Arrow Vale High School and Specialist Sports College is a 13-18 school located on a spacious and attractive site in eastern Redditch, surrounded by playing fields and natural woodland. There are approximately 730 students on roll, the majority of which live locally. The school recently achieved its best ever GCSE exam results, a success which placed Arrow Vale amongst the most improved schools in Worcestershire and England in 2007.
Arrow Vale was the first school in the county to become a Specialist Sports College. The school has excellent facilities which benefit both its pupils and also, as a Specialist Sports College, the wider community. There are over 50 extra curricular activities on offer at Arrow Vale and over 50% of students participate in out of hours activities. The top class sports facilities at the school include:-
The school has recently benefited from a £1.5 million refurbishment and this is reflected in the scale and quality of facilities available at Arrow Vale. There are over 460 computers around the school including a desktop PC in each classroom, 12 dedicated IT rooms and a sixth form IT study area. Arrow Vale has the best computer to student ratio in the county.
30 interactive whiteboards throughout the school allow lessons to be delivered using the latest multimedia technology and software. Every classroom has Data Projectors and there are interactive whiteboards in all classrooms for Maths, Science, English and IT. Science laboratories have also been recently refurbished. Additional facilities at the school include:-
Students are offered a broad and balanced curriculum and from Year 9 have the ability to opt for work-related courses including hairdressing, hospitality and construction. The school also features a lively and comprehensive sixth form comprising around 130 students who study a range of AS, A2 and BTEC courses.
IT is central to how student-centred learning is developing at Arrow Vale and we have invested heavily in a dedicated IT support department which offers exceptional support to all members of staff and students regarding IT related issues. This team maintains the network and ensures that appropriate upgrades and maintenance are carried out. Staff training is a high priority and regular training sessions are provided in addition to a web-based ‘knowledge database’ designed to help staff make the most of the ICT equipment available within the school.
Following an Ofsted Inspection in February 2007 the school was given a Notice to Improve. Since then our A* - C GCSE results improved to 46% in 2007 (our best GCSE exam results ever) and this improvement has been maintained. Over the next two years we anticipate the 5 A* - C will rise to over 60%. The school’s re-inspection is imminent and we anticipate being taken out of category.
Arrow Vale is committed to developing its staff in order to achieve its aims and objectives and improve its performance. Staff are encouraged to see themselves as lifelong learners and encourage staff to use the resources available to them within the school.
At Arrow Vale we believe that every member of staff matters and our Training Plan framework is intended to offer a professional development pathway for every member of the teaching staff. There is an intensive induction programme for all new staff and a thorough and robust programme for NQTs which includes guided observations and peer coaching. We employ a Leading Practitioner whose primary role is to coach and mentor staff to enable them to move forward. Arrow Vale’s CPD Leadership has recently been held up as an exemplar of good practice within the Midlands.
To Download the school prospectus click - here
To Download the sixth form prospectus click - here
To Download the OFSTED report click - here
To visit the school website click - here
