Vision StatementBow School 2020

Bow is an ambitious and exciting school where young people and adults work together to achieve high standards and to ensure that everyone is able to produce their personal best at whatever they are doing.

Bow School delivers excellence. Lessons are exciting and stimulating and encourage young people to stretch their imaginations, enquire about the world around them, challenge their understanding and think deeply about their learning. Bow students are problem solvers, independent thinkers and self-motivated learners. They work with the adults around them to question and develop their understanding of the subjects they are taking and to apply them to everyday situations. The adults in the Bow community are learners too; Bow School has a broad programme of training that is personalised to the needs of staff. Our parents are active participants in the education of their children; they participate in events, learn with their children and are aware of the opportunities for their children.

Bow School encourages ambition. It is a place of endless possibility and boundless ambition where teachers, students and parents aim high. These high aspirations are grounded in a deep understanding of the work, dedication, commitment, resilience and questioning growth mind-set that is needed to realise them and that is why Bow students go so far and fast. Trips, visits and partnerships feature significantly in the life of those at Bow; they inspire and stimulate, challenge and educate ensuring all students have exposure to a broad range of learning opportunities throughout their time at Bow. We develop leaders at all levels, creating self- assured, confident and articulate young people who will succeed in adulthood.

Bow School uncovers talent. Our broad and exciting curriculum provides an outstanding platform for performance, creativity and enquiry. All students are encouraged to engage in our expansive programme of extra-curricular activities. We run master classes and coaching sessions, we have talent shows and concerts, art exhibitions and whole school performances. Bow students and staff understand that to be really good at something takes time, grit and effort and they are fully prepared to undertake this challenge.

Bow has a focus on progress. We set high and challenging standards for each individual and we track progress regularly. We celebrate successes and challenge underachievement. Bow is an inclusive community. As a community comprehensive school we welcome students of all abilities and provide an appropriate and challenging curriculum for all of our students. We place a high priority on gaining prior knowledge of students and putting in place early interventions where necessary such that every member of the community is able to grow and succeed in a supportive, yet challenging, learning environment.

Our parents are a key component of our success at Bow. They have an active and involved role within the school and clear motivational and inspirational impact on their child’s education. Bow parents contribute to policy, help to shape our thinking and understand their own critical role in the success of their children. Through our work with parents, Bow students are able to grow into independent learners who can take control of their educational progress and development.

Excellent communication is at the core of the success of Bow School. Everyone in the school community understands the importance of timely and informative communication. We have clear and efficient systems to collect and share information. Knowledge of the students is understood to be central to moving them forward and targeting interventions appropriately.

Great partnerships underpin the success of Bow students and staff. We work hard to harness the energy, skills, experience and talents of others to secure outstanding opportunities for our students. Other schools, local business, universities and community groups are all essential elements in the broad and exciting curriculum at Bow. Our students are involved in shared projects, mentoring programmes, informative visits, inspirational workshops and many other activities with our partners who stimulate, engage and excite through the provision of their time, energy and resources. All of the adults working at Bow have a part to play in the success of the school and the success of the students. All of the staff, including support staff, work with the students as mentors, running clubs, offering work shadowing and supporting learning as appropriate.

The Bow Way

Underpinning all that we do at Bow to deliver excellence, uncover talent and encourage ambition is the way in which we all do conduct ourselves at all times.

At Bow we

  • Work together
  • Rise to each challenge
  • Celebrate success
  • Learn from every situation
  • Respect each other
  • Embrace diversity

Cath Smith