Staff members for the Modern Foreign Languages Department

 As of 2008-09 we have three full-time and two part-time members of staff in the department. Two of our colleagues have additional responsibilities in the school community. Four members of our team also teach French to Year 6 pupils in our partner Primary schools. In the Modern Foreign Languages Department we have a proud tradition of guiding pupils to exam success in three languages. French, German and Spanish are all thriving at The Warriner.

Check out the links below to find out more about our teaching and life in The Warriner School Modern Foreign Languages Department.

We make wide use of the Linguascope family of websites. Pupils are encouraged to use them at home, and simply need to make a note of our username and password (just ask any MFL teacher!) Linguascope contains very useful vocabulary practice for Years 7-9, while Linguastars has a wealth of material aimed at KS4 learners.

KS3:

As a result of the success of our initiative to deliver French teaching to our feeder Primary schools, from September 2007 all Year 7 pupils learn French at The Warriner School. In Year 8 pupils continue with their first language (currently either French or German). In Year 9 pupils have six hours per fortnight devoted to Modern Foreign Languages. Nearly all pupils begin the study of Spanish as a second language. In their first language (French or German) pupils begin work from the GCSE course, making the transition to KS4 much smoother.

KS4:

Languages are optional at KS4 and approximately half of all Year 10 and Year 11 students take GCSE in at least one language. We follow the AQA specifications in all three languages and place a major emphasis on the development of high quality speaking skills by our pupils. This year for the first time we have some pupils in Year 10 who have been following an ‘accelerated’ GCSE course in French or German. They will sit their exams in the summer of Year 10 and in Year 11 will be able to choose between taking up Spanish as a new language or continuing their first language with elements from the AS course.

The department offers a broad range of product areas and is delivered by specialist staff:

Mr. I.G. Curtis,	Subject Leader, Engineering/ Electronics
Miss. A. Blythe,	Student Achievement Manager - Key Stage 4, Textiles
Mrs V.Tate,	Graphics
Mrs. A. Taylor,	Student Achievement Manager - Key Stage 3, Food / Textiles
Miss T Stevens,	Food and Graphics
Mr. K. Smith,	Electronics
Mr. K. Bray,	Engineering / Graphics/ Resistant Materials
Mr. N. Jupp	Technician
Mrs. H. Westbury	Technician
Mrs. M. Brodey	Administrative technician

*****************Special Note******************

D&T deadlines
ENGINEERING: UNIT 2 Friday 4th december.09
ENGINEERING UNIT 1  Monday 15th March 2010
Graphics                    1st march 2010
Textiles                     1st February practical
                                1st march Folder
Food                         5th March 2010
Electronics                 1st March 2010

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Key stage 3
 

Programmes of study are covered in Years 7 and 8.  Students visit different product areas over the two years, building on skills and knowledge as they progress. 

At the end of year 8 students are invited to choose their GCSE option.

Key stage 4

GCSE starts in year 9 with a foundation course devoted to developing practical experiences and familiarity with processes. Yr10 work builds on the previous year and develops and refines design skills.  In Yr11 students complete their coursework project, which is assessed as part of their final exam.  In addition, all students will sit a final written examination.

We offer a choice from six subjects including a vocational double award GCSE in Engineering.

Features of our Department

Pupils have the opportunity to initially explore six areas of Design and Technology in Key Stage 3, before selecting one area to study further for GCSE. The Design and Technology Department is accommodated in 3 different parts of the school. We have a wide range of equipment and resources, including computer aided design and computer aided manufacturing equipment. All of our teaching rooms are installed with interactive white boards and the department has exclusive access to two ICT suites. All students are taught in mixed ability groups. Class sizes are small and every pupil is valued. In 2008 our pupils achieved 59% A*-C grades at GCSE level. The department is friendly and supportive and encourages all teachers and pupils to achieve their best in this subject.

Watch this space for the latest information in Warriner Science

Art Department Staff

 http://www.sumopaint.com

The following link takes you to the Saatchi Schools Gallery website where you can view more of the pupils work

http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/portfolio/

David Hockney photo competition

KS3 Art task

KS3 Collage

Image analysis

“The quality of art work produced at this school is outstanding. Results have always been magnificent and the department is always ranked in the top 3 of Oxfordshire's schools.” (Arthur Penn, county arts advisor)
“Sketchbooks are full of creativity and flair. The pupils expressed their personal interests to create many dramatic paintings. Their enjoyment of art and life is evident in their outstanding sketchbooks.” Mr P Williamson (Head of Art)
“It always amazes me to see pupils age 14/15 painting and using media in such a sophisticated way. Their work is so inspiring and they have such a high level of confidence and maturity in style” Diana Dennison (Deputy Head)

Art is for everyone

Pupils’ have the opportunity to explore many areas of art and we are very proud of our pupil’s achievements. The Art Department is housed in a purpose built studio. We are well equipped and resourced and provide a stimulating environment for pupils to carry out their creative work. All of our pupils are encouraged to work hard and enjoy their subject. We aim to give them the very best experience in Art education.

