I would like to welcome you to the Ashlawn School and Science College Website. As you navigate your way around, I hope that it will give you a clear idea of our values and the opportunities that are available at Ashlawn.

At Ashlawn School, we promote excellence and aim to develop a love of learning. All the achievements and needs of our students are valued and our curriculum is designed to help develop students not only in terms of qualifications but also in terms of their skills. We seek to do this in a way which is enjoyed and subsequently inspires a lifelong love for learning. We recognise that exam passes alone are not enough for young people who will work in a global economy and who will need confidence, adaptability, learning skills, creativity and resilience to live useful and fulfilling lives: we strive to ensure that every student will have his or her individual needs met through the highest standards of learning and teaching. Respect for each other and a high standard of behaviour is something which we all share and value.

We have a high level of good behaviour that is built on the respect between students and staff: "Every child truly matters at this school". This view stated in our October 2007 Ofsted report underpinned their view that Ashlawn was an "outstanding school with the capacity to improve even further". In June 2008, we were designated High Performing Specialist School status and invited to apply for an additional specialism so that we can offer especial expertise in Science and another curriculum area. This, we feel, is a mark of the existing high quality of teaching and learning, complements the Ofsted inspection findings and points clearly to the school's determination to improve further.

At the core of this quality provision is a quality teaching and support staff. The school is an accredited Investor in People (IPP) and a professional learning community where staff are actively encouraged to pursue additional qualifications with the National College of School Leadership (NCSL) and Warwick and Leicester Universities. It is not, however, the students, teaching and support staff who are the only key stakeholders: we value the contribution made by parents, governors and the community to ensure that we maintain high standards in all aspects of school life. With this in mind, we very much encourage links with, and involvement by, all those with a vested interest in our children's learning and development.

In September 2003, the school became a Science College. This has provided new opportunities for the school such as our Renewable Energy Days - in which students and staff are involved as a whole-school community in hands-on learning activities which develop knowledge, skill and a deeper interest in Science. We are proud to have achieved designation as a High Performing Specialist School, and to be invited to apply for an additional specialism.

This website can, of course, give you only a flavour of all the terrific initiatives at Ashlawn School and Science College. There are many opportunities to look around and should you wish to visit during a typical school day, please contact us.

My colleagues and I, as well as our excellent students, look forward to meeting you and your children in the near future.

Kind regards
Lois Reed
Head Teacher
Ashlawn School and Science College.