the da vinci studio school of science and engineering - course prospectus

8/11/2019 The Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering - Course Prospectus

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01462 443040 [email protected] www.davinci-school.co.uk @davinci_school

T H E D A V I N C I S T U D I O S C H O O LO F S C I E N C E A N D E N G I N E E R I N G P R O S P E C T U S


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The Da Vinci School of Science and Engineering is a 14-18

Studio School in Stevenage. We opened in September 2012 to

provide an innovative curriculum offer for students excited and

enthused by a future career in science, technology, engineering

and mathematics (STEM).

Our Studio School offers a unique opportunity for students to

work alongside employers from the STEM sector in a range ofimaginative project based activities. These genuine experiences,

created alongside our industry partners, will ensure our students can stand out from

the crowd when entering the workplace. Da Vinci students will not only achieve

academic success during their time with us. They will be required to demonstrate

air, creativity, resilience and condence, attributes that will ensure they can succeed

throughout their lives.

Thank you for taking the time to visit The Da Vinci School of Science and Engineering.

We are condent that you will nd us to be a welcoming, friendly and purposeful

community, proud of our unique curriculum offer, and ambitious for the future of every

student that joins us. We hope you will choose to send your child to The Da Vinci

School of Science and Engineering.

Mark Lewis

Executive Principal

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Message from Mark Lewis

Executive Principal


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A warm welcome awaits you at the Da Vinci Studio School ofScience and Engineering. This pioneering school is for 14-19

year olds and is sponsored by North Hertfordshire College.


A very warm welcome to Da Vinci Schoolof Science and Engineering.

It is a great privilege to be leading such a

successful and innovative school. We offer a unique

opportunity for students in Stevenage to achieve

not only the very highest academic success but

also to experience real work-based learning thatwill be invaluable to them in securing the very best

opportunities in the world of work or higher education.

Our style of teaching and learning is also unique in that it offers students the

opportunity to learn in a hands-on environment and helps them to see the

connections between the subjects they are learning and their application

to the real world. We also give students the opportunity to experience

Project Based Learning which gives them the opportunity to solve real

world problems using skills gained in a range of different classroom and

curricular experiences.

As well as achieving high academic standards we also want our young

people to develop into condent young adults who have great skills in

teamwork, problem solving and resilience. In addition to our work-placement

programme we also offer a range of enrichment activities to ensure that

our young people benet from a truly broad and balanced educational

experience.

Our school motto is Imagination in Action. I hope that having read thisprospectus you will feel inspired to join us and take the next exciting steps

in your career.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by phone or email or come in

to school to see us in action.

With best wishes

Miraz Triggs

School Principal

Welcome

Message from Miraz Triggs, School Principal, The Da Vinci Studio School


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ContentsWhat is a Studio School? P06

How will I learn? P07

What will I learn? P09

Key Stage 4 P11

Post 16 P13

What skills will I develop? P15

What employer links are anticipated? P17

What enrichment activities are available? P19

What else do I need to know? P21Will it be right for me? P22

As a parent how can I get involved? P25

What about uniform? P26

How do I apply? P28

Admissions for Key Stage 4 P31

Entry requirements for Post 16 intake P32

Everyone is equal P37Protecting young people P37

How to nd us P39



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How are Studio Schoolsdifferent to other schools?Studio Schools are for students aged 14-19 and are smaller in size than the majority

of other state funded schools. You will join classes of 20 to 25 students in a school

which at full capacity will contain 400 learners.

The most signicant difference is the way the curriculum is delivered. There is a

strong focus on practical, enquiry based learning i.e. on learning by doing and

applying what you have learnt to real life business contexts. Students can select

a blend of academic and vocational qualications which will be taught through a

series of exciting and innovative enterprise projects.

Qualications are vital, but it is how the skills and knowledge can be transferred

to the workplace that will set you apart from the rest of your peers when looking

for your future job. In a Studio School you will learn in a unique, business focused

environment where employers and students work side by side. You will also access

regular and purposeful work experience. From the age of 16, these placements may

be remunerated.