All students are taught in mixed ability groups. Class sizes are small and every pupil is valued. Our pupils regularly achieve over 95% at GCSE/Applied Art level. Each year an average of 50% of our pupils leave with an A or A*. The department is friendly and supportive and encourages all teachers and pupils to achieve their best in this subject. Below we have listed a few of the activities that take place in the art rooms. Projects are always exciting and boys achieve equally as well as girls. The pupils have high expectations.

We currently run both GCSE and Applied Art and Design courses. Suitable applicants may be willing to teach some parts of these courses.

In the last 18 months

• Pupils have received letters of commendation from the exam board for their Applied Art and Design work. Grades continue to rise.

• The school will play host to an Arts Festival 2009 (linking with the Primary Partnerships)

• We have run a trip to Barcelona. • We have work with visiting artists and provide work related experience for our pupils.

• We have raised the profile of Art around the school and local community.

• We have provided Staff / Parent /Governor Skills workshops.

• In Year 9 we run a gifted and talented club and the department door is always open for pupils to work.

• We have exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art and are taking part in the current MY exhibition for the County, Exhibition to be held at the Museum of Modern Art, Oxford.

Textiles has two members of  staff :
Angela Blythe	Textiles teacher
Rebecca Katz	Teacher Assistant

Follow link for the Textiles curriculum.

English Department staff

Miss Natalie Cave	Subject leader for English and Drama
Mr David Horan	English and Drama teacher
Miss Kate Ford	English and Drama teacher also SAM
Mrs Kelly Halsall	English and drama teacher. KS4 SAM with additional responsiblty for teaching and learning across the curriculum.
Mrs Sonia Hopkins	English and Drama teacher
Mrs Liz Jupp	English Teacher. Subject leader for Citizenship, Enterprise and Careers
Mrs Beth Robertson	English and Drama teacher. KS3 SAM and Oudes Mentor
Mrs Lesley Robinson	English, Media and citizenship teacher

Our aim is to deliver a curriculum that is inclusive so that all students have the opportunity to build upon knowledge and skills acquired at primary school. The English curriculum is designed to value, motivate and challenge learners so that they become effective, confident thinkers and communicators throughout their lives. We work closely with the Drama department to where learners develop as team players, negotiators, problem solvers and again effective communicators while they develop a greater understanding of and empathy with the world around them.

Music Department staff

Mrs  Diana Southcombe	Subject Leader and Music teacher
Miss Fiona Cowgill	Music teacher

We also have a team of 9 visiting instrumental teachers who give lessons in Woodwind, Brass, String and Percussion instruments. We also have a Guitar teacher. This is all organised through the County Music Service. We teach in a purpose built block which has two specialist teaching rooms, 6 Practice rooms and a recording studio. One classroom is equipped with keyboards, the other is used for acoustic work – pitched and unpitched percussion and ethnic instruments. We have three computers on which we use Sibelius (a Score writing programme) and Cubase. We share a Studio with the Drama department and often rehearse in this space. Until recently we didn’t have our own performance space. Read on and you’ll discover how we have got over this! We now have the opportunity of putting on concerts in the New School Hall but still look forward to sharing our music with the wider community - both home and abroad.

Teaching and Learning  

KS3

At KS3 all students receive two lessons per fortnight and are taught in mixed ability groups. Group sizes vary but are usually within the 24 – 26 range.

Through a mixture of Performing, Composing and Listening and Appraising we cover a range of topics. Amongst other things students will study

• Rhythm, pulse and metre.

• Calypso and Reggae

• Graphic Scores

• Chords and Harmony

• Song Writing

• Music and Media

• The Blues

• Music of West Africa - Djembe playing

• Music from Indonesia

  
  
  

Music is a very practical subject and students can expect to learn about these topics in a very ‘hand-on’ way.

KS4

At KS4 Music is an optional subject. We have always had healthy groups and our results are exceptionally good. In Years 10 and 11 students receive 5 lessons per fortnight. We look at four Areas of Study which cover

• Theme and Variations, Ternary and Rondo Form and Ground Bass.

• Electronic Music, Experimental Music, Serialism and Minimalism.

