Curriculum Leader: Science

Awarded a 'Good' rating by Ofsted in January 2023, Stanborough School is an 11-18 co-educational Academy that sits on the southern fringe of Welwyn Garden City with easy access to the A1 and London.  Due to parental demand for places at the school, from September 2019 the school expanded to 8 form entry.  We pride ourselves in being a fully inclusive school that serves our local community and on being a school that does its best for each individual student so they can achieve their potential during their time at Stanborough.

Stanborough is proud of its community involvement.  We work closely with the four other local Secondary Schools as part of the Welwyn-Hatfield 16-19 Consortium.  We also take a leading role in hosting and developing a number of other key community developments such as the Handside Schools Partnership with a local special school and primary school.

The school boasts excellent facilities including our first-rate IT resources, a legacy of our Specialist Computing Status.  With a dedicated Art and Technology block, Sports Hall, Sixth Form Centre and the recently constructed MFL and Humanities and Music and Drama teaching blocks the students enjoy some outstanding facilities.  Our excellent resources in all curriculum areas also show our commitment to giving students a wide variety of curricular opportunities including technology, the performing arts and computing.

Our greatest asset at the school is our staff.  We want the best educators for our students and through exceptional retention we have a stable staff with very low turn-over.  A number of staff who started at the school as NQTs now find themselves in senior positions at the school. We have a strong support team and many staff have remained with the school for several years.

Ofsted

‘Pupils behave well at Stanborough’

• ‘Pupils behave well. They know and understand what leaders expect of them’
• ‘Leaders set clear and high expectations for behaviour. Pupils are clear that disruption or discriminatory behaviour will not be tolerated’
• ‘Pupils know staff will help if they have a worry or issue. They benefit from a range of effective support services such as counselling and well-being support’

‘Leaders have redesigned the curriculum so that it is academically ambitious’

• ‘Pupils study a broad and balanced curriculum which enables them to pursue their talents and interests’
• ‘Leaders have ensured that in many subjects, the curriculum is planned well to build pupils’ knowledge over time’
• ‘Teachers present subject matter clearly, promoting appropriate discussion about what is being taught’

‘Leaders ensure there is a wide range of opportunities for positive personal development’

• ‘Pupils learn values such as mutual respect and tolerance through a well-planned programme of life skills, assemblies and tutor time’

‘Leaders have taken clear and effective action to ensure the school has improved since the last inspection’

• ‘Staff feel that leaders listen to them with regard to workload and well-being’