Our vision is to create and deliver an outstanding educational experience for every student at Barnwell school. We will achieve this through:

Valuing every student as an individual, ensuring they realise their potential by providing an aspirational and engaging curriculum

Delivering the highest standards of teaching and learning to ensure excellent progress and achievement that inspires all our students

Ensuring no matter what the starting point, outstanding progress is achievable by all

Supporting student growth and development through our close caring community ethos of respect and tolerance for others and building a sense of belonging

Providing a learning environment which is both stimulating, supportive; fosters excellence and independence

Inspiring a culture and thirst for lifelong learning based on motivation, challenge, praise and reward to enable students to achieve their goals in life

Building positive partnerships with parents and the local community to widen opportunities and secure high quality outcomes for all of our students

By setting high expectations, we expect all students to progress and maximise their potential by seizing the opportunities provided and valuing their education in order to meet the challenges of our rapidly changing world

OUR SCHOOL

Our school is unique in Stevenage, located on two adjacent sites, Barnwell Middle and Upper Campus provides the best of both worlds, the advantage of two small sites that provides students with age-appropriate facilities and room to develop and grow, along with the resources and opportunities that come with a larger school. The learning environment ensures that our students achieve and reach their potential whilst enjoying their studies.

The school promotes a ‘can do’ culture and through our ‘Character Education’ students are encouraged to challenge themselves and aspire to be the best they can be.  Our progressive and broad curriculum places emphasis on challenging students to build skills and knowledge for a successful career in the future.

We also place great emphasis on the importance of our students taking part in the school’s co-curricular activities to develop qualities and skills that are valued in the workplace and the community.

We very much look forward to welcoming you to Barnwell, to experience, for yourself, the positive atmosphere and outstanding opportunities it offers our students.

SCHOOL STRUCTURE

The Middle school campus is home to key stage 3 students (Years 7, 8 and 9). At the end of Year 9 students transfer to the Upper school campus for key stage 4 (Years 10 and 11) and sixth form (Years 12 and 13).

On starting school in Year 7 students join one of three colleges (Ennis, Hoy and Redgrave). Having three colleges allows for a very individual and personalised learning experience.

Each college also has a Head of college who, together with form tutors, provides excellent pastoral care. There is a very healthy competition between the colleges with the college cup being fiercely contended each year.

The school is organised, academically, into curriculum facilities, each of which has a Head of faculty who is responsible for the quality of provision and student progress.

Key stage 3 progress is monitored in all subjects throughout the academic year. If we identify early signs of students underachieving, we are able to quickly put targeted intervention into place to ensure that the students close their skills gaps. All students have a clear awareness of their progress goals and what they need to do to achieve them.

When students move to the Upper school for their KS4 education, they retain their college identity but are amalgamated into year groups. Again, each year group receives excellent pastoral care via their Head of Year and form tutors.

Our sixth form is a thriving part of our school community. We are able to offer an extensive range of subjects at both Level 2 and Level 3. If a student wishes to study a course or combination that we are unable to offer, we provide maximum opportunities for our students through our sixth form consortium, which allows the students to study one of their subjects at another centre in Stevenage.