What is the goal of the lower Secondary Department?
The goal in the lower secondary department is to help ease the transition from children to young adults by increasing the students' knowledge, concepts, skills and values through a subject- based curriculum. We aim to establish strong foundations in the academic skills of reading, writing, speaking and listening, numeracy, reasoning, studying and competency in information technology. We provide a safe and disciplined atmosphere in which learning can flourish and encourage the values and attitudes essential to modern living in Bermuda and the world. Our purpose is to consolidate the progress made at primary level and prepare students for the demands of the U.K. based International General Certificate of Secondary Education in Years 10 and 11 and the International Baccalaureate in the Sixth Form.
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What is taught in the Secondary Department?
The lower secondary programme (Y7– Y9) is modelled on the U.K. National Curriculum. This curriculum covers three core subjects: English, Mathematics and Science. These are supported by foundation subjects: Geography, History, Information and Communications Technology, Food and Nutrition, Design and Technology, Art, Music, Drama and Physical and Health Education. Students take both Spanish and French in Y7 and Y8, after which most select one language to work on in preparation for GCSE examinations in Y10 and Y11. Able linguists may study both languages to GCSE level. Students take the three separate sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics in Y9. Business Studies is available in Y10 and Y11. Specialist music students have two or three periods of practical music tuition per week.
In Y10 and Y11 students usually take nine subjects of the International/General Certificate of Secondary Education (I/GCSE). This is an international which is particularly challenging and students have to be very able to gain the highest marks. The I/GCSE examinations are well regarded throughout the world and give a sound preparation for Sixth Form studies.
The International Baccalaureate course begins in the Sixth Form and encompasses Years 12 and 13. It is a demanding two year pre-university course of study, designed for highly motivated students, and leads to external examinations. The programme has the strengths of a traditional liberal arts curriculum, with the additional features of a creativity, action and service component, a required Theory of Knowledge (Philosophy) course and an extended (4,000 word) essay. The IB Diploma Programme equips students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for success in higher education and employment, and gives diploma holders access to the world’s leading universities.
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What kind of assessment/reporting takes place in the Secondary Department?
Over the course of an academic year each student in the secondary department will receive:
2 full written reports (one at the end of the year and one at the end of either the Christmas or Easter term, depending on the timing of the Parent Teacher Conference); 1 verbal report from each teacher and Head of Year at the Parent Teacher Conference; 3 end of term summaries of subject and effort grades; 2 sets of mid-term grades to inform on progress; and 1 overall year grade on the final report card.
Throughout the year, teachers use formative and summative assessment to monitor the performance of students based on UK National Curriculum guidelines for Years 1 through 9 and issue letter grades, A, B, C, D and F for Years 10 & 11. Effort grades 1, 2 and 3 (1 being excellent) are used to address our expectations of students. All students also have to sit internal examinations. At the end of Y11 students take UK external I/GCSEs before entering the International Baccalaureate programme in Years 12 and 13.
For more detailed information see the Curriculum section of the website.
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What is positive discipline?
Warwick Academy is well known for its high levels of discipline. This remains a priority. The school accepts that it is involved in social education and has a duty to prepare its youngsters to become positive citizens with sound moral values. To this end, all formal assemblies include readings which include a spiritual component and focus on human achievement and high example. A community service requirement, through Health Education, encourages the youngsters to help others. Additional whole school activities offer much broader opportunities to do the same – each Year Group is also involved in charity work. The extensive extra-curricular programme also fosters positive values. All pupils are required to participate in at least two of these annually.
Classroom and in-school discipline is maintained principally through the school's Discipline Code that is based on the strengths of self discipline and individual responsibility. This centres around classroom rules which cover punctuality, being properly equipped, being attentive and respectful and responding to instruction promptly. Pupils are rewarded with merits, not only for academic success but also for effort and service to their house or their school. While this is an all-encompassing, positive reward scheme there are clear consequences for failure to live up to the code. Students will be issued demerits for poor work and effort, bad behaviour and uniform infractions either inside or outside of school, but many of these can be "worked off" when students take responsibility for their own behaviour. Penalties for more serious behaviour include being put on probation; Saturday morning detention; "in-school" suspension; out of school suspension and finally, exclusion. Parents are informed about poor behaviour immediately by email. In both academic and social terms our graduates are second to none – as our reputation will testify.
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What is the homework policy?
The secondary department has a definitive policy regarding homework. A copy of this document, which lays down guidelines for the frequency and duration of homework, together with the respective roles of teacher, parent and student is posted on the homework policy webpage.
The main feature of the policy is that everyone receives homework regularly according to a homework timetable. Anyone failing to do homework on three occasions has to attend Homework Club after school for one week.
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What about the pastoral needs of the student?
Each Year Group is allocated a Year Head who is responsible for the academic and personal growth of the students in his/her Year and directs the three form teachers to that end. This system ensures a close degree of supervision and a quick response to issues and problems particular to the Year Group. Paula Wight, Guidance Counsellor, and a Learning Enrichment teacher, complement the pastoral group with expertise in counselling and special teaching provision.
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What advancements are being made in the area of Information Technology?
As we move forward in the new millennium a shift in emphasis in education towards information communication technology is apparent. Warwick Academy has made great steps towards achieving a firm foundation for this. The current computer infrastructure within the school and the proposed plans for upcoming years, including additional high speed links, upgraded internet access, widespread use of an intranet and the further use of thin client and wireless technology, will assure Warwick Academy a place at the forefront of technology-based schools.
Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is taught as a separate subject in the lower secondary school and is a popular GCSE option in the upper secondary school. With a current computer base of approximately 100 multi-media computers the workstation accessibility for students within the school is a 1:3 ratio. The school continues to integrate technology within the classroom, including greater use of wireless technology coupled with Internet access and electronic teaching aides. Smart boards are in use in all classrooms making the use of technology readily accessible to students and enhancing the learning environment.
