Aims

• To foster positive relationships within the School and community, encouraging self esteem, dignity and respect for others
• To provide a curriculum, facilities and resources which enable every child to develop his/her potential to become a valuable member of society
• To be a successful learning institution with a commitment to the continuous development of all our students, staff and resources
• To provide an environment in which everyone can work with purpose

Objectives

• To maxmise students' potential in all areas, including academic and social
• To meet targets for Specialist School Status
• To continue to improve student attainment at Key Stages 3 and 4
• To continue to improve the ethos of the School

Values

• Respect, tolerance, openness, honesty and trust must pervade relationships with one another
• As professionals, we are constantly seeking to improve our services to our students and community
• Our actions as well as our words will show our commitment to raise the self esteem of everyone who works here
• We value our students and believe they have the potential to succeed
• Teachers have high expectations of their students
• Managers have high expectations of their colleagues

The School is housed in two multi storey blocks, built in 1971 and an older single storey building which was built in 1934. In addition, to accommodate additional students, a number of relocatable classrooms have been added. The site is fronted by a pleasant grassed area with trees and has its own extensive playing fields at the side and rear together with floodlit hard courts. Indoor facilities include a large Sports Hall, Gymnasium, Fitness Suite and Drama Studio. To accommodate Specialist School Status, a Media Arts Block has been created within the two storey block. It is here that most disciplines relating to Media Arts can be found, including Art Studios, a specialist Media Studies Room, a state-of-the-art Editing Suite and five fully networked IT rooms. For the most part, teaching takes place in specialist rooms, which are grouped as far as possible into subject suites. Such accommodation includes seven Science Laboratories, a newly refurbished Technology suite and a fully networked Resource Centre. The facilities for the Media Arts College extend beyond the Media Arts Block into all areas of the curriculum.

For the safety and security of all who use the site, there is an extensive digital cctv system with cameras covering most external areas of the School as well as many internal corridors .

The first three years, (Years 7 - 9) are classified as Key Stage 3 and Years 10 and 11 are Key Stage 4.

Each student is placed in one of five Colleges, where s/he remains throughout secondary school. The colleges are named after prominent members of the Media Arts community.

Key Stage 3

Students in Years 7 and 8 are generally taught in mixed ability groups although every opportunity is taken to set wherever possible. As part of the Secondary Strategy, identified students are given additional support through Progress Units, Catch-up and Booster classes as well as other transitional arrangements which may be identified. Towards the end of Key Stage 3, students and parents make guided options choices which determine the courses they will study in Key Stage 4.

Key Stage 4

Students at Key Stage 4 are taught wherever possible according to their ability although options subjects are generally taught in mixed ability groups.

The welfare and development of students is the concern of all staff in the School. Day-to-day welfare assistance is offered by Form Tutors. The transfer of students from primary schools is overseen by an Assistant Head Teacher. Arrangements for this transfer include visits by both staff and students to each other's schools in the latter part of the Summer Term prior to transfer. At the end of Year 11, students transfer to Further Education, at Palmers College, Thurrock and Basildon College or another institution of their choice and oversight of this is again taken by an Assistant Head Teacher.

School/home relations are regarded as most important. Great emphasis is placed on firm but friendly discipline and the responsibilities that each students has to his/her peers, family and the School. There is a Code of Conduct and School Rules to which each student is expected to conform and these are contained in the school planner issued at the start of each year. Planners not only include practical information but are also a point of written contact between home and School.

Excellent staff/student relationships mean that verbal reprimands are the normal and effective sanctions although detentions (normally reserved for poor or uncompleted work or bad punctuality) are also used. In exceptional circumstances, and as a last resort, the Headteacher may exclude a student from School.

The teaching week at The Grays School Media Arts College consists of twenty-five one hour periods.

THE SCHOOL DAY