Witchford Village College
Type of School. WVC is a well-facilitated, 11-16, mixed community comprehensive. Our awards include Specialist Sports College Status (2003), SportsMark, ArtsMark (Silver), Basic Skills Agency Quality Mark, International Schools Award and the Investors in People Award (renewed 2004). The current number on roll is 877.
Location and Ethos
WVC is situated on the edge of Withcford village, a short distance from the City of Ely. Its extensive grounds, set in open countryside, offer a welcoming environment and a secure, orderly, inclusive place of learning. The College serves an extended rural catchment area that includes some ten local villages and hamlets. Some students also come from Ely. About 3% of students are from traveller backgrounds. 95% of students at WVC travel by school bus. Our extensive liaison programme with our primary feeder schools and Further Education centres in Ely and Cambridge ensures effective and supportive progression through the Key Stages for all. The College is 'data rich' in its management of student learning.
College Organisation. From September 2004, a new House System, led by Deans of House, will replace the traditional Year System. Tutor Groups, organised on 'family' basis, will combine students from each of the year groups. Houses are named after famous sporting venues in England viz Lord's, Twickenham, Wembley and Wimbledon. House membership will be central to student engagement in College life, encouraging healthy competition, a focus for students' academic and practical energies and offering extended opportunities to celebrate achievement. The awarding of House Merits and House Colours will underwrite this initiative.
Curriculum Organisation. WVC offers much more than the prescribed National Curriculum. Our attention is to individual needs. We provide a wide variety of alternative programmes specific to student propensity. In September 2004 we will move to a three-period day based on a two-week timetable. This will raise expectations in learning and extend 'learning time' in each student.
Enrichment. Extending College experience at WVC includes attachment to additional curriculum and social projects e.g. Student Executive membership, College and House Prefectship, School Council service and Student Reception Duty, to name but few. A full Out-of-Hours Learning Programme promotes Sports, Art and Design, Drama, Music and other learning e.g. our September 2003 Business Studies GCSE class and planned for 2004 GCSE Dance class in 'twilight time'. As an International School we enjoy a wide range of exchanges and interactive relationships abroad.
Learning Support. WVC has a very effective Learning Support Department. Student Support Services (S3) assists all who are experiencing difficulty in their application to learning. Renewed attention to Gifted and Talented Students will be emphasised by our recently appointed Co-ordinator in September 2004.
Learning Programmes. Key Stage 3 students study English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Languages (where not disapplied), Art, Design and Technology, PE, PSHE, Religious Studies, Geography, History, Information and Communications Technology, Music and Drama. Classes are organised in bands and taught in sets or mixed abilities groups as appropriate. Some subjects offer the opportunity of early entry to GCSE in Year 9. Key Stage 4 students follow a mandatory core curriculum that includes English, English Literature, Mathematics, Science Double Award and PE. Students choose additional GCSE subjects e.g. Geography, History, PE (GCSE), Art and Design, a range of Technology subjects, Music, Drama, French/German, Child Development, Leisure and Tourism and, new for September 2004, BTEC Sports Studies and Media Studies. Other vocational opportunities, in some cases linked to a Further Education Centre, are available for students who need more vocationally - based curriculum. All students are guided in their choice of GCSE options.