Environment

Our building:

Music study in the Sixth Form.

Our two-storey glass, brick and steel structure, completed in 1991 is modern, well kept and innovatively designed. The upper storey is accessed by both stairs and lift, and an even surface throughout provides pedestrian and wheelchair access to all internal areas. The extensive grounds provide traditional sports pitches, but also contain a wildlife haven, which is home to a variety of species and provides an excellent resource for study.

The facilities include:

• A purpose-built library with state of the art IT equipment. Well resourced and well used, this airy room is a hub of activity and learning
• where solo study or group research may be carried out. Students can also be issued with wireless laptops on short-term loan.
• A television editing suite with industry standard equipment.
• An advanced electronic music studio, DJ technology suite and individual practice rooms.
• A multi-purpose theatre used for a variety of presentations, displays, dramas and shows.
• A business centre including lecture theatre and conference rooms equipped to the highest standard.
• A newly refurbished restaurant, including a coffee shop to cater for students staying at College to continue their studies into the evening.
• A plentiful supply of classrooms equipped with electronic whiteboards.
• Several open study areas, all with IT access and wireless network for use with laptop computers.
• Two floodlit all-weather pitches next to the College catering for cricket, hockey, rugby, football, netball and tennis.
• The College operates an open access policy and the faith the staff have in the students is fully justified with little evidence of vandalism, theft and graffiti.

Our ethos

Design Technology lesson.

Students learn more and understand better when they can apply what they have been taught in a practical situation. Therefore the Brooke Weston ethos of practical application permeates our teaching.

The structure of our lessons, our days, our weeks and our terms has been carefully thought out in order to provide optimum learning conditions. The 75 minute lessons are backed up by our IT system which means that, as well as guided teaching, students are also encouraged to become independent learners, using their own initiative, exploiting our excellent resources.

This approach means students quickly learn:

• Leadership and teamwork.
• Effective communications.
• Problem solving.
• Presentation skills.
• Library techniques.
• Keyboarding and computing.
• Information access and retrieval using up-to-date technology.
• Working independently and in small groups.
• How to seek help and support when it is needed.
• How to use audio, video and print-based resources.
• How to monitor personal progress.

Our focus on technology

Science lesson.

From the outset we have been a specialist technology college and we can still claim to be one of the most advanced state schools in our use of technology.

• Wireless laptops, multimedia software packages and interactive
• whiteboards are regular features of classroom practice, for students and teachers alike.
• All students have access to the Internet via high-powered filters. Each has their own email address and home area.
• Students can connect to the College network from home, accessing emails and curriculum materials on the College web site.
• Students use the College's television and recording studios to produce their own programmes, presentations and CDs.
• Staff are ICT proficient and provide expert tuition on the many media-related courses taught at the College.