St Ivo School – A Specialist Humanities College

In September 2008 St Ivo School was designated a Specialist Humanities School. As a Humanities College we will foster an understanding of human values and attitudes, past and present and how society is organised, developed and changed. We are doing this by focussing on environmental and fair trade issues, furthering our international links and developing community links. While learning about issues of current importance students will be given opportunities to develop the skills of enquiry to deepen their analytical skills and chances to improve their communication skills in written, verbal and technological ways. There are many exciting initiatives being developed within the school such as eco-school status and the introduction of fair trade goods within the school.

Our overall aim is to raise standards across the whole curriculum as the status provides the school with a very significant amount of money. This is being invested in a range of areas but includes significant ICT investment resulting in projectors in all teaching classrooms and a significant increase in the number of interactive whiteboards to aid effective and innovative teaching. Wireless technology to being trialled in History to assess impact in lessons. Money is also being invested in reducing group sizes. We are developing our work using research within the school to identify effective teaching and learning techniques and to disseminate this across the school. This is backed up by a carefully structured training programme for staff to ensure that best value is gained from the significant investment taking place.

Community and School Links

As part of the initiative we are establishing and strengthening links with community organisations such as the Adult Community Learning programme in St. Ives and with our link Primary/Junior schools. Meaningful relationships are being established with local organisations such as the Norris Museum in which examples of student work will be exhibited, and the Civic Society. Exciting projects are being developed with our link schools such as a study of the Manor at Hemingford Grey with a historical and literacy focus. In recognition of the Humanities status the adult provision provided by St Ivo School has some exciting local and family history courses, see http://www.aclearning.org.uk/adult/atoz.asp. The school is also working with the Hartford Unit to support their staff in delivering GCSE courses.