Future Developments

The purpose of Bablake School is to provide an excellent and stimulating education for boys and girls, by developing character, intellect and physical well being within a happy, scholarly and caring community.
 
Bablake is a school of which we are justifiably proud, with a highly dedicated teaching and support staff. The development planning process affords us the opportunity, in a continuous cycle, to review and improve, so that we can best achieve our aims and provide the best possible education for our pupils.
 
Staff, parents and pupils are often invited to contribute their views on the future direction of the school. The School Development Group monitors implementation of an agreed Development Plan, and the very positive Independent Schools Inspectorate report of 2008 reinforced our planning for further improvement.
 
The aims and objectives of the school were reviewed and reformulated in 2007 and the strategic objectives for the medium term were redefined in 2010, after further monitoring  and consultation:
 
Staff development and teaching:

  • Ensure the recruitment, retention and development of high calibre staff
  • Spread good practice in teaching, and encourage diverse and stimulating teaching strategies

Curriculum and learning:

  • Maintain and develop a broad-based and challenging curriculum
  • Foster a greater spirit of self-discipline and independent learning

Pastoral support:

  • Support staff in the delivery of the best possible pastoral care
  • Further enhance the individual guidance of pupils within a mutually supportive community

Marketing:

  • Develop a distinctive profile in the local community, feeder schools and beyond
  • Ensure the best possible experience of Bablake for prospective pupils and parents, attracting bright pupils at all levels of entry

Resources:

  • Ensure a high standard of maintenance and refurbishment of existing facilities and resources
  • Plan best use of the Bablake site after relocation of the Junior School

Specific initiatives to develop and achieve these objectives within the current development plan include:

  • Ongoing emphasis on staff training and development
  • Cross-curricular and inter-departmental collaboration
  • Ongoing exploration of different teaching methods and learning styles, with the highest expectations of pupil challenge
  • Further encouragement of pupils to become better independent and more curious and ambitious learners, achieving the highest possible standards
  • Further development of individual pupil-tracking and more formative reporting
  • Further consideration of homework as contributing to pupil progress
  • Further development of the Library as a learning resource centre and ICT as a learning and research facility, including the introduction of a Virtual Learning Environment
  • Further improvements to the website for communication with current and prospective parents.
  • Ongoing investigation into alternative examinations and qualifications, with the introduction of IGCSE in the Sciences from September 2011
  • Further improvements to the delivery of PSHCE
  • increased mentoring opportunities for pupils
  • Further improvements to effectiveness of the School Councils
  • Review and reinforcement of pupils' opportunities for options, university and careers guidance
  • Ongoing reinforcement of expectations of good manners, smart appearance and consideration for others
  • Continued extension of the bursary scheme
  • Membership of the International Cross of Nails community
  • Extension of local and international links
  • Improved links with former pupils
  • Ongoing provision of safe, well-maintained and modern facilities, compatible with the aesthetics of the traditional Victorian building
  • Completion of modifications to the Sports Hall, including a new dance studio, a new fitness suite, a climbing room and refurbished pupils' and staff changing rooms.
  • Refurbishment of the Science area
  • The Governors are committed to building a new Junior School. When this occurs, we shall reconfigure the current Junior School as a splendid new Sixth Form Centre, whilst also refurbishing and remodelling the current Sixth Form Centre to provide new teaching and pupil areas.