Saturday 26 November 2011

St. Neots Community College

St. Neots Community College is a specialist performing arts college which serves students between the ages of 11 and 18. The name of this school was originally 'Ernulf Community College', but in September 2004 the school changed its name when it gained Specialist school status. The school became Cambridgeshire's first 11 - 18 Specialist Performing Arts College. The college is one of two schools within St Neots, Longsands College being the other. The school in May 2009 was put under special measures but as of March 2011 they were classed by Ofsted as a "Satisfactory school with good and outstanding features". The school in now partnered with Longsands College as part of the LLP. Following a consultation the school will become an academy from September 1st 2011 and will be renamed Ernulf Academy.
  
About

St Neots Community College was the first 11-18 Specialist Arts College in Cambridgeshire. On September 1, 2004 the college relaunched with its new name. The specialist subjects are Drama, Media and Music. Together with Art these subjects form the Performing Arts Team. Examination results in these areas are excellent.
However, the exam results for these are marred by the fact that only about 50% of students get 5 A*-C grades at GCSE each year, compared to 70% in most other local schools. This can be accounted for by the fact that the school takes in more disabled students (who may have learning difficulties, and either way often seem to get lower grades) than average. Unfortunately, the school tends to get poor OFSTED reports - it last got 'satisfactory' overall, with a few 'good' ratings in the Sixth Form only, and 'poor' behaviour but now the school is improving . The school has strong links with its local area special school Samuel Pepys enabling pupils to integrate with their mainstream peers during their post 16 education. Mr E Forrester became Principal of the school in September 2007 and left in 2010 with the school on special measures.

Notable students
  • Terry Wiles, (1962– ) thalidomide baby and the subject of the book and film On Giant's Shoulders.
Special measures

In March 2009 the school was inspected by Ofsted and placed in special measures. The Principal, Mr Forester, has since resigned. The headmaster knew that the school would be put under special measures and introduced long-term plans. Ofsted are to return once a month until they come out of special measures.
Latest OFSTED reports have shown considerable improvements in key areas. SNCC has now entered into a federation with Longsands College in St Neots which will, hopefully, see more improvements in the management of the school.
In September 2010, St Neots Community College was partnered with Longsands College as part of the Longsands Learning Partnership (LLP). Robert Whatmough is now executive principle of both schools.
On 10th March 2011, St Neots Community College was officially out of Special Measures and has been described by Ofsted as a "Satisfactory school with good and outstanding features."

Aurora computer services

In December 2008, Aurora approached SNCC to take part in ground breaking research for face recognition, into the educational sector. It is a plan to see more reliable ways of attendance & to see if the system will work with teenagers.
They have installed one clock-face unit to monitor the arrival of all 160 6th form students. The project will run from January 2009 to July 2009.

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