News

Ofsted Report published

Ofsted inspectors visited the school on 12 and 13 February 2008. Their report concludes that the school is Satisfactory overall, with lots of Good features. It praises students' personal development and well-being, the standards they reach and the school curriculum and suggests that our capacity to improve is good; it suggests 3 main priorities for improvement.

We feel that the report is fair and that its description of the school is accurate. The school's Governors and leadership team are now using it as the basis for our planning and new Strategic and Improvement Plans are under development.

pdf_pic Ofsted report for Crofton School 2008. (399Kb)

Matthew Leeming
Headteacher

Doodle 4 Google competition - the results

doodle4google_pic Six students from our school entered the Doodle 4 Google Art and Design competition, which this year was on the theme of "My Future". From over 60,000 national entries, four of our entries made it to the Southeast Regional Finals, and two of these, Jake Falconer and Emily Diaper went on to become the Southeast Regional winners in two separate age groups!

doodle4google_pic Jake's picture ( 14-16 age group) is above and Emily's picture ( 11-14 age group) is on the left. Jake and Emily went on to the National Finals and Jake came overall second in his age group. Well done to both Jake and Emily.

Jake and Emily travelled with their parents to London for the finals last Sunday (18 November) and stayed at the Waldorf hotel - all courtesy of Google. Along with the other finalists they were taken to the Tate Modern on Monday before the presentation at Google HQ.

Jake met resident Google Doodler Dennis Hwang at the event and managed to wangle himself work experience at Google - good effort, Jake! Visit the Doodle4Google website for more information.

Bath Bomb Science & Technology Project reaches semi final at worldwide forum in Helsinki

Congratulations to teacher Alison Tiltman for reaching the semi final in the Innovation in Content category at Microsoft's worldwide forum for innovative teaching in Helsinki at the end of October. The project involved Year 9 & 10 Technology students combining technological, design, and business enterprise skills in competition to design, manufacture, package, and promote bath bombs.

Microsoft chose the Bath Bomb project for representation at its worldwide forum because of its application of business enterprise using ICT. Ours was the only school in England to receive an invitation to the forum.

Alison further developed the project with Year 10 students now competing, Apprentice-style, to produce a business plan and design, manufacture and promote bath bombs with the aid of ICT. Microsoft is helping to support and fund the project to extend pupils' understanding of ICT.

bath_bomb_picture Alison says the focus for the Apprentice-style competition will be on "You're hired," rather than "You're fired".

"Students have really got involved, coming in during lunch breaks and after school to work on their projects," Alison adds.

This is one of a number of cross-curricular projects run at Crofton School as part of a Hampshire Local Education Authority pilot scheme. Projects aim to improve student motivation, engagement and standards, and to achieve greater cohesion across Science, Maths, DT and related subjects - please visit www.crosscurricular.co.uk for more information.

The project was also picked up by The News website, see www.portsmouth.co.uk .

More information about the Helsinki forum.

Video that Microsoft made with Alison Tiltman.

Crofton Crier

Several times a year we produce a school newsletter, editions are downloadable here:

News Links (on this page)

School Project going to worldwide forum
Crofton Crier
Ofsted Report
Doodle 4 Google

Healthy Eating

Crofton School is introducing a whole school food policy. This is our working model and we would welcome your views on structure and content.

Please send written comments to Mr T Naylor here at the school.

HEALTHY EATING STATEMENT

In Crofton School we recognise the importance of encouraging our pupils to eat healthily in order to maximise their personal and academic potential in the following ways:

1. The Dining Room serves a variety of healthy meals, snacks and drinks
Water is freely available at all times
Fruit is available at break and lunch times
There are no vending machines
During Breakfast Club (Healthy School Week) only healthy choices are available

2. Clear messages about nutrition and healthy eating are delivered:
in the Dining Room
through departmental schemes of work
in PSHE
by all staff
through Healthy School Week

3. Opportunities to learn about diet, nutrition, food safety and hygiene, food preparation and cooking as well as where food comes from
in Food Technology
Geography
PSHE
RE
PE

4. We actively promote healthy food and drink as part of an enjoyable and balanced diet and restrict the availability and promotion of other options.
in the Dining Room
during extra-curricular activities
by involving parents through the school newsletter and Year 7 booklet
by ensuring canteen staff receive appropriate training

This statement will be disseminated through:
1. Focus Groups – Students and Canteen Manager
2. Crofton Crier – Parents
3. Governors

Healthy Schools Investor in People Specialist Schools and Academise Trust