Further to the announcement at Prize Giving in the summer, this article provides further details about the ‘Shape of the Week’ for the next academic year.
Why Are We Changing the Structure of the School Week?
Shiplake College is constantly looking for ways to improve the quality of the education we offer our pupils in order to fulfil our aim to produce well-rounded individuals. The new school week reflects the changing nature of the College and will allow us to offer a more exciting academic and co-curricular package. It will ensure that day pupils have greater opportunities for individual study and boarders will benefit from an improved evening and weekend programme.
The changes will make the week more productive, whilst providing our pupils much-needed rest at weekends, with additional family time for day pupils and weekly boarders. Saturday lessons are frequently less productive than those in the week, and are often missed by pupils leaving for fixtures or personal commitments, as well as half terms, exeats and end of terms generally finishing on a Friday.
How is the Week Going to Change?
From September 2015, the College will move to a five-day academic week, with Saturday mornings reserved for a programme of sports and games. There will no longer be compulsory taught classes on Saturday mornings for pupils in Years 9 to 13. There will be an additional lesson on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Lessons will have clearly defined start and finish times, with 5 minutes break to allow for moving between classes.
On weekdays, the school day will run from 8.00am to 6.15pm. School buses will leave at 6.15pm, only 5 minutes later than they do currently.
The dedicated Outdoor Education and Arts Priority programmes on Tuesday and Friday afternoons, introduced this academic year, will continue to run, to ensure we provide a better balanced and enriching education. In the winter months, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the additional lesson will start after the afternoon activity session, allowing us to deliver an effective co-curricular or games programme while there is daylight.
What are the Academic Benefits of the New School Week?
By adding the weekend lessons into the week, not only has the number of hours of ‘contact time’ per week remained the same, the number of hours of teaching over the course of the whole academic year will rise by over 10%. This will help significantly, particularly when addressing the curriculum reforms at GCSE and A Level – the Saturday lessons, which were often missed or less productive, meant it was more difficult to complete specifications.
The changes allow us to increase the amount of private study time making it easier for pupils to complete more of their work in the daytime, therefore allowing respite in the evening when they are tired and less productive. Some year groups will have supervised study time worked in to their timetable and the prep sessions can be chosen instead of one of the co-curricular afternoons on Tuesdays or Fridays if desired. The short prep sessions and academic clinics that are currently run will be preserved at the end of most days. As pupils move through the school we would, of course, expect them to do more independent study hours and this will, inevitably, require some work at home (as it does now for our senior pupils).
What will Happen on Saturdays?
The school will be open each Saturday in term-time and the 24/7 boarding ethos of the College will be maintained. There will be a full programme of fixtures and training sessions. Registration (or ‘check’) will take place at 9.00am instead of 8.00am, allowing for a more leisurely start for pupils and parents. Morning buses will still run, but leave a little later than at present.
In keeping with our sporting and community ethos, pupils will be expected to honour their sporting commitments. Fixtures and training will, on the whole, be in the morning but start times may vary and these will be published in the online calendar and on the Shiplake Sports website. Other events such as Open Mornings will also be compulsory. A request to miss a Saturday will only be granted following a written parental request to the Headmaster’s Office at least seven days in advance.
Unless required for fixtures, training or a compulsory College event, day pupils and weekly boarders will not be required to come into School on Saturday mornings. Those pupils who wish to have commitments outside the College on a Saturday (for example, RYA instructor courses, equestrian or training for those competing at a high level in 'minor' sports such as swimming) will be able to write to the Headmaster to request permission to be absent. Day pupils who wish to come into College to study on a Saturday morning will be most welcome and will have use of the Thinking Space, as well as access to the Sports Hall and Fitness Suite.
Those pupils who are boarding but are not involved in fixtures or games will have their own Saturday morning programme of study and quiet time. The boarding activity programme will be extended to cover both Saturday and Sunday.
What will be the Impact on Boarders?
Shiplake College remains absolutely committed to weekly and full boarding and we will continue to be a 24/7 boarding school. We consider the boarding ethos to be a central pillar of Shiplake College. Boarders’ prep will take place from 7.15pm to 8.15pm followed by evening activities, which are expected to include music lessons, sports coaching, academic societies and external speakers in the evenings. At weekends the College is keen to commit to a better offering of trips and activities to include cultural, social and sporting options.
What will Parents be Offered on Saturdays?
We are planning to open up our facilities to allow parents to benefit directly from the College's resources. At present there are plans to run activities from coffee and papers to language, ICT and health and fitness classes. We would also like to offer breakfast to all parents and day pupils on Saturday morning should they desire it (available from 8.30am to 9.30am).
Will the Length of the Terms Change?
No. By making more efficient use of lesson time during the new five-day teaching week, we are confident we shall be able to achieve the same amount, academically and otherwise, as we currently do.
Will the Fees Change?
It is not expected that fees will change. The Governors remain mindful of the need to ensure that fees are kept to the minimum level necessary to provide an outstanding educational experience.
Where Can I Request Further Information or Ask Questions?
If you have any questions on the new school week which are not answered above, please contact the Deputy Headmaster, Rob Jones, in the first instance at [email protected].