The Charter School East Dulwich

Welcome to The Charter School East Dulwich. The Charter School East Dulwich is an inclusive, entrepreneurial and academically rigorous secondary school serving the vibrant communities of East Dulwich and South Camberwell. Going into our second year of operation, we are one of the most over-subscribed new schools in the country.

As part of The Charter Schools Educational Trust, we are founded on the conviction that all children deserve the opportunity to succeed, whatever their start in life or personal circumstances.

We are a school at the heart of our community: a place where children walk to school together and where friendships, between students and between parents, grow stronger as a result of daily contact in- and outside of the classroom.

We teach our students to be curious, creative, confident, courageous and caring. They will be happy in themselves, excited about their future and ambitious for success. They will leave us fully able to participate in our democratic society and prepared to meet the challenges and to harvest the opportunities of life in the 21st century.

All of this will require dedication and hard work - both in lessons and outside of lessons. We expect a lot of our students. We expect them to commit to developing their individual aptitudes. For some students, this will mean exploring specialist subject areas such as Mandarin or Theatre Studies. For others, this will mean additional support in literacy and mathematics.

We expect all students to participate enthusiastically in the extra-curricular life of the school, through additional sports and specialist clubs and societies, some of which we offer in partnership with our outstanding sibling school, The Charter School North Dulwich.

Finally, we expect students to contribute actively and generously to their community, through volunteering programmes, peer support and exemplary personal conduct.

In return, we will work tirelessly to provide students with the support and encouragement needed in order to achieve their goals.

Five core values underpin all aspects of our school life:

• Curiosity
• Creativity
• Confidence
• Courageousness
• Caring

These values form the backbone of character and relationship education at The Charter School East Dulwich. Students will leave our care understanding each of these values in depth and modelling them in later life.

We have designed a curriculum rich in the powerful knowledge and concepts all students need--first, to understand the world in depth; and eventually to thrive in it both personally and professionally. This will include a thorough grounding in the best that has been thought and said from around the globe.

Our Foundations (Key Stage 3) curriculum runs from Year 7 to Year 9. The core curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum but is not bound by its constraints. Instead, we apply the most appropriate elements and enhance students' learning through units of study specifically designed to stretch them scholastically and personally and to lay solid foundations for future success.

In Key stage 4, pupils will follow tailored pathways of study, reflecting their individual aptitudes and interests. All pathways will include the core subjects of English language and literature, mathematics, and science, but will also include optional subjects. Most pupils will have the opportunity to study for the English Baccalaureate suite of qualifications, which offer the widest field of professional opportunities in later life.

The Key stage 4 tutorial programme will focus on the development of professional and life skills that will prepare students for fulfilling adult lives. Community and work experience placements will be part of the Key stage 4 curriculum for all pupils. The school will also offer opportunities for leadership development activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh scheme.

Pupils will be provided with information, advice and guidance in order to create a personalized programme of study in Years 12 and 13. The school will offer a wide range of A Levels and other Level 3 qualifications. Work Related Learning provision will remain a key feature of school life in Years 12 and 13. All Year 12 pupils will undertake one hour a week of Community Service, in-line with provision at The Charter School, in North Dulwich. We will expect all of our students to secure offers from the higher education provider of their choice or positions on higher level apprentice schemes. Students with suitable levels of academic achievement will be provided with bespoke support for applications to Oxford and Cambridge colleges and medical schools.

The Charter School East Dulwich will provide an excellent education for young people from the local community in a safe, supportive learning environment, where people are valued and make positive contributions to the school, and where students go on to become responsible, independent members of society.

We believe that all our young people have the potential to achieve in school and succeed in life. Whatever their starting point no young person will be left behind. Excellent performance comes through effort, motivation and targeted interventions throughout the years of secondary education.