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Specialist Schools status for Blackheath Bluecoat

 
Blackheath Bluecoat CE School has been successful it its bid to achieve Specialist School status in the subjects Maths and Computing. It will now be used as an example of best practice in maths and computing. 

The school will also benefit from additional funding, including £100,000 to contribute towards improving school facilities, developing the curriculum and sharing their expertise with local schools and the wider community.

How does a school get specialist status?

To apply for specialist status, schools must raise £50,000 in sponsorship (less in the case of small schools with under 500 pupils on roll) and draw up a school and community plan to raise standards, increase provision and encourage take-up in their specialist subjects.

Their community development plan must show how they will share the benefits of good practice, expertise and resources with other schools named in the plan and with identified groups within their wider community.

Specialist schools have a focus on their chosen subject area but must meet National Curriculum requirements to deliver a broad and balanced education to all pupils.

Benefits for adult learners

As part of their bid, the school is working with Greenwich’s award winning jobs and training scheme GLLaB (Greenwich Local Labour and Business) to develop an Adult Learning Centre.  The centre will offer a number of specialist ICT industry courses (such as European Driving License) to help local adults gain new qualifications and improve their job and training prospects.

Opportunities to succeed

Congratulating the school on its success, Councillor Jackie Smith, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: 

"This is great news and reflects the hard work and commitment that the school places on these two crucial subject areas. Maths and ICT are subjects that will give Blackheath Bluecoat pupils excellent opportunities to succeed in the future; particularly as they are subjects which are needed, but underrepresented, in the employment market.

"This result is also a clear sign of a developing and improving school and I wish all at Blackheath Bluecoat every success for the future."

Developing resources

Blackheath Bluecoat Interim Headteacher, Steve Dobson said: 

"This is an exciting opportunity to transform the teaching and learning within the school and develop our resources with state of the art facilities to benefit our pupils. We will also be able to share our facilities and expertise to help local primary schools with examples such as maths master classes and extra support to their maths curriculum.

"The funding associated with Specialist Status will allow us to develop a range of courses and services for the local community."

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24 June 2008

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