• Britpop, Songs from Musicals and Club Dance Remix

• Indian Music, Music from Africa, and Fusion.

  
  

The Examination is made up of Performing – a Solo and Ensemble – 30% of the marks. Composing – two pieces from different Areas of Study – 30% of the marks. Listening paper – taken in the May of Year 11 – 40% of the marks.

Department Staff:

Richard Farmer	Geography Teacher
Margaret Hunter	Geography Teacher
Steven Puttick	Geography Teacher

Geography is a subject that is about the world we live in. Michael Palin describes it as the ‘subject essential for our future.’ The word ‘geography’ comes from the Greeks who created it from the roots "ge" for earth and "grapho" for "to write," using it to talk about adventures to foreign lands. In a similar way, the geography department aims to help students learn about and understand the world around them whether this means being inspired to travel or read about the world. With a particular emphasis on climate change and environmental responsibility, geography prepares students to become good citizens of the world. Geography is an extremely relevant subject. This is reflected in the high level of media coverage that is given over to geographical issues. The geography department informs students of particular current issues through both lessons and also a regularly updated ‘geography in the news’ display of relevant front page stories.

We are also proud of our long established link with the Department for Educational Studies at Oxford University. We act as a training school for them and mentor new trainee teachers. This is very positive as it both allows the department to reflect on their own teaching and keep up to date with the latest findings from educational research.

Mathematics at the Warriner School is taught by a team of seven specialist mathematics teachers and two higher level teaching assistants. These are:

Mr I Tustian	Subject Leader
Mr P Hogben	Assistant Headteacher
Mr D Wheeler	Student Achievement Manager - Key Stage 4
Mrs J McCrickerd
Mr C Kirkham	Student Achievement Manager - Key Stage 3
Mrs M Hastie
Mrs J Leather	Maths Department teaching assistant
Mr N Smailes
Mr M Rafferty
Ms C Boyland	Maths Department teaching assistant

All Mathematics lessons are taught in one of six classrooms in the Mathematics block, which was opened in September 2003. In the block one of the classrooms is a Network ICT room with 30 computers, and each classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and projector.

Mathematics weblinks

The Warriner Science Department (home page)

Staff Members for Science Department

Mr Jonny Galbraith	Subject leader
Mr Vincent Cole	KS3 Coordinator
Mr Nigel Smith	Teacher of Science
Ms Joanne Lewis	Teacher of Science
Mr Jim Knowles	Teacher of Science
Ms Caroline Gyde	Teacher of Science
Dr Clare Ashton	Teacher of Science/Rural Studies
Mrs Cassie Kinnaird	Teacher of Science (0.6)
Ms Bridget Allenby	Teacher of Science (0.4)
Mrs Sandra Pender	Senior Science Technician
Mrs Jeannette Barnes	Science Technician
Mrs Gaynor Dickson	Science Technician

We are a large Department, accommodated in 8 specialist laboratories. Recently one new lab has been built and two of them completely refurbished. All labs are installed with interactive white boards and the department has a bank of lap tops which are often used in lessons. The labs are very well equipped for practical work, being serviced by two prep rooms. In addition to this, we have the most fantastic environment in which to carry out field work which includes, Farm land, hedgerows, woodland, and ponds.

Year 7 Mr Smith's Homework

AIMS of our Science Department:

	The Science Department at The Warriner School is a strong, committed and united team. We constantly strive toward a high quality Science education for all students, leading to achievement and excellence throughout Years 7-11.
Our highly motivated, enthusiastic and dynamic science staff challenge students within an innovative, flexible and exciting learning environment. Students learn through many different strategies, such as experimental work, written questions and answers, group presentations, modelling, ICT, and independent research. Every student counts in the Science department. Our essential goal, is to help our young learners achieve, even exceed their early potential.

Department Accommodation:

We have an enormous amount to offer within the Warriner Science Department. Our accommodation and facilities consist of the following, at a glance:

• 8 Specialist laboratories (four recently refurbished)
• 10 Specialist & experienced teaching staff.
• 3 highly skilled Science technicians.
• Interactive Whiteboards equipped in every laboratory.
• A departmental bank of 15 wireless laptops.
• An enormous array of scientific equipment, and electronic resources.

In addition to all of this, The Warriner School owns the most fantastic environment in which to carry out field and ecological work. This includes farmland, hedgerows, woodland, and ponds. Our rural setting is extremely picturesque. The Warriner School has a purpose-built 120 acre farm! This is a fully working, educational resource providing practical, relevant and a realistic experience of farming for our own students, and those visiting from surrounding schools.

You can visit the Warriner farm website at http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/warrinerfarm