Specialisms

Davenant Foundation School has three areas of Specialism: Sport, Languages and Training School.  Sport and Language Specialisms aim to celebrate and support the unique contributions each subject can offer whilst focusing on a common approach to whole school impact.  The focus of Training school is to promote the training of teachers through GTP, PGCE and OTT routes whilst supporting Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT). Central to the role is the training of adults in schools such as support staff and the continuing professional development of all staff within Davenant.

Davenant achieved Sports College status in 1999, became a Language College in 2006 and a Training school in 2008.  Through Specialism it is our aim to support lifelong learning using an holistic approach in order to:
  • Enable all students to be fit, active and able to compete in a global economy
  • Promote excellence and enjoyment
  • Provide challenge and new opportunities
  • Uphold the school's Christian ethos through the teaching of language and sport
We hope to achieve this through four common themes: High quality teaching and learning; Inter-school collaboration; Community projects and International links. In addition, the Training School seeks to promote Initial Teacher Training (ITT) through its partnership with Essex Advisory and Inspection Service, the local HEI providers and a network of local secondary schools.
 
High Quality Teaching and Learning:
  • Increasing provision of curricular programmes
  • Training and development of staff
  • Delivery of national strategies
  • Development of ICT
  • Development of cross-curricular opportunities
  • Improving resourcing
  • Developing the existing out of school hours programme
Inter-School Collaboration
  • Partnerships with primary schools which enable continued progress in the School Sport Partnership and development of the Key Stage 2 entitlement for languages by 2009
  • Partnerships with secondary schools to promote national strategies
  • Continue to improve KS2/KS3 transition
  • Training and support of teachers in other schools
  • Provide Leadership and Mentoring for other schools
Community Projects
  • Development of adult education projects
  • Establish local business links
  • Strategic collaboration with external agencies that helps us to achieve our specialism targets
  • Collaboration with "Extended Schools"
International Links
  • Achievement of "International Schools" Accreditation (we have already achieved intermediate standard in recognition of extensive links already established)
  • Utilising our unique geographical position with an Olympic vision 2012
  • Continued development of foreign exchange and educational visits
  • ICT opportunities overseas
At Davenant we are very much looking forward to the new and exciting opportunities that Specialism provides for our students and wider school community.
For further information about Specialism please contact:
Trevor Hounslow – Director of Training School
Jo Daniels – Director of Specialism (Sport and Languages)