Thomas Aveling – a Good school (Ofsted, Jan 2012)
Welcome to our newly updated website. The Thomas Aveling School is an 11-19 co-educational non-selective secondary school serving our community in Rochester, Kent. We are a converter academy (having gained this status in September 2011) having previously being a Technology College and Training School.
We aim to create a culture of high expectations and success for all students and staff.
Our academic results have risen from 26% of students gaining five A-C grades in 2001 to 88% in 2012 with a similarly impressive rise in GCSE results including Engliah and Maths from 32% in 2008 to 45% in 2011, whilst inclusive strategies have ensured that 98% of all students gain at least 5 pass grades.
As well as supporting students of all abilities to make outstanding academic progress Thomas Aveling is an Artsmark Gold School providing excellent opportunities and facilities for drama, music and dance.
We work in collaboration with a wide range of partners. We are a Leadership Development School for the National College and work with other schools to help raise standards.
We are a leading member of Kent and Medway Training and along with fourteen other schools train up to fifty new teachers each year. Our post-16 partnership with other secondary schools in Rochester and Walderslade extends the range of courses we are able to offer in the sixth form. Over the past 3 years we have worked in collaboration with Warren Wood Primary School to support their improving school strategy and work very closely with our other main feeder primary schools.
We have a vibrant, inclusive and successful sixth form of 180 students with many young people joining Thomas Aveling at 16 from local secondary schools. We offer advanced courses in both Academic and Vocational courses and have a good track record in enabling students to access Further and Higher Education.
We are delighted to have been designated a Good School by Ofsted in January 2012 achieving good grades in all categories. Some quotes from Ofsted include:
‘The range of academic and vocational options meets all interests and abilities’
‘Teaching strengths include the ability to capture students’ interest and build their confidence’
‘Year 13 students hold offers for competitive courses in leading universities’
‘Leaders and managers at all levels vigorously communicate an ambitious vision’
‘Excellent resources ensure high levels of engagement and good results’
‘Thomas Aveling inspires children to see their potential and see for themselves they have much to offer’
‘Morale is extremely high’
‘Relationships between all groups in the school are mutually supportive’
‘The school has a happy, lively atmosphere’
‘This is a good school. Most striking is the sense of shared purpose’
‘Teaching is good overall with an ability to engage and challenge students’
