year. Some activities were offered every week, others were organised for certain times of the year and some activities were aimed at specific year groups.
Subject based activities:
Psychology coursework club, Business Studies revision / coursework club, Geography coursework and revision clubs, History coursework club, ICT club, Food coursework club, German coursework club, German Trip, French Trip, Design and Technology clubs, English coursework club, Theatre Trips and Science coursework and revision clubs
Regular activities:
Young Enterprise, Young Engineers Club, Junior Young Engineers Club, Let's Get Cooking , The Smallpiece Trust Programme, School Council, School Band, Guitar Club, Year Council, Engineering in Education Scheme, Drum Club, Crime Scene Club, Public Speaking, Valhalla, Russian for beginners, Spellbinding, Boys Dance Group, Salsa Band, animation club, Year 11 mentoring programme, peer mentoring, and the String / folk group
Sporting activities:
Netball, Rounders, Hockey, Girls Rugby Union, Girls FA, Orienteering club, Athletics club, Badminton club, X-country club, Tennis Club, Soccer club, Rugby club, Cricket club, Sailing, Judo, Basketball and Golf
Additional activities:
Photography group, paired reading scheme, Buddies scheme, Arkwright Scholarships scheme, IMechE Seminars, numerous university trips / residential visits, Annual School Production, leadership residential courses, Eco Group, Fairtrade Group, Rock Challenge, Creative Science group, Connexions Club, Rotary Young Chef, Rotary Youth Leadership Award, Rotary Youth Enrichment Programme, Young Sports Leaders, numerous competitions and many others........................
We publish a new programme of activities every half term. This is displayed on the Study Support notice board in the Independent Study Centre and on-line via the school website and Moodle site.
Study Support Programme