By utilising an intranet facility we are able to provide almost instantaneous access to school-related information for faculty, parents and students from any computer within the school, island or even when travelling abroad.
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What research facilities are available?
The Library is a key resource in the learning process at Warwick Academy. The Centre is under the direction of a full-time librarian. It has 10,500 books, up to date computer technology and other audio-visual equipment including a universal VCR and DVD player. The Library is divided into primary and secondary sections, each with separate access.
The Sixth Form Centre in Barber Hall houses specialised resources for advanced study.
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What is the specialist music programme?
Warwick Academy is justly proud of the superb reputation it enjoys in musical circles - a direct result of the specialist Music Programme.
All students at Warwick Academy are taught to appreciate Music, a compulsory part of the school curriculum from Years 1 to 9. Students are taught skills in theory, composition, listening and performing. However, in the secondary school there is a specialist Music Programme for one class in each year group. The members of this class are chosen for their musical potential in string, wind and percussion instruments and are taught by specialist music teachers, including members of the Menuhin Foundation, to performance standard. In addition to instrumental technique, the students are taught theory, composition and listening skills, with a special emphasis on performing, and are trained to play together in a Concert Band, String Orchestra, Jazz Band and full Symphony Orchestra.
This programme is demanding and requires out-of-school rehearsal and performance time. Students must be highly motivated, self-disciplined and fully supportive of the programme, once admitted to it, and maintain good academic standards in their other subjects. In addition, they need to pursue private lessons in their chosen instrument.
Each year, students in the Special Music Programme are entered for the appropriate Royal Schools of Music instrumental and theory examinations. GCSE Music is also available to Y10 and Y11 music students and is ideal preparation for the Music IB course offered at Sixth Form level.
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Is there any provision for health education?
A continuing Health Education programme teaches students the importance of being aware of their own health habits based on general knowledge and essential facts. They are then encouraged to make responsible decisions in the areas of first aid, drug use/abuse, mental health diseases / disorders, sexuality, family life, nutrition, hygiene and exercise. This will allow them to practise good health for daily living.
Warwick Academy has a Drug Abuse Policy that is related and fundamental to the Health Education programme. Copies of this policy are available from the school.
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Do you have a house system?
The house system is a long-standing tradition at Warwick Academy and is used for intramural sports events as well as academic competitions. It helps to create opportunities for children to make acquaintances and friendships outside their specific peer group. Regular House meetings are held.
Upon entry to the school each child is assigned to a house. Siblings are usually assigned to the same house as their brother or sister. The four houses, Morgan, Patton, Rhodes and Robertson, are each run by a house leader, who is a faculty member, and student house captains.
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What about extracurricular opportunities?
The extracurricular programme is an essential part of the educational process at Warwick Academy. Such activities contribute significantly to the physical, intellectual, emotional and social development of each student.
Every student in the secondary school must take part in at least two extracurricular activities each school year. In sport, there are clubs for soccer, cricket, basketball, netball, softball, rugby, badminton, volleyball, field hockey, swimming, cross-country and track and field to choose from. Music activities involve various bands and orchestras and the drama club works towards an annual school production. There are many other clubs which include art, computers, debating, latin, poetry, cooking, ecology, reading, creative writing, geography and year book. The school has soccer teams in the BFA leagues.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is well established in the school. Students choose one activity from each of four designated areas of training - skills, physical achievement, service and expedition - and work towards the bronze, silver and gold awards which are the focus of the Award Scheme. Students must be 14 years old before they can start the programme.
Members of the Warwick Academy Leo Club provide valuable service to the community.
Extra-curricular activities are recorded in students' files and are an important consideration in the school's selection of its junior and senior prefects. Student achievements in the programme are also given prominence in school transcripts.
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What is the Year 7 admissions policy?
Our admissions process is two-fold. First, all registered candidates must sit an entrance examination in the February/March before the September they wish to enter. This examination is a standardised aptitude test, designed to assess the students’ ability to reason with words, numbers and abstract figures and symbols. The top scoring candidates from this exam are invited back to the school for some written work and an interview. Children are selected for Year 7 based on their combined performance in these areas. The Director of Admissions may also request past school reports and records. A whole new class of twenty-five students is recruited each year.
The Director of Admissions will announce final admission decisions before the end of March. Parents are required to pay an admissions fee of $950 to reserve each place accepted.
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What are the current fees and is there any financial aid?
The tuition fee for the academic year 2008/09 is BD $13,200. Fees for 2008/09 will be determined by the Board of Governors in March 2009. Tuition fees are payable in three equal instalments, one term in advance and are non-refundable unless a full term’s written notice of withdrawal is given. Parents can contact the Financial Controller for monthly and on-line payment options.
There are two merit-based scholarships available to students entering Warwick Academy at the Year 7 level. These Governors’ Scholarships, are worth $8,000 each per year, for five years, and are awarded to the 2 highest scoring students from the public school system in the entrance examination.
Two more merit-based Governors’ Scholarships, worth $8,000 each per year, for five years, will be awarded internally, to the 2 highest scoring Warwick Academy Primary 6 students in the internal scholarship examination.
Financial aid is also available to Year 7 students, in the form of bursaries. Interested parents should collect a bursary application from the Main School Office in early February and return the completed form and required supporting documentation, in a sealed envelope, to the Financial Controller by March 17th, 2009.
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Further information can be obtained from the Admisssions Office or Mr. Andy Fields, Deputy Principal: Admissions at afields@warwickacad.bm or telephone 239-9457