Vandyke Upper School

Infobox UK school
name = Vandyke Upper School


size =
latitude = 51.92718
longitude = -0.64488
dms = dms
motto = "Everyone matters"
motto_pl =
established = 1976
approx =
closed =
c_approx =
type = Comprehensive community school
religion =
president =
head_label =
head = Mr. T Carroll
r_head_label =
r_head =
chair_label =
chair =
founder =
founder_pl =
specialist = Sports College
specialist_pl =
street = Vandyke Road
city = Leighton Buzzard
county = Bedfordshire
country = England
postcode = LU7 3DY
LEA = Bedfordshire
ofsted = 109678
staff = 80 approx.
enrollment = 1,287 total
gender = Coeducational
lower_age = 13
upper_age = 18
houses = Icknield, Akeman and Watling
colours = Burgundy
publication =
free_label_1 =
free_1 =
free_label_2 =
free_2 =
free_label_3 =
free_3 =
website =
website = http://www.vandyke.beds.sch.uk/
website_name = Vandyke Upper School

Vandyke Upper School and Community College is an Upper School and Sixth Form college in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, England. As of September 2006, there are currently 1,026 students attending compulsory education at Vandyke, with a further 261 students making up the 6th form. [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?event=getReport&urn=109678&inspectionNumber=288471&providerCategoryID=8192&fileName=\school\109\s5_109678_20070110.xml Vandyke School at Office of Standards in Education (OfSted)] , retrieved 15 June 2007]

History

The school was opened in 1976 as a comprehensive school for 13-18 year olds. [http://www.vandyke.beds.sch.uk/ Vandyke home page] , retrieved 15 June 2007] [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/reports/index.cfm?fuseaction=summary&id=109678 Vandyke School at Office of Standards in Education (OfSted)] , retrieved 15 June 2007]

During the Ofsted inspection that took place between the 13th and 14th of December 2006, Vandyke Upper School achieved a Grade 2 (Good) rating.http://www.vandyke.beds.sch.uk/Ofsted%20Inspection%20Report.pdf]

Achievements

For several years, Vandyke Upper School has been a participant of the Rock Eisteddfod Challenge, a dance and drama event promoting healthy lifestyles amongst school pupils. [http://www.arrowsmith.demon.co.uk/teams.htm] , retrieved 15 June 2007] In September 2005, Vandyke Upper School achieved Sports College status. [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/portal/site/Internet/menuitem.7c7b38b14d870c7bb1890a01637046a0/?event=getReport&urn=109678&inspectionNumber=288471&providerCategoryID=8192&fileName=\school\109\s5_109678_20070110.xml] , retrieved 15 June 2007] Vandyke Upper was granted £113,940 from the British Government's Big Lottery Fund in July 2006. The funding is to provide out of hours sporting activities to promote healthy living and open up new opportunities in sport for young people. [http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=213319&NewsAreaID=2] , retrieved 15 June 2007] In July 2007, the school was awarded the Government Charter Mark for excellence in customer service. Vandyke Upper School met 63 exacting standards of customer service to qualify for the award. [http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?SectionID=413&articleid=2989019 Leighton Buzzard Today (Online)] , retrieved 05 July 2007 ] The Government's Key performance indicator, a program that logs school's GCSE and Key Stage Two exam performances, has placed Vandyke's results in the top 25% of schools across the country. According to the log, 61 percent of Vandyke students attained A* to C grades in their GCSE's in 2007. [ [http://www.leightonbuzzardonline.co.uk/schoolnews/Vandyke-on-top-form.3228878.jp Online News Article] retrieved 30th September 2007]

Charity

Vandyke Upper School donated forty-eight computers to Kabalega Secondary School, in Uganda. Twelve more computers went to an NGO, the Link Development Community, also of Uganda, who work to improve education within the country. [http://www.singletaskingpete.com/vandyke.htm] retrieved 15 June 2007] Annually, since 2005, Vandyke has held fund raising events for the charity, Smile Malawi. Smile Malawi is a charity aimed at improving educatory standards for children in Malawi. [http://www.lgov.co.uk/client/function/searchsystem/search&ICM_Form_Search] retrieved 15 June 2007]

chool Site

The main site of the school is divided into two main buildings. The buildings are divided into blocks which house different departmental sections of the school:

Vandyke Upper School and Community college has facilities such as a flood lit artificial turf pitch and theatre. In 2006 and 2007, construction and refurbishment work occurred resulting in the creation of a new library, new administration blocks, new reception area, sports facilities including a dance studio and changing rooms. Over Summer 2007, work was carried out to refurbish the English block, as well as new buildings being developed within the music department.

References

External links

* [http://www.vandyke.beds.sch.uk/ Official website]