We offer a uniquepractical and enquiry

based approach tolearning with enterprise

projects and real workexperience


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How will I learn?The curriculum will be delivered in a range of different ways. Learning

coaches are similar to teachers and they will facilitate subject delivery;

a large proportion of your time however, will be devoted to working

on both personalised and team cross-curricular projects, sometimes

involving employers. At the end of each day, students participate

in enrichment activities, which bring breadth, personalisation andenjoyment to the school experience. The Studio School day is slightly

longer than traditional schools and this is deliberate, designed to help

students develop resilience in their working practices and to have

the opportunity to undertake assignments. It mirrors the real world of

work and students will be timetabled to attend from 9:00am to 5:00pm

Monday to Thursday and from 9:00am to 4:15pm on Friday.

Although planned teaching sessions will take place for 38 weeks of the

year, the school itself will be open for learning for 51 weeks of the year.

This enables students to have access to support and to the facilities

outside of their timetabled activities.



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01462 443040 [email protected] www.davinci-school.co.uk @davinci_school 9.

What will I learn?We hope to encourage you to think creatively. This is crucial

since we need scientists, engineers and technologists

who can work together to solve problems and make the

most of our resources to create a sustainable future.

We are seeking students who have a love for science,

mathematics, technology and engineering and a thirst forwanting to understand our world, how it works and how we

harness and control it.

A broad and balanced curriculum will allow students

to attain national qualications as well as study more of

what they enjoy in science and technology. A range

of qualications across the disciplines will be on offer

alongside the core curriculum. Students will also develop

nance and enterprise skills by setting up their own student

ventures. The curriculum is enriched with many clubs and

societies and students will regularly take part in events

across the science and engineering calendar.

We are seeking students who have a lovefor science, mathematics, technology

and engineering and a thirst for wantingto understand our world, how it works andhow we harness and control it.



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Key Stage 4Examination subjects include:

GCSE Mathematics (Double award in Methods and

Application is available)

GCSE Science (Students will be guided in selecting

Double or Triple Science)

GCSE English Language and Literature

Additional options choices include:

OCR Level 2 Engineering

GCSE Applied Business

GCSE Computer Science

GCSE Environmental and Land Based Science

GCSE Electronic Products

GCSE History

GCSE Product Design

A whole host of awards can be selected to supplement GCSE

study, for example:

Project Qualications

Finance Award

Sustainability Award

Welding Award

CREST Award

* Courses will run subject to demand


Students make goodprogress from their

different starting pointsand achieve well.OFSTED 2014


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The British Chamberof Commerce believes

that stronger links betweenschools and employers

are crucial for the future ofbusinesses up and downthe country. Studio Schoolswill do just that, involvinglocal and national businessin all aspects of thisinnovative curriculummodel. David Frost Chair of the Studio Schools Trust (Ex-Director General, British Chamber of Commerce)


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Post 16Students are encouraged to select from a suite of Level 3 or Level 2 qualications.

A-levels: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Product Design are offered within the school

and students have the opportunity to select additional subjects from the Renaissance Consortium offering to complement their

learning. The range of A-levels in other subjects in the consortium include Psychology, Communications and Culture, Sociology,

Anthropology, History, English Language and Literature, Media Studies, Law, English Literature, Citizenship and Film Studies.

A-levels will be negotiated with you according to your aspirations, progression and strengths.

Vocational Diplomas or Extended Diplomas in Applied Science or Engineering are available. These will be offered at Level 3

(equivalent to up to three A-levels) and Level 2 (grade C+ equivalent). Students on Level 2 programmes will also work towards

achieving their English and Mathematics at GCSE grade C minimum. It is possible to study an A-level alongside a Vocational

Diploma at Level 3.

Most Post 16 students will complete the Extended Project Qualication.

Information and Creative Technology, Enterprise, Project Qualications, Sustainability and Finance awards will all be available in

the personalised extension studies.



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What skills will I develop?Everyone is different and has their own strengths, which we will celebrate. We will also

help you to develop the skills sought by employers. Here are a few examples:

The ability to communicate well and present to a variety of audiences

How to adopt a professional approach to everything you do

The ability to recognise what you are good at and work on what needs improving

The ability to approach problem solving techniques to help you

Techniques needed to plan projects and take responsibility for learning new skills

Knowing how to work well in teams and understand how your actions inuence others

The desire to be enterprising, looking for opportunities, and to be creative

Resilience to help you cope when projects dont work out as youd hoped

Techniques to help you improve your approach to problem solving

Techniques to help you make the most of your enrichment time to learn or

experience new things

We help you develop these skills using a tool designed by the Studio Schools Trust

- Create, and also by working with employers and with your personal coach.



