What is it like to be a student at Edgecliff?
As the Headteacher, Mr Chris Rogers states in his ‘Welcome’ message, the students themselves are the best advertisement of the school. It would therefore be fitting to find out their perspective of the school and what it is to be an Edgecliff student:
E is for Edgecliff Standard. This is the new behavioural system that was designed with input from students. Its aims are to promote excellent conduct so that the most can be achieved from every lesson.
D is for Design and Technology (DT). As a specialist technology school, DT lessons provide students with the environment, guidance and materials to use their practical skills and the building of a new DT block has only enhanced this. Edgecliff has a choice of four DT GCSEs: Food, Textiles, Product Design and Systems and Control.
G is for Green. Edgecliff is now well known for being green due to its ‘eco-school ‘ status. Eco-schools is a club run every week by Head of Science Mrs Wilkinson. Its aim is to help make Edgecliff a more environmentally friendly place.
E is for Extra-Curricular. Aside from regular lessons Edgecliff has many extra-curricular clubs and activities for you to take part in. As well as the sports practices described below, some of the things on offer include: homework club, gaming club, film club and many art and music clubs. Extra – Curricular activities are a great way to make new friends and find out who is interested in the same things you are.
C is for Canteen. The school canteen offers a wide variety of food and drink at reasonable prices. As well as main meals and desserts, there are breakfast foods in the morning and sandwiches and other snacks.
L is for LRC. The Learning Resource Centre (LRC) provides many services for students at break-times and lunch times. In the main area of the LRC there is a library home to many fiction and non-fiction books and tables that can be used for doing homework. There is also a computer room which can be used for homework.
I is for Information Technology. At Edgecliff there are four computer rooms, all hosting 30 computers. These computer rooms are used for both IT and DT lessons as well as being booked occasionally to be used by other subjects. Edgecliff offers both an IT Diploma and IT GCSE.
F is for Football(and other sports). PE lessons at Edgecliff give you the chance to try new sports and activities. Outside of lessons there are many sports clubs and practices for many different sports including football, basketball, netball, cricket, tennis, table tennis, badminton, golf, trampolining and athletics. There is also a chance to represent your house or school in one or more of these sports in house matches and fixtures against other schools.
F is for Future. Whilst at Edgecliff you are regularly set targets both in individual subject lessons and as overall personal targets. This helps you to focus and gives you something to work towards and allows both you and your teachers to assess how you are doing. Nearer to the end of your time at Edgecliff you are helped with making decisions about the future. At the end of Year 9 you choose which subjects to take at GCSE and throughout your time at Edgecliff you are encouraged to think about what you want to do in terms of Further Education. There is a careers adviser who can help you think about this and any other questions you may have in regards to life after Edgecliff.
Huw Mabe
I have been at this school for nearly 5 years now and I love it! Because Edgecliff is so small it feels like one big family, you get to know everyone in the school. If you ever have a problem you can talk to a Listen Upper (a member of one of the older years who has been trained to help) or a Prefect. All the teachers are really welcoming and are willing to help you, no matter what the problem is.
When I started at Edgecliff I found a really good way of making friends was attending the sports practices and playing in house matches. The PE staff are lovely and if you don't want to play matches and just want to do it for fun, they are completely supportive and don't push you into something your uncomfortably with.
The recent theatre production of Annie was great and I felt it brought the whole school together, the next production we are putting on is back to the 80's and I can't wait!!
My favourite part of Edgecliff is the atmosphere, a funny thing to say I know. But it’s the small things that count, the school gives off such a warm glow which entices you in, and you never want to go! I will be sorry to leave but I'm glad I came to Edgecliff as it had helped give me a great start in life.
Sophie Lowe
Edgecliff High School is a safe and friendly learning environment for all students and staff. The school offers a wide range of activities for students to participate in, inside and outside of the classroom. Sport practices and other recreational clubs are available to all years, with house matches on a Wednesday when everybody can take part.
As well as this, individual subjects arrange trips and outings to various places, bringing fun learning, outside of the classroom and enhance the knowledge of the subject. Such expeditions include the Swanage Geography weekend residential trip, open to Year 10 GCSE Students.
The school provides a happy working environment where every one supports each other. If extra help is needed, staff will help overcome study problems to achieve academic excellence in all aspects of learning.
Joe Wood