Click here to visit our Specialist School microsite
Welcome to The Minster School’s dedicated web space for our unique specialist status in combined Humanities and Music. We became designated in September 2005 and since that time our specialism has become a thriving dimension of school and community life. Southwell Minster provided the ideal focus for fusing together the faculty areas of Geography, Religious Education and Music into a single cohesive programme, which draws together the recognised strengths of the school. We have ensured that the best practice and development opportunities are shared right across the school and into the wider community. Our aim is to become a specialist school throughout by sharing a common vision and taking advantage of the best teaching and learning strategies and enrichment opportunities available. Many subject areas have been able to enhance their subject profiles over the last few years, including ICT, MFL, History, Citizenship and Worship. We have become very proud of our status and of the enthusiasm and rewarding outcomes that it has generated. This was acknowledged by Ofsted in 2007:
“Specialist Status in Humanities and Music contributes strongly to the outstanding partnership working in the community, as well as in raising standards in key areas of the school’s work”
“They (Students) make a particularly strong contribution towards the life of the schools and wider community, especially through the specialist school status”
The principles that underpin our strategy for raising standards are based on the combined benefits that arise from the application of Thinking Skills, Assessment for Learning and the use of New Technologies. In addition to this there is a wide range of curriculum and enrichment projects that are detailed in the relevant sections of our dedicated web space. The aim is to use the lead subjects to enhance learning and raise attainment by promoting holistic curriculum experiences through fuller departmental collaboration which in turn develops classroom practice across the school.
In the last year the specialism has helped the school to successfully achieve the International School Award and our commitment to the sustainability issue was celebrated by becoming the first school to gain the Eco Schools ‘Green Flag’ status. We are also very pleased to have been awarded The Geography Mark at Gold status and for making a significant contribution towards the school achieving Becta Excellence Awards for ICT.
The diverse nature of enrichment opportunities has become an ever more exciting journey for all the Southwell community. Through this we have observed increased levels of engagement and achievement, allowing our students to gain the necessary transferable skills and self confidence whilst enjoying the benefits of positive self esteem which are all need to be successful the wider world.
Community cohesion is a very important and growing dimension of our status – with very good links to partner primary and secondary schools, higher education, adult learning and business. We have supported and staged many initiatives in an effort to exist as part of an inclusive community – both within the school, local area and beyond.
Thank you for taking the time to look at our dedicated web space for more detail. Regular newsletters are also published every term. Please get in contact with us if you would like to explore any issues in greater depth with us or arrange a visit. You would be made very welcome!
Mrs M Atkinson
Assistant Head Specialism