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As an aspiringAerospace

engineer, my son hasbenetted so much fromhis work placement atAstrium Email from parent


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How are employers involved?


Strong links with local employers lie at the heart of our curriculum. Employers are keen to support the school, to grow new talent and to shape

their workforce for the future. Industry specic employers are involved with:

Advising on the content of the curriculum and the qualications we are offering

Delivering sessions or master classes to students

Mentoring students and providing careers guidance

Delivering mock interviews

Designing real life project briefs

Sponsoring enterprise competitions and providing prizes

Supporting educational visits to their premises

Crucially, students will spend a signicant portion of the week in real work, which goes far beyond work-related learning or work experience

offered by traditional schools. In Years 10 and 11 you will participate in a minimum of one day of work experience per fortnight. In Post-16 study

you will participate in up to two days of real work each week for which you may be remunerated.

As a result, you will gain real understanding of how businesses work, and the skills and the stamina that are required to succeed in this

environment. You will also become more informed about future careers you may like to take.


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What enrichmentactivities are available?Studio School students will be able to

follow their own interests in science,

the environment, enterprise and

engineering by completing enquiry

based projects and joining clubs and

societies. In addition, the enrichment

calendar will bring fun and tness

activities on a daily basis.

Non-sporting enrichment activities

include clubs such as the Gazelle

STEM centre, photography, drama,

creative crafts, and guitar. The

activities on offer change according to

the interests of the students who are

asked to help design the programme

of activities. It is a perfect opportunity

to try something new.

The Da Vinci Studio School will also

have access to a multi-use games

area and the gym owned by North

Hertfordshire College (5 minutes walk

away). Other tness activities take

place in the Community Hall at North

Hertfordshire College and include

team sports, Zumba and so much

more. Students will keep a simple log

or blog of these activities so that they

can use these experiences to enhance

their applications for the next stage in

their education or career.

Students also have the opportunity

to participate in a variety of visits.

Last year we visited the birth place

of Da Vinci in Florence, Italy. We also

visited the Science Museum, The Big

Bang Fair, Engineering Your Future,

Leicester Space Centre, Brayfordbury

Observatory, Britvic and Tesco.



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The Studio School opened in September 2012 and

immediately established a waiting list for places.

It used accommodation within North Hertfordshire

College during its rst year, however, we are now

based in a brand new, purpose built school in

Stevenage. Students not living in Stevenage will

be able to use the Uno Bus link. This will cost a

maximum of 2 per day. (Please visit www.nhc.

ac.uk/travel for more information)

The Da Vinci Studio School of Science

and Engineering

Monkswood WayStevenage

Hertfordshire

SG1 1LA

What else do I

need to know?



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We want the best for our students and we

know that choosing a school is a big decision.

However, be assured that this new model has

been developed in partnership with local and

national employers who are telling us that we

need to take action to support students in

preparing for life, progression, studies andwork.

It is suitable if you:

Want to develop links between different

technical elds

Enjoy a multidisciplinary and problem solving

approach to learning

Want to work in a mature and business-like

environment

Like the idea of having a personalised

programme and working closely with

teachers (learning coaches)

Prefer to attend a smaller school

Will it be right

for me?


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Its good to

have a moreinteractive wayof learning ratherthan sitting ina classroomlooking at theboard all day.The differentstyle of learningis muchbetter than aconventionalschool

Sixth form student



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As a parent how can I get involved?We will ensure that you are kept in touch with the life at the Studio School by:

Producing a weekly blog on the website

Making sure you have all the curriculum information you need to help you support your

child in discussing their studies at home

Events and exhibitions

Providing an opportunity to be involved in the clubs and societies

Holding parents consultation evenings

Publicising our policies via our website

Working with parents who, as employers, wish to be involved in curriculum projects



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What about uniform?Students are expected to dress smartly as we

are preparing you to progress easily to work,

apprenticeships or higher education. We do

expect our students to comply with the full uniform

policy which is available on our website.

To summarise what this might

mean for you:

Both Key Stage 4 and Post 16 students are

expected to have a black suit, shoes, and wear

our branded Da Vinci business shirt. All branded

Da Vinci apparel is obtainable directly from the

Studio School.


