BIG changes are in the pipeline for staff and students at Tavistock College. They have been sparked by an ambitious ?vision for learning? aimed at driving up standards and improving facilities at the school. The changes follow an extensive consultation started within the first few weeks of new principal Colin Eves?s work at the college. The changes will also address issues highlighted in the Ofsted report last year. From September, the college will introduce a reorganised curriculum, to give students more time for core subjects. There will also be a wider choice of other subjects for older students. And specialist members of staff are being appointed to help all students develop personal interests and qualities. Mr Eves said: ?Our first duty is obviously to ensure that all our students achieve their full potential academically. ?But we want our students to go on to lead responsible, productive and enjoyable lives. ?That?s not just about qualifications and salary scales. It?s also about what they do outside work. We want to encourage them to develop and pursue rewarding interests and pastimes and to become trustworthy and responsible citizens.? As part of the changes at the school, the timetable will be altered, from 30 lessons of 50 minutes each a week, to a fortnightly timetable of 50 periods of one hour each. Time needed for movement around the large college campus has been built in, to avoid lesson time being wasted. ?This new timetable will ensure the core subjects have the time they need and will also provide the right amount of time for practical work,? said Mr Eves. ?All our key stage 4 students will take an IT course leading to the equivalent of a GCSE qualification. We will also be increasing the time for PE, to two, hour-long sessions a week, that will encourage healthy lifestyles and build on the healthy eating that we have already introduced in the canteen.? The staggered break stystem will remain ? but with more activities available for students at lunchtime, including a new basketball league. Mr Eves said a new staffing structure would retain a designated head of year for each year group. But they would now be assisted by a full-time member of support staff, experienced in working with young people. There would also be a lead teacher responsible for personal development, supported by non teaching staff who would help promote students? personal qualities and interests. The staffing changes have been brought about within existing budgets. Mr Eves said there would also be more events and activities arranged through the school, as part of, and outside, the curriculum. For example, a group of year 9 boys have been developing skills in climbing, abseiling and surfing as part of a programme called the Race Project. Later this year, the boys will be working with masterchef Peter Gorton from the Horn of Plenty, as they cook a meal for their parents in the college kitchens. The boys represent a cross section of ability and interest and are working together to become team leaders and role models for other students. They are due to take a lead in assemblies focussing on raising standards in SATS exams. ?We want to promote and nurture qualities like happiness, teamwork, politeness, confidence and compassion and respect for all people, their opinions, cultures and a sense of community spirit,? said Mr Eves. ?We are committed to this vision of a college where everyone is ?on route to success? and we are putting these new structures in place to make it happen.?
