AN ambitious new policy aimed at driving up the aspirations of Tavistock College is to be developed this term, following the launch of an extensive consultation exercise. New principal Colin Eves, who has just joined the school from Ilfracombe College, said the ?vision statement? would embrace the ?every child matters? national agenda ? and build on the college?s role as a key player within the Tavistock community. Mr Eves said: ? I?m actually not very keen on the phrase vision statement, because it sounds too much like jargon, but the college needs a statement that sets out what outcomes it aims to achieve for students.? Mr Eves said in future, the way the college worked on a daily basis and any change or development would follow from the statement, which followed three basic areas ? qualifications, personal qualities and personal interests. He said the college should ensure students gained the highest possible qualifications in courses that met their needs ? provision of courses, facilities and equipment should be wide, with effective monitoring and progress reporting. ?Gaining the best qualifications is essential for our students ? without them, they cannot progress ? but we are very keen to hear from our students the things they feel are going to help them do their very best,? said Mr Eves. He said the school should ensure students developed personal qualities such as reliability, punctuality, compassion and tolerance to enable them to successfully take their place in a changing society and the world of work ?In terms of developing students with the right personal qualities, they are every bit as important ? we want to hear about the practical things that enable this to happen,? he said. The college should also ensure students developed personal interests to enrich their lives during and beyond their education, by providing a range of activities outside lessons and establishing links with community organisations. Mr Eves said: ?We don?t want a society where people spend their time sitting in front of the TV, we want them involved, whether it?s in sport or developing other personal interests or skills and there are ways in which the college should be able to link with other organisations to develop these interests.? A consultation process regarding the ?vision statement? has been started, involving the students through the college senate. Parents were invited to a meeting of the PTA this week, plus an open meeting ? a newsletter has also been distributed to parents. Mr Eves will be visiting all the college?s feeder primary schools in the next few weeks. He said he was also ?very keen? to hear the views of people in the community, not necessarily linked with the college, and urged them to get in touch. ?It?s not just about staff, students and parents here, we have to strengthen our links with the local community and I would like the views of people living within the community, because we are a big part of it,? said Mr Eves. Responses to the ?vision statement? should be returned to Angela Thomas at Tavistock College by September 30, or by e-mailing [email protected]">[email protected]