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How do I apply?Studio Schools are designed to be small, and we will grow over the rst few years to a maximumof 400 students. If you would like to enter at Post 16, please apply directly to the Studio School

using the application form available on the website. We will then send you the information you

need. If you are currently in Year 9 and wish to apply to start in Year 10, please complete the

Hertfordshire Local Education Authority in-year transfer application form. Information is available

on the website. Please return the form to Hertfordshire County Council and ensure deadlines are

met, since on time applications are always processed ahead of late applications.

Feeling sadthat my

son has nearlynished at Da

Vinci. He hashad an amazingtime at thisfantastic schoolTweet from parent


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Learning neverexhausts

the mind.Leonardo da Vinci


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Admissions atKey Stage 4Students currently in Year 9, who have an interest in

STEM subjects and a willingness to work hard and

embrace this new method of learning are encouraged

to apply using the application process outlined on the

website. As an inclusive school, we do not stipulate

formal entry requirements, although we seek to attract

highly motivated students who are aspirational and

ready to work hard to succeed in life. Once places

have been allocated by Hertfordshire County Council,

the new intake of students will receive a congratulatory

letter from the Principal and will be invited into The

Da Vinci Studio School of Science and Engineering to

participate in induction activities, meet the staff, and

make new friends.



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Entry requirements for Post 16 intakeAll applicants for Post 16 will be invited to a meeting to discuss

their requirements.

Those students wishing to enter Year 12 will need to meet set

entry requirements for specic courses. Entry requirements are

a way of helping us negotiate the best options, to make sure

that you take on something in which you can be successful. We

will also ensure that students accepted at Post 16 who do not

possess at least a grade C (this is Level 2) in GCSE English and

Mathematics will achieve, or work towards achieving, a Level 2

qualication in these two subjects.

Students need to have ve GCSEs at grade C or above

including Mathematics, English and Science to access

any Level 3 programme (AS levels and Level 3 Engineering

or Applied Science). Certain subjects will require higher

grades and we will discuss this with you in your guidance

meeting. We have Level 2 programmes to cater for students

who need to study further at Level 2 rst. Level 2 courses

require you to have passed your GCSEs with most grades

at grade D minimum. Whatever your results, come and talk

to us for advice on how to make the most out of your next

steps.


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One studenttold inspectors

Teachersgo that extrastep. Becausethey care, wecare. Studentsprevious workshows teachinghas beenconsistently

challengingsince the schoolopenedOFSTED 2014



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To access Level 2

vocational programmes:

You must have achieved, or be predicted to

achieve, at least four grade Ds at GCSE.

To access Level 1 vocational study

Our sponsor organisation has a very wide range of

Level 1 programmes and students not yet ready for

Level 2 or 3 will be referred to North Hertfordshire

College for guidance.


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Apprenticeships

Entry requirements are set by employers

who will recruit their employees and then

work with us on the training programme.

Entry requirements do vary considerably,

however, applicants for apprenticeships

in science and engineering are normally

expected to have GCSEs at grade C inEnglish, Mathematics and Science. Some

apprenticeship providers will favour students

after completion of Post 16 studies due

to their increased portfolio of experiences

and skills.

However, to balance this, there are

apprenticeships in allied industries with

a lower technical requirement that offer

very attractive options for students. It is

clearly an area where each student needs

personalised advice. This can be provided

at the Studio School by working with NorthHertfordshire College.



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At the Da Vinci Studio School, we provide appropriate

opportunities for everyone to maximise their potential, regardless

of background, circumstances, faith, gender, sexual orientation

or disabilities. We will promote a supportive environment free

from discrimination.

Everyone is equal

Protecting young peopleStudent safety and well-being are paramount. We are required to take any reasonableaction to ensure the safety of our students.

If teaching or non-teaching staff are concerned that one of our students may be subject

to ill-treatment, neglect or any form of abuse, then we will inform the designated

Safeguarding Ofcer at the Da Vinci Studio School. Our policy is consistent with

national standards for safeguarding procedures.

The adult stylerelationships with the

staff have suited mydaughter well, as thishas been balancedby a no-nonsenseapproach to expected

standards of behaviourEmail from parent



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The Da VinciStudio School

Stevenage CentreMonkswood Way

StevenageHertfordshireSG1 1LA

How to nd us


(Fulton Way)


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www.davinci-school.co.uk [email protected] 01462 443040

Tis brochure was printed by

Phillips Digital PrintUnit 16 Jubilee rade Centre, Jubilee Road,

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: 01462 674733 E: [email protected]

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