The Achievement Centre
The Achievement Centre is where staff offer support to students with learning, behaviour or emotional difficulties.
My name is Mrs Anne Macdonald and I am the Special Needs Coordinator responsible for the Achievement Centre.
Some students may need extra help throughout their school career; others need help for just a short period.
The Achievement Centre has three bases:
- Learning Support in the New Block is managed by Mrs Maretta Dowman. We are very proud of our new computers which are well used by our literacy intervention groups (Key Stage 3) and our Study Skills groups. Learning Support is open at lunchtime to any students requiring homework or class work.
- A few students are taught for most of their lessons in the Star Zone. Students can be based in the Star Zone for a number of reasons including: reintegration from a long period of absence; the need for a safe, secure environment to overcome emotional difficulties.
Star Zone provides a safe nurturing environment at break and lunchtime, mainly for Year 7 children who may find the transfer to a large secondary school overwhelming. Children soon learn to make new friends.
Mrs Cathy Bishop is the Achievement Centre manager responsible for the Star Zone.
- The Satellite Base is for Key Stage 4 students who need a more tutorial style approach. The provision is very flexible allowing for the individual needs of the young people based there. Mrs Stephanie Orme is the teacher in charge of the Satellite Base.
Some of the Achievement Centre team are based in departments. Others stay with particular year groups.
We have a special arrangement for some students coming into Year 7 who may find a transfer from a small primary school to a large secondary school difficult. This is called the Nurture Group. These students are taught together as a group for English, Maths, Modern Foreign Languages and Humanities. This reduces the number of classroom changes and different members of staff they have to get used to.
As you can see from the photos we are a very lively department. Last summer we went to Youlbury for a week. The weather was great and everyone had a wonderful time.
We encourage our older students to mentor children in Year 7.
If you are coming to Bicester Community College in September or you simply want to know more about the support we can offer, please do not hesitate to get in touch. Please phone 01869 243331 or email office@bicester-cc.oxon.sch.uk.
