Teaching Organisation
In Key Stage 3 students are grouped according to prior academic attainment and their overall potential. In addition, their individual learning preferences are taken into consideration so that teaching styles will cater for every child’s learning needs. The school is committed to ensuring that every child realises his or her potential, and that potential is not limited by academic labelling.
Students are encouraged to work to the maximum of their potential within the teaching situation and attainment targets related to appropriate levels are part of the organisational philosophy. Students with additional learning needs are sometimes withdrawn for additional help in basic literacy and numeracy but are normally given additional support within classes so that they are a part of the whole school curriculum and organisation. Grango co-operates with other schools in South Clwyd to provide enrichment courses for students who have specific talents in particular subjects. The school particularly specialises in the education of physically disabled students who are fully integrated with their able-bodied peers.
In Years 10 and 11, teaching groups are normally following the full ability range General Certificate of Secondary Education (G.C.S.E.) course. Separate classes are provided for those opting into Entry Level courses. Some students also study at higher levels towards BTec and CACHE Level 2 qualifications.
The teaching programme includes a firm commitment to Homework and a timetable is issued to both students and parents. The approximate time allocation is one hour per evening for Year 7 and 8, one-and-a-half hours per evening for Year 9 and a minimum of two hours per evening in the Upper School (Years 10 and 11). All students are set and required to complete Homework in every subject on the timetable. Work set is recorded in a Homework Planner which must be signed each week by parents/guardians before presentation to form tutors.
The school seeks to make use of the community as a resource for learning. A number of local places of interest are visited by students during the course of their studies.