Newsletter - 2011 issue 1 - Strode College

Valuing individuals and maximising potential
Valuing individuals
We ensure that all students maximise their potential by valuing them
as individuals and supporting them through our pastoral system which
provides one-to-one support for all students. Studying post-16 requires
individual support for every student taking into consideration their individual
circumstances. Our personal tutors work one-to-one to provide advice and
guidance on progression after college, as well as academic mentoring and
monitoring. They also work closely with students and parents and can draw on
a range of specialist support from our Student Services team.
This approach has proved successful for students who come to us with
exceptional GSCE results or minimum entry requirements.
Outstanding students
Our top 50 A Level students in 2011 came to Strode with, on average, better
than 10 GCSEs at grade A. Collectively they achieved 91% A*-B grades, with 18%
A* and 69% A* and A, which compares very favourably with A Level students at
independent schools across the region.
These students are now studying at their chosen universities including Russell
Group universities such as Oxford, Birmingham, Cardiff, King’s College London,
Nottingham, Queen’s College Belfast, Sheffield, Southampton, University College
London and Warwick; medical schools; other high performing universities like
Durham, Exeter, Queen Mary’s London, Sussex and York, as well as taking gap
years or progressing to the Art Foundation course at Strode.
Creating opportunities not barriers
We know that true potential does not always reveal itself early in the education
system. Some people respond more positively to learning as they get older or if
they change where and how they study.
We accept students onto A Levels with a minimum of five grade C GCSEs and
we do not insist on English and Maths or grade B in all subjects to be studied.
Neither do our students have to gain a minimum grade for AS subjects before
continuing the second year of A Levels.
If we set the same entry requirements as other schools and colleges, 109
of our 2011 A Level students would have been excluded from study.
At Strode they achieved 10 A*, 32 As, 72 Bs, 122 Cs, 84 Ds and 33 Es across
34 subjects.
Getting the most
out of life
We recognise the value of social and
personal development alongside hard
work and learning, so we encourage
our students to take part in other
activities.
They can choose from over 20 different
sports activities, choir and music
groups, cooking, creative writing,
theatre groups, languages, debating,
photography, film club, Bridge club
and charity fundraising.