Vandyke Upper School

'Everyone Matters' 

• Vandyke is a great place to work, with high expectations and a caring ethos. 
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• Our Annual Survey consistently shows that staff feel well supported and are supportive of one another, students enjoy coming to school and our parents/carers are hugely supportive of our school.  We often find that competition for posts at Vandyke is strong and the experience colleagues gain here can be a stepping stone to further promotion.
  

• The ethos of Vandyke is based on strong, positive relationships between staff and students – “Responsible, Respectful, Resilient – World Ready.”  The atmosphere is of a “college” whereby we seek to allow students autonomy and independence.  Students respond very well to this creating a “special” atmosphere around school often commented upon by visitors.  Staff go out of their way to provide great teaching and support and additional learning opportunities for students.  Parents and carers are supportive of the school and feedback from parents and carers is always that the school is welcoming and friendly.

• Vandyke is a thriving school, with a growing reputation for excellent teaching and achievement, innovative and inclusive practice, and excellent leadership and management that puts students and learning at the centre.
  
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• We are pleased to hold Sportsmark award in recognition of our commitment to Sport/PE and our outstanding programme of extra-curricular sport and performing arts activities.  Over 350 students take part in the DoE award scheme each year.
  
• Facilities at Vandyke are excellent and include a theatre, drama studio, dance studio, sports hall, sports activity area, specialist athletics jumping facility, floodlit netball centre, floodlit astro-turf pitch, floodlit 3G pitch, music suite, café and extensive library/study facilities.  

In September 2020 we opened a new teaching block comprising 12 new science labs, 10 new maths classrooms, Sixth Form centre including Sixth Form café and accommodation for staff.  A further new build extension of the sixth form centre has recently opened.