Head of Faculty: English and Drama

Leventhorpe School is an outstanding mixed, 11-19 secondary school and sixth form in the historic market town of Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire. The school became a Business and Enterprise Academy in August 2011. The intake at age 11 is drawn mainly from the pleasant and prosperous towns of Sawbridgeworth and Bishop's Stortford and from the surrounding villages. Demand for places in the school is very high with around four applications for each place. A good number of students travel significant distances to attend. In order to better meet the demand for places we have over the last five years expanded the roll from 6FE to 8FE.

Leventhorpe has just completed an extensive £12 million capital build programme including a new Science and Sixth Form block and a state of the art Performing Arts and English block. In recent years investment has included a £6 million Sports Complex (sports hall, fitness suite, dance studio, all weather pitch and floodlit tennis courts).

The school places a high priority on academic achievement as demonstrated at the last full OFSTED inspection when the school was graded “Outstanding” in each of the five categories. All staff are expected to play their role in ensuring the best possible outcomes for each and every student. Pass rates are 100% in nearly all subjects and percentages in the highest grades are well above the national average. Teachers, students and parents place a very high value on behaviour and care which helps to promote a highly cohesive and effective learning community.

Leventhorpe is the lead school for School Centred Initial Teacher Training within the Bishop’s Stortford Educational Trust (BSET) and has strong links with universities. The school hosts placements for trainees in a wide choice of subjects and is a long standing partner school with Cambridge University for PGCE.

Significant investment has been made in staff training to develop approaches to teaching and learning. There is a strong focus on developing high performing teams at different levels in the organisation. This has helped to form a culture with shared visions and values and a constant drive to improve learning opportunities for students.

Subject departments are organised on a Faculty basis. The responsibility for the preparation of schemes of work and for monitoring their delivery lies with the Head of Faculty, overseen by a member of the Senior Leadership Team. The school places a high value on assessment for learning and each student undergoes a termly assessment in each subject.

The school upholds traditional values of uniform, discipline, homework, punctuality and polite behaviour. Each of Years 7 – 11 is organised into mixed ability tutor groups and overseen by a Head of Year who oversees the academic and social development of students as they progress through the school. Form Tutors monitor their form members’ progress and liaise closely with pastoral heads.

In addition, each tutor group is assigned to one of eight Houses: Barnard, Cutforth, Fawbert, Lawrence, Moore, Newsom, Rivers and Wilkins. House Leaders organise a host of lively house events throughout the year such as talent competitions, quizzes and sporting events.

An extensive extra-curricular menu is available to all students. A comprehensive timetable of clubs offers something for everyone, from Rock Band to Astronomy club. A strong emphasis is placed on supporting students not just in lessons but also outside the curriculum. Staff and students' interest and enthusiasm in these groups are high. Music and drama productions are staged frequently and there is a particularly strong tradition of excellence in music. 10% of students are admitted on the basis of musical aptitude. Students are also encouraged to represent the school in a variety of sports.