Community and Outreach
It is important to have a strong sense of community and seek to improve the world around us. We do this by instilling a duty of service amongst pupils so they become selfless leaders and make a positive impact on the world around them.
There is already a strong sense of pride in the Warwick School community. Pupils engage in a variety of activities from volunteering to raising funds for charity. The theme of charitable service is recognised and encouraged by individuals and as a school.
I wanted to thank you for continuing to allow the pupils to come and visit us at Ridgeway to play music for our pupils. This afternoon we were joined by Jeremy Sampson with three students who played for our profound need children and then for the whole school. I can't remember the last time we had the whole school (including our nursery children) together in the hall dancing and enjoying music together. It means so much to our pupils and I have had many members of staff thanking me for organising it and wanting me to pass on their thanks. I do hope we can continue this collaboration in the future.
Sue Clark, Upper School Manager and Class Teacher at Ridgeway School.
Community Links
We strive to be a good neighbour in the local community by sharing our resources and supporting local initiatives. Warwick has significant links with the local community falling into the following categories:
Holiday Clubs / Courses
For many years Warwick School has provided the opportunity for children from Reception to Year 7 (up to and including 12 year olds) to take part in an extensive programme of holiday clubs and courses. These courses are open to pupils from any school and run during every school holiday across the course of the year including Christmas.
In the summer we also offer a number of funded places to pupils living within Warwick (CV34 postcode) who do not attend Warwick Schools Foundation and have been nominated by their primary school. The funding for these places is provided by the King Henry VIII Endowed Trust. In addition, for two weeks of the summer holidays we also run an Action Plus programme for 12 to 14 year olds, which includes a wide range of exciting off-site outings and activities.
Facilities / Resources
Our facilities and teaching resource are widely used by outside organisations and schools, across several departments within school: -
PE coaching
Warwick School provides a member of staff, to deliver PE coaching within primary schools. Two days a week Dan Partridge attends local state primary schools to deliver PE lessons, whilst coaching the teachers to deliver future lessons. This is funded by primary schools from the PE and Sport Premium (a government initiative to improve PE education within state primary schools). https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pe-and-sport-premium-for-primary-schools
Science
Warwick School is actively involved in the Science in Action initiative with staff and pupils also attending from several other schools (King’s High School, Kingsley School, KES Stratford, Weavers Academy). The programme provides Sixth Formers with the opportunity to problem-solve and communicate about scientific topics outside of their subject syllabuses through university level extended practical sessions. The Lower Sixth participate in a carousel of projects across the three sciences and present their findings at the end of the year. The Upper Sixth carry out independent research projects utilising Warwick School’s dedicated research laboratory; they must research, plan, organise their time and develop their ideas by themselves with support only when necessary from a subject specialist supervisor. At the end of the year these pupils produce a presentation of their findings, which is delivered to their peers and academic guests in a special presentation event.
Science In Action - Michaelmas 2022 update
A-Level students from Myton and Aylesford schools have signed up to Warwick School’s Science in Action (SIA) programme. SIA is a super-curricular activity that allows A-Level students from our Foundation and other local schools to work collaboratively using our state-of-the-art science labs and equipment.
Pupils can choose between Physics/Engineering or Biology/Chemistry routes and undertake practical work that go beyond the A-Level syllabus – often embarking on university-level investigations.
In addition to gaining a unique collaborative experience, pupils can use their knowledge gained from the programme to boost their university applications. Pupils in Year 12 will produce posters at the end of Easter to demonstrate the work they have accomplished, whilst pupils in Year 13 get the chance to present their findings from their specialist projects to their peers in our Science Lecture Theatre.
We currently have approximately 50 A-Level pupils taking part this year and we hope to expand this capacity with more schools in the future.
Sport
Over 40 organisations regularly use our sports facilities equating to over 1200 people using them weekly. The facilities are offered at a 40% discount to schools and charities.
As part of a government initiative to support the teaching of swimming in primary schools Warwick School is part of the Kick 25 scheme, providing the pool at no charge to local primary schools.
During the summer periods we have increased use from a few local primary schools using the swimming pool at 40% discount rate.
The local Soroptimist group hold an annual Swimathon where the money raised goes to local charities.
Performing Arts Facilities
Many outside theatre groups use the Bridge House Theatre and other schools / organisations use Warwick Hall for large-scale events.
The theatre is open to all, providing very affordable, sometimes free high quality performances and talks to local theatre goers.
Voluntary / Community Work
Kissing it Better
Pupils from Warwick School, with an interest in a medical careers, volunteer for this national scheme. Groups of pupils visit Warwick Hospital every Tuesday and Wednesday to talk to patients, usually with dementia, and entertain them with music or drama. kissingitbetter.co.uk
National Citizen Scheme
Through the NCS our pupils have the opportunity to make a difference, learning new skills, making new friends and taking part in local community projects. ncsyes.co.uk
Duke of Edinburgh Award
Each year some 700 pupils volunteer through the amazing Duke of Edinburgh Award, and choose to volunteer in a wide variety of areas, from reading with primary school aged children to working with local charities or clubs. https://www.dofe.org/
Events
Art
We hold a Junior Art exhibition, when local schools state and independent, select work from their pupils and submit to our exhibition. We have an event to mark the opening to which the artists, their parents and teachers are invited. Pupils from approximately 28 schools take part.
Science Showcase
Local primary schools are invited into the Bridge House Theatre to a presentation of ‘Explosive Science’. Warwick School's chemistry teaching staff showcase the basics (and more exciting sides!) of science to 10 and 11 year olds, tying in with the National Curriculum.
Club Rugby
Ten local rugby clubs are invited to take part in a floodlit tournament for U10 teams, hosted by Warwick School. The pupils play matches, have tea and attend prize-giving during the evening.
Young Scholars Programme
In partnership with Clare College Cambridge and King's High School, we take part in the Clare College Young Scholars Programme.
This involves Year 5 children from local primary schools attending workshops at the schools covering a variety of subjects. At Warwick School this year, 28 pupils took part in Classics, Physics and Maths workshops. This is followed by a full day’s visit to Clare College, along with the girls, who attended workshops at King’s High School.
Club Cricket
Local cricket clubs are invited to take part in a festival for U10 teams, hosted by Warwick School. There are usually soft ball matches in the morning, followed by lunch and progressing to hard ball in the afternoon, culminating in a prize-giving to round off the day.
