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ARD E N
The school’s second specialism is ‘Applied Learning’. This
capability has allowed Arden to be innovative in curriculum
design and teaching. and ensures that every single pupil has
the chance to develop transferrable skills which are highly
valued in the working world and enables pupils to become
successful lifelong learners.
Creating the leaders of tomorrow
Arden has a third specialism. In being designated a ‘Leadership
Partner School’ we have the remit of developing leadership
skills across both our own workforce and the student body,
and then disseminating our recognised good practice to other
schools and academies.
Arden has long recognised that leadership skills are invaluable.
For the individual they become essential tools for progress and
the fulfilment of potential. For the country as a whole they are
vital in equipping a world-class workforce. Leadership plays a
key role in allowing Britain to compete effectively in the global
marketplace.
Earning this specialist accolade has enabled us to develop a
wide range of leadership opportunities. This culminated in the
development of a ‘Leadership Ladder’ offering many varied
opportunities for each stage of skill development for our
pupils. Arden is proud that our pupils who are given a mandate
for leadership almost inevitably rise to the occasion and that
wherever feasible this programme is pupil-driven.
Investing in your child’s future
The most valuable resource of Arden is the very high calibre
of its teaching staff, with their specialist knowledge and skills
across all key subjects. But a school also needs the resources
of modern buildings, equipment and facilities to perform its
educational role effectively – and here too at Arden we have
worked hard to ensure that students and staff have the very
best at their disposal.
The school’s buildings have been considerably extended over
the years. The most recent multi-million pound capital building
programme provided six additional specialist classrooms; a
Performing Arts Centre, Dance Studio, a state-of-the-art Sixth
Form, the Smart Centre with a fully equipped Hair Salon,
Technology, ICT rooms and a specialist Engineering facility.
There are substantial further developments planned such as
the new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA).
Arden’s status as a ‘Specialist Language College’ has also
ensured the highest quality of language teaching. Pupils benefit
significantly from regular contact with native French, German,
Spanish and Chinese speakers. Arden employs several Modern
Language Assistants who work alongside faculty staff in
language lessons. The Assistants give extra speaking practice
to students in groups, as well as individual help and support
with written work.
We are very fortunate to be able to offer Mandarin Chinese
with classes at Arden being taught by teachers from mainland
China. This is without doubt one of the most important
languages in the world today, with well over one billion native
speakers. It is predicted that trade and cultural contact with
mainland China will continue to increase and influence the
world in coming